Scholarships: Frequently Asked Questions
- What scholarships will be available in 2023?
- Applying for scholarships
- Documents you need
- The next steps of your application
- How much do teachers get paid?
- Other questions
- More information
What scholarships will be available in 2023?
The table below outlines the scholarships available this year – they cover early learning, primary, secondary and immersion settings. Find out more information about the individual scholarships by following the links below or to the left of the page.
Applying for scholarships
When can I apply?
To apply for a scholarship you must complete an online application form. The application form will be made available when the 2023 scholarship programme opens.
You can apply for multiple scholarships, but can only be granted one. Part-time options are available.
How can I apply?
To apply for a scholarship you must complete an online application form. It will be available when the Scholarship Application rounds are 'open'.
We cannot accept image or PDF copies of the postal form that are sent to the TeachNZ email address.
For instructions and tips on how to fill in our application form, please check the information available on our website: Applying for a scholarship.
Remember, we're here to help. If you have any questions, you can email us on teachnz.admin@education.govt.nz or call us during business hours on 0800 165 225.
Which TeachNZ Scholarship should I apply for?
The Scholarship Guide and each scholarship web page contains detailed information on eligibility and selection criteria. If you don't meet all the eligibility criteria, check out the other scholarship opportunities available.
If you're a trained teacher you may want to look at our Study Awards, Sabbaticals and Study Support Grants to find out more about these opportunities.
How many scholarships can I apply for?
You can apply for as many scholarships as you are eligible for, but only be awarded one.
Should your application be unsuccessful you can reapply.
If you have previously completed Initial Teacher Education training, hold teacher registration in any sector, or have received a TeachNZ Scholarship, you are not eligible for any of the scholarships available.
Can I make a late application?
Late applications will not be considered. We will accept postal applications after the application round deadline if they are sent and postmarked on or before the closing date.
Can I apply for a scholarship if I am studying part time?
Yes, part-time students can apply but the scholarship will only cover your course fees. If you have less than 0.8 EFTS (and do not hold limited full-time status from StudyLink) to complete your qualification you are not eligible to receive the allowance.
One EFTS is usually considered to be a standard year of full-time study by most tertiary providers.
Are previous Scholarship or Study Grant recipients eligible to apply for a TeachNZ Scholarship this year?
No. You can only be awarded one TeachNZ Scholarship. If you have been successful in the past and failed to meet the terms and conditions of that scholarship, you're not eligible to reapply.
Documents you need
What documents do I need to provide alongside my application?
To help confirm your eligibility you'll need to provide the following:
- proof of name and date of birth (your New Zealand passport OR New Zealand birth certificate OR certificate of New Zealand citizenship)
- proof of change of name (if applicable: a marriage certificate, deed poll or birth certificate that shows your name change)
- proof of residency status (if applicable: the main ID page in your passport AND the page showing your indefinite New Zealand permanent residency stamp or sticker or a certified copy of your E-visa. Or a letter from New Zealand Immigration Service stating you've been granted residency.
- proof of your qualifications or academic results (please note you must provide proof of each year of study that you have completed)
- a copy of your CV (this gives the selection panel a greater understanding of your qualifications and work history).
All of these documents must be photocopied and certified.
Who can verify copies of your documents
- StudyLink or Work and Income staff member
- registrar or officer of a tertiary education provider
- school principal, teacher, careers advisor or guidance counsellor
- notary public
- doctor
- police officer
- church minister or rector
- kaumatua
- court registrar or officer
- solicitor or lawyer
- justice of the peace
- member of a board of trustees
- commissioner of oaths
- local authority employee designated for the purpose of taking oaths and declarations
- government department
- member of parliament
- the Public Trust.
If completing an online form, please upload any supporting documents as PDFs or as Microsoft Office files, picture copies of documents will not be accepted.
For information on certified documents and an application checklist click here.
The next steps of your application
How do I know TeachNZ have received my application?
As soon as we have received your application we will send you an email acknowledging it.
What happens if my application is ‘incomplete’?
An application can be judged to be ‘incomplete’ if:
- Any section of the application form has not been completed correctly
- Any required supporting documents are not included alongside your application
- Any documents that require certification have not been correctly certified
- Sections that need to be completed in Te Reo are not
- The application form is illegible
- You are not eligible for the scholarship.
