Māpihi Pounamu financial support scheme
Towards the end of 2009 this scheme was closed to new applications as the funding was fully committed to those students already being supported by the scheme. By May 2010 sufficient students had left the scheme to enable it to be reopened. However, there is a considerable backlog of applicants, and the demand is high. The fund is capped. Funding can be allocated to those who are considered most at risk. Please consider this when making an application.
Aim
To help ensure that at-risk secondary students participate and achieve in education. It is available to students of all ethnic groups, and targeted at those students who are required to board away from home because they face barriers to learning, either through difficult home circumstances such as ongoing risk to their wellbeing, or lack of supportive care.
Key information
Applications for assistance are made by parents/caregivers with a referral by any of the following agencies:
- Child, Youth and Family Service
- New Zealand Police Youth Aid
- Ministry of Education Special Education
- Social Service or Health providers.
All applications for assistance will need to satisfy the Ministry of Education that they meet the criteria. This scheme is not intended to assist applicants who could attend their local secondary school, but who choose to attend a different school.
Entitlement
The maximum entitlement per applicant is $7,500 per year, depending on how much the hostel charges. Where the applicant is also receiving a Government Boarding Bursary, this is deducted from the grant. The funding can only be used for hostel boarding fees at a state or a state-integrated secondary school. A list of secondary schools which have boarding hostels is attached below. Schools are listed from north to south. Assistance will begin from the term in which the application is approved. Any outstanding costs will need to be met by the parent or caregiver.
Applications must be made using the official application form, available below, or by contacting the Ministry of Education.
Contacts
Ministry of Education, PO Box 1666, Wellington
Attn: Mapihi Pounamu
Phone 04 463 8085, fax 04 463 8252, email mapihi.pounamu@minedu.govt.nz [no spam]