New Zealand SCHOLARSHIPS. Scholar Handbook. New Zealand Scholarship Scholar Handbook 1

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1 New Zealand SCHOLARSHIPS Scholar Handbook New Zealand Scholarship Scholar Handbook 1

2 Name: Contact Details: My Key Contacts: 2 New Zealand Scholarship Scholar Handbook

3 CONTENTS Congratulations and welcome! The purpose of your scholarship 7 About your scholarship 7 Preparing to come to New Zealand Researching life in New Zealand 9 Immigration and visas 9 International Student Office (ISO) adviser 9 Initial travel arrangements 10 Insurance 10 Accommodation 10 Pre-departure briefings 10 Pre-award deferrals 11 Pre-award deferral criteria 11 Pre-award deferral process 11 Deciding whether to bring family to New Zealand 12 Student Loans and Student Allowances information for New Zealand citizens 13 Arriving in New Zealand Arriving and setting up in New Zealand 15 Arrival 15 Role of the ISO adviser 15 Arrival briefing 15 Orientation 15 Establishment allowance 16 New Zealand Scholarship Scholar Handbook 3

4 Your Scholarship - Studying in New Zealand Your responsibilities 19 Scholarship conditions 19 Conduct 19 Finance 19 Change of circumstances 19 StudyLink Student Loans and Allowances (New Zealand citizens) 20 Getting help 20 Support from ISO Advisors 20 Adjusting to life in a new country 20 Student counselling 21 Health services 21 Allowances and Entitlements 22 Scholarship awardees (excluding New Zealand citizen awardees) 22 Establishment allowance 23 Stipend 23 Tuition fees (excluding New Zealand citizens) 24 Stipends cease 24 Other New Zealand Government benefits 24 Allowances and Entitlements New Zealand citizens 25 New Zealand citizen awardees (from the Cook Islands, Niue and Samoa) 26 Medical assistance and insurance 27 Academic success and progress 27 Succeeding in the New Zealand academic environment 27 Scholarship continuation criteria 27 Individual support programmes 27 Withdrawing from papers 28 Failing to meet requirements 28 Additional tutoring 28 Changes to your scholarship 29 Extensions 29 Summer school 30 Course changes 30 Deferrals 30 Scholarship termination 30 Termination process 31 Travel arrangements 31 Air travel and travel arrangements 31 Home-leave travel 32 4 New Zealand Scholarship Scholar Handbook

5 Reunion travel 32 Compassionate travel 33 Overseas travel for work practicums or overseas fieldwork 33 Private travel 33 Travel costs you must pay 33 Postgraduate student information 34 Postgraduate research allowance 34 Postgraduate thesis allowance 34 Home-located research for postgraduate research students 34 PhD student information 36 Plan for the final stages of the PhD 36 PhD oral examinations 36 Awaiting the oral examination 36 Completing thesis-related tasks 36 Information for dependants 36 Defintion of dependants 36 Health care for dependants 36 Schooling 37 Immigration requirements for dependants 37 Employment for partners 37 Immigration and visas on award 37 Passports and visas 37 New Zealand permanent residency 37 Working in New Zealand 38 Debt to the New Zealand Government 38 Evaluation of your scholarship 38 Preparing to return home Returning home 41 Reintegration briefings 41 Getting ready to return home 41 Departure 41 Graduation and completion ceremonies 42 Student Loan repayment New Zealand citizens 42 Annexes Code of Scholarship Student Conduct 45 Useful terms 46 Useful websites 47 New Zealand Scholarship Scholar Handbook 5

6 CONGRATULATIONS & WELCOME! Congratulations on your success in obtaining a New Zealand Government scholarship. This scholarship is recognition of your previous achievements as well as your potential to assist in the development of your country. This handbook has been written for you as a recipient of a New Zealand Scholarship (NZS), New Zealand Development Scholarship (NZDS), New Zealand ASEAN Scholars (NZAS) award, New Zealand Pacific Scholarship (NZPS), or Commonwealth Scholarship. Your scholarship is funded through the New Zealand Aid Programme and is managed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT). Further information about the New Zealand Aid Programme can be found at The New Zealand Aid Programme provides scholarships as part of our mission to support sustainable development in order to reduce poverty and contribute to a more secure, equitable, and prosperous world. This handbook is designed to assist you while you prepare to come to New Zealand, while you re here studying on scholarship, and as you prepare to return to your home country at the end of your scholarship. If you want to discuss any of the information in this handbook or require more information, please contact the International Student Office (ISO) adviser at your New Zealand Institution. MFAT wishes you every success with your studies and for your time in New Zealand. We hope that you have a safe, successful, and enjoyable stay while you are in New Zealand. 6 New Zealand Scholarship Scholar Handbook