If an application is incomplete, it will not be assessed.
What happens once I have submitted a ‘completed’ application?
Once we have received your application and it is considered to be ‘complete’ we will process it and present it to the application panel.
Once we have the panel’s decision we will notify you by email.
If your application is successful, we will email you a scholarship offer letter with an agreement setting out the terms and conditions of the scholarship. Please note, your scholarship offer is subject to you gaining entry onto an approved qualification.
Should you want feedback on your application contact us and we can send it to you over email.
Are there other funding opportunities if I'm not eligible for a TeachNZ scholarship?
There are a number of sources that you may like to try. The Funding Information Service website has a list of scholarships and grants. This website can be accessed free of charge at public libraries. In addition, you can visit the Universities New Zealand website, a database of University Scholarships. You can also consider a Student Loan. StudyLink is part of the Ministry of Social Development and administers Student Loans and Allowances. You can contact StudyLink on 0800 88 99 00 or visit www.studylink.govt.nz.
How much do teachers get paid?
For more information about teachers salary click here.
Other questions
What is a TeachNZ Scholarship worth?
A TeachNZ Scholarship pays course fees for each year of study, and full-time students (or those who have limited full-time status from StudyLink) may also receive an allowance.
The allowance is paid over the duration of your study. To find out more about each scholarship's course fees and allowances, download the scholarship guide, or browse the scholarships web pages.
What do I need to do if I hold an overseas qualification?
If you have an overseas qualification, you must get this assessed by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) before sending us your application. This includes Australian qualifications. You can apply to get your overseas qualifications assessed at www.nzqa.govt.nz or by contacting NZQA on 0800 697 296.
A NZQA qualifications assessment is required to apply for New Zealand teacher registration and for salary purposes. You can find out more about requirements for New Zealand teacher registration by visiting The Education Council of Aotearoa New Zealand or by calling 04 471 0852.
Why are TeachNZ scholarships merit and competency based?
TeachNZ's role is to encourage talented people with the skills, motivation, and disposition to teach into teacher training, and to support successful teachers to stay in the teaching profession. TeachNZ Scholarships are designed so we can attract and reward people with the right attributes into teaching as a career.
The merit-based criterion is to help us to attract top-quality candidates into teaching, and support the Government's focus for education.
TeachNZ Scholarships have merit-based criteria that cover knowledge of, experience with, and involvement with Māori and Pacific communities; academic achievement; and suitability and motivation to teach.
How do I know if I am either ‘proficient’ or ‘fluent’ in Te Reo?
It is a requirement to be ‘proficient’ or ‘fluent’ in Te Reo to enrol on an approved Māori Medium or Te Reo Māori ITE programme. If you are deemed ‘proficient’ or ‘fluent’ by a provider we also consider you to be so. However, your written and spoken Te Reo will be assessed by our application panel.
Why are the TeachNZ Scholarships bonded?
TeachNZ's work is targeted towards attracting and retaining skilled and talented people into the teaching profession.
All TeachNZ Scholarships are bonded. This helps ensure that New Zealanders get some return from their investment in the scholarships.
For most scholarships the bond period is one year for each year a scholarship is received, unless you are in the final year of your study. In this case the bond period is two years. If you receive a TeachNZ Career Changer Scholarship, the bond period is two years for every year the scholarship is received.
If you have less than 0.8 EFTS to complete your qualification, the following rule applies:
Do you hold limited full-time status?
If yes, then the standard Scholarship Terms and Conditions entitlement and bonding clauses apply.
If no, then you are eligible to have only your fees paid, and you will be bonded to complete one year of teaching within two years.
Are previous Scholarship or Study Grant recipients eligible to apply for a TeachNZ Scholarship this year?
No. You can only be awarded one TeachNZ Scholarship. If you have been successful in the past and failed to meet the terms and conditions of that scholarship, you're not eligible to reapply.
More information
Need more help?
Remember, we're here to help. If you have any questions, you can email us on teachnz.admin@education.govt.nz or call us during business hours on 0800 165 225.
You can also learn more about our scholarships by watching the videos and exploring the links on the left of this page.