University of Otago Donna-Rose McKay Entrance Scholarship

Information

Originally established in 2012 to celebrate the 20 years of formalised support at the University of Otago for students with impairments, the scholarships were renamed in 2014 to honour the memory of Donna-Rose McKay, the former Head of Disability Information and Support and a leader in disability advocacy at the University from 1992 to 2013. The scholarships, which are made possible by the gifting of funds by Alumni and friends of the University of Otago, are offered to students who have demonstrated academic ability and who can show financial need arising from a disability.

General eligibility criteria

Application for all Entrance Scholarships are normally open to students who meet the requirements of 1.1 OR 1.2, AND 2. Those who fit within 3 are ineligible.

1.1 Are New Zealand citizens, New Zealand Residence Class Visa Holders, Australian citizens or Australian permanent residents with domestic fee status;

Or

1.2 International students who have completed Year 12 and/or have completed or are in the process of completing Year 13 at a New Zealand school, or an equivalent foundation level course at a New Zealand tertiary institution.

And

2 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

3 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 for this Scholarship

In addition to the above eligibility criteria, applicants must:

• Be studying with a significant disability of at least six months previous duration, which will have substantial financial implications for their studies.
• Have achieved NCEA Level 2 endorsed with merit, or equivalent.

Application process

All applications for Entrance Scholarships are done through eVision, the University's student management system. In order to apply for a scholarship, you will be required to go through the first stages of enrolment at the University of Otago to access the Entrance Scholarship online application.

In the Entrance Scholarship application, it is recommended that to be considered for this scholarship, you should have completed the Disability section of the application. For more information on the application process, as well as step-by-step instructions, please visit the apply for an entrance scholarship webpage.

Before going through the application process, it is important to ensure that you are adequately prepared to begin the application. What you will need to prepare for your application is listed on the scholarship application preparation webpage.

Selection of recipients

The Selection Panel consisting of the Head of Disability Information and Support, in the chair, the Director of Development and Alumni Relations, the Alumni Relations Campaign Officer and the Manager, Undergraduate Entrance Scholarships, or their nominees, shall consider the following factors in awarding the scholarships:

• Academic ability (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 Scholarship Terms and Conditions can be found here. In addition, the following applies to this Scholarship, subject to the specific provisions of the offer letter for the recipient:

• Standard value of NZ$16,000.
• Standard tenure is two years.
• Tenure in year two normally requires a GPA of 5.0 or better for the previous year.
• For exceptional applicants, this scholarship will be awarded at a higher value and a longer tenure.
• For those accepting a place in a Residential College as listed at the link below, it will be paid as an accommodation fee waiver of $13,000 in year one, paid directly to your Residential College (the scholarship is not able to be used for payment or part-payment of Residential College placement, deposit, activity or equivalent fees due prior to studying), and $3,000 towards tuition fees for year two.  
  University of Otago Residential Colleges
• For those living in the local community (boarding, flatting or living at home), it will normally comprise $13,000, in year one, firstly towards tuition and student services fees, if applicable, then as a monthly stipend or lump sum, or you may be able to have the value of your scholarship credited against your tuition fees for your second year of study, and $3,000 towards tuition fees for year two.
• Recipients may request continuation of their scholarship if their GPA is not at the required level by writing to the Manager, Undergraduate Entrance Scholarships (entrance.scholarships@otago.ac.nz) asking that the Deputy Vice-Chancellor External Engagement approve continuation of the scholarship into year two or three. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor External Engagement will consider the following factors when making their decision (and may consider other things):    
  1. A written request received from the student, outlining why they would like some leniency in the GPA requirement. It is recommended that this request is received by 31 January.
  2. Evidence of sport or cultural activity performance and associated commitments, if relevant.
  3. Evidence of medical impairment, if relevant.
• Please note that, unless an exception is specified, other University of Otago Entrance Scholarships cannot normally be held concurrently with other Entrance Scholarships. The exception to this is the Dux Entrance Scholarship, which may be held concurrently at the value specified in its regulations.

*Exceptions to 0.4 EFTS or less are considered when all previous University or tertiary level study has been undertaken whilst concurrently enrolled at secondary school.

Further information

You are likely to find the Frequently Asked Questions helpful and we recommend that you read them.

To find out more about Entrance Scholarships, please contact us:

Email entrance.scholarships@otago.ac.nz
Freephone 0800 80 80 98 (callers within New Zealand only); or
Tel +64 3 479 7000 (callers outside New Zealand)
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If you have a University of Otago student identification number, please include this in your email.