GFS (Girls Friendly Society) Pasifika Scholarship

Scholarship level: Current students
Closing date(s): 1 December
Tenure: Up to three years with evidence of satisfactory results at the completion of each academic year.  
Award for: Pasifika; Facing financial hardship; Women; Domestic
Number offered: One
Value: Up to $12,000

Description

This scholarship is available to Pasifika women under 25 years of age who are domestic students and have successfully completed one year of tertiary study. Applicants must be planning to study full‑time at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, be experiencing financial hardship, and have a clear vision for how their studies could contribute to strengthening Pasifika communities in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The scholarship provides up to $12,000 in tuition fee support, distributed over two years, along with one‑to‑one mentoring from a GFS representative and regular gatherings with other Pasifika GFS scholarship recipients at Victoria University of Wellington. This combination of support enables students to work through challenges privately with guidance from their mentor, while also offering opportunities to build strong, collaborative relationships with fellow Pasifika students.

History

GFS is a global Anglican charity operating in Aotearoa New Zealand that invests directly in the tertiary education of high‑potential students to enhance their professional prospects. The GFS Pasifika Scholarship supports motivated and capable Pasifika women who are experiencing financial pressure while studying at Victoria University of Wellington. The scholarship is open to students of all faiths, as well as those with no religious affiliation, reflecting GFS’s commitment to the values of care, inclusion, and respect.

GFS provides financial support for students experiencing hardship, connects them with other GFS scholarship recipients at Te Herenga Waka, and matches them with a dedicated mentor to help them thrive academically, build confidence, and develop their vision for serving their communities during and beyond their time at university. Each student receives a tailored combination of financial, practical, and social support based on their individual needs. GFS has supported students from a wide range of academic disciplines.

Who is eligible?

  • Applicants must be Pasifika and female.
  • Applicants must be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.
  • Applicants must be under 25 years of age.
  • Applicants must have completed one year of full-time study at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, and be intending to enrol full time in their second year of an undergraduate programme in the year following application.
  • Applicants must be experiencing financial hardship.

Selection criteria

Preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate initiative have a vision for contributing toward Pasifika communities and are facing financial hardship.

Application process

A completed online application must be submitted by 4.30 pm on the closing date. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Any required supporting documentation (including references) must also be received by 4.30 pm on the closing date in order for the application to be considered.

Applications will normally open one month prior to the closing date. If no application link is provided below, check back again closer to the closing date. Contact us if you have any queries.

Scholarship specific documentation

  • A personal statement
  • Applicants must complete the financial section of the online application
  • An academic reference (to be requested via the online application)

Selection process

An interview panel will include representatives from GFS, the Office of the AVC (Pasifika), and a representative from Victoria University of Wellington.

Interviews for this scholarship will be held in December, either in person or online.

Additional information

This scholarship is comprised of $6000 for the second year of study and $6000 for the third year (or split into $6000 for the second year and $3000 each for the third and fourth years of study).

Conditions

  1. A completed online application must be submitted by 4.30 pm on the closing date. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Any required supporting documentation (including references) must also be received by 4:30pm on the closing date in order for the application to be considered.
  2. All offers of the Scholarship will be conditional upon the recipient being fully enrolled in a full-year programme (full-time will be at the level of points considered by Studylink as full-time) within the stipulated criteria and tenure of the scholarship. No payment of the Scholarship will be made until this condition is met.
  3. The Scholarship cannot be deferred to a later year.
  4. The Scholarship may be held in conjunction with other awards, if they are of lesser value than the GFS scholarship.
  5. Should the recipient withdraw from Victoria University of Wellington during the tenure of this scholarship or fail to achieve a satisfactory progress, partial repayment of the Scholarship will normally be expected. Recipients must advise the Scholarships Office if they intend to withdraw.
  6. Recipients will be required to keep GFS informed of their university results for each semester to ensure their performance is acceptable and keep in regular contact with their assigned GFS mentor.
  7. Recipients are expected to act as Ambassadors for Victoria University of Wellington and participate in appropriate events or marketing if requested.
  8. At the discretion of the Deciding Authority, the application of the terms and conditions of the Scholarship may be modified in special circumstances or to avoid hardship to any candidate for the Scholarship.

Contact

Scholarships Office
scholarships-office@vuw.ac.nz
Phone 0800 04 04 04