7 THE PURPOSE OF YOUR SCHOLARSHIP The purpose of your scholarship is to provide you with academic training so you can gain new skills and knowledge to assist in the social and economic development of your country upon your return home at the completion of your scholarship. Throughout your scholarship we encourage you to plan and prepare for how you will use your new skills and knowledge to benefit your country once you return home. ABOUT YOUR SCHOLARSHIP The New Zealand Aid Programme funds scholarships for individuals from selected developing countries to undertake studies at tertiary education institutions in New Zealand. The scholarships enhance the skills, training, and knowledge of individuals, and build their capacity to contribute to the sustainable development of key areas in their home country. Further information about the New Zealand Aid Programme can be found at Scholarships are offered in the specific subject areas that are most relevant to the development needs of your country. This is so you can contribute to making a real and positive difference to your country when you return home at the end of your scholarship. There are approximately 1000 scholarship awardees funded by the New Zealand Aid Programme studying towards undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications at New Zealand tertiary institutions each year. They come from most countries in the Pacific, as well as from selected countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, and other developing regions. New Zealand Scholarship Scholar Handbook 7

8 PREPARING to Come to New Zealand Find out more about life as a student in New Zealand: Make sure you have a passport and all the paperwork you need: Connect with people at your pre-departure briefing these will be important relationships 8 New Zealand Scholarship Scholar Handbook

9 RESEARCHING LIFE IN NEW ZEALAND Before you come to New Zealand it is a good idea to spend some time researching what life and study will be like in New Zealand. This will help you be prepared and ready to transition to life in New Zealand. The website of your institution in New Zealand is a good place to start, and your institution may also provide you with written information about their institution and the city you will be living in. You can also learn more about what it is like to live and study in New Zealand online at live. The New Zealand Embassy or High Commission in your country or region may be able to provide you with information about life in New Zealand. IMMIGRATION AND VISAS Entry to New Zealand is controlled by Immigration New Zealand: You must apply to Immigration New Zealand for a student visa well in advance of coming to New Zealand. You should apply as soon as you receive your Letter of Scholarship Offer. The visa application process may require you to supply medical and police certificates, which can take time to obtain. You should not enter New Zealand on a visitor visa. You must ensure that you hold a valid visa throughout your stay in New Zealand. The New Zealand diplomatic post nearest to you may help you apply for your student visa. If a New Zealand diplomatic post assists you with your visa application, they will pay the cost of your visa application fee. You will need to pay for the associated medical and police clearance costs. If you apply for a visa directly through Immigration New Zealand you may seek reimbursement for the visa application fee through your ISO adviser once you have arrived in New Zealand. To receive a reimbursement you must provide a receipt. You can use your Letter of Scholarship Offer to provide evidence to Immigration New Zealand that you are a NZS, NZDS, NZAS, NZPS, or Commonwealth Scholarship student funded by the New Zealand Government. You need a current passport to enter New Zealand. You must also ensure that your passport remains valid for at least six months longer than your expected course completion date. For more information about obtaining a student visa visit INTERNATIONAL STUDENT OFFICE (ISO) ADVISER The International Students Office (ISO) adviser with responsibility for New Zealand Aid Programme students at your education institution will manage your scholarship on a day-to-day basis. They will be in contact with you before you leave your home country to provide you with information about enrolment, accommodation, travel, and your arrival in New Zealand. New Zealand Scholarship Scholar Handbook 9

10 The ISO adviser at your institution is authorised by MFAT to implement the conditions and operating guidelines that apply to your scholarship. For further information and advice on any aspects of your scholarship or study in New Zealand, please contact your ISO adviser. INITIAL TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS Your ISO adviser will arrange your travel bookings to New Zealand, except in the case of awardees from Cambodia and Lao, where the management contractor will arrange your travel. The ISO adviser or management contractor will contact you about your travel arrangements. You will need to ensure that you have some cash with you to cover incidental costs such as food, phone calls, and taxis while you are travelling to, and on arrival in, New Zealand. Ensure that you have at least $200 in New Zealand currency when you arrive in New Zealand, or more if you arrive on a weekend or public holiday. If you cannot obtain New Zealand currency in your home country, make sure that you change money into New Zealand currency before you leave the airport on arrival in New Zealand. If you have to make a compulsory stop overnight in New Zealand or another country on the way to or from your home, the accommodation and transfer costs (i.e. airport/hotel/airport) will be paid. If you need a visa for the country where you are required to stopover, this will also be paid for by MFAT. You must use any pre-booked stopover accommodation, including accommodation within New Zealand. If you do not use this accommodation, the cost of the accommodation will be deducted from your stipend when you return to New Zealand. Unless changes to your travel arrangements are for reasons beyond your control, such as flight schedule changes or delays, bad weather, illness, etc, you will have to meet the costs of changes to your travel. INSURANCE Your New Zealand institution will arrange travel and medical insurance for you, and will provide you with information about ACCOMMODATION Your New Zealand institution will assist you with arrangement for initial accommodation and will get in contact PRE-DEPARTURE BRIEFINGS A pre-departure briefing is provided for scholarship awardees from most countries. This is an essential aspect of your preparation. The briefing enables you to learn more about your scholarship, your obligations under the scholarship, the insurance before you depart for New Zealand. with you regarding accommodation arrangements before you depart for New Zealand. and what it s like to study in New Zealand. It also gives you the opportunity to ask questions and, in many cases, meet former or current scholarship students. In most countries in the Pacific, the predeparture briefing will be provided by the 10 New Zealand Scholarship Scholar Handbook

