VicStart Scholarship

History and purpose

The inaugural VicStart Scholarship was introduced in 2025 to recognise and support the academic achievements of students enrolled in Trimester 1 VicStart courses. The scholarship has now been expanded to include students enrolled in both Trimester 1 and Trimester 2 VicStart courses.

Who is eligible?

Applicants must be:

• graduates of 2026 VicStart courses with an A grade point average or better across a minimum of two courses. For instance: (A- and A+), (A and A), (A and A+), or (A+ and A+).
• intending to enrol in an undergraduate programme of study in 2027 at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.

Selection criteria

Selection will be based on academic merit and commitment to completing an undergraduate degree at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.

Application process

Those who satisfy the scholarship eligibility criteria will automatically be offered the VicStart Scholarship. To accept the scholarship, recipients must complete their details in our university scholarship application system by 1 December 2026, 4:30 pm.

Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Selection process

Selection is automatic based on meeting the scholarship criteria.

Additional information

Recipients will be awarded a $3,000 tuition fees contribution. The amount will be credited into the recipient’s fees account after the Trimester 1 2027 enrolment completion period.

Conditions

1. Applications close 4.30 pm 1 December 2026.
2. The Scholarship covers $3,000 towards tuition fees.
3. All payments 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). No payment of the Scholarship will be made until this condition is met.
4. The Scholarship cannot be deferred to a later year.
5. The Scholarship may be held in conjunction with other awards including school-leaver scholarships.
6. Should the recipient withdraw from Victoria University of Wellington during the tenure of this Scholarship, partial repayment of the Scholarship will normally be required. Recipients must advise the Scholarships Office if they intend to withdraw.
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.
9. The details set out earlier in this document also form part of the Conditions for this Scholarship.

Contact

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