You are probably aware that the following forms of Government assistance are available for New Zealand residents. Unfortunately your daughter's eligibility for any of these allowances cannot guarantee a hostel place, but you should know the financial assistance that can be applied for.
Secondary School Technical Bursaries
These bursaries are for Year 10 and 11 students. Eligibility is determined by a student not being able to obtain tuition in an agriculture/horticulture or workshop subject at their school.
Secondary School Bursaries
These are for Year 12 and 13 students. Eligibility is determined by a student not being able to obtain tuition in at least two approved subjects at the local school. The student's course must include at least four nationally approved subjects.
School Boarding Bursaries
These bursaries are for primary and secondary students. Eligibility is determined by the distance the pupil lives from the nearest state school or school bus stop (3.2km or more for a child under 10 years, or 4.8km or more for a child who is 10 years or over).
Boarding bursaries may also be awarded to assist students who are seriously at risk in their emotional, social or emotional development because of continuing, unsatisfactory features in their home or social environment.
When a student who is eligible for one of the first two categories of bursary described above lives within a reasonable travelling distance of a school offering the required course, she may receive transport assistance in lieu of a bursary. Students who are eligible for a bursary because they are at risk and need to live away from home, or who are eligible under the distance criteria, may not receive transport assistance in lieu.
The Government has decided to discontinue the Maori and Polynesian Scholarships as the eligibility criteria for the scholarships are very similar to the Government Boarding Bursary criteria. This means that most students who would otherwise have applied for a Maori and Polynesian secondary (distance) scholarship will be eligible for a boarding bursary.
Mapihi Pounamu Scholarships
Students aged 19 or under may apply for Mapihi Pounamu, a scheme which aims to ensure that students who face barriers to learning are able to participate and achieve in education. These barriers may be due to either difficult home circumstances (such as ongoing risk to their wellbeing, or lack of adequate supportive care), or students living in isolated areas with low household incomes.
Current recipients of a government boarding bursary may also apply for Mapihi Pounamu, but must advise the Ministry that they are already receiving funding for boarding purposes. Students or their parents/guardians who think their circumstances may fit these criteria should contact Kate Ford at the Ministry's national Office, on (04)463-8085.
Pacific Island and Polynesian Education Foundation (PIPEF)
Pacific students may apply for scholarships administered by the Pacific Island and Polynesian Education Foundation (PIPEF) and should contact them on (04) 235-9222 for further information. Pacific students could also contact the Pacific Islands Business Development Trust in Auckland, on (09) 270-1003.
All applications for boarding bursaries, whether from new applicants or current awardees applying under the transition arrangements, should be sent to:
Mr Saman Kashanchi
The Ministry of Education
Private Bag 1666
Wellington 6140
Telephone (04) 463 0923