South Waikato Investment Fund Trust (SWIFT)

Scholarship Application

Thank you for taking the time to complete the application.  Here are some key points to make note of:

• Applications will open on 1st September and the completed electronic form must be received by 31 October each year. 
• Scholarships will be distributed annually. 

• Course costs will be paid to applicants in February of each year, while the fees contribution will be paid directly to the tertiary education institute.

There are two Scholarship options to choose from:

- Course related costs only ($1000)

- Course related costs + Contribution to fees (up to $5000 in total)

Note - if you are eligible for 'Fee's Free', you can only apply for the Course related costs scholarship.  Check out whether you are eligible for 'Fees Free' here:

https://www.feesfree.govt.nz/eligibility-criteria/#learner-eligibility

Eligibility Criteria for this Scholarship are:

• The applicant must be living in the South Waikato district (as defined by the territorial authority boundaries) at the time of application and;
• Is enrolled (or intending to enrol) to attend a University, Polytechnic or Whare Wānanga and;
•  the course/qualification is a NZQA accredited course
• Minimum course duration is 6 months full time or 12 months part time

Additional documents required for this application include:

• Your CV
• Cover letter / video
• Contact details of 2 Referees

Your cover letter or video should include the following information:

• Tell us about what you want to study and why....
• Outline how you became interested in your chosen course, and where this might lead you in the future.
• Also consider how your area of study might be needed in or support the South Waikato district.
• Tell us about the support you need to access this programme
  Note - Your cover letter or video can also outline any financial/hardship information.
• The two referees to support your application are individuals who know you well (but not be a family member).
  If you are a school leaver, please ensure one of your referees is a teaching staff member or the principal of secondary school.
  If you are in employment, please ensure one of your referees is your supervisor, manager or employer.

Additional Information

Please upload the following: 

- Please upload your CV

- Please upload a cover letter or video that includes the following information:

• Tell us about what you want to study and why....

• Outline how you became interested in your chosen course, and where this might lead you in the future.

• Also consider how your area of study might be needed in or support the South Waikato district.

• Tell us about the support you need to access this programme

Note - Your cover letter or video can also outline any financial/hardship information.

You're nearly there! Just a quick note before you submit your application:

If your application is successful, the following information will be required prior to funds being paid out. Please ensure you have these prepared.

• Evidence of enrolment into the course/ qualification
• A copy of tuition fee invoice addressed to the recipient at their South Waikato address
• A results notice obtained at the end of the previous year (if a multiyear scholarship is awarded, ongoing funds will be conditional on academic pass rates being achieved and evidence will be required prior to 31 October each year)

A further note: 

The final step is to submit your application below, we wish you all the very best.

Nga mihi nui, 

The SWIFT team.