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The School Students’ Tertiary Scholarships Fund supports Waikirikiri Selwyn secondary school students with a contribution towards the costs of tertiary education.

School Students’ Tertiary Scholarships Fund

The School Students' Tertiary Scholarships Fund has been updated as at 21 July 2026.

Please review the updated funding criteria below, before preparing or submitting an application.

Purpose of the Fund

To encourage the district’s secondary school students to achieve outstanding success in academic, sports, cultural, arts, social responsibility, or other areas in their community. Students who have overcome barriers or hardships to achieve are particularly encouraged to apply.

Outcomes of the Fund

  • Eight students benefit in their tertiary education through the scholarships (two each from Rolleston College, Ellesmere College, Lincoln High School, and Darfield High School).
  • Student success in a range of areas is acknowledged and celebrated.

Funding dates for 2026

  • Applications open: Friday 31 July 2026
  • Applications close: Wednesday 9 September 2026, 9pm
Scholarships Available

Each scholarship is worth $2,000 (one scholarship per student).

There are 8 scholarships available for students attending secondary school in Waikirikiri Selwyn (two each from Rolleston College, Ellesmere College, Lincoln High School, and Darfield High School).

How to Apply

Prior to applying, please read the criteria and ensure you have all the documentation required:

  • a reference by a person who is not a member of the applicants family. This might be a coach, tutor, school principal/dean/teacher, someone involved in the community service the applicant is delivering, and so forth. The referee needs to state their connection with the applicant, the duration of the connection, the applicant's specific skills and talents, their achievements and successes, and the commitment demonstrated by the applicant.
  • a Record of Achievement for the past 2 years.
  • documents that may support your application (if any).

Criteria

 

Who Can Apply

  • Applicants are students who demonstrate outstanding success in at least one area of school or community life such as academic, sports, culture, music, arts, community service, or other areas.
  • As per the Community Funding Policy 5.3 [PDF, 421 KB]. Applicants and applications that may be connected to elected members of Council or the Malvern Community Board, or Council staff, need to declare any possible conflict of interest or any possible perception of conflict of interest.
  • Applicants who have overcome significant barriers or hardships to achieve are encouraged to apply.
  • Applicants must:
    • be enrolled as a year 12 or 13 student at the time of application.
    • plan to undertake full-time tertiary education through a New Zealand university, wānanga, polytechnic/training institute, government training provider, or private training establishment that is registered with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority.
    • permanently reside in the Waikirikiri Selwyn district on a weekly basis while at secondary school.
    • be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.

Terms and Conditions

  • Applicants must include a reference by a person who is not a member of their family. This might be a coach, tutor, school principal/dean/teacher, someone involved in the community service the applicant is delivering, and so forth.
  • The applicants' chosen field of study does not have to align with their area of achievement mentioned in the application. For example, a student excelling in sports may choose to study arts.
  • Applicants agree to provide the Council with a brief report about benefits gained through their tertiary education experience at the end of their first year of study. The report could be written or a electronic (e.g. video).
  • The scholarship is for a full-time programme of study or work-based training programme (apprenticeship).
  • The programme of study must commence in the calendar year following the awarding of the scholarship.
  • Applicants are not required to remain in Selwyn for their tertiary education. Tertiary study may be undertaken anywhere in New Zealand.
  • Payment of the scholarship is made on receipt of acceptance of enrolment from the tertiary provider.
  • Only one application can be submitted per applicant per year.
  • The number of scholarships granted in any one year is determined by Selwyn District Council.
 

What Can Be Funded

  • The scholarship is intended to be used by recipients as a contribution to the costs of tertiary education including:
    • Course fees.
    • Travel costs to the study location.
    • Study materials, textbooks, and equipment specifically related to the area of study (e.g., art supplies for an arts course, tools for a building apprenticeship).
    • Student accommodation costs.

What Can’t Be Funded

  • Living costs not included above.

Process

  • After the closing date, Selwyn District Council will receive and review all scholarship applications and prepare a shortlist for each ward. At the discretion of the Councillor(s), shortlisted students may be asked to participate in an interview with the relevant Councillor(s). This will be communicated via email directly with the students. Students are welcome to bring a support person/people with them to their interview.
  • Successful applicants will have their scholarship announced and awarded at the end-of-year school prizegiving.

If you have any questions, please contact funding@selwyn.govt.nz