11 New Zealand diplomatic post. The New Zealand diplomatic post in your country will contact you with information about the date and location of the briefing. In Lao, Cambodia, Timor Leste, the Philippines, and Indonesia, the predeparture briefing will be provided by a management contractor. This may be PRE-AWARD DEFERRALS You are required to take up your scholarship in the academic year for which it is offered. However, in exceptional circumstances, you may be granted a preaward deferral to postpone the start of your scholarship for up to a maximum of one year. PRE-AWARD DEFERRAL CRITERIA Pre-award deferrals are only permitted in the following circumstances: significant temporary personal or family problems temporary medical problems. pregnancy. Other circumstances will be considered on a case-by-case basis; for example, visa delays that are outside your control. Pre-award deferrals are not permitted in the following circumstances: for your convenience or change of mind if you fail to meet the unconditional entry requirements of the institution, including English-language requirements. the same organisation that manages the scholarship application process in your country. They will contact you with information about the date and location of the briefing. In most other countries the pre-departure briefing will occur over the phone or through . PRE-AWARD DEFERRAL PROCESS If you wish to apply for a pre-award deferral and meet the criteria listed above, apply as follows. Apply in writing to either the New Zealand diplomatic post for your country ( or the New Zealand Aid Programme at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (scholarships@mfat.govt.nz). Your letter should describe the reasons you are requesting a pre-award deferral and the proposed duration. Deferrals can be for either one sememster or one year. MFAT will consider your request and make a decision. They may seek additional information from you, your institution, your employer, or your home government if required. The decision will be communicated to you in writing. If the deferral is approved, you will receive a preaward deferral letter that outlines the timeframe of the deferral, and what steps you must complete to re-instate your scholarship at the end of the deferral period. If your pre-award deferral request is declined, you may either take up the scholarship as scheduled or withdraw from the scholarship. If you cannot commence study at the end of the deferral period, the scholarship offer will be withdrawn. New Zealand Scholarship Scholar Handbook 11

12 DECIDING WHETHER TO BRING FAMILY TO NEW ZEALAND MFAT does not provide any funding for you to bring your dependants (defined as spouse/partner and children) with you to New Zealand or to support them while they are here. The funding you receive from MFAT is not sufficient to cover the costs of supporting dependants in New Zealand. You cannot bring your family with you unless you have access to other funds. Immigration New Zealand will require evidence of funds when your dependants apply for visas. MFAT, your institution, or any New Zealand government agency will not be able to provide you with financial assistance to support your family in New Zealand. Before you decide whether to bring your dependants with you to New Zealand, think carefully about whether you will have sufficient funds available to support them adequately. The costs of living in New Zealand may be much higher than what you re used to in your home country. Your institution may provide you with information about costs of living in their city. Also consider how your family will adjust to life in New Zealand, including schooling and employment that is different from that at home. If your dependants do not speak English they may feel very isolated. Your studies may be impacted if your family is unhappy in New Zealand. If you leave all of your dependants in your home country, you may be entitled to a reunion airfare for you to travel to your home country at the end of each academic year. Refer to page 31 - Travel arrangements for more information. Your partner/spouse may be able to obtain a New Zealand work visa for the duration of your scholarship. Refer to page 36 Information for dependants for more information. It may be difficult for your partner/spouse to find work in New Zealand. The work that is available may not be in the profession that they worked in at home or it may not provide an income that is sufficient. If you decide to bring your dependants with you to New Zealand, we strongly recommend that you wait at least six months before they join you in New Zealand. This gives you enough time to settle into life in New Zealand, focus on your studies, and find appropriate accommodation and schooling in preparation for your family s arrival. If you are completing a bridging qualification or English language training (ELT) in New Zealand prior to gaining entry into a main qualification, you are strongly advised to wait until you have completed this and have gained entry into the main qualification before bringing your family to New Zealand. If you bring your family to New Zealand and then do not gain entry into the main qualification, you and your family will have to return home soon after arriving in New Zealand. This may be very disruptive to your family and may cause you significant financial hardship. If you decide to bring any of your dependants to New Zealand you must advise your ISO before they arrive. 12 New Zealand Scholarship Scholar Handbook

