Year 13 Scholarship

Are you currently a Year 13 student and thinking about further study in 2027? EIT is offering Year 13 scholarships that could make life a bit easier for you.

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Year 13 Scholarship

The Year 13 Scholarship supports school leavers across the Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti regions to study any one of our degrees or selected diploma programmes that lead into a degree by providing one year of free study. Conditions apply.

If you have any questions about the Year 13 Scholarship, please email Y13@eit.ac.nz

 

Opening and Closing Dates

Applications open: 1st July 2026
Applications close: 30th August 2026

All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by email on Monday, 28th September 2026.

What does the scholarship cover?

The Year 13 Scholarship covers one year of tuition fees. When combined with the Government’s final-year Fees Free initiative, some EIT Year 13 Scholarship recipients are studying fees free for two years of their degree.

Who can apply?

  • You must be a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident
  • You must be a year 13 student currently enrolled at a secondary school in Hawke’s Bay or Tairāwhiti/Gisborne
  • You must meet the degree (or eligible diploma) entry criteria and intend to undertake full-time study at EIT, starting semester one 2027.

What programme can I study?

  • Bachelor of Arts (Māori)
  • Bachelor of Accounting
  • Bachelor of Business Studies
  • Bachelor of Computing Systems
  • Bachelor of Creative Practice
  • Bachelor of Environmental Studies**
  • Bachelor of Māori Visual Arts (Te Toi o Ngā Rangi)
  • Bachelor of Nursing
  • Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science
  • Bachelor of Social Work
  • Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education)
  • Bachelor of Teaching (Primary)
  • Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing
  • Bachelor of Viticulture and Wine Science
  • Any IDEAschool Diploma
  • NZ Diploma in Business
  • NZ Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care
  • NZ Diploma in Environmental Management
  • NZ Diploma in Sport, Recreation and Exercise
  • NZ Diploma in Veterinary Nursing [Level 6] (Companion Animal Strand)

** Subject to NZQA approval and accreditation

What to include in your application

 A Character Reference from a community group or organisation (e.g. church, sports team, or club you are part of), Trades Academy or from your current high school.

  • This character reference should highlight your personal qualities, leadership capabilities and general character. It should focus on your contributions to the community or activities outside of the classroom, rather than academic performance.
  • You may provide a character reference from someone at school, as long as this person is different to your school referee contact.  

The contact details of your school referee. Once you submit your scholarship application, an email will be sent to your referee requesting:

  • A reference letter in support of your scholarship application
  • A summary of your NCEA results

If you are unsure who should act as your referee, please speak with your Year 13 Dean or Careers Advisor before submitting.

Important: Please ensure your school referee is aware they will receive this request from EIT after you submit your application and that their reference must be completed by Thursday, 3rd September 2026.

Application outcome

All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by email on Monday, 28th September 2026.

When selecting our scholarship recipients, we will consider your future career aspirations, academic and personal achievements, any challenges you may face, your financial need and your overall character.

Limited number of scholarships are available, priority will be given to applicants planning to study a bachelor’s degree programme from Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti. Don’t forget to submit your enrolment to give yourself the best chance!

Conditions apply.

Feesfree.govt.nz

From 2025, the New Zealand Government’s Fees Free initiative covers the final year of study or training for the first provider-based qualification or work-based programme an eligible learner completes.

This means that if you’re eligible, your last year of study in your first qualification may be covered by Fees Free.

Find out more

“Thanks to EIT I have been able to follow my passion and study something I love.”

Alisha Stanford
Napier Girls High School
Bachelor of Nursing
Year 13 Scholarship Recipient