Scholarships for students with disabilities

University of Auckland Top Achiever Scholarship

Applications close in August each year.

The Scholarship comprises one year of catered accommodation in a University of Auckland Hall of Residence plus $5,000 paid in two lump sum payments.

Selected on outstanding academic ability, demonstrated leadership potential, achievement in academic, sports or arts competitions, recognition within the community and evidence of sustained academic mentoring. The personal circumstances of applicants will also be taken into consideration including whether the applicant has a disability. 

University of Auckland Māori Academic Excellence Scholarship

Applications close in August each year.

The Scholarship comprises one year of catered accommodation in a University of Auckland Hall of Residence in year one plus $5,000 paid in lump sum payments each year.

Selected on academic ability, cultural participation in Māori contexts, demonstrated leadership potential, achievement in academic, sports or arts competitions, recognition within the community and evidence of sustained academic mentoring. The personal circumstances of applicants will also be taken into consideration including whether the applicant has a disability. 

University of Auckland Pacific Academic Excellence Scholarship

Applications close in August each year.

The Scholarship comprises one year of catered accommodation in a University of Auckland Hall of Residence in year one plus $5,000 paid in lump sum payments each year.

Selected on academic ability, cultural participation in Pacific contexts, demonstrated leadership potential, achievement in academic, sports or arts competitions, recognition within the community and evidence of sustained academic mentoring. The personal circumstances of applicants will also be taken into consideration including whether the applicant has a disability. 

University of Auckland Academic Potential Scholarships

Applications close in August each year.

These Scholarships are awarded to students who have achieved academically, but who are experiencing hardships or who may have been disadvantaged due to their personal circumstances. Both school-leavers or students currently enrolled in approved tertiary pathway programmes are eligible to apply for these scholarships. The Scholarship is awarded in three tiers and is payable over three years.

360 International Award for Equity Students

Applications normally close in April and October for study in the following year.

The Award provides financial support to University of Auckland students who are part of the University’s equity groups while on an approved student exchange. Four Awards are made annually and are of the value of $6,000 each.

Chew Liong Kim & Tan Chee Chin Scholarship

Applications close in January each year.

An $8,000 Scholarship to support an international or domestic student enrolling in the second or subsequent year of an undergraduate degree who has achieved academically but who is experiencing hardships or who may have been disadvantaged due to their personal circumstances.

Pong, Tams and Ko Scholarship

Applications close in February each year

A Scholarship of up to $8,000 to support domestic and international students with sensory, physical, medical and/or learning difficulties/disabilities.

Taitea Undergraduate Award in Creative Learning

No application required, eligible applicants for the University of Auckland Top Achiever Scholarship, the University of Auckland Māori Academic Excellence Scholarship, the University of Auckland Pacific Academic Excellence Scholarship, and the University of Auckland Academic Potential Scholarship – School Leavers will also be considered for this Award.

Up to two Awards of up to $4,500 each for New Zealand citizens or permanent residents enrolling in the first year of a practical creative undergraduate degree who have demonstrated the potential to succeed but who are experiencing hardships or who may have been disadvantaged due to their personal circumstances.

University of Auckland Doctoral Scholarship

We offer guaranteed scholarships to new domestic doctoral and international PhD applicants who meet grade point average (GPA) thresholds in their qualifying programme from a New Zealand university. In 2021, the Scholarship has a value of $28,500 per annum, plus compulsory tuition fees. Students who are undertaking their first doctoral programme will be assessed for scholarship eligibility and award at the time of application to the doctoral programme.

Domestic students may apply to hold the University of Auckland Doctoral Scholarship on a part-time basis for socially compelling reasons including medical condition(s), impairment(s) or disabilities.

University of Auckland Research Masters Scholarship

The Scholarship is offered each semester to meritorious students applying for an approved research masters degree at the University of Auckland. The purpose of these Scholarships is to support enrolment in masters programmes that establish eligibility for doctoral study.

