The University of Otago Fofoa Accommodation Award

Information

“Fofoa” in Polynesian languages means to nurture and incubate. The University of Otago Fofoa Accommodation Award aims to develop academic and cultural learning pathways for first-year Pacific students. We provide academic and student support programmes to help the transition from high school to tertiary education, while living away from home.

General eligibility criteria

Applications are open to students who;

• Are New Zealand citizens, New Zealand permanent residents, Australian citizens or Australian permanent residents with domestic fee status;

And

• Are intending to enrol or have enrolled for the first time for first-year (100-level papers) full-time degree-level, undergraduate study at the University of Otago.

But can also be

Those who have studied more than 0.4 EFTs at any University or tertiary institution at degree-level or higher are not normally eligible.

Specific eligibility criteria

In addition to the above eligibility criteria, applicants must have:

• Achieved NCEA Level 2 endorsed with merit, or equivalent.
• Indigenous Pacific Islands ancestry. You will be required to verify your ancestry and more information on this process can be found here:
  • Verification of indigenous Pacific ancestry
• Financial need and life/personal circumstances which present barriers to studying at the University of Otago.

Application process

Every applicant must complete the following application steps:

• Complete and submit a Fofoa Award application form, by the specified closing date; Your application will include the following information:
  • An essay
  • An electronic copy of their current NZQA Record of Achievement showing their NCEA results, or equivalent, to date
• Arrange for a referee* to provide a confidential reference in support of their application.
  * the referee should be a teacher, community or church leader, etc. and not a family member.

Forms can be found at bottom of the webpage

Second application form for University Flats (Uni Flats):

• Complete and submit a separate application for University Flats accommodation
  • Student accommodation

• Fofoa Accommodation housing is managed by Uni Flats, this application covers the rental agreement, bedding hire if required, and sub-warden staff that are integrated into the supervision of Pacific student tenants in the flats.
• Uni Flats (University accommodation) provide help with accommodation enquiries and process of the weekly rent payments.

Selection of recipients

The selection panel consists of representatives from the Pacific Islands Centre, University Flats, and the University residential colleges, who shall consider the following factors in awarding the scholarships:

• Academic ability; disciplines or subjects relevant to their proposed programme of study at University may be assessed (a minimum of NCEA Level 2 awarded with merit, or equivalent, is normally required for consideration).
• Financial need.
• The life circumstances which present significant barriers to studying at university.
• Potential and motivation to succeed at university.

Scholarship detail

The following information applies to this scholarship, subject to the specific provisions of the offer letter for the recipient:

• Standard minimum value of NZ$8,000 for one year as a contribution towards the provided accommodation in Uni Flats for 49 weeks.
• Move-in date for students is from 15 February 2025.
• Recipients are required to make satisfactory academic progress throughout the year to continue to receive the Fofoa Accommodation Award. Continuation of the award in semester 2 requires passing all semester 1 papers.
• Recipients are expected to attend all appropriate lectures and tutorials as well as any arranged academic and pastoral support sessions organised by the Pacific Islands Centre to maintain eligibility for this award. If a student is not engaging appropriately, they may forfeit their award entitlement either in part or in full.
• The Fofoa Accommodation Award may be held in conjunction alongside an Undergraduate Entrance Scholarship.

Downloads

• Download the University of Otago Fofoa Accommodation Award application form (PDF)
• Download the University of Otago Fofoa Accommodation Award referee form (PDF)