How to apply
Applications are now open
Each year we aim to offer approximately 50 places on our 4 year scholarship programme, funded by our scholarship partners. Our scholarship partners are businesses, trusts and personal funders who believe in our transformational programme (3-pillar model) and want to give a “hand up and not just a hand out” to deserving young people who want to make difference in their whanau and community.
Each of our scholarship partners have their own criteria (on top of our general criteria). If you have been successful after the First Foundation interview stage (stage 4) your application may be referred to scholarship partners to decide if you are shortlisted to interview for their scholarship/s.
Stages of applying for a First Foundation Scholarship
Stage One part A – Application Form
(Open: 19 Febraury 2024 / Close: 17 March 2024)
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- Contact Details
- Eligibility Check. If you meet the criteria you will automatically progress to Stage 1 Part B.
Stage One part B – Evidence Gathering
(Open: 18 March 2024 / Close: 7 April 2024)
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- Upload your supporting documents
- Cover Letter
- NZQA Record of Learning
- Household Income- students will need to talk to parents/caregiver to add household income to application.
Stage One part C – Financial Declaration– from parents/caregiver
(Open: 8 April 2024 / Close: 14 April 2024)
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- Household Income – an email link will be sent directly to parents/caregiver to complete Financial Declaration Form
Stage Two – School Support
If successful you’ll be invited to continue (29 April – 19 May 2024)
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- Shortlisted applicants
- Photo
- School reports
- Other information about you – whakapapa, career direction, community involvement, leadership
Stage Three – Interviews & School Reference
If successful you’ll be invited to continue (27 May to 9 June 2024)
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- Shortlisted for an interview with First Foundation
- Conduct First Foundation Interviews
- Tentatively match applicants to potential scholarship partners (based on their specific criteria)
- Reference from School
Stage Four – Interview with Scholarship partner/s
(22 July – 29 September 2024)
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- Shortlist for an interview with your potential scholarship partner
- Conduct interviews with your potential scholarship partner
- Scholarship partner to shortlist their top candidates
Scholarship Offer
(October-November 2024)
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- Conditional offer
- Induction to First Foundation programme for students only (Dec – Jan)
- Orientation and Induction for students and whanau to meet their mentor (Jan – Feb)
- Awards Ceremony (May)
Please note, time frames are subject to change.
Applications are now open
Information Sheet
Find out more about First Foundation's scholarship programme.