AFS Aotearoa Ngā Karahipi Kaitiaki O Te Ao

At AFS, we believe that every student who wants to participate in an exchange programme should have the opportunity to do so. We understand that funding can be a significant concern, but we don’t want that to prevent you from pursuing this life-changing experience. That’s why we encourage you to apply for an AFS New Zealand Scholarship.

We’re committed to helping you explore all possible ways of funding your programme.

Dates

You can apply for a scholarship for any programme between these annual dates:

Open 1st February – Close 30th April

Decisions by the Second Week of June

Open 1st August – Close 30th September

Decisions by the Second Week of November

*note you have to have a full AFS programme application accepted

From 2023-2025 AFS has awarded... $436,450!

Across 67 students in three years, the AFS Educational Trust and AFS Alumni Scholarships have funded $436,450 worth of scholarships for our New Zealand students.

We want to give Kiwi rangatahi the opportunity of a lifetime! Apply Today!

As an independent legal entity, the AFS Educational Trust provides funding for a range of grants and scholarships to AFS New Zealand students from diverse backgrounds, to help with additional/partial financial support to ensure an AFS experience can be an opportunity for all.

Valued between $500-$8,000

Empowerment - Whakamanaia

Programme Lengths: All

These grants are awarded to applicants requiring financial assistance who fit within any of the following:

Māori and Pasifika students and/or;
Students with a Refugee background and/or;
Students experiencing social disadvantage and/or;
Students experiencing challenging life situations.

Evidence required:

Involvement with Te Reo or Pasifika language/s – through photos, short videos, letters of support from Matua/Whaea influences, kapa haka, Marae involvement or Polynesian/Melanesian/Micronesian Performing/School/Church Groups etc.
For all other applicants you need letters of support from schools, cultural tutors, government/social programmes or church ministers/pastors to support your application.

Note: ALL programme applicants are eligible to apply if they meet the criteria.

Spirit of AFS - Wairua o AFS / Diversity - Kanorau

Programme Lengths: All

These grants celebrate students who require financial assistance but also have the courage to go somewhere quite different and embrace the spirit of AFS.

Requirement:

You can apply for this scholarship if you are going on an AFS programme to one of the countries listed.

Europe – Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Poland, Serbia, Slovakia or Türkiye
Asia – China, Hong Kong-China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, Thailand or Mongolia
Africa – Kenya, South Africa or Tunisia
Central & South America – Bolivia, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Honduras, Mexico, Peru or Paraguay

Note: ALL programme applicants are eligible to apply if they meet the criteria.

Excellence Awards

Programme Lengths: All
Up to $500

This Award is for students who have shown excellence in their academic results and also in the area of: Sports and / or the Arts and / or Community Service

Evidence required:

Certificates, awards, letters of recommendation from teachers (in and out of school), sports coaches
Photos, short videos

Note: ALL programme applicants are eligible to apply if they meet the criteria.

We are grateful to have AFS Alumni who sponsor scholarships for the next generation of Kiwi AFSers. These generous donations are for students based in certain geographic locations in NZ, excelling in academia, sports, performance, music, interested in diverse countries, who are already part of the AFS whānau and more. They greatly contribute to the AFS mission and AFS New Zealand students every year.

Michael Jull Memorial Scholarship

Valued between $500-$4,000
Programme Lengths: Semester – Year

Michael was an AFS student to Illinois, USA in 1979/1980 and like so many returnees he regarded going on AFS as a life changing experience. It was his wish to assist future AFS students to have a similar opportunity that he had.

This is a generous donation to AFS NZ from his Charitable Trust. This scholarship is for a student who will be going to a destination that is in Central and South America or Asia (excluding Japan) and who has demonstrated an excellence in the area of sports, or music, or performing arts or academia.

Evidence required

Certificates, awards, letters of recommendation from coaches or teachers
Photos, short videos

Note: ALL programme applicants are eligible to apply if they meet the criteria.

Family and Friends of Kevin Greer Memorial Scholarship

Valued up to $5,000
Programme Lengths: Trimester-Year

Kevin was a treasured AFS NZ volunteer over many years. He contributed significantly to the growth and financial wellbeing of our organisation. Kevin was a past Chairperson of AFS NZ and the AFS Educational Trust. All three of Kevin’s sons are AFS NZ Returnees.

His family wishes to see this scholarship go firstly to a student from Palmerston North Boys’ High School or secondly to a Palmerston North student.

Awarded to an all-round student who has demonstrated leadership qualities, shows a need for financial assistance, and who will be an excellent ambassador for his school, community and AFS.

Evidence Required:

Photos, certificates, awards and letters of recommendation to show your achievements and leadership

Note: ALL programme applicants are eligible to apply if they meet the criteria.

Ross Mathieson Scholarship for Children of AFS Whānau

Value Up to $4000
Programme Lengths: Semester – Year

Ross Mathieson was AFS NZ’s first High School AFS Scholar in 1950. His scholarship took him to a boarding school in New Hampshire called Phillips Exeter Academy. From this experience Ross gained a first class education and had qualified to go to Yale after finishing at this high school but was unable to do so due to lack of finance. He returned to NZ and became a very successful business man.

Ross was passionate about AFS NZ engaging with Alumni and left a generous bequest to AFS NZ to pursue this goal. This scholarship in his name and supported by Ross’ family is for applicants whose families are already part of the AFS whānau. The AFS whānau includes not only returnees, but also sending families, host families, volunteers and members.

If your parent or grandparent has been an AFS student, hosted an AFS student or volunteered for AFS and you require financial assistance, you can apply for the Ross Mathieson Scholarship.