13 STUDENT LOANS AND STUDENT ALLOWANCES INFORMATION FOR NEW ZEALAND CITIZENS If you are a New Zealand citizen from Niue, or the Cook Islands, or a dual New Zealand/Samoan citizen on an NZPS scholarship you will access funding for your fees and part of your living allowance through a Student Loan and/or Student Allowance from StudyLink, and not directly from your NZPS scholarship. StudyLink is a service of the New Zealand Ministry of Social Development. The Student Loan component of the funding you receive from StudyLink will be paid back by MFAT following your return to your home country and completion of your scholarship obligations (refer to the conditions in your Letter of Scholarship Offer). The Student Allowance payments are an entitlement and do not need to be repaid to either MFAT or StudyLink. Before you leave your home country you need to apply to StudyLink as early as possible to obtain a Student Loan and/ or Student Allowance. You will also need to apply to the New Zealand Inland Revenue Department for an IRD number. Details about Student Loan and Student Allowance eligibility and entitlement, and how to apply, can be found on the StudyLink website: nz. Information about applying for an IRD number can be found at how-to/irdnumbers/. If you wait until you arrive in New Zealand to begin these processes, you are likely to experience significant delays in receiving payments from StudyLink, which may cause you financial stress. Please also ensure that you bring all the documents required by StudyLink with you to New Zealand. This may include certified documents such as evidence of your parents income. When you apply to StudyLink, they will tell you what documents you need to bring with you to New Zealand. The New Zealand High Commission in your country will provide you with some support and information for the StudyLink and IRD number application processes before you leave your country. This is to ensure you have these processes as far advanced as possible before arriving in New Zealand to begin your scholarship. Your education institution will also help you complete the IRD number and StudyLink application processes when you first arrive in New Zealand, if required. MFAT will supplement the StudyLink funding you receive with a weekly top-up stipend and other entitlements under your scholarship. For more information about the scholarship allowances and entitlements available to New Zealand citizens under the NZPS scholarship refer to page 25 Allowances and entitlements New Zealand citizens. NOTES: New Zealand Scholarship Scholar Handbook 13

14 ARRIVING Studying in New Zealand Meet your International Support Officer (ISO) they will support you in New Zealand Get settled by attending your arrival briefing and your orientation programme 14 New Zealand Scholarship Scholar Handbook

15 ARRIVING AND SETTING UP IN NEW ZEALAND ARRIVAL Your education instutition in New Zealand will organise transport from the airport to the temporary accommodation that has been arranged for you. ROLE OF THE ISO ADVISER An adviser at the ISO of your education institution is responsible for NZS, NZDS, NZAS, NZPS, and Commonwealth Scholarship students. This ISO adviser will provide you with support while you are in New Zealand. Please contact the ISO adviser if you have any questions or concerns regarding your scholarship, your study, or your welfare. They are there to help you. For more information refer to page 20 Getting help. The ISO adviser at your institution is authorised by MFAT to implement the conditions and operating guidelines that apply to your scholarship. ARRIVAL BRIEFING Within your first few days in New Zealand, the ISO adviser will provide a group or individual briefing to provide you with practical information and assistance to support you with settling in smoothly to your studies and life in New Zealand. The briefing will cover a range of topics, including: setting up a bank account the role of the ISO adviser advice on accommodation responsibilities including bond, tenancy agreements, and payments an introduction to services available at your institution assistance with enrolment and other course-related issues information about orientation programmes at your institution for New Zealand citizen NZPS awardees completing the IRD number and StudyLink application processes. ORIENTATION Your institution will provide a comprehensive multi-day orientation and academic preparatory programme especially for each intake of New Zealand Aid Programme - funded scholarship Awardees. New awardee attendance is required. The orientation programme will help you successfully transition to tertiary study in New Zealand, and provide essential study, computer, and life skills. The orientation programme will include a range of topics, including: scholarship conditions and expectations, including the scholarship student code of conduct IT skills training, including institution IT systems New Zealand academic learning environment academic and personal issues and support systems at the institution, including introduction to campus and campus facilities introduction to the city culture shock and adjustment to New Zealand culture and language study skills health services, including sexual health and family planning alcohol, drugs, and gambling domestic violence New Zealand Scholarship Scholar Handbook 15

16 ESTABLISHMENT ALLOWANCE An establishment allowance is paid when you first arrive in New Zealand, and a lesser amount is paid at the beginning of each subsequent year of study (excluding any extension period). The initial establishment allowance is intended to cover some of your immediate costs on arrival, including: course expenses, including textbooks (textbook prices range from approximately $50.00 to $ each) temporary accommodation costs on arrival in New Zealand accommodation bond (usually equivalent to two to three weeks rent), rent in advance (usually two weeks rent), and occasionally rental agents fees utility bonds (for electricity and telephone services, if moving into rental accommodation) purchase of suitable clothing purchase of household items, if moving into rental accommodation. Your ISO advisor may pay your first year establishment allowance in two installments. 16 New Zealand Scholarship Scholar Handbook

17 NOTES: New Zealand Scholarship Scholar Handbook 17

18 YOUR SCHOLARSHIP Studying in New Zealand This is your chance to represent your country make the most of all opportunities You are entitled to a range of financial, study and social support If you feel you need help, talk to your ISO we want you to succeed 18 New Zealand Scholarship Scholar Handbook

