The Aspire Scholarship - financial support scheme

In 2010, private schools will receive an additional $7.4 million (GST excl) to their subsidy. This will bring the total subsidy to $42.6 million (GST excl).

The Government has also announced a $2.6 million (GST excl) scholarship fund that will enable up to 250 students in Years 9 to 13 from low-income families to attend a private secondary school.

The scholarship will pay the student’s private school fees each year, and will also contribute towards other school-related costs.

When the programme begins in 2010, 50 scholarships will be available in each of Years 9, 10 and 11. In 2011 and 2012, a further 50 scholarships will be available in Year 9.

More information

The Aspire Scholarship provides assistance for low income families towards the costs of private secondary schooling. It will contribute up to $15,000 per year towards the fees of a private school for the duration of a student’s attendance at this school. It will also include a yearly allowance of up to $1,500, to cover course related costs.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the scholarship:

• the student must be in Year 9, 10 or 11 in 2010
• the student, or their primary carer(s), must not be a beneficiary of a trust
• the student's primary carer(s) must have a yearly gross income of $65,000 or less, and a net worth of $150,000 or less.

To apply, please complete the application form below and either email or post to us by the due dates. A student will need to be offered a place at a private secondary school in order to receive one of the scholarships.

Applications for the first round of scholarships close on 14 October 2009. Applications for the second round of scholarships close on 28 October 2009.

Further information about the scholarship, a list of private schools, and the application form are available in the related downloads section below.

Contact

If you would like more information please email aspire.scholarship@minedu.govt.nz [no spam].