Step Up Scholarship
Step Up Scholarships are designed to ensure that people are not deterred by cost from beginning tertiary study and will help to keep skilled graduates in New Zealand contributing to our economy. This scholarship helps fund your compulsory course fees.
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Step Up Scholarship
From 2010 the Step Up Scholarship is no longer available. This means that 2009 was the last year these awards could be made.
However, students who had already been awarded a Step Up Scholarship continue to be entitled to receive their scholarship, as long as they continue to meet the Terms and Conditions of their scholarship.
How much you can get
You need to contribute $1000 a year towards your course fees and we pay the balance. You can use a Student Loan to pay your contribution.
Your scholarship is paid directly to your education provider.
Courses approved for the Step Up Scholarship
For existing recipients of the Step Up Scholarship, the Government has relaxed a restriction on the types of course you can apply to transfer your scholarship to.
You will now be able to apply to have your scholarship transferred to any other bachelor degree that is a recognised course for Student Allowances purposes.
Previously, we would approve a transfer only if the new qualification was in the same Step Up Scholarship stream as the original qualification.
Terms and Conditions of the scholarship
The Step Up Scholarship has certain terms and conditions. These terms and conditions are applicable for the tenure of your scholarship. However, as part of the changes to the Step Up Scholarship Scheme, the Government has also decided to relax some of the Terms and Conditions of the Step Up Scholarship.
We recommend you review the original Terms and Conditions of your scholarship taking into account the changes below. Make sure you review the Terms and Conditions relevant to the year in which you were awarded a scholarship.
Changes to the Terms and Conditions of the Step Up Scholarship
Bonding
The Government has removed your bond obligations. This means:
- if you have gained the qualification that your scholarship was paid for and are currently bonded, you can leave New Zealand without having to repay any of your scholarship.
- If you are currently studying to complete the qualification your scholarship has been awarded for, you won’t have an obligation to remain in New Zealand once you gain your qualification.
However, if you travel overseas while studying and this travel breaches the terms and conditions for continuing eligibility to the scholarship, you might lose your right to any future scholarship payments.
Transfer
The Government has relaxed a restriction on the types of course you can apply to transfer your scholarship to. You will now be able to apply to have your scholarship transferred to any other bachelor degree that is a recognised course for Student Allowances purposes. Previously, we would approve a transfer only if the new qualification was in the same Step Up Scholarship stream as the original qualification.
The remainder of the Terms and Conditions are unchanged
Your responsibilities
If you get the Step Up Scholarship there are certain obligations you have to meet while you're studying.
Some changes in your circumstances may also impact on your ability to keep getting the Scholarship, so it's important you're familiar with these and that you talk to us if anything changes or you have any questions.
