GFS (Girls Friendly Society) Pasifika Scholarship

Scholarship level: Returning students
Closing date(s): 1 December
Tenure: Up to three years with evidence of satisfactory results at the completion of each academic year.  
Award for: Pasifika; Facing financial hardship; Women; Domestic
Number offered: One
Value: Up to $12,000

Description

This scholarship is available to female domestic Pasifika students under 25 years of age facing financial hardship. Eligible students will be enrolled in a full-time programme of study for the year the scholarship is awarded.

History

The Girls Friendly Society (GFS) is a global Anglican organisation founded in London in 1875 to provide support and skills training for girls moving from the country to work in the city. By 1883, GFS had spread to New Zealand cities and was providing hostel accommodation for young women living away from home for the first time. With changes in our society all GFS hostels eventually closed, however in Wellington, the capital from the sale of these properties was invested, allowing us to support young women in Wellington with tertiary scholarships.

While we operate under the umbrella of the Anglican Church, our scholarships are available to students of all religions and those of no religion - we're committed to serving people of diverse backgrounds. The winner of our scholarship will have a portion of their tuition fees paid for and receive regular mentoring to support their success. Our scholarships are means-tested - aimed towards supporting motivated and capable students from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

Who is eligible?

  • Applicants must be Pasifika and female.
  • Applicants must be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.
  • Applicants must be under 25 years of age.
  • Applicants must have completed one year of full-time study at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, and intending to enrol full time in their second year of an undergraduate programme in the year following application.
  • Applicants must be experiencing financial hardship.

Selection criteria

Preference will be given to applicants who are facing financial hardship, demonstrate initiative, and are capable of completing the degree they are enrolled in.

Application process

A completed online application must be submitted by 4.30 pm on the closing date. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Any required supporting documentation (including references) must also be received by 4.30 pm on the closing date in order for the application to be considered.

Applications will normally open one month prior to the closing date. If no application link is provided below, check back again closer to the closing date. Contact us if you have any queries.

Apply online

Scholarship specific documentation

  • A personal statement
  • Applicants must complete the financial section of the online application
  • An academic reference (to be requested via the online application)

Selection process

An interview panel will include representatives from the Girls Friendly Society, the Office of the AVC (Pasifika), and a representative from Victoria University of Wellington.

Additional information

The scholarship is comprised of $4,000 per year for two to three years of study.

Regulations and conditions

  1. A completed online application must be submitted by 4.30 pm on the closing date. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Any required supporting documentation (including references) must also be received by 4:30pm on the closing date in order for the application to be considered.
  2. All offers of the Scholarship will be conditional upon the recipient being fully enrolled in a full-year programme (full-time will be at the level of points considered by Studylink as full-time) within the stipulated criteria and tenure of the scholarship. No payment of the Scholarship will be made until this condition is met.
  3. The Scholarship cannot be deferred to a later year.
  4. The Scholarship may be held in conjunction with other awards, if they are of lesser value than the GFS scholarship.
  5. Should the recipient withdraw from Victoria University of Wellington during the tenure of this scholarship or fail to achieve a satisfactory progress, partial repayment of the Scholarship will normally be expected. Recipients must advise the Scholarships Office if they intend to withdraw.
  6. Recipients will be required to keep GFS informed of their university results for each semester to ensure their performance is acceptable and keep in regular contact with their assigned GFS mentor.
  7. Recipients are expected to act as Ambassadors for Victoria University of Wellington and participate in appropriate events or marketing if requested.
  8. At the discretion of the Deciding Authority, the application of the terms and conditions of the Scholarship may be modified in special circumstances or to avoid hardship to any candidate for the Scholarship.

Contact

Scholarships Office
scholarships-office@vuw.ac.nz
Phone 0800 04 04 04