The Milford Foundation Scholarship Programme helps talented young New Zealanders overcome financial barriers to tertiary education and achieve their potential.
Since launching in 2022, the programme has supported 55 scholars and committed more than $1.38 million in scholarship funding across Aotearoa.
From 2027, the programme will be delivered in partnership with First Foundation.
Funded by Milford Foundation and delivered by First Foundation, the programme combines financial assistance with mentoring, career development, wellbeing support and access to professional networks.
Up to 18 scholarships are available each year across Milford Foundation’s regional network, including Auckland, Northland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Hawke’s Bay, Wellington, Canterbury and Otago.
Students are selected in Year 12 and join the programme during Year 13, receiving:
• Mentoring and guidance
• Tertiary planning and preparation support
• Career development opportunities
• Access to professional networks
• A small funding contribution to support tertiary preparation activities.
Once scholars begin tertiary study, they can access a flexible support package of up to $10,000 per year for the duration of their undergraduate qualification (subject to programme requirements).
Funding can be used for approved study-related expenses such as:
• University fees
• Halls of Residence and accommodation deposits
• Laptops and study devices
• Textbooks and learning resources
• Public transport related to study.
Eligibility criteria:
• Household income threshold guidelines:
• Income cap $75,000 1-2 dependents*
• Income cap $90,000 for 3 or more dependents*
• Currently enrolled at Year 12 at a NZ Secondary School
• Endorsed Merit or Excellence at Level 1 NCEA or equivalent. **
• Be a New Zealand Citizen, NZ Resident or Refugee Status
* Dependents are your parents/caregivers children who are financially dependent on their income.
** Where a school does not offer qualifications at Level 1 we will use schools recommendation or equivalence in the first instance.
Priorities
• Year 12
• First in family
• Scholars meeting the household income threshold
• Endorsed merit or excellent at Level 1 (or equivalent)
• Intergenerational change.
Applications are made through a network of partner schools across New Zealand:
Region | Schools |
Northland | Te Kamo High School, Northland College, Whangārei Boys’ High School, Whangārei Girls’ High School |
Auckland | Kelston Boys’ High School, Kelston Girls’ High School, Otahuhu College, Southern Cross Campus, Tamaki College |
Waikato | Cambridge High School, Fairfield College, Thames High School, Taupo College |
Bay of Plenty | Mount Maunganui College, Rotorua Lakes High School, Te Puke High School |
Hawke’s Bay | Havelock North High School, Karamū High School, Tamatea College |
Wellington | Bishop Viard College, Porirua College, Wainuiomata High School |
Canterbury | Haeata Community Campus, Hornby High School, Te Aratai College, Papanui High School |
Central Otago | Cromwell College, Dunstan High School, Mt Aspiring College |
The Milford Foundation Scholarship Programme is designed to do more than provide financial support. Through Milford Foundation’s commitment and First Foundation’s proven education-to-employment model, scholars receive the guidance, networks and opportunities needed to succeed in tertiary education and beyond.
Applications
Applications for the 2027 Milford Foundation Scholarship Programme open on 10 August 2026 and close on 3 September 2026.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an interview in mid-October 2026, with successful scholars and their schools notified of the outcome in early November 2026.
The application form will be available to download from this webpage from 10 August 2026 and the completed form will need to be sent to: [email protected]
For information about eligibility, application dates and the application process, contact:
First Foundation – Milford Scholarship Programme
[email protected]
Meet our 18 talented and highly motivated 2026 Milford Foundation Scholarship students. This is our fourth cohort of students to study with a Milford Foundation Scholarship in 2026. The Milford Foundation provides each student with funding, equipment, support and mentoring, along with regular catchups with the Milford team. We are proud to support this outstanding group of young people.