19 YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES You are responsible for your own success, but ask for help when you need it assistance and support is available for study or personal issues. Ask your ISO adviser. SCHOLARSHIP CONDITIONS While on scholarship, it is your responsibility to know and understand the conditions of your scholarship. Please ensure you have a copy of your Letter of Scholarship Offer, which includes the scholarship conditions. In particular, you agree to: regularly attend class, submit all compulsory assignments, and sit all examinations adhere to the Code of Scholarship Student Conduct inform the ISO adviser immediately of any academic or personal factors that may affect your ability to continue with your studies or scholarship ensure the ISO adviser has your current residential and postal details, in New Zealand and in your home country contact the ISO adviser by August if you are entitled to home leave or a reunion airfare, to discuss booking travel to your home country at the end of the academic year. Refer to page 31 Travel arrangements. CONDUCT As a representative of your home country, the scholarship, and your institution, we expect and require a high standard of behaviour from you at all times during your scholarship. While you are on scholarship, you must adhere to the Code of Scholarship Student Conduct at all times. Required behaviour includes treating people with respect, behaving with honesty and integrity at all times, obeying the laws of New Zealand, and not engaging in violent behaviour. The full Code of Scholarship Student Conduct is in the annex at the back of this handbook, and you must ensure that you are familiar with it. If you re unsure about anything in the Code of Scholarship Student Conduct or about what behaviour is acceptable while you re on scholarship, please discuss this with your ISO adviser. FINANCE While you are on scholarship, you are responsible for managing your money, including the allowances and entitlements you receive under the scholarship. Your institution may have short courses available about making a budget and managing your money. We encourage you to attend these courses, particularly if you are away from home for the first time or have family members with you. Please contact your ISO adviser for more information. While on scholarship you must: budget within your available funds (please note that no emergency funds are available under the scholarship) pay for your accommodation and other living expenses pay any loans, debts, and fines you may incur while studying deal with tax, if relevant provide adequate financial support for any dependant family members you bring with you to New Zealand. CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCES If your personal circumstances change while you are on scholarship (for example, if you get married, become pregnant, New Zealand Scholarship Scholar Handbook 19

20 have a child, or become seriously ill) you must let your ISO adviser know. They can provide you with support and advise you of any impacts on your scholarship. STUDYLINK STUDENT LOANS AND ALLOWANCES (NEW ZEALAND CITIZENS) If you are a New Zealand citizen receiving either Student Allowance or Student Loan payments, you are responsible for advising StudyLink when your circumstances change, such as: GETTING HELP SUPPORT FROM ISO ADVISORS An adviser at the ISO of your education institution is responsible for NZS, NZDS, NZAS, NZPS, and Commonwealth Scholarship students. This ISO adviser will provide you with support while you are in New Zealand. Please contact the ISO adviser if you have any questions or concerns regarding your scholarship, your study, or your welfare. They are there to help you. The ISO adviser at your institution is authorised by MFAT to implement the conditions and operating guidelines that apply to your scholarship. The ISO adviser will monitor your academic performance and carry out twice-yearly interviews to discuss your academic and general progress. The ISO adviser will keep MFAT informed about your progress. The ISO adviser will provide information or assist you with a range of situations, including: access to resources to resolve study or personal issues requests for additional tutoring during the academic year if you are having difficulty with your studies (refer to page 27 Academic success and progress) academic performance standards and continuation criteria (refer to page if your income or your partner s income changes if you or your partner travel overseas if you withdraw from a course, fail or drop a paper, or change your study programme in any other circumstance as required by StudyLink. 27 Academic success and progress) requests to change your scholarship offer, such as a deferral (refer to page 29 Changes to your scholarship) change of subjects or qualification (note: course changes are only permitted in exceptional circumstances and only with the prior approval of MFAT; refer to page 29 Changes to your scholarship) compassionate travel (refer to page 31 Travel arrangements) travel arrangements for return to your home country (refer to page 41 Departure) advice on organising the production of your thesis, if you are a postgraduate student (refer to page 34 Postgraduate student information). ADJUSTING TO LIFE IN A NEW COUNTRY When you come to study in New Zealand it will take you time to adjust to the lifestyle and culture here. You will be surrounded by new and different languages, cultures, and foods. There are different climatic conditions to adjust to. New Zealanders may look and act differently to what you are used to. What you considered normal in your own home country might be looked at differently in New Zealand, and our social customs, etiquette, and mannerisms 20 New Zealand Scholarship Scholar Handbook

21 might not be what you consider appropriate or normal. These differences and variations can all have an effect on you and may affect your academic progress and general wellbeing. Culture shock affects people in different ways. For example, you may become bored or homesick, be indifferent to the local food, or find you are unable or reluctant to mix with other people. You may suffer physical side effects such as stomach pain, headache, or insomnia. There is no instant cure for culture shock. Usually, with time, it will go away as you become more comfortable with the New Zealand lifestyle and environment. It helps to talk to other students, especially other international students and people from your home country. The ISO adviser at your institution can put you in contact with other students from your country or region. They might be feeling the same as you, and talking about it may help you both. Try to get out and about and generally try to stay busy. Health and counselling services are also available. Ask your ISO adviser about the support services available at your institution. STUDENT COUNSELLING Your education institution has counselling services to help you overcome any problems you may experience while studying. These may be study problems, homesickness, culture shock, or difficulties with socialising, budgeting, or other personal matters including domestic violence, gambling, drugs, and alcohol. If you are experiencing any of these problems, seek help immediately at the ISO, the student counselling service, or through someone else that you trust at your institution, and use the help that is available free of charge. HEALTH SERVICES Your health and wellbeing are important. Your education institution has a student health service to assist you with any health problems or concerns you may have while studying. If necessary, the student health service will refer you to a specialist. The student health service can also provide you with confidential information about family planning and sexual health. The student health service or your ISO adviser can also help you access family planning information from your community or religious group. Medical insurance is provided as part of your scholarship. Your ISO adviser will explain your insurance coverage to you during orientation. NOTES: New Zealand Scholarship Scholar Handbook 21

