January 15, 2017 | Author: Mahmud Kusuma | Category: N/A
student handbook New Zealand Development Scholarships and Commonwealth Scholarships
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Photos: NZAID thanks Sanguin Tiu (Papua New Guinea), Peter Mkumbo (Tanzania), Gabriel Saun (Papua New Guinea) Chittachone Phangphilavong (Lao), Wattanak Non (Cambodia), and Upendo Mtaita (Tanzania).
CONTENTS Kia Ora and Welcome to New Zealand
4
New Zealand Development Scholarships and Commonwealth Scholarships Schemes
4
Purpose of the NZDS and Commonwealth Scholarships schemes NZDS definitions
6
Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowship Plan
7
Your International Students’ Office Adviser
8
Arrival in New Zealand
8
Arrival briefing
8
During the academic year
9
Your Responsibilities 10 Scholarships conditions
10
Finance
10
Conduct
10
Dependant family members
10
Allowances and Entitlements 11 Summary of allowances and entitlements
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Establishment allowance
16
Stipend
16
Tuition fees
17
Course expenses
18
Travel
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Medical assistance and insurance
18
Additional tutoring
19
Dependants’ funding
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Stopping allowances
19
Accompanied Stipend for Dependants
20
NZAID definition of ‘dependants’
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Eligibility criteria
21
Dependants’ costs not funded by NZAID
21
Dependants working in New Zealand
22
New Zealand Development Scholarships and Commonwealth Scholarships Student Handbook • NZAID
Other New Zealand Government benefits
22
Other Entitlements for Dependants
22
Dependants’ initial travel to New Zealand
22
Dependants’ final departure travel
22
English language tuition for dependant spouse/partner
22
Schooling for dependant children
22
Childcare allowance
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Travel Entitlements
23
Air travel and travel arrangements
23
Initial travel to New Zealand
24
Overseas travel for work practicums or fieldwork
24
Study at another institution
24
Compassionate travel
24
Home leave travel
25
Private travel
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Final departure travel
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Travel costs you must pay
26
Immigration and Visas
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Obtaining a visa to enter New Zealand
27
New Zealand or Australian permanent residency
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Working in New Zealand
28
Immigration requirements for dependants
29
Academic Progress
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Satisfactory academic progress
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NZAID continuation criteria
30
Withdrawing or ‘dropping’ papers
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Probation
31
Help with coursework
31
Additional tutorial assistance
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Summer School
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NZAID • New Zealand Development Scholarships and Commonwealth Scholarships Student Handbook
Overseas Fieldwork for Research Students
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Scholarship Deferrals
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Returning to study
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Scholarship EXTENSIONS
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Scholarship extension criteria
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Scholarship extension duration
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Where an extension application is declined
36
Scholarship Upgrades
36
Scholarship Termination
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Termination process
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Termination on non-academic grounds
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Termination on academic grounds
38
Debt to the New Zealand Government
38
Remaining in New Zealand following completion of your scholarship
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Your Welfare
39
Adjusting to life in a new country
39
Student counselling
40
Health
40
Evaluation of your Scholarship
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New Zealand Development Scholarships and Commonwealth Scholarships Declaration
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New Zealand Diplomatic Posts
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The information contained in this handbook is current at the time of publication. NZAID has the right to amend conditions of the NZDS and Commonwealth Scholarships schemes.
New Zealand Development Scholarships and Commonwealth Scholarships Student Handbook • NZAID
Kia Ora And Welcome To New Zealand New Zealand’s International Aid and Development Agency (NZAID) welcomes you to New Zealand. This handbook has been written for you as a New Zealand Development Scholarships (NZDS) or Commonwealth Scholarships student and outlines the terms and conditions of the NZDS and Commonwealth Scholarships schemes. The NZDS and Commonwealth Scholarships schemes are funded through the New Zealand Government’s Official Development Assistance programme and are administered by NZAID. NZAID is a semi-autonomous agency within New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Further information about NZAID is available on the website: www.nzaid.govt.nz While you are studying in New Zealand, the International Students’ Office (ISO) adviser with responsibility for NZAID students at your education institution will manage your scholarship on a day-to-day basis. If you have any questions or concerns, always consult your ISO adviser first. This handbook contains important information. Please read it carefully and keep it in a safe place so that you can refer to it. NZAID wishes you every success with your studies. We hope that you have a safe, successful and enjoyable stay while you are in New Zealand.
