Tips for applying for a scholarship

Find out how to apply for scholarships, from choosing a suitable award to what happens after submitting an application.

Before you start

Research

To find out what opportunities are on offer, search the scholarships in our database.

Read the regulations

They tell you what the Selection Committee will be looking for and whether you are eligible. These can be found on our scholarships database.

Deadlines

We recommend double-checking the scholarship's closing date and time, so you're certain about when you'll need to apply. Closing dates are not flexible.

Selecting a scholarship

If you're an international or mature student, don't rule out a scholarship until you've looked at the criteria—you're eligible to apply for all scholarships that do not specify that you would be ineligible.

There is no limit to how many scholarships you can apply for. However, if you're awarded more than one, you'll need to check each scholarship's regulations to confirm you can hold them at the same time.

Applying

It is important to start your application early. You can save and come back to it later if you need to add more details. If you need a reference, request your referees through the application system as soon as you can - they will need to know early.

Prepare any documents you might need for each application:

  • The required documents are listed in the regulations under ‘Scholarship specific documentation’. References should be requested through the request section of the application. Personal statements are documents you write to promote yourself. For more information see references and personal statements.
  • If you are applying as a school leaver, you will need your NSN Number (National Student Number) or codes for other qualifications (IB and CIE).
  • Each scholarship will be slightly different so you may need to tailor each document to suit the criteria. Scholarships are highly competitive—this is an opportunity to tell us why you deserve the scholarship.

Once you find a scholarship you'd like to apply for, look for the ‘Apply online’ link in the scholarship's details found under the heading ‘Application process’. This link is usually available a month before the closing date. School Leaver Scholarship applications will open about 10 weeks prior to the closing date.

When you select ‘Apply online’, you'll be directed to the online application system, called CommunityForce. When you click ‘Apply’ you’ll be prompted to login to the portal.

Completing your application

The application system uses a dashboard with icons that turn green and show 100% once you have completed them. The sections that show up are dependent on the categories in the scholarship you’ve applied for.

If you’ve applied for a scholarship before, you also have the option to import data from previous applications by selecting ‘Import responses from existing applications’. Review the imported data and change anything that isn't relevant for the application you are currently working on.

Each section of your application needs to be showing 100% completion before you can submit. However, you can still submit while awaiting references to be submitted.

Continue to check that your references have been received it is up to you to follow these up with your referee.

Don't miss the final step—select ‘Submit’ in the top right-hand corner to finalise your application.

Afterwards, you'll receive an email confirming your application was successfully submitted.

Submit your application by the deadline

Late, incomplete, or unsubmitted applications will not be accepted.

After you've submitted

Once you have applied for a scholarship, you will be notified by email about the status of your application including reminders and final decisions.

Further assistance

If you have further questions the Scholarships Office are here to help.

scholarships-office@vuw.ac.nz