South Waikato Mayoral Scholarship
Powered by SWIFT
Applications are open until 31 October 2026
Dedicated to enhancing education opportunities in South Waikato
Up to $5,000 towards tertiary tuition fees, for South Waikato learners at any stage of life.
The South Waikato Mayoral Scholarship | Powered by SWIFT provides financial support to South Waikato residents pursuing tertiary education and training.
Fund amount
$50,000
You could receive
Up to $5,000
Closes
31 Oct 2026
Can I apply?
You may be eligible if all of the following apply:
✔ You live in the South Waikato district when you apply
which includes Tokoroa, Putāruru, Tirau and Arapuni
✔ You're enrolled, or about to enrol
in an NZQA-accredited course with a TEC-recognised tertiary provider
✔ You are a domestic student
under New Zealand Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) rules.
✔ Your study meets the minimum programme requirements
of 0.625 EFTS for full-time study (minimum six months), or 0.5 EFTS for part-time study (minimum 12 months).
The scholarship programme is not only for school leavers.
This includes you if…
You're working and want to upskill
You're changing industries or returning to the workforce
You're studying part-time, online or extramurally
You already hold a qualification
You've received a SWIFT scholarship before
The scholarships are not a 'one and done'. If an individual continues to study beyond their first tertiary qualification or for extended years beyond their programme, they can apply each year.
More questions? Read our FAQ's
We encourage all eligible applicants to apply.
$0
Awarded every year
0
Applications in 2025
0
Scholarships awarded
Scholarship stories
"Even if you don't think you'll get it, give it a go"
Some careers start long before the first day of class. Brooklyn Webber's began in a Tokoroa driveway, with a borrowed set of tools and someone else's car, and carried on through the farms where she learned to work on heavy diesel. She was one of 33 people awarded a SWIFT scholarship in the 2025 round, studying automotive engineering at Toi Ohomai's Pūkenga Rau campus, and heading towards an apprenticeship in the district that taught her the trade in the first place.
Other places a SWIFT scholarship has taken people
Be the next success story
Do I have to be a school leaver?
No. The scholarship is open to South Waikato residents at any stage of life, including people already working who want to upskill, people changing industries, and people returning to the workforce.
Can I apply if I'm studying part-time, online or extramurally?
Yes, as long as your course is NZQA accredited and you're studying at a university, polytechnic or whare wānanga.
I've received a SWIFT scholarship before. Can I apply again?
Yes. The scholarships are not a "one and done". If you continue studying beyond your first tertiary qualification, or for extended years beyond your programme, you c
What if I move out of South Waikato to study?
That's absolutely okay.
The scholarship is based on being a South Waikato resident when you apply. We know that many people need to move away to pursue tertiary study, and we encourage applicants to follow the pathway that is right for them. You can study anywhere in New Zealand, provided your course and provider meet the scholarship eligibility requirements.
Does the money come to me or to my provider and when is it paid?
Scholarship funding is paid directly to your tertiary education provider, not to you. Once you've accepted your scholarship offer and provided proof of enrolment and your tuition fee invoice, SWIFT will arrange payment directly with your institution.
Can it cover course materials, travel or accommodation, or only tuition?
The scholarship contributes towards tuition fees only.
It cannot be used for accommodation, travel, textbooks, devices, course materials, or other living expenses. Our goal is to help reduce the cost of accessing tertiary education by supporting your enrolment fees.
What if I haven't been accepted into my course yet?
You can still apply.
If you're planning to enrol in an eligible course but are waiting to hear back from your provider, we encourage you to submit your scholarship application before the closing date. If you're successful, we'll work with you to confirm your enrolment before any funding is released.
When will I hear back, and will I be told if I'm unsuccessful?
All applicants will be contacted once the assessment process has been completed.
Successful applicants will receive a formal offer by email. Applicants who are not selected will also be notified, and we sincerely thank everyone who takes the time to apply. Applying for a scholarship is an achievement in itself, and we encourage you to apply again in future rounds if you're eligible.
I applied before and wasn't successful. Can I apply again?
Absolutely.
We welcome returning applicants. Every year brings new opportunities, experiences, and goals, so we encourage anyone who remains eligible to submit a new application. Previous applicants and scholarship recipients are welcome to apply again in future rounds.
Does everyone get $5,000?
Not necessarily.
Scholarship amounts vary depending on your course fees and the number of applications received. Recipients may receive up to $5,000, with funding capped at 70% of tuition fees. The assessment panel considers all eligible applications before determining awards.
What do I need before I start the form?
Proof of your South Waikato address, your course and provider details, and your enrolment confirmation or offer of place. It takes about 15 minutes.
Does my course have to be at a university, polytechnic or whare wānanga?
No.
Your course can be delivered by any NZQA-accredited provider that is recognised by the Tertiary Education Commission and meets the scholarship's eligibility requirements. This includes universities, polytechnics, whare wānanga, and many other approved tertiary providers.
What happens if my fees are already covered by StudyLink or another scholarship?
If your tuition fees have already been paid by a student loan or another funding source, any surplus will be refunded by the provider to the original payer, not to you.
Do scholarship recipients need to attend an event?
Recipients are invited to attend SWIFT's annual scholarship celebration event at Pūkenga Rau in Tokoroa, held in late November. We strongly encourage recipients to attend where possible.
GROWING TOGETHER, GROWING STRONGER
Find us
Pūkenga Rau, 34 Chambers Street, Tokoroa
info@swift.org.nz
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