Year 13 students planning to continue their education after school are encouraged to begin preparing applications for university and tertiary scholarships.

Scholarship season has begun and Onehunga High School is encouraging Year 13 students to start preparing their applications.

Scholarships are awards that help students with the cost of tertiary study. They can provide financial assistance towards university fees, accommodation, living costs or study expenses, while also recognising students who have demonstrated academic success, leadership, service, sporting or cultural achievement, or a commitment to their community. Some scholarships are also designed to support students experiencing financial hardship or those who meet specific equity criteria.

To give themselves the best opportunity, students should apply to universities early, stay organised by keeping track of application deadlines, and attend both the scholarship workshops at Onehunga High School and the information sessions offered by universities. Most university entrance scholarships are based on a student's Year 12 (NCEA Level 2) results, along with leadership, extracurricular involvement, service, awards and community contribution. Students should also request their school reference from their dean at least two weeks before it is required.

An authentic personal statement is an important part of many scholarship applications. Students are encouraged to reflect on their achievements, aspirations and challenges, using specific examples that demonstrate their character and contribution. While artificial intelligence can be useful for researching scholarships and proofreading applications, the personal statement should always be written in the student's own voice.

Mrs Shaw, our Careers Advisor, is available to support students throughout the application process. She can provide scholarship workshops, feedback on applications, examples of successful scholarship applications from previous Onehunga High School students, and individual advice to help students submit the strongest application possible.

Students can find a comprehensive list of available scholarships by visiting the Scholarships section of ohs.careerwise.school, where they can also view upcoming university scholarship information and writing workshops.

Mrs Shaw's Top Scholarship Tips

• Apply to universities early to access scholarship applications.
• Visit the Scholarships section of ohs.careerwise.school for current opportunities.
• Keep track of deadlines and required documents.
• Attend OHS scholarship workshops and university information sessions.
• Know your Year 12 (Level 2) results, as these are used for many scholarships.
• Maintain strong attendance and commitment to school.
• Request your school reference from your dean at least two weeks before the deadline.
• Highlight your leadership, service, achievements and community involvement.
• Ask Mrs Shaw for feedback and examples of successful applications.
• Use AI for research and proofreading, but ensure your personal statement is genuinely your own.

With more than $260,000 in tertiary scholarships awarded to OHS students in 2025, students are encouraged to make the most of these opportunities by submitting an application. Good luck.