New Zealand Development Scholarships and Commonwealth Scholarships Schemes Purpose of the schemes Education is of critical importance within NZAID’s policy framework and NZAID’s aim of achieving a safe and just world free of poverty. As part of its education strategy, NZAID provides scholarships to citizens of some developing countries to undertake post-secondary study in New Zealand. The guiding principles of the NZAID Scholarships schemes are that they should: • help meet the short-term human resource training needs of selected developing countries within NZAID’s country and regional programmes; • strive to maximise the long-term development impact of poverty reduction; • place national development needs ahead of the professional development of individual awardees – the scholarship is not a personal gift to you, but rather, an agreement between yourself and the New Zealand Government;
NZAID • New Zealand Development Scholarships and Commonwealth Scholarships Student Handbook
• have regard to principles of transparency, access and equity, including those that relate to ethnicity and gender; • be delivered in the most cost effective way possible; and • be consistent with NZAID’s objectives and policies, including the country and regional programme strategies developed by NZAID and, where applicable, partner governments. The purpose of NZAID Scholarships schemes is, therefore, for you to gain knowledge and skills so that you can contribute to the development of your home country in government, civil society or private sector organisations on completion of your scholarship. In support of the principles of NZAID Scholarships schemes you are: • encouraged and assisted through academic tuition and pastoral care to acquire skills, knowledge and a qualification; • expected to complete your qualification in the minimum time possible; and • required to return to your home country for at least two years on completion of your scholarship, to apply your newly acquired skills and knowledge toward the development of your country.
New Zealand Development Scholarships and Commonwealth Scholarships Student Handbook • NZAID
NZDS DEFINITIONS New Zealand Development Scholarships – Public category (NZDS-Public) students NZDS-Public students are nominated by their home government to study in New Zealand. These students may be studying at undergraduate or postgraduate level, depending on NZAID’s agreement with the partner government. If previously working, NZDS-Public students may come from the public sector or the private sector, or from a community-based organisation. NZAID keeps the home government advised of the progress of NZDS-Public students. New Zealand Development Scholarships – Open category (NZDS-Open) students Generally, NZDS-Open students have applied directly to their New Zealand education institution for a NZDS*. As with NZDS-Public students, NZDS-Open students may have previously been working in the public or private sector, or for a community-based organisation. However, NZDS-Open students can only study postgraduate qualifications, except for students from the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau and the Marshall Islands who can also study at undergraduate level. * The current exceptions to this are students from Latin America, Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Samoa
NZAID • New Zealand Development Scholarships and Commonwealth Scholarships Student Handbook
COMMONWEALTH SCHOLARSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP PLAN The Commonwealth Education Conference at Oxford in 1959 established the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP). New Zealand was a foundation member of the Plan, which began a year later. The Plan is designed to enrich the intellectual life of each country of the Commonwealth by enabling a number of its promising students to share in the wide range of educational resources available throughout the Commonwealth and thus promote the equality of education opportunity at the highest level. Commonwealth Scholarships provide the opportunity for individuals of high intellectual promise from Commonwealth countries to undertake postgraduate level study at a university in another Commonwealth country. On completion of their scholarship, these scholars are expected to make a significant contribution to the development of their country on their return home.
General principles of the CSFP The five general principles of the CSFP laid down at the time of the scheme’s inception are that: • the Plan should be additional to, and distinct from, any other plan in operation; • the Plan should be based on mutual cooperation and the sharing of educational experience among the countries of the Commonwealth; • the Plan should be sufficiently flexible to take account of the diverse and changing needs of the countries of the Commonwealth; • while the Plan will be Commonwealth-wide, it is operated through a series of bilateral arrangements to allow for the necessary flexibility; •
awards should be designed to recognise and promote the highest standards of intellectual achievement as well as technical and professional performance, and have regard to any expressed human resource development needs of developing countries.
New Zealand Development Scholarships and Commonwealth Scholarships Student Handbook • NZAID
Management of the CSFP in New Zealand In New Zealand, the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan is funded by the New Zealand Government through New Zealand’s Agency for Aid and International Development (NZAID). NZAID is a semi-autonomous agency within New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Further information about NZAID is available on the website: www.nzaid.govt.nz The New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Committee (NZCSFC) provides advice on policy relating to the Plan, as well as its academic administration. It is also responsible for the selection and placement of nominees through the New Zealand Vice-Chancellors’ Committee. International Students’ Office (ISO) advisers at New Zealand universities are responsible for the pastoral care of Commonwealth Scholarship students and report on their academic progress. While you are studying in New Zealand, the ISO adviser with responsibility for NZAID students at your university will manage your scholarship on a day-to-day basis.
