Scholarship Availability

Our Rainbow Scholarships programme celebrates diversity and inclusivity on the tertiary learning journey. We understand that each learning pathway is unique, and we invite students from all walks of life and learning programme to apply for our Scholarships.

Our Scholarships are available to any LGBTTQIA+ student enrolling or continuing their studies in an NZQA accredited programme at a Tertiary Institution (including University, Wānanga and Polytech) in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Scholarship Conditions

• Scholarships are offered annually to students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, takatāpui, queer, intersex, asexual or any diverse gender or sexuality (LGBTTQIA+).
• All applicants are required to be enrolling or enrolled at a tertiary level institution recognised as such by the NZQA. The programme must be on the New Zealand Register of Quality Assured Qualifications. For undergraduate degree programmes, applicants must be enrolling in a full-time degree course, of at least three years duration.
• The recipient must be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident and have lived in New Zealand for at least the previous two years.
• The recipient will have shown a good level of academic achievement during their studies. Involvement in extra-curricular/co-curricular activities will be of particular interest. The recipient's personal history, financial needs, academic record (particularly in terms of effort and achievement), and plans will be taken into account.
• The Scholarship will be paid on receipt of confirmation of enrolment (such as a copy of your Accepted Offer of Place letter from your Tertiary Institution).
• Recipients who hold other grants or awards may be awarded a sum up to the value stipulated by the regulations (if any) relating to those grants or awards.
• Any other conditions set by the individual Scholarship Sponsor, which may include location and/or relevant programme of study.
• The Trust may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist with the administration and assessment of Scholarship applications, including the initial review of applications against the Scholarship Conditions. The Trust maintains human oversight of the application process, including eligibility decisions, and Scholarship recipients will always be selected by people acting on behalf of the Trust.

Scholarships Application Process

• OCTOBER: Scholarships open from 1 October - 31 October each year. Candidates apply by completing all parts of the online application form via the Trust Scholarships Application Portal.
• NOVEMBER: A shortlist will be finalised in November. All candidates will be contacted at this time. Interviews will take place at this time online.
• DECEMBER/JANUARY: Scholarships are awarded. All candidates who were invited to interview will be contacted at this time.
• FEBRUARY: Successful recipients are invited to attend an Awards event in Auckland either in person, or via video, to celebrate their achievement.

Candidate Agreement

Our Scholarship Recipients are positive Rainbow-affirming role models for their peers. Recipients are a source of inspiration and their stories help to build a Rainbow community of aspiration and achievement.

The Trust, Scholarship Sponsors, donors and supporters are also keen to hear the stories of our Scholarship Recipients and to follow their progress.

These stories allow us to show the Rainbow and Tertiary communities the wide benefit of our Scholarships programme.

By applying for a Scholarship you agree, that if you are successful, you will:

• Provide a photo and bio suitable for the Trust website.
• Report to the Trust during and at the end of your Scholarship and provide the Trust with updates on your progress in future years as requested. This may include providing images of your year.
• As part of this reporting, provide the Trust with two updates on your progress and experience at your Tertiary Institution during the year in which your Scholarship is funded, normally at the end of each semester (or at equivalent points if your Tertiary Institution does not operate on a semester system). These updates will be used by the Trust to keep in touch with you and follow your progress, and will also be provided to the Sponsor of your Scholarship for the same purpose. They will not be published or used for promotional purposes without your agreement.
• Report to the Sponsor of your Scholarship if required.
• Attend the Awards event to be held in Auckland in February in person if you are able to, and if you are not, you agree to prepare a short video that will be shared with your sponsor and/or played at the event.

Please email [email protected] to be notified when applications open.