22 ALLOWANCES AND ENTITLEMENTS Your scholarship includes a range of allowances and entitlements. Your ISO adviser will explain the payment dates and procedures that apply at your institution. Your stipend will be paid by direct credit into your New Zealand bank account (refer to page 15 Arriving and setting up in New Zealand). Please note that changes to allowances and entitlements may occur during your scholarship. You should therefore check with your ISO adviser for the most up-todate information. New Zealand citizen awardees receive some different entitlements. Refer to page 25 Allowance and entitlements New Zealand citizens. SCHOLARSHIP AWARDEES (EXCLUDING NEW ZEALAND CITIZEN AWARDEES) AS AT 1 JANUARY 2014 Tuition fees Full tuition fees for the approved study programme, including enrolment, orientation, and student union fees. Travel between the home country and New Zealand at the start and end of the scholarship Standard economy-class air ticketing by the most direct route from the home country to the airport closest to the institution. Establishment entitlement NZ$3,000 in the first year, to meet textbook costs and to assist with other set-up costs in New Zealand. At the beginning of each additional calendar year, NZ$1,000 will be paid to cover the full year. Living allowance ( stipend ) Medical and travel insurance Additional tutoring Postgraduate research allowance For undergraduates: NZ$415 per week paid over 42 weeks per year (NZ$17,430 per year). For postgraduates: NZ$415 per week paid over 52 weeks per year (NZ$21,580 per year). To meet basic healthcare cover for the student only. If required. Discuss with your ISO adviser. For PhD students and Masters students if research component is 120 credits or greater (NZ$1,000). Postgraduate thesis allowance PhD students (up to NZ$1,500). Masters students if research component is 120 credits or greater (up to NZ$850). Home-leave travel Undergraduate students without dependants may be entitled to home-leave travel at the end of each academic year. Reunion airfare Students who have left all dependants in their home country may be entitled to a reunion airfare to visit their home country at the end of each academic year. 22 New Zealand Scholarship Scholar Handbook

23 ESTABLISHMENT ALLOWANCE An establishment allowance is paid when you first arrive in New Zealand, and a lesser amount is paid at the beginning of each subsequent calendar year of study (excluding any extension period). Refer to page 16 Establishment allowance. From the beginning of your second year of study, the establishment allowance payment is provided at the beginning of each calendar year of study to assist with expenses such as housing costs, courserelated costs, and research costs. If your scholarship finishes in the middle of a year of study, you may be eligible for the full establishment allowance payment if you have completed at least one semester of study during that year. You are not eligible for an establishment allowance during a scholarship extension. STIPEND The stipend is a contribution to living costs for day-to-day expenses, including: accommodation (rent or board) food costs utility expenses (e.g. telephone, electricity, and water bills) transport to and from the institution personal items, such as toiletries incidentals, such as clothing and entertainment. The stipend also covers your less regular expenditure on: general course expenses: stationery, internet charges, printing, equipment and photocopying course-related clothing (e.g. uniforms and protective wear) stationery, photocopying, and other course-related costs field trips, projects, workshops, conferences and seminars some research costs, e.g. for photographic development, questionnaire photocopying, library interloans, and telephone, internet and fax charges; It is important that you budget for all these costs. If you need help preparing a budget, discuss this with your ISO adviser, who can refer you to the institution s student support services. Depending on your living costs and course-related costs, you may need extra funds over and above the amount of stipend you receive. Your stipend (living allowance) is paid from the start date of your scholarship (as stated in your Letter of Scholarship Offer) provided you have arrived in the city where you will be studying. The stipend will be paid up until the day of your departure from your study city following completion of your scholarship. It is paid directly into your New Zealand bank account each fortnight in arrears. The undergraduate stipend will be paid over 42 weeks per year. This 42-week period covers the study period and any orientation and pre-study programmes, which many awardees undertake. It does not cover the long Christmas / New Year period. Undergraduates will return home on home-leave airfares or find employment in New Zealand over the long study break. Undergraduates will be funded for additional weeks, over and above the 42-week period, if they are required to complete further study or work requirements as part of their study programme. Undergraduates whose study programme has a full academic year of less than 42 weeks will receive their stipend for 42 weeks. For undergraduates whose study programme includes periods of less than a full academic year (for example, a qualification of three and a half years) the stipend will be paid until the scholarship ends. New Zealand Scholarship Scholar Handbook 23

