AUT - Scholarships
Scholarships
Each year a number of students are able to study with the assistance of the following scholarships:
- AUT Vice-Chancellors Doctoral Scholarships
www.phdscholar.ac.nz - New Zealand Development Scholarships (NZDS) and Commonwealth Scholarships
www.nzaid.govt.nz - New Zealand International Doctoral Research Scholarships(NZIDRS)
www.newzealandeducated.com - French (including French dependencies) and German Postgraduate students
Under a reciprocal agreement between the NZ, French and German governments students from these countries are able to study in NZ paying domestic fees. All other costs must be met by the student.
(Due to changes in Government policy these scholarships will be phased out after the July 2009 semester intake)
NZDS - Public
NZDS - Public is a category of scholarship intended to strengthen public sector capacity in developing countries. Partner governments nominate candidates, most of whom are drawn from the public sector. These scholarships are advertised within the country and are awarded through a competitive selection process based on merit.
These development scholarships, the successful students are required to return at the completion of their studies to contribute to the social and economic development of their country.
NZDS - Open
NZDS - Open is a category of scholarship generally directed to individuals who independently apply for a scholarship. Many Programme Managers/Post use this category of NZDS to attract candidates from remote parts of the country, or to strengthen private sector/civil society capacity. These scholarships are normally advertised within the country. A competitive selection process is undertaken in New Zealand.
NZDS - Open applications from China must beOpen applications from China must be endorsed by the Chinese Ministry of Education before being submitted by applicants to institutions for assessment.
For more information, please visit http://www.nzaid.govt.nz/scholarships/.
New Zealand International Doctoral Research Scholarships
Funded by the New Zealand Government and administered by Education New Zealand, the New Zealand International Doctoral Research Scholarships are a significant educational opportunity. The scholarships provide financial support for students undertaking doctoral degrees by research in New Zealand universities.Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit.
For more information, visit www.newzealandeducated.com.
Loans Available
The following loans are available through AUT:
US Department of Education
Stafford Subsidized:
This loan is based on financial need as defined by the Department of Education. The loan is “subsidized” because the government pays the interest while you are in university at least half time. Under New Zealand law students studying in-country are required to be studying in a full-time mode. The interest rate is currently fixed at 6.8%.
Stafford Unsubsidized:
This loan is not based on financial need. Because it is "unsubsidized," you are responsible for paying the interest from the time the money is disbursed. If you choose to not pay interest whilst 'in-school' interest accrues and is capitalized (added to your principal loan balance). However, this option adds to the amount you will have to repay on your loan when you leave university. It may also increase the amount of your monthly payment. The interest rate is currently fixed at 6.8%.
Stafford PLUS:
This loan is not based on financial need, and can be up to the Cost of Attendance (COA) minus all other Aid
- Parents of Dependent Students: Parents are eligible for this loan if their child is a dependent undergraduate student as defined by the US Department of Education, if they meet certain credit guidelines and if the loan is certified by the university.
- Graduate Students: Graduate students may borrow this FFEL loan on their own behalf, after applying for other Stafford aid. This loan does go through a federal credit check process. This review looks for bad credit only. You do not have to meet other financial standards as with other private alternative loans
The interest rate is currently fixed at 8.5%.
Other Dept of Ed aid
There are a number of other programs (Pell Grants, Perkins Loans, Direct Stafford etc) available under the same US legislation (Title IV) however these cannot be awarded whilst students are studying outside the US.
Whilst AUT cannot award aid under these programs it however can defer the repayment of these loans whilst you are attending AUT on a full-time or more than half-time basis.
Private Loans
Students can apply for private loans to cover any unmet financial need that is not covered by loans, grants or scholarships. AUT’s preferred private loan provider is the International Education Finance Corporation.
US Department of Veteran’s Affairs
AUT is an eligible institution for the MGIB scheme, enabling eligible veterans and their dependents to utilize their grant funds at this institution.