Ngati Tahu Scholarships

Ngati Tahu Scholarships are administered and distributed by Charitable Company Limited. Ngati Tahu Scholarships are intended to increase the participation levels in tertiary education by reducing financial barriers.

ELIGIBILITY

1. All Ngati Tahu descendants are eligible to apply for a Ngati Tahu Scholarship
2. Applicants must be undertaking or intending to undertake full time tertiary level study.
3. Any programme (i.e. subject) of study will be considered.
4. Applicants who are also registered with the Tauhara North No.2 Trust, may also apply for Trust Scholarships but successful applicants will receive either a Trust or a Ngāti Tahu Under-graduate scholarship in any given financial year.

The Directors of CCL are not obliged to award any scholarship if in any year there is no candidate of sufficient merit. The decision of the Directors of CCL to award any scholarship is full and final.

SCHOLARSHIP CATEGORIES AND VALUES

Three Ngati Tahu Scholarships are on offer per financial year. (A further nine Trust Scholarships are also available – see separate application forms).

2 x Ngati Tahu Undergraduate $5,000.00 per year for one year
1 x Ngati Tahu Postgraduate $5,000.00 per year for one year

OVERVIEW

1. One-year scholarships can be applied for and awarded for any year of the undergraduate tertiary study being undertaken.
2. Scholarships may be held concurrently with other awards from other sources.
3. Each scholarship must be taken up in the year for which it is awarded.

APPLICATION PROCESS

1. Applications must be completed and received by the CCL Grants Administration team no later than 31 January in the year the academic study will commence.
2. Applications for scholarships will be accepted from 1st January in the year that academic study will commence.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

1. Applicants must provide academic transcripts and academic history to date.
2. Scholarships may be awarded provisionally by CCL Directors in cases where academic results are still outstanding. Confirmation of the scholarship being awarded will be provided upon CCL receiving the outstanding results showing academic capability.
3. Applicants must provide an essay of 500-700 words; or a video about themselves outlining why they have chosen their programme of study, what they see as the benefits of tertiary study, and their educational aspirations for themselves, their whanau, hapu and iwi;
4. Applications must contain an endorsement letter or written reference.
5. Applicants will be advised if their application was successful within six weeks of the close-off date.
6. Applicants will be required to declare on their application, that any scholarship funds awarded will be used to cover costs associated with full-time tertiary study.
7. Applications must be made on Ngati Tahu Scholarship application forms.

USE OF FUNDS BY SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS

1. All scholarships are intended to cover tuition fees in the first instance.
2. Tuition fees will be paid directly to the education provider (CCL will pay upon receipt of the provider’s invoice).
3. In the case that the tuition fees for the academic year have already been paid to the education provider via Studylink (Student Loan), CCL will repay Studylink the tuition fees portion of the loan up to the value of the scholarship awarded.
4. In the case that tuition fees are to be paid in two payments (e.g. semester one and then another in semester two), CCL will pay the first semester fees upon receipt of the providers invoice. The remaining funds will be withheld to use towards payment of second semester fees once the providers invoice is received.
5. Any remaining funds after all tuition fees are paid will be paid immediately and directly to the student. Should the remaining balance be $1,500 or more, CCL may request receipts or quotes that show the funds were used to cover costs associated with full-time tertiary study.
6. If tuition fees have already been paid via another funding source, CCL Directors have the discretion to make payment for other costs identified by the student (i.e. course-related costs or accommodation). Payment will be made direct to the provider in the first instance; or to the student directly in the second instance.

 CHANGES TO CIRCUMSTANCES

1. In the case that a scholarship recipient changes their programme of study from that which was outlined in their application, they must immediately provide CCL Directors with a ‘Tertiary Scholarship Change of Circumstances’ form. The continued provision of the scholarship will be at the sole discretion of the Directors.
2. If a recipient opts to withdraw from study during the tenure of their scholarship, they must inform CCL Directors immediately.
3. In the event that a scholarship recipient withdraws from the enrolled course within a timeframe that refunds will be made by the Tertiary education provider, refunds must come back to CCL.
4. In the event that a scholarship recipient withdraws from the enrolled course AFTER the timeframe within which the provider will give refunds, it will be at the CCL Directors discretion whether they request the recipient pay back the funds to CCL.
5. In the event that a scholarship recipient needs to put their study on hold, they must:
   1. Advise CCL immediately using the ‘Tertiary Scholarship Change of Circumstances’ form.
   2. Provide the circumstances around the decision to CCL.
6. CCL Directors will consider requests on a case by case basis and will advise their decision within six weeks of receiving the ‘Change of Circumstances’ form.

 RECIPIENT OBLIGATIONS

ONE YEAR SCHOLARSHIPS: UNDERGRADUATE

Recipients must present or provide a written report on their academic year to the CCL Directors no later than 31 March in the year following that which the scholarship was awarded.

RECIPIENT OPPORTUNITIES

All successful recipients of a Scholarship from CCL will be offered the opportunity to participate in the CCL Internship Programme.

LATE OR INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL BE DECLINED

Applicants will be advised if their application was successful within six weeks of the close-off date.