Scholarships
We offer a variety of scholarships to assist our students across many different study areas. Our range of scholarships gives you the opportunity to undertake the learning journey you want – no matter what your situation.
If you’re thinking of studying with us, we have a variety of scholarships to assist you.
Some of these are for any programme of study while others relate to specific qualifications or entry requirements.
Please note that you can only use one scholarship discount at a time.
Māori Students
We are currently updating the details of this scholarship and will update this webpage as soon as possible.
Who is eligible? Otago secondary school students who are recipients of the Mana Pounamu Young Māori Achievers Award.
This scholarship celebrates Rangatahi Māori who have shown leadership within their school or wider community.
One scholarship will be offered to each senior recipient of the Mana Pounamu Young Māori Achievers Award. This scholarship will cover the tuition fees of the chosen programme of study.
Process for application:
- Otago secondary schools will select the student they will nominate for this scholarship.
- Students are encouraged to speak directly with their principals, Māori Dean or Careers Advisors to ensure their name is put forward as a potential candidate for Mana Pounamu.
- The names of the nominated candidates and an application form will be submitted by the school to the Mana Pounamu committee.
- The nominated candidate attends the Mana Pounamu awards ceremony where they will be formally awarded the scholarship.
- The recipient returns the Student Acceptance form to tepunakaowheo@op.ac.nz
Mana Pounamu information and applications are sent to all Otago High Schools in Term One with key dates. The Mana Pounamu award ceremony aligns with Matariki each year.
The purpose of the Mātāwaka Scholarship is to encourage Māori of all ages and backgrounds to study at Otago Polytechnic, and encourage them to succeed in tertiary education by removing financial barriers to study. The scholarships also acknowledge the contribution learners can make to their local community.
Who is eligible? Prospective and current ākonga Māori who do not have whakapapa links to the four local Rūnaka enrolled in any study programme.
The scholarship will cover tuition fees for one year of study.
All successful recipients will be paired with a Tuakana (Māori mentor) to guide them through their first year of studies.
We will be uploading the application form for 2025 in September 2024.
Who is eligible? Prospective Māori students from our four local Rūnaka enrolled in any study programme.
The purpose of this scholarship is to acknowledge the contribution students make to their Rūnaka and the local community. It is offered to four students (one from each of the four local Rūnaka), for study in a chosen programme at Otago Polytechnic. Full fees are paid for the duration of the study.
To be eligible:
- You must already be registered with one of the four local Rūnaka:
- Te Rūnaka o Moeraki moeraki.runanga@ngaitahu.iwi.nz
- Kati Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki admin@puketeraki.nz
- Te Rūnanga ō Otākou office@tro.org.nz
- Hokonui Rūnaka hokonui.office@ngaitahu.iwi.nz
- You must meet the academic entry criteria for your chosen programme of study.
- You must be a domestic student.
- You must pass your academic studies each year with a minimum of 50%.
- Your study must be continuous.
- You must be enrolled in a full-time, full-year course.
We will be uploading the application form for 2025 in September 2024.
Secondary School Students
Who's eligible? Otago and Southland secondary school students enrolled in any study programme.
This scholarship is to be awarded to a student who has shown leadership inside or outside the school community. One scholarship will be offered at the discretion of the Principal of each school in the Otago and Southland regions for payment of a reduction in tuition fees for a chosen programme at Otago Polytechnic.
The following conditions apply:
- Candidates must meet the academic entry criteria for their chosen programme of study.
- Where places on a course or programme are limited, normal selection criteria will apply.
- This scholarship applies to domestic learners only.
- This scholarship entitles the recipient to a one-off payment of $2,000 as a tuition fee reduction.
Process for application:
- Otago and Southland school Principals will select the students who will be offered these scholarships.
- Students are encouraged to advise their Principal and/or Careers Advisor of their intention to study at Otago Polytechnic to ensure that their name is put forward as a potential candidate for consideration for this scholarship.
- The names of the nominated candidate will be provided to Otago Polytechnic Customer Services by the school Principal (please email scholarships@op.ac.nz )
- The nominated candidate returns the Student Acceptance form signed by both the candidate and the Principal.
- Otago Polytechnic applies discretion and confidentiality when acknowledging scholarship recipients and, when appropriate, acknowledgement of the scholarship will be sent post prize-giving events.
Information and application forms are sent to School Principals by the end of Term 2. Nominations close at the end of Term 3.
The aim of this scholarship, offered by the Zonta Club or Metropolitan Dunedin, is to encourage young women from Otago to enter a recognised trade such as, but not limited to, building, plumbing, electrical and mechanics.
Who is eligible: Year 13 female students who are intending to enrol at Otago Polytechnic a trade or apprenticeship programme.
Otago Polytechnic trade areas: Automotive, Bike Mechanics, Carpentry, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Stonemasonry
Scholarship amount: $1,000
This is a merit-based scholarship. It is envisaged that it will be used for course-related costs e.g. tools or materials.
The scholarship will be awarded for the first year of the successful applicant’s study if they can provide evidence of enrolment in their chosen course.
Applications close annually on 30 September.
For more information and the application form, click here.
Women (she/her/they/them)
We are currently updating the details of this scholarship and will update this webpage as soon as possible.
The aim of this scholarship, offered by the Zonta Club or Metropolitan Dunedin, is to encourage young women from Otago to enter a recognised trade such as, but not limited to, building, plumbing, electrical and mechanics.
Who is eligible: Year 13 female students who are intending to enrol at Otago Polytechnic a trade or apprenticeship programme.
Otago Polytechnic trade areas: Automotive, Bike Mechanics, Carpentry, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Stonemasonry
Scholarship amount: $1,000
This is a merit-based scholarship. It is envisaged that it will be used for course-related costs e.g. tools or materials.
The scholarship will be awarded for the first year of the successful applicant’s study if they can provide evidence of enrolment in their chosen course.
Applications close annually on 30 September.
For more information and the application form, click here.
For current students
Scholarships
If you’re already studying with us, we’re keen to help you move into further study or give you opportunities for professional and/or personal development.
What happens next?
Once you've applied for a scholarship, we will be in touch to discuss your options and confirm your scholarship status. If you have any questions or need help applying for a scholarship please get in touch with our Scholarships team.
