AFS wants every student who decides to do an exchange to be able to.
So we do our best to help with scholarships, grants, sponsorship and fundraising.

It does cost money to go on an exchange, but don’t think for a moment it isn’t doable. Money can come from a number of sources, savings, family, part time work, fundraising, gifts, scholarships and community funding to name a few.

AFS New Zealand will assist you with a Fundraising booklet etc.

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About Grants and Scholarships

Every programme destination offered by AFS is unique and all participants are able to become active global citizens regardless of the destination chosen. However, for the scholarship applications, the focus is on financial need, diversity and inclusion of applicants as well as diversity of destinations as stated.

Applicants may apply for the grant(s) or scholarship they meet the criteria for.

  1. Only ONE grant or scholarship will be allocated by the scholarship team to each applicant.
  2. Grants or scholarships granted are only partial, ranging between $500-$8,000 NZD

Dates

Intensive Programme Departures (November 2025 – January 2026):

Open Now! – Closing 31st August 2025

Decisions by the 30th September 2025
Note that IP scholarships range is between $500-$3000

Early 2026 Programme Departures (January – April 2026):

18th August 2025 – 29th September 2025
Decisions by 7th November

AFS Requirements

AFS New Zealand requirements for grant or scholarship recipients:

  1. As stated in the Participation Agreement it is compulsory to attend any pre departure orientation meetings held, whether this be in person or where necessary online.
  2. Your school must continue to endorse you up until the time of your departure.  This includes an expectation that you will strive to do the best possible at your NZ school prior to your departure.
  3. All students going on AFS are required to do the Student Learning Journey.  This is a part of becoming an Active Global Citizen!
  4. Attending school in another country and adapting to a new culture and probably another language has challenges.  AFS expects participants to fully engage in school life and strive to achieve the best academic results possible in that context.

Student Reports on AFS Experience

A girl doing a star jump with her back to the viewer on a platform above a view of misty mountains

For Year Programme participants:  A thank you letter for being awarded your scholarship, your written pieces along with interesting photos are expected 3 times during your experience. These will occur at approximately 6 weeks; 5 months; and 6 weeks prior to returning home.

AFS Educational Trust Grants

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 to participate in an AFS Intercultural programme.

Valued between $500-$8,000

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, kapahaka, 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

Scholarships from AFS Alumni

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 performance 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

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! 

Eligibility and Application Process

Meet the grant / scholarship criteria.
Have completed the full AFS New Zealand Online Application (OA)
Have been accepted by AFS New Zealand.
Have paid the $450.00 deposit.

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

Video Statement no longer than 4 minutes in length  (above 4 minutes may lose points)
To cover:

  • Global Ambassador:
    • What do you believe makes you a good global ambassador?
    • What are the roles you have played or the activities you have carried out in the past two years which you feel indicate would make a great global ambassador?
    • How do you see that you would continue in this role during and following your return home from your exchange?
  • Financial reasons you are applying for a grant or scholarship: (It is important that you focus on this) ie
    • Why do you financially need this grant or scholarship? and/or
    • What are the financial challenges you face and/or
    • What has been or is currently your challenging life situation?
  • Why you feel you really deserve to be selected for the grant or scholarship?
  • What are your reasons for choosing your host country.

ADDITIONAL NOTE: All sections must be covered. If any area is omitted or is weak in its focus this may well impact how your application is considered.

Corporate Scholarships

Jay Japan 6

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!
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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!
Japan

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

Closed for 2025

MEXT!
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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!

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.

If you want to find out more

Email us on info-newzealand@afs.org

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