Your International Students’ Office Adviser An adviser at the International Students’ Office (ISO) of your education institution is responsible for NZAID students. This ISO adviser will provide you with support while you are in New Zealand. Please contact the ISO adviser if you have any questions or concerns regarding your study or your welfare. They are there to help you. Arrival in New Zealand Someone from the education institution will make arrangements for you to be taken to the temporary accommodation that has been arranged for you. Arrival briefing Within a few days of arriving in New Zealand, the ISO adviser will provide an onarrival briefing to explain how your study programme will work and to tell you about your institution. The ISO adviser will also: • inform you about the terms and conditions of your NZDS or Commonwealth Scholarship, including your allowances and other entitlements; • explain your approved study programme and course-related issues, including the enrolment process; • provide you with advice on accommodation and other student support services which are available at your institution;
NZAID • New Zealand Development Scholarships and Commonwealth Scholarships Student Handbook
• explain access to the New Zealand medical system and outline the insurance scheme under which you will be covered; • give you information about being a student at the institution, contacts for student associations you can join, and a map of the campus; and • provide you with useful information about the community you will be living in. During the academic year The ISO adviser will monitor your academic performance and carry out twice-yearly interviews to discuss your academic and general progress. The ISO adviser will keep NZAID informed about your progress. If you are on a NZDS-Public award, NZAID will forward this information to your home government. The ISO adviser will provide information or assist you with a range of situations, including: • academic performance standards and continuation criteria (see page 29); • requests for additional tutoring during the academic year if you are having difficulty with your studies; • requests to change your scholarship offer, such as a deferral; • change of subjects or qualification (Note: Course changes are only permitted in exceptional circumstances and only with the prior approval of NZAID and, for NZDS-Public students, your home government.); • compassionate travel (see page 24); • availability of financial assistance for dependants (spouse or partner, and/or children up to the age of 19 years); • travel arrangements for return to your home country; and • advice on organising the production of your thesis, if you are a postgraduate student.
New Zealand Development Scholarships and Commonwealth Scholarships Student Handbook • NZAID
Your Responsibilities Receiving a New Zealand Development Scholarship or Commonwealth Scholarship is recognition of your previous achievements as well as your potential to assist in the development of your country, and as such, it is an important opportunity for you. Scholarship conditions While on scholarship, it is your responsibility to: • be familiar with the academic performance requirements of your scholarship and apply yourself to your studies to achieve these (see pages 29-30); • inform the ISO adviser immediately of any academic or personal factors that may affect your ability to continue with your studies or scholarship; • ensure the ISO adviser has your current residential and postal details, in New Zealand and in your home country; • meet the conditions of your scholarship detailed in your Scholarship Acceptance letter and summarised in the NZDS or Commonwealth Scholarship Declaration (see page 41); • if an undergraduate, unaccompanied student, contact the ISO adviser by July to discuss booking travel to your home country at the end of the academic year (see page 25); Finance • budget within your stipend; • pay for your accommodation and other living expenses; • pay any loans, debts and fines you may incur while studying; • deal with tax, if relevant; Conduct • obey the laws of New Zealand; • conduct yourself in an appropriate manner; • adhere fully to the regulations of your education institution;
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Dependant family members • arrange matters for dependant family members, e.g. accommodation and immigration requirements, in the full knowledge of the conditions for assistance under the NZDS or Commonwealth scheme; • take responsibility for the wellbeing of your dependants while they are in New Zealand. They are also expected to observe and comply with the terms and conditions of your scholarship and to obey the law.
Allowances and Entitlements A summary of NZDS and Commonwealth Scholarships allowances and entitlements is provided in the table on the following pages, with fuller detail on pages 16 to 19. Although the allowances and entitlements listed below are valid from 1 July 2008, please note that changes to NZDS and Commonwealth Scholarships allowances and entitlements may occur during your scholarship. You should therefore check with your ISO adviser to determine your entitlement. The ISO adviser will also explain the payment procedures for your stipend and other entitlements. On arrival in New Zealand, you must open a New Zealand bank account and give the ISO adviser your bank account number as soon as possible. This is so that your stipend can be paid by direct credit into your bank account. Definition of ‘accompanied’ and ‘unaccompanied’ students An ‘accompanied’ NZAID student is a student whose immediate dependant family (spouse or partner and/or children) are living with the student in New Zealand during the scholarship period. An ‘unaccompanied’ NZAID student is a student who either has no immediate dependant family or whose family have remained in the home country.
