Woolf Fisher First-in-Family AUT Scholarship

Opening date

2023-11-01

Closing date

2024-06-30

Eligibility

  1. Applicants for a Woolf Fisher First-in-Family AUT Scholarship must be the first-in-family to seek to complete a degree. First-in-family normally means that neither of the applicant’s birth parents has successfully completed a degree level qualification.
  2. An applicant with brothers or sisters enrolled in, or with a degree, will be able to apply for a Woolf Fisher First-in-Family AUT Scholarship, however, priority may be given to an applicant who is the first child in the family to enrol in a degree.
  3. Applicants must be able to demonstate financial hardship.
  4. Applicants must have university entrance or equivalent or qualify for Special Admission and meet the AUT programme entry requirements.
  5. Applicants must be New Zealand citizens and have attended a secondary school in New Zealand for at least two years.
  6. Preference will be given to applicants from South Auckland who can demonstrate a commitment to bringing about change in their community.

Please view the Regulations.

About the fund

Background

The late Sir Woolf Fisher was a passionate supporter of education in New Zealand. In 1960 he founded the Woolf Fisher Trust for the advancement of scientific and general education in New Zealand through prestigious fellowships and scholarships. In funding scholarships and fellowships the Trust seeks to uphold the guiding principles and values of its founder: integrity, leadership, boldness of vision and exceptional zeal, keenness and capacity for work.

Purpose

The Woolf Fisher First-in-Family AUT Scholarship was established in 2014 by the Woolf Fisher Trust to ‘break the cycle’ and encourage students from families with no history of degree level study and for whom university study is a challenge for family for financial and/or cultural reasons to enable them to participate in university education.

Tenure of award

Up to three years of full-time undergraduate study in a degree programme.

Annual renewal of the scholarship will be dependent on satisfactory progress as defined under 'Conditions'.

Number of awards

13

Application process

How to apply

Applicants will apply through the AUT Scholarships on-line portal which will be available for applications from November in the year preceeding application. 

APPLICATION FORM

REGULATIONS

The following documentation will need to be uploaded in the portal:

  • Certified copies of academic records to date.
  • A list of academic achievements, leadership positions, sporting and cultural involvement and community involvements;
  • A statement of their determination to succeed in their chosen course of study and to contribute to their community.

Applicants will be asked to declare in their application:

  • Any current or past degree programme enrolments of their brothers and sisters.
  • Their willingness to act as a mentor to future first year Woolf Fisher First-in-Family AUT Scholars.

Selection

  • Applications will be considered by a selection panel appointed by the AUT Foundation after Semester 1 academic results are released.
  • Applicants will be shortlisted by the AUT Foundation or its delegates and those shortlisted will be normally be required to attend an interview or equivalent.
  • Shortlisted applicants will be required to bring to the interview, the following:
    - Information regarding financial hardship.
    - Written recommendation from a school principal or church leader or community leader:
    a) Confirming that the applicant’s access to university is significantly affected by financial barriers
    b) Describing the applicant’s personal attributes;
    c) Comment on the applicant’s role model material.
    d) Comment whether the applicant has the determination and ability to succeed in their chosen area of study;
    e) Any other relevant information.

Notified

  • The Woolf Fisher First-in-Family AUT Scholarship will be awarded by the AUT Foundation.
  • The decision of the AUT Foundation is final. If, in the opinion of the AUT Foundation, no applicant of sufficient merit has applied for the Woolf Fisher First-in-Family AUT Scholarship in a given year, no scholarship shall be offered that year.

Requirements

  • The scholarship is for full-time study only, such that the recipient may complete their degree in the minimum time stipulated for that degree (normally three years, and on occasion four years).
  • A Woolf Fisher First-in-Family AUT Scholarship may not be held in conjunction with any other fees scholarship. The recipient may hold additional non-tuition fee-based scholarships with the approval of the AUT Foundation.
  • Annual renewal of the Woolf Fisher First-in-Family AUT Scholarship is conditional upon the student passing all papers during the tenure of the scholarship, thereby completing the degree in the minimum time.  In exceptional circumstances this condition may be waived.
  • Students will be required to have regular contact and meetings with their designated AUT Student Services support centre staff member (Student Advisor).
  • The AUT Foundation may at any time suspend or terminate the Woolf Fisher First-in-Family AUT Scholarship, or require the forfeiture of such proportion of the scholarship as the AUT Foundation may determine, if it is not satisfied that the recipient is diligently pursuing the approved program or if the recipient has failed to comply with any of the terms and conditions on which the scholarship was awarded.
  • The Woolf Fisher First-in-Family AUT Scholarship must be taken up for the year for which it was offered and may not be deferred to a later year.
  • The Woolf Fisher First-in-Family AUT Scholarship may not be deferred nor suspended during the tenure, except under special circumstances.

Who else has information about this fund

University Scholarships Office

Other information

Full information about these scholarships is provided from the Regulations available from the link above.

The application portal will be available from November.
Please contact the University Scholarships Office for any specific enquiries.

Value:

  • Full Tuition Fees + students services levies. 
  • Annual stipend $2500 if scholar meets academic criteria.

Contact details

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