Students will be assessed for scholarship eligibility when their application for postgraduate admission is approved. To be awarded this Scholarship, applicants must be completing a research component of at least 90 points and must have obtained their most recent qualifying programme at a recognised university and have achieved a GPA of 8.00 or above in that programme.

University of Auckland Postgraduate Honours/PGDip Scholarship

The Scholarship is offered each semester to meritorious students enrolled for a postgraduate level Bachelors Honours degree or, where applicable, an approved Postgraduate Diploma. The purpose of the Scholarship is to support enrolment in programmes that establish eligibility for doctoral study.

Students will be assessed for scholarship eligibility when their application for postgraduate admission to the University of Auckland is approved. To be awarded this Scholarship, applicants must have obtained their most recent qualifying programme at a recognised university and have achieved a GPA of 8.00 or above in that programme.

University of Auckland Māori Postgraduate Scholarship

The Scholarship is offered each semester to Māori students enrolled in any Masters or postgraduate level Bachelors (Honours) degree, or any Postgraduate Diploma.

Students will be assessed for scholarship eligibility when their application for postgraduate admission to the University of Auckland is approved. To be awarded this Scholarship, applicants must have obtained their most recent qualifying programme at a recognised university and have achieved a GPA of 7.50 or above in that programme.

University of Auckland Pacific Postgraduate Scholarship

The Scholarship is offered each semester to domestic Pacific students enrolled in any Masters or postgraduate level Bachelors (Honours) degree, or any Postgraduate Diploma.

Students will be assessed for scholarship eligibility when their application for postgraduate admission to the University of Auckland is approved. To be awarded this Scholarship, applicants must have obtained their most recent qualifying programme at a recognised university and have achieved a GPA of 7.50 or above in that programme.

Jane and Rebecca Hulst Memorial Scholarship

Applications close in November. The Scholarship is next available for the 2023 academic year.

A two-year Scholarship to support a full-time MSLTPrac student, offered every two years to a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident. The Scholarship provides up to $10,000 pa towards tuition fees. The main purpose of the Scholarship is to foster and encourage masters study in Speech and Language Therapy Practice, with an emphasis on children with disabilities. 

June Opie Fellowship

Applications close in October each year.

The Fellowship provides financial assistance to citizens or permanent residents of Australia, Canada or New Zealand who have a severe disability and who are planning to undertake postgraduate study.

Mark Barrow Education and Social Work Scholarship

Applications close in January each year.

A $5,000 Scholarship for masters research in the Faculty of Education and Social Work that aims to make a positive contribution towards addressing an issue or issues arising about social or educational inequality relating to Māori or a designated University equity group.

Taitea Masters Award in Creative Research

Applications close in March each year.

An Award of up to $10,000 for New Zealand citizens and permanent residents from one or more of the University of Auckland’s equity groups who are enrolled in a research masters programme with a substantial creative component.

Oppenheim Trust for Tertiary Education of the Visually Impaired

Applications close in January.

The Oppenheim Trust provides assistance to Blind Low Vision NZ clients undertaking or about to enter tertiary education. Funds are granted specifically for course fees only. Successful grants are awarded in mid-February each year. 

Sir Arthur Pearson Memorial Fund

Applications to the fund can be made at any time.

This Fund was established in 1923 from the proceeds of a public appeal for funds to aid both civilian and war blinded persons. It can provide assistance to meet the additional financial costs of blindness; enhance member rehabilitation, habilitation and personal development needs. The Fund does not provide assistance to meet the ordinary costs of daily living or welfare. 

Deaf Education Scholarship

Applications are open between 1 Feburary and 31 March each year.

The National Foundation for Deaf & Hard of Hearing offers a Scholarship to support persons who are Deaf or hard of hearing with their studies at tertiary level. There is no age limit. The Scholarship can cover course fees, books, interpreters, note-takers and extra tuition etc.

Dulcie Bowman Memorial Scholarship

Applications close in January each year.