New Zealand Development Scholarships and Commonwealth Scholarships Student Handbook • NZAID
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Allowances/Entitlements
Unaccompanied students
Visa-related expenses
Costs relating to visa application, including medical examination and police clearance costs and the visa application fee.
Initial travel to New Zealand
One-way, standard economy class air ticket (including departure tax) by the most direct route from an international airport in the home country to the international airport closest to the institution.
Tuition fees
Full tuition fees for the approved study programme, including enrolment, orientation and Student Union fees. Includes Summer School tuition fees, where approved by NZAID.
Establishment allowance First year Subsequent years
$1,250 on first arrival $250 each semester
Stipend (each year)
$16,540
Insurance
To meet the minimum standard required by the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students.
Additional tutoring
Up to a maximum of 30 hours per annum. Includes provision for proofing and/or editing of a postgraduate student’s thesis.
Textbook/Course costs allowance
$300 per semester
Postgraduate research allowance (once only)
$1,000 once
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NZAID • New Zealand Development Scholarships and Commonwealth Scholarships Student Handbook
Accompanied students Costs relating to visa application, including medical examination and police clearance costs and the visa application fee (for the student only). One-way, standard economy class air ticket (including departure tax) by the most direct route from an international airport in the home country to the international airport closest to the institution. Includes provision for dependants’ travel costs to New Zealand (partner and up to two children only)1. Full tuition fees for the approved study programme, including enrolment, orientation and Student Union fees. Includes Summer School tuition fees, where approved by NZAID.
$2,000 on first arrival $500 each semester $27,600 (student + partner) $32,250 (student + partner and one child) $36,930 (student + partner and two or more children) To meet the minimum standard required by the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students. Provision for eligible dependants. Up to a maximum of 30 hours per annum. Includes provision for proofing and/or editing of a postgraduate student’s thesis. $300 per semester $1,000 once
1
Note: This provision is only available for new students who will begin their study as from January 2006. It is not available for continuing NZAID students or to those who have deferred their start date from previous years.
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Allowances/Entitlements
Unaccompanied students
Thesis costs (once only)
$500 once
Dependants’ study
Not applicable
Children’s school allowance
Not applicable
Childcare allowance
Not applicable
Immigration permits
Payment of approved visa and permit-related costs. (This excludes permit/visa renewal costs for a scholarship extension, passport costs, or for travel to obtain a visa or permit.)
Other travel
A return, standard economy class air ticket (including departure tax) for unaccompanied, undergraduate students on annual home leave. A return, standard economy class air ticket (including departure tax) for postgraduate research students approved to undertake overseas fieldwork. Provision for compassionate travel (if not covered by insurance)
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Final travel to the home country
One-way, standard economy class air ticket (including departure tax) by the most direct route from the international airport closest to the institution to an international airport in the student’s home country following completion of the scholarship.
Unaccompanied baggage allowance
Door to port on completion of scholarship: up to a maximum of 150 kilograms for unaccompanied awardees.
NZAID • New Zealand Development Scholarships and Commonwealth Scholarships Student Handbook
Accompanied students $500 once 1. Up to an equivalent of 20 weeks English language training for a dependant spouse/partner. 2. NCEA fees are paid for senior secondary school children. $250 per primary school child per annum $500 per intermediate/secondary school child per annum Provision for dependant pre-school/after-school children (or children in after-school care) where the student and partner are either full-time NZAID students, or where the student’s children are in New Zealand, but their partner is not (or where the student does not have a partner). Payment of approved visa and permit-related costs. (This excludes permit/visa renewal costs for a scholarship extension, passport costs, travel costs to obtain a visa or permit, or for dependants’ visa or permit costs.) A return standard economy class air ticket (including departure tax) for postgraduate research students approved to undertake overseas fieldwork. Provision for compassionate travel (if not covered by insurance).