Evidence Required:

Students showing initiative, entrepreneurship and a positive attitude at school
A video statement covering these points
- Talk about your family members who have been an AFS students or who have hosted an AFS Students.
- What did the experience mean to them?
- How has this influences you in your decision to apply for an AFS experience?
A written letter explaining your families background of volunteering or participation with AFS (host family, sending family, volunteering) and how this has impacted your life today

Note: ALL programme applicants are eligible to apply if they meet the criteria.

South Auckland Counties Scholarship

Valued between $500-$5,000
Programme Lengths: Semester – Year

Awarded to a South Auckland Counties student requiring financial assistance, who will be an excellent ambassador for both the area and AFS NZ and can show involvement in some form of community service.

Evidence required

Your family home needs to be in the South Auckland Counties.
Photos/short videos/letters in support of your involvement in your local community, through church, school, sports etc.

Note: ALL programme applicants are eligible to apply if they meet the criteria.

Thames Valley Scholarship

Valued between $500-$5,000
Programme Lengths: Semester – Year

Awarded to a Thames Valley student requiring financial assistance, who will be an excellent ambassador for both the area and AFS NZ and can show involvement in some form of community service.

Evidence required

Your family home needs to be in the Thames Valley Area.
Photos/short videos/letters in support of your involvement in your local community, through church, school, sports etc.

Note: ALL programme applicants are eligible to apply if they meet the criteria.

These scholarships are awarded by the AFS NZL office to students who apply & meet the criteria

AFS Whānau/Family Discount

Save $1,000 off the total programme fee

This discount is available all year round for family members of past participants and host families.

We want to say thank you to our past participants and host families and give you the opportunity to send an immediate family member and save $1,000 off the total programme fee.

Available for…

All Programme Lengths
All destinations except Japan
A student who is an immediate family member of an;
- AFS returnee (sibling, child, grandchild)
- AFS Host Family (child)

Note: Students eligible for this discount are able to apply for scholarships/grants but will only be awarded either the discount or the scholarship/grant.

2026 Trimester Scholarships to India & Egypt!

Two one-off destination scholarships are available for India and Egypt for a Trimester Programme in 2026

Valued at $2,800 (for India) and $2,500 (for Egypt), these partial scholarships make India and Egypt our most affordable Trimester Programmes in 2026!

Immerse yourself in a new culture, live with a host family, and attend a local school – for three months you’ll not just visit, but live life like a local in your Indian or Egyptian community. AFS Trimester Programmes are an amazing opportunity for personal growth, enhancing your adaptability, independence and problem-solving skills.

The destination scholarships are funded by our AFS Partners in India and Egypt as part of the AFS Asia and the Pacific Initiative (AAI).

Enquire today!

More information on pricing and dates: India & Egypt

Scholarship Overview Guide

This guide covers general information as well as the following

AFS Requirements
Students Reports
Where our Grants and Scholarships come from
Eligibility
The Application Process

Find out all the ins and outs of scholarships/grants

How to apply

You will be able to apply for a scholarship through your application portal once a full AFS application has been received. The available scholarships will appear when the round is open (dates are at the top of this page). Once you apply, you will be notified when the required documentation is ready for you to submit.

The components which you’ll be asked to submit can be found in the Scholarships overview guide above.

Use the link below to enquire, the AFS application link will be sent to you!

Apply! We want to give Kiwi kids the opportunity of a lifetime!

Corporate Scholarships

This scholarship is fully funded by MITSUI RESOURCES PTY LTD exclusively for children of permanent employees of Mitsui’s joint venture mines.

Closed for 2025

Mitsui!

The Akito Sumibo Scholarship is fully funded by MITSUI RESOURCES PTY LTD & Their jv partner exclusively for school children in Queensland, Australia.

Closed for 2025

Akito!

Mext is a Japanese government run scholarship programme promoting educational and cultural exchanges.

Closed for 2025

MEXT!

The Visy scholarship is fully funded exclusively for children/grandchildren/siblings of permanent employee’s of visy in australia & new zealand

Closed for 2025

Visy!

Other funding opportunities

Fundraising

AFS has also put together a fundraising booklet that you can find here

Competitions

The Ministry of Education has a page that details all the competitions students can enter. So if you’re a motivated student looking for other possible ways to use your skills to raise funds. Click here

Generosity New Zealand

Also check out Generosity New Zealand – this site can be accessed from public libraries and some schools. Put in your criteria and see if there is a scholarship to match.

Lions, Rotary

It is a good idea to get in touch with your local Lions and/or Rotary chapter to see if there are any grants or scholarships they are offering in your area.

We’re committed to helping you explore all possible ways of funding your programme.

Dates

Open 1st February – Close 30th April

Open 1st August – Close 30th September

From 2023-2025 AFS has awarded... $436,450!

Valued between $500-$8,000

Empowerment - Whakamanaia

Programme Lengths: All

Evidence required:

Spirit of AFS - Wairua o AFS / Diversity - Kanorau

Excellence Awards

Michael Jull Memorial Scholarship

Valued between $500-$4,000 Programme Lengths: Semester – Year

Evidence required

Family and Friends of Kevin Greer Memorial Scholarship

Ross Mathieson Scholarship for Children of AFS Whānau

Evidence Required:

South Auckland Counties Scholarship

Thames Valley Scholarship

AFS Whānau/Family Discount

Save $1,000 off the total programme fee

2026 Trimester Scholarships to India & Egypt!

Scholarship Overview Guide

How to apply

Use the link below to enquire, the AFS application link will be sent to you!

Corporate Scholarships

Closed for 2025

Closed for 2025

Closed for 2025

Closed for 2025

Other funding opportunities

Fundraising

Competitions

Generosity New Zealand

Lions, Rotary

If you want to find out more

Email us at [email protected]

Valued between $500-$4,000
Programme Lengths: Semester – Year