General questions
If I sit New Zealand Scholarship in Year 12 and I succeed, can I have a second attempt in the same subject in Year 13?
Yes, however you can only claim the monetary award once.
Do I need to gain NZ Scholarships in all 3 subjects in 1 year to get a NZ Scholarship award?
Yes, you need to gain NZ Scholarships in 1 year. NZ Scholarships gathered over 2 or more years cannot contribute to your Scholarship Award.
I am studying part-time this year – can I still receive my award?
You can receive payment of your award only if you are studying at a 0.4 full-time equivalent or more.
To find out whether your course/papers are 0.4, contact your study provider or StudyLink.
This is stated in the rules and procedures on the NZQA website.
I am not studying in the first semester, but I will be studying full-time next semester. What should I do?
Apply for a deferment of NZ Scholarship payment, and contact StudyLink later in the first semester to inform them of your intentions to begin full-time study in semester 2.
How many Outstanding results do I need to gain to be considered for the Outstanding Scholar Award?
The minimum eligibility requirement is 3 Scholarships with at least two at Outstanding level in the same year, or more than 3 Scholarships with at least one at Outstanding level in the same year. However, there is a limit on the number of these awards, and the minimum requirement may not be enough to receive an award.
On this page
Applying
How do I apply for my Scholarship award?
Go through your Learner login on the NZQA website. Once you have logged in, scroll down to where your Scholarship awards appear. Find a link that says “apply for or decline award now”. Follow the instructions from there.
I’ve filled in my application form on the NZQA website but haven’t received any further contact regarding my Scholarship payment. What happens next?
Once you apply through the NZQA website, the data is sent to StudyLink. They make contact with candidates either through the post or online if you have a “my StudyLink account”. You need to return the documentation to StudyLink for payment.
I cannot access the online application.
You may not have applied within the time frame and NZQA’s system has switched over the academic year, or you may have awards from 2 different years. Phone or email NZQA.
When does my application for payment of my scholarship have to be submitted by?
Your Scholarship application must be submitted by 15 January in the year after your Scholarship results are released. For example, if you sat NZ Scholarship successfully in 2021, and your results were released in 2022, you must have completed your application to receive payment before 15 January 2023.
You should submit your application as soon as possible to make sure you are paid quickly.
I applied for reconsideration, and the result was successful. But I have already submitted my application online. What should I do?
You don't need to do anything. Your successful reconsideration will be reflected in the information that is passed on to StudyLink, and payment will reflect what you have gained.
Payment
I’ve sent in my bank details and haven’t received payment yet. Why is this?
The first payment run takes place on the awards ceremony day in early May. No payments are made until then.
If you are enquiring after this date, you need to contact StudyLink to follow this up. They deal with all Scholarship payments.
When do I get the money?
The first payment for New Zealand Scholarship awards happens on the morning of the award ceremony in early May.
If all information you provided is received and processed prior to the ceremony day, you should expect payment on that day.
How is the money paid? Does it have to go towards my course fees?
Your NZ Scholarship money is paid into your chosen bank account.
You don't need to spend money on course fees. You can choose how you spend this money.
I got a single subject award in Year 12 and two single subject awards in Year 13. How much money do I get?
Because you have not achieved all 3 Scholarship subjects in the same year, you are not entitled to the $2000 payment; however, you are entitled to $500 per subject achieved in the same year, up to a maximum of $1000.
I got a single subject award in Year 12 and another single subject award in Year 13. How much money do I get?
You are entitled to a total payment of $500. Payment for more than 1 subject is made only if they are in the same year.
I gained Top Subject Scholar one year for English and a Single Subject Scholarship the next year for Accounting. Do I get $2,500?
Yes, if you gained a Top Subject Scholar Award in a subject prior to Year 13, and a Single Subject Award in another subject in Year 13, or the opposite, you will receive both awards.
I gained the Scholarship Award one year and Outstanding Award the next year but have been paid only $5,000. When can I expect the $2,000 for my Scholarship Award?
Where you meet the criteria for more than one monetary award, you will receive only the award of the highest monetary value.
Can I defer my monetary award?
On notification to NZQA through the learner portal by 1 April of the year after results release, you may defer receiving your award for up to 1 year after you leave school. If you are a recipient who wants subsequent deferments, you must apply to NZQA for approval.
Subsequent deferments require evidence of extraordinary circumstances. This is generally limited to illness, although requests are considered on a case-by-case basis through the Manager – Secondary Examinations.
New Zealand Scholarship records
Where do I find the records of my NZ Scholarship?
Records of your NZ Scholarship are in your NZQA account. Log into your account and look for View Awards on the right of your profile.
I gained all the requirements for the Outstanding Scholar Award, but there seems to be an error and it shows as Scholarship Award online?
The number of people who can receiver this award is restricted to the top 40 to 60 candidates. Achieving the minimum requirement will not guarantee you an Outstanding Scholar Award.
If I achieve a single subject award in Year 12 and an outstanding subject award for the same subject in Year 13, will both these appear on my New Zealand Record of Achievement?
Your New Zealand Record of Achievement (NZRoA) shows the NZ Scholarships you have achieved, so both will show. However, you will not be paid for both. You will receive $500 for each single subject achievement.