One-way, standard economy class air ticket (including departure tax) by the most direct route from the international airport closest to the institution to an international airport in the student’s home country following completion of the scholarship. Includes provision for eligible dependants’ final travel costs to home country. Door to port on completion of scholarship: up to a maximum of 225 kilograms for accompanied awardees.
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Establishment allowance An establishment allowance is paid by cheque when you first arrive in New Zealand. A lesser amount is paid at the beginning of each semester for each subsequent full year of study (excluding any extension period). The initial establishment allowance payment of $1,250 for unaccompanied students and $2,000 for accompanied students is intended to assist with some of your immediate costs on arrival, including: • temporary accommodation costs on arrival in New Zealand; • accommodation bond (usually equivalent to two to three weeks rent), rent in advance (usually two weeks rent), and occasionally rental agents’ fees; • utility bonds (for electricity and telephone services, if moving into rental accommodation); • purchase of suitable clothing; • course expenses; and • purchase of household items if moving into rental accommodation. If you come to New Zealand by yourself with the intention of your family joining you later, you will receive the unaccompanied establishment allowance payment. Once your family has joined you, you will receive the balance of the establishment allowance at the accompanied rate. If, however, you can demonstrate an earlier need to receive the balance (for example, to secure rental accommodation for your family) your ISO adviser may advance you the payment. From the beginning of your second year of study the establishment allowance payment ($250 per semester for unaccompanied students and $500 per semester for accompanied students) provided at the beginning of each full semester of study is to assist with seasonal costs such as higher electricity bills or for additional course-related/research costs. Note: This allowance will not be provided if your scholarship ends during the semester. Stipend Your stipend (living allowance) is from the day you arrive in New Zealand to the day of your departure from New Zealand, following completion of your scholarship. It is paid directly into your New Zealand bank account each fortnight in arrears. NZAID funds an unaccompanied stipend rate and three levels of the accompanied stipend for students who have at least one member of their immediate family – not on scholarship – living with them in New Zealand (see page 20). Unaccompanied stipend rate: $16,540 per annum.
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NZAID • New Zealand Development Scholarships and Commonwealth Scholarships Student Handbook
Accompanied stipend rates:
Student plus spouse/partner (or one child only): $27,600 per annum
Student plus spouse/partner and one child (or two children only): $32,250 per annum
Student plus spouse/partner and two or more children: $36,930 per annum
Your ISO adviser may deduct certain costs from your stipend or establishment allowance before it is paid to you, e.g. for an accommodation deposit at the Halls of Residence or for textbooks. The ISO adviser will advise you whether any deductions will be made from your allowances and, if so, what these are for. The stipend is sufficient to cover routine expenditure on day-to-day expenses, including: • accommodation (rent or board); • food costs; • living expenses (e.g. telephone, electricity and water bills); • transport to and from the institution; • personal items, such as toiletries; and • incidentals, such as clothing and entertainment. The stipend also covers your less regular expenditure on: • course-related clothing (e.g. uniforms and protective wear); • stationery, photocopying and other course related costs; • in-country field trips, projects, workshops and conferences. It is important that you budget for all these costs – if you need help preparing a budget, discuss this with your ISO adviser who can refer you to the institution’s student support services. Tuition fees NZAID funds the major course costs of your study such as tuition, enrolment and orientation fees. These are paid directly to the institution.
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Course expenses NZAID provides individual allowances to cover some of your course costs:
i. Textbook/course costs’ allowance: An allowance of $300 per semester is paid to all students by the ISO adviser for textbooks or other course-related costs, such as equipment or clothing. This may be paid at the beginning of each semester. ii. Postgraduate research allowance: A $1,000 allowance is a one-off payment during the scholarship towards postgraduate students’ research- related costs (for either New Zealand-based research or overseas fieldwork), where research forms at least 50 percent of the study programme.
iii. Thesis allowance: A $500 allowance is available once during the final year of study to assist with postgraduate research students’ thesis production costs. No further provision for course-related costs is available from NZAID. There will be other course expenses that you are expected to pay for from your stipend. These may include, but are not limited to: • general course expenses: stationery, internet charges, equipment and photocopying; • some research costs, e.g. for photographic development, questionnaire photocopying, library interloans, and telephone, internet and fax charges; • field trips, conferences and seminars. Costs that have not been included in your original placement budget by the ISO will require prior approval from NZAID. Travel During your study, you can apply for assistance with travel under the following categories: home leave, overseas fieldwork, and travel to undertake an undergraduate work practicum in your home country (see pages 23 to 27 for full details). Your ISO adviser arranges final travel to your home country for you and all eligible dependants on completion of your scholarship. Medical assistance and insurance NZAID students and their eligible dependants are entitled to the same governmentfunded health assistance in public hospitals as New Zealand citizens. In addition, the ISO adviser will organise your insurance, which includes basic health care cover, and will explain these entitlements further.
