Two Tauranga based scholarships on offer at the University of Waikato are helping to make tertiary study a reality for students across a range of study areas.

The TECT Tauranga Campus Returning Student Scholarship and the TECT Tauranga Campus First-in-Family Scholarship provide opportunities for students to engage in a university education while lessening some of the financial burden.

'Attending university can be a huge financial stress for students and whānau; these scholarships aim to alleviate some of that pain,” says TECT Chief Executive, Wayne Werder.

'TECT is thrilled to continue to support students to embark on their university journey here in Tauranga. University is a place where students can connect with something they truly enjoy and spread their wings, so we want to encourage continued education and striving for excellence, while making tertiary education more accessible for our community.

The TECT Tauranga Campus First-in-Family scholarship awards $2,000 towards study for first-year undergraduate students who are the first member of their immediate family or whānau to attend university. There is no specific area of study required.

Anaru Palmer received the First-in-Family scholarship in 2019 and the Tauranga Campus Returning Student scholarship in 2020. He completed a Diploma in Te Tohu Paetahi in 2019 and has just finished his Bachelor of Social Sciences (Māori and Indigenous/Political Science) this year.

Anaru completed a Diploma in Te Tohu Paetahi in 2019 and has just finished his Bachelor of Social Sciences (Māori and ndigenous/Political Science). Seen here with Mariah Tutty the Whītiki Tauira Coordinator for Te Toka a Tirikawa. Photo: Supplied.

Anaru received a Te Manu Taiko - Senior High Achievers Award at the Ngā Tohu Toi Hau awards evening in October and will graduate next year.

"The scholarships within Waikato University parameters exist as an incentive for students to recognise their capabilities and realise both their academic and personal potential,” he says.

'As a Social Sciences graduate, the scholarships enabled me to elevate my relationship with the wider society to new heights. I now stand firmly rooted in my Māori identity, attributing such to a great journey made possible by way of the scholarship honours. Ka mihi rā."

The TECT Tauranga Campus Returning Student Scholarship provides $3,500 for NZ citizens and permanent residents who are returning to study and will be enrolling full-time at the Tauranga campus.

The scholarship is available to applicants who are studying toward a variety of degrees including undergraduate and postgraduate study.

'It's been a highlight seeing the previous scholarship recipients completing their studies and experiencing success,” says Werder. 'We strongly encourage those who are eligible for the 2023 scholarships to apply for them.”

To find out more about these and other scholarships, see the University's scholarship page.