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Before you apply for any scholarships, you'll need to get a few things sorted. Use this guide to help you work through the process. This may seem like a lot of work, but it's worth it to have a shot at our valuable scholarships.

What to prepare

Below we've outlined all of the information you'll need to have on hand in order to complete each section of the application.

Education

You must complete this section. You will need to provide:

  • The education system(s) you studied in and your candidate number (if applicable)
  • Name and contact details for the teacher in charge of the IB programme at your school (if applicable)
  • Issues that may have negatively affected your Year 12 results (if applicable)

Leadership

Complete this section only if it is relevant to you. You will need to provide:

  • School and community leadership roles (if applicable)
  • Short statements (max 200 characters each) that demonstrate 3 examples of your school or community leadership activities within the past 2 years
  • Name and contact details for a referee who can comment on your leadership activities (only applicable if you were not enrolled at a New Zealand high school in the past 2 years). You may use the same referee more than once.

Academic achievement

Complete this section only if it is relevant to you. You will need to provide:

  • Short statements (max 200 characters each) that describe outstanding academic achievements. The University will automatically received a copy of your academic transcript so provide information beyond what is included in that document.

Sport and cultural

Complete this section only if it is relevant to you. You will need to provide:

  • The name of your high performance sporting or cultural activity
  • Short statements (max 200 characters each) that outline 3 examples of significant activities that demonstrate your excellence in your chosen performance activity
  • An indication of whether you intend to continue to participate in your chosen performance activity while at Otago

Extra-curricular activity

Complete this section only if it is relevant to you. You will need to provide:

  • Short statements (max 200 characters each) that demonstrate 3 examples of your extra-curricular activities within the past 2 years

Māori

Complete this section only if it is relevant to you*. You will need to provide:

  • A statement (max 1,500 characters) that demonstrates your involvement with taha Māori
  • A statement (max 1,500 characters) that outlines your personal, professional and career aspirations
  • Name and contact details for a referee who can comment on your answers in this section. You may use the same referee more than once.

*Applicable to individuals who whakapapa Māori.

Pacific

Complete this section only if it is relevant to you*. You will need to provide:

  • A statement (max 1,500 characters) that demonstrates your involvement with Pacific communities
  • A statement (max 1,500 characters) that outlines your personal, professional and career aspirations
  • Name and contact details for a referee who can comment on your answers in this section. You may use the same referee more than once.

*Applicable to indigenous Pacific peoples only.

Financial circumstances

Complete this section only if it is relevant to you. You will need to provide:

  • A statement (max 200 characters) that outlines your family's financial circumstances
  • A statement (max 200 characters) that outlines the impact a scholarship will have on your ability to study at the University of Otago
  • Name and contact details for a parent or caregiver who can provide information about your family's financial circumstances. You may use the same referee more than once.
  • Information about paid work in the 12 months prior to submitting your application

Family circumstances

Complete this section only if it is relevant to you. You will need to provide:

  • A statement (max 200 characters) that outlines any family circumstances that may impact your ability to study at the University of Otago
  • Your family's refugee status
  • Whether you are first-in-family to attend university

Disability

Complete this section only if it is relevant to you. You will need to provide:

  • A statement (max 200 characters) about your disability, impairment or medical condition
  • Name and contact details for a referee who can review and comment on your answers in this section

Declaration/submit

There is a declaration that you must agree with before you can submit your online scholarship application.

Is it relevant?

If you're still not sure whether you should be providing further information in a particular section, use the information below to help you decide. The chart indicates which scholarships will factor your answers to a particular section into their selection considerations. That being said, we really do encourage you to complete as many sections as possible – as long as they are relevant to you.

  Scholarship application sections
  Create eVision account Education Leadership Academic achievements Sport and cultural Extra-curricular Māori Pacific Financial circumstances Family circumstances Disability Declaration / submit
Academic Excellence YesYesYesYes Yes     Yes
Leaders of Tomorrow YesYesYes        Yes
Māori YesYes    Yes    Yes
Pacific Peoples' YesYes     Yes   Yes
150th YesYes      Yes*Yes* Yes
Donna-Rose McKay YesYes        YesYes
Performance YesYesYes Yes      Yes
New Frontiers YesYes         Yes
Ralph and Eve Seelye Academic Excellence YesYes      Yes*Yes* Yes
Required
Complete either the Financial or Family circumstances sections.

When to apply?

In order to be considered for as many scholarships as possible, don't delay in submitting your scholarship application. You will only be considered for scholarships that are open on the date you apply. Use the information below to help you decide when is best to get your application sorted.

Scholarship NZ dollars
(1-to-3 year tenure)
Opening date Closing date
Academic Excellence Typically around $30,000 1 July 15 August
Leaders of Tomorrow $6,000* 1 July 15 August
Māori $14,000* 1 July 15 August
Pacific Peoples' $14,000* 1 July 15 August
150th $14,000* 1 July 15 August
Donna-Rose McKay $6,000* 1 July 15 August
S & G Higgs $6,000* 1 July 15 August
Performance $6,000* 1 July 15 August
New Frontiers $2,000 or $4,000 1 July 4 March
Dux $6,000**   No application or closing date
Alumni Appeal $6,000 To be advised To be advised
Alumni in America Inc. $6,000 To be advised To be advised
Law Alumni $6,000 To be advised To be advised
71-73 Frank Leong Alumni $6,000 To be advised To be advised
Callis Trust Performance $6,000 To be advised To be advised
Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship Varies   No application or closing date
*
Exceptional applicants may be offered this scholarship at a higher value and a longer tenure.
**
Value is reduced if held in conjunction with another Otago Entrance Scholarship.

Full scholarship details

If you'd like to know more about any of our entrance scholarships – including full rules, regulations and selection criteria – you are welcome to read the full details available in our Undergraduate Entrance Scholarships Database.

A full list of available entrance scholarships can be found here.

Frequently asked questions

Our FAQs should help address any remaining questions you might have before applying.

Entrance scholarships frequently asked questions

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