24 The postgraduate stipend will be paid for 52 weeks per year or until the scholarship ends. Your ISO adviser may deduct certain costs from your stipend or establishment allowance before it is paid to you (e.g. for an accommodation deposit at halls of residence). The ISO adviser will advise you whether any deductions will be made from your allowances and, if so, what these are for. TUITION FEES (EXCLUDING NEW ZEALAND CITIZENS) MFAT funds the major course costs of your study such as tuition, enrolment, and orientation fees. These are paid directly to the institution. STIPENDS CEASE Your stipend and entitlements will stop in the following situations: you have an unexplained absence from New Zealand you fail to return to New Zealand from private international travel you are on compassionate leave for more than four weeks you are hospitalised for more than three weeks you are an undergraduate student undertaking a compulsory work practicum (e.g. a teaching practicum) in your home country, and you stay beyond the required period (stipends are paid up to a maximum of 12 weeks depending on the practicum) your scholarship is deferred; your allowance will be paid up to the day you leave New Zealand, which must be within 14 days of the date of the deferral you are employed full-time as part of a compulsory course requirement your scholarship is terminated or suspended for any reason you breach the conditions of your scholarship and you apply for, or are granted, New Zealand permanent residency or a work visa (note: this action is treated very seriously refer to page 37 Immigration and visas). OTHER NEW ZEALAND GOVERNMENT BENEFITS Non-New Zealand citizens and their dependants cannot apply for or receive other benefits funded by the New Zealand Government while on scholarship. If you apply for, or receive, other New Zealand Government benefits, your scholarship may be terminated and you will be required to repay the New Zealand Government the total cost of your scholarship (refer to page 38 Debt to the New Zealand Government). Some New Zealand-citizen students may be eligible to apply for and receive New Zealand Student Allowance payments through StudyLink. 24 New Zealand Scholarship Scholar Handbook

25 ALLOWANCES AND ENTITLEMENTS NEW ZEALAND CITIZENS If you are a New Zealand citizen from Niue, or the Cook Islands or a dual New Zealand/Samoan citizen who began a NZPS scholarship from 2012 onwards, you will access funding for your fees and part of your living allowance through a Student Loan and/or Student Allowance (subject to the eligibility and entitlement requirements of StudyLink). The loan and/ or allowance will provide funding for fees, course-related costs, and weekly living costs. Refer to page 13 Student Loans and Student Allowances for further information. MFAT will supplement the funding available to you while you are in New Zealand as per the chart below. The undergraduate supplement will be paid over 42 weeks per year. This 42-week period covers the study period and any orientation and pre-study programmes. It does not cover the long Christmas / New Year period. Undergraduates will return home on home-leave airfares or find employment in New Zealand over the long study break. Undergraduates will be funded for additional weeks over and above the 42-week period if they are required to complete further study or work requirements as part of their study programme. The postgraduate supplement will be paid over 52 weeks per year. The Student Loan component will be paid back by MFAT following your return to your home country on completion of your scholarship (refer to page 42 Student Loan repayment). The Student Allowance payments are an entitlement and do not need to be repaid to either MFAT or StudyLink. NOTES: New Zealand Scholarship Scholar Handbook 25

26 NEW ZEALAND CITIZEN AWARDEES (FROM THE COOK ISLANDS, NIUE, AND SAMOA) AS AT 1 JANUARY 2014 Tuition fees Travel between the home country and New Zealand at the start and end of the scholarship Establishment entitlement Met under the New Zealand Student Loan scheme arrangements to be made by awardee. Standard economy-class air ticketing by the most direct route from the home country to the airport closest to the institution. NZ$3,000 in the first year, to meet textbook costs and to assist with other set-up costs in New Zealand. At the beginning of each additional study year, NZ$1,000 will be paid to cover the full year. Living allowance Met from a Student Loan or a Student Allowance from StudyLink arrangements to be made by awardee. In addition: For undergraduates eligible for student allowances: weekly supplement paid by MFAT of NZ$203 per week paid over 42 weeks per year (NZ$8,526). For undergraduates eligible for student loan only: weekly supplement paid by MFAT of NZ$ per week paid over 42 weeks per year (NZ$10,184.58). StudyLink will advise you whether you re eligible for a student allowance, a student loan, or both. For postgraduates eligible for student loans: weekly supplement paid by MFAT of NZ$ paid over 52 weeks per year (NZ$12,609.48) (Note StudyLink s current policy is that postgraduates are eligible for student loans but are not eligible for student allowances). For undergraduates and postgraduates on a compulsory presessional course during which awardees are not eligible for student loan/allowances: NZ$415 per week during the pre-sessional course. Medical and travel insurance Additional tutoring Postgraduate research allowance Postgraduate thesis allowance To meet basic healthcare cover for the student only. If required. Discuss with your ISO adviser. For PhD students and Masters students if research component is 120 credits or greater (NZ$1,000). PhD students (up to NZ$1,500). Masters students if research component is 120 credits or greater (up to NZ$850). Home-leave travel Reunion airfare Undergraduate students without dependants may be entitled to home-leave travel at the end of each academic year. Students who have left all dependants in their home country may be entitled to a reunion airfare to visit their home country at the end of each academic year. 26 New Zealand Scholarship Scholar Handbook

