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What the Scholarships offer

Applications are now open until Monday 5 February 2024. 

Te Whatu Ora Pacific Health Scholarships support the development of our Pacific health and disability workforce.

The Scholarships contribute to tuition fees for eligible students of indigenous Pacific Islands descent undertaking a course in medical and health or disability-related studies, accredited by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA).

Applications for the Scholarships are open to full and part-time students.

The Scholarships offer

  • up to $10,000 for medical and dentistry students
  • up to $5,000 for nursing, midwifery, allied health and all remaining eligible qualifications. 

Click on this link to the Guidelines page for more information, including applicant eligibility and eligible qualifications. 

Applications must be submitted online.

APPLY NOW.

Some FAQs are listed below. If you have more questions, please email pacificscholarships@health.govt.nz.

Your questions answered

Who can apply for the Pacific Health Scholarships?

Tertiary students of indigenous Pacific Islands descent from any of the following islands:

Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau, Fiji, Rotuma, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Palau, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Wallis and Futuna, Hawaii, French Polynesia, Rapanui (Easter Island),

who are enrolled in a health and disability-related course/qualification approved NZQA accredited tertiary provider in New Zealand.

Students must also be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident at the time of the application. Please check our Guidelines page for a list of eligible qualifications.

I have been awarded a scholarship from another source. Am I still eligible for a Pacific Health Scholarship?

You may still receive a Pacific Health Scholarship if you have received any other scholarship or scholarships from another source totalling less than $2,500 contributing towards course costs for the 2024 academic year.

If you have received another scholarship or scholarships totalling $2,500 or more, you are not eligible for a Pacific Health Scholarship.

I am studying a mental health related qualification. Can I apply for the Pacific Health Scholarships?

We encourage students undertaking studies in mental health and addictions to apply for the LeVa Futures That Work Scholarships. The purpose of these scholarships is to grow the capacity and capability of the Pacific mental health and addiction workforce.

 

Can Pacific Health Scholarships be put towards course-related costs?

No, the Scholarships can only be put towards tuition fees. Te Whatu Ora will pay the scholarship directly to the tertiary providers of successful recipients.

How can I apply for a Pacific Health Scholarship?

You will need to fill in an application form online and upload the required supporting documents. 

Before you begin your application, you will need to sign into the applicant portal using your My Health Account login. We will only use your My Health Account as a way to prove who you are. We will not have access to any of your personal health information. 

If you do not have a My Health Account login, you can create one by following the instructions on https://identity.health.nz   

Access the applicant portal

How are Scholarship applicants assessed?

An assessment panel marks completed scholarship applications according to the following criteria: financial need, community connectedness, commitment to improving health outcomes for Pacific people, understanding Pacific health, and leadership potential.

When do applications for Pacific Health Scholarships close?

Applications for the Pacific Health Scholarships close at 11.59pm on Monday 5 February 2023.

Why do you need My Health Account?

My Health Account is Te What Ora’s digital health identity service. It lets you connect to your health information or services online from anywhere in Aotearoa New Zealand. 

Your My Health Account enables you to log in to the Pacific Health Scholarships applications portal. We will only use your My Health Account as a way to prove who you are. We will not have access to any of your personal health information. 

If you are having trouble or have any questions about My Health Account: 

  • Call 0800 222 478 or +64 9 307 6155 Monday to Friday between 8am and 5pm NZT, or 9am-2pm on weekends. 
  • Email support@identity.health.nz Please include the make and model of your phone or computer, as well as the operating system you are running and, if your query relates to a specific issue you are experiencing, a brief description of the issue. 

How will you use the information I provide?

In accordance with the Privacy Act 2020, you can find out more about what personal information is collected by Te Whatu Ora for the Pacific Health Scholarships Programme and how that information will be used, stored and shared in our Privacy Statement.