Two Scholarships of $4,500 each to support women students with a hearing disability who are enrolled in undergraduate or postgraduate study at the University of Auckland.

John and Betty Rose Scholarship

Applications close in January each year.

Deaf Children New Zealand offers two scholarships per year of $1,000 towards tertiary fees.

Mary Adeline Allen Scholarship

Applications close 15 November each year.

The scholarship is awarded annually to Deaf/Hearing Impaired people who wish to undertake study at a recognised tertiary institution, and has a value of up to $2,000, which may be used to pay for course fees. 

M G Martin Charitable Trust Grants

Applications close 30 November each year.

Grants of up to $3,000 are available to contribute to the costs of attendance at a conference, course, community or research project on the education of Deaf and hearing impaired children.

Applications should include: a statement indicating how the grant will be used; a budget, including other sources of funding for the project; implementation plan; potential benefits for Deaf and hearing-impaired children; a brief CV; the names of two referees (one from the field of Deaf/hearing impaired children).

For more information or to apply, contact M G Martin Charitable Trust. Email: mgmartintrust@gmail.com. 

National Foundation for Deaf & Hard of Hearing Training and Development Scholarship

Applications close on 31 March each year.

A scholarship to support training and development for Deaf, hard of hearing or hearing-able people. Deaf/hard of hearing applicants can use the scholarship for own training/ improvement /employment opportunities. Hearing applicants must use the scholarship to work for the benefit of Deaf and/or hard of hearing people in a professional and/or voluntary capacity. The scholarship can be used to cover course fees, books, interpreters, note-takers and extra educational material or tuition. 

Shirley McKenzie Scholarship

Applications close in November and January each year.

Deaf Aotearoa New Zealand Inc offers scholarships to help students to get more education or a professional qualification. To apply you must be a current member of Deaf Aotearoa New Zealand Inc, and have New Zealand citizenship or residency.

Zachary Gravatt Memorial Scholarship

Applications for 2021 close on 30 June. Eight scholarships of $3,750 each are available for 2021.

Scholarships to fund professional development and/or training for a Year V to VI MBChB student who has overcome a significant personal challenge to succeed with their studies and who has demonstrated excellence in clinical skills.

Dorothy L Newman Scholarship

Applications close in June and October each year.

The Scholarship assists people who have been diagnosed as having MS, and who are needing to retrain for paid employment.  The Scholarship is not currently accepting applications.

Ian Campbell Scholarship

Applications close 1 October each year.

The Scholarship is open to people with parapalegia and physical disabilities or those working in this field to undertake or further a course of tertiary study. The Scholarship may be used for payment of study fees, educational equipment or books. 

Mō Te Pae Tiaki o Jubilee - The Jubilee Trust Grants

Apply in by letter to the Jubilee trust. Scholarship applications close 15 January, and Education and General grants close in the first week of February, May, August and November.

The Trust provides financial support for people with physical disabilities living in Northland, Auckland and the Eastern Bay of Plenty to realise the dreams they have for themselves and their family and whānau.

Scholarships of up to $10,000 are available for students in their final year of study at tertiary level.

Education grants of up to $3,500 are available for students in their first or second year of study at tertiary level.

General grants of up to $3,500 are available for a range of purposes to fit the needs of the applicant.

Te Pae Tiaki o Cook Opie - Cook Opie Trust Grants

Applications by letter close in the first week of February, May, August and November each year.

The Cook Opie Trust grands funds of up to $2,500  for the purchase of computer and technical equipment.

*Some of the content on this page is sourced from external websites and is provided for convenience. The University of Auckland Scholarships Office is not responsible for the accuracy or content on such websites and the inclusion of such links does not imply endorsement of the linked websites or their providers.

Many other University of Auckland scholarships are open to students with disabilities. Search our comprehensive scholarships database for an up-to-date list of all the scholarships and awards available to future and current University of Auckland students.