27 MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AND INSURANCE NZS, NZDS, NZAS, NZPS, and Commonwealth Scholarship students are entitled to the same government-funded health assistance in public hospitals as New Zealand citizens. In addition, the ACADEMIC SUCCESS AND PROGRESS SUCCEEDING IN THE NEW ZEALAND ACADEMIC ENVIRONMENT The learning environment in New Zealand may be different than in your home country, and being successful academically may require different ways of learning and studying than what you re used to. In New Zealand you will be expected to be an independent learner. This means that you are expected to take full responsibility for managing your time, keeping up with your studies, seeking help when you need it, and meeting all your academic obligations. Students in New Zealand are expected to question ideas and information, form their own opinions, apply what they ve learned to a range of situations, and think critically about what they hear and read. Postgraduate students in particular will be expected to apply critical thinking, writing, and reading skills and carry out independent research. SCHOLARSHIP CONTINUATION CRITERIA At the end of each semester your education institution will assess whether you have met the criteria to remain on scholarship. You will be permitted to continue on your scholarship if: you are on track to complete the qualification(s) within the original scholarship duration stated on your Letter of Scholarship Offer; or within the original scholarship duration stated on the Letter of Scholarship Offer plus one potential ISO adviser will organise your health insurance, which includes basic healthcare cover, and will explain these entitlements further. extension (within the criteria and durations set out in page 29 Changes to your scholarship): or within a revised duration approved by MFAT for compassionate reasons (e.g. resulting from an on-award deferral); and you meet the education institution s continuation criteria, such as the minimum grade-point average required to continue to the next stage; and you have adhered to all the scholarship conditions including the Code of Scholarship Student Conduct. If you do not meet all of the scholarship continuation criteria your education institution will recommend to MFAT that your scholarship is either terminated or changed to a lower-level qualification at the same institution. Your ISO adviser will discuss this with you first. If you meet the scholarship continuation criteria but you require an extension, or if your overall academic performance is poor, the institution may recommend to MFAT that changes are made to your scholarship such as an extension, a course change, or a change to a lower-level qualification at the same institution. Your ISO adviser will discuss any recommended changes with you first. An individual support programme will also be put in place. INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT PROGRAMMES Your ISO adviser may put an individual New Zealand Scholarship Scholar Handbook 27

28 support programme in place for you in order to maximise your chance of successfully completing your studies within the period of scholarship. This may be needed because of your academic performance, personal issues, or adjustment difficulties. The purpose of an individual support programme is to provide you with the support you need to improve your performance. The details of the support programme will be given to you in writing by your ISO adviser. Your ISO adviser will tailor the support programme to your individual needs, and it may include tutoring, mentoring, study skills training, regular appointments with your ISO adviser, or other support. We encourage you to participate fully in a support programme that is put in place for you to help you achieve improved academic performance. If your academic performance does not improve, your scholarship may be terminated. WITHDRAWING FROM PAPERS If you are considering withdrawing or changing papers, you must first discuss this with your ISO adviser. Remember that you need prior approval from your ISO adviser and MFAT to change your course. If you gain approval for a course change and as a result officially withdraw from a paper, it will not affect your academic results. FAILING TO MEET REQUIREMENTS The requirements of each paper are set by the institution. In most cases, to meet the requirements of a paper you must attend classes and tutorials, submit assessments, and sit examinations. At most institutions, if you fail to meet the requirements of a paper without officially withdrawing, your progress will be assessed as if you had continued with a full course load, and you will receive a fail grade for that paper. ADDITIONAL TUTORING For various reasons you may struggle with some aspects of your coursework. The work may be difficult, you may have difficulty understanding the accent of your lecturers, or you may be homesick. Whatever the reason, you should discuss this with your ISO adviser as soon as you think you need help. They will be able to refer you to someone who can give you specific help or provide tutoring, some of which may be paid for by your scholarship (see below). Your main aim while studying in New Zealand is to do your best, and your ISO adviser will endeavour to assist you in this regard. Do not wait until you are behind with coursework or have failed examinations. You may receive some additional tutorial assistance funded by your scholarship when you have: obtained prior approval from your ISO adviser fulfilled the current study requirements for your study programme made full use of available institutional facilities and services, such as extra tutorials and study support received recommendation from your institution that the support is essential for your satisfactory progress. If you are a postgraduate student undertaking research, you may apply for assistance for proofreading and/or editing of your final thesis draft. Approval from the ISO adviser must be sought before these arrangements are made. If there are medical or personal reasons affecting your study, you may be eligible to defer your studies for up to 12 months (refer to page 29 Changes to your scholarship). In the event that health 28 New Zealand Scholarship Scholar Handbook