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 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

Southern Hemisphere Departures (January-March 2025):

OPEN between 14th June-29th August 2024

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED
Decisions by the 30th of September

Northern Hemisphere Departures (July-September 2025):

OPEN between 14th January-28th February 2025

Decisions by the 29th of March

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 Programme

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: 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

Valued between $500-$8,000

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
  • Letters of support from schools, cultural tutors, government/social programmes or church ministers/pastors

Scholarships from AFS Alumni

Valued between $500-$4,000

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 not English speaking and who have 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

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: You need to be a AFS semester or year programme student to apply for a scholarship

Scholarships for SH 2024 programmes are now CLOSED

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

  • Global Ambassador: What do you believe makes 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 that you 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) 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?
  • Your reasons for choosing your host country.

Corporate Scholarships

Jay Japan 6

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

APPLICATIONS CLOSED

Mitsui!
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This scholarship is fully funded by Anglo American and Mitsui Resources Pty Ltd exclusively for children of permanent employee of Mitsui’s joint venture mines.

APPLICATIONS CLOSED

Akito!
Japan

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

APPLICATIONS CLOSED

MEXT NZ & AU!
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This scholarship is fully funded by Visy, exclusive for children/grandchildren/siblings of permanent employee’s of Visy.

APPLICATIONS CLOSED

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 [email protected]