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Additional tutoring You can receive up to 30 hours per year of tutoring funded by your scholarship (see page 19). Dependants’ funding In addition to the accompanied stipend rate, NZAID funds a children’s school allowance, and in some situations, assists with childcare costs. If your spouse/ partner’s first language is not English, NZAID will fund some English language training for them. For details see page 22. Stopping allowances Once you have completed your final exam or submitted your thesis (for research students), your scholarship ends and you are required to return to your home country within 14 days. Your allowances and entitlements will be paid up to a maximum of 14 days following scholarship completion, or the date of your departure, whichever is sooner. Your stipend and entitlements will also stop in the following situations: • you have an unexplained absence from New Zealand; • you fail to return to New Zealand from private international travel; • you are on compassionate leave for more than four weeks; • you are hospitalised for more than three weeks; • you are an undergraduate student undertaking a compulsory work practicum (e.g. a teaching practicum) in your home country and you stay beyond the required period (stipends are paid up to a maximum of 12 weeks depending on the practicum); • your scholarship is deferred. Your allowance will be paid up to the day you leave New Zealand, which must be within 14 days of the date of the deferral; • you are employed full-time as part of a compulsory course requirement; • your scholarship is terminated or suspended for any reason; • you breach the conditions of your NZDS or Commonwealth Scholarship and you apply for, or are granted, New Zealand or Australian permanent residency or a work permit (Note: This action is treated very seriously – see page 28). Your allowance will also stop if you are a PhD student and you return home to await oral examinations. On return to New Zealand for oral exams you are entitled to one month’s stipend and a return airfare.
New Zealand Development Scholarships and Commonwealth Scholarships Student Handbook • NZAID
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Accompanied Stipend for Dependants You may be eligible to receive a higher rate of stipend (an ‘accompanied stipend’) to assist with basic living costs if you bring your spouse/partner and/or children to New Zealand. This stipend is to assist you in supporting your dependant family members while you are studying in New Zealand. This allowance may not cover all your living costs. You and your family must carefully consider the costs of supporting a family in New Zealand as New Zealand has a much higher cost of living than your own country. You may need to supplement the accompanied stipend with your own funds to meet day-today living expenses. NZAID definition of ‘dependants’ Dependant family members are defined as: i. Your child/ren under 19 years of age
Dependant children must be single. Eligibility for the stipend ceases when a child reaches 19 years of age or when they are not attending school and are working full-time. If a dependant child turns 19 years of age while still studying at secondary school in New Zealand, however, you should contact your ISO adviser to find out if your dependant child is still eligible for the accompanied stipend. If you apply for NZAID funding for an adopted child/ren, you must provide evidence stating that you and/or your spouse/partner have been the legal guardians of the child/ren for at least two years.
When applying for NZAID funding for dependant children, you must provide a certified copy (in English) of each child’s birth certificate (or certified church baptism certificate or adoption certificate), and a certified copy of the personal pages of their passport.
ii. Your spouse (if legally married) or partner (if in a de facto relationship)
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A partner is defined as someone you are in a de facto relationship with. You must have been living together at the same address in a stable relationship – ‘akin to a marriage’ – for at least one year. You will be required to provide evidence of the status of your relationship. This could include providing a joint bank statement showing one address for you and your partner, and/or a signed affidavit or statutory declaration attesting to your relationship.
When applying for NZAID funding for your dependant spouse or partner, you must provide a certified copy (in English) of your marriage certificate or supporting evidence of a de facto relationship greater than one year; a certified copy of their birth certificate (or certified church baptism certificate); and a certified copy of the personal pages of their passport.
NZAID • New Zealand Development Scholarships and Commonwealth Scholarships Student Handbook
If, while you are in New Zealand, you marry a person who is not a citizen of your country of citizenship, you should advise the ISO adviser immediately as your eligibility for allowances may be affected.
Eligibility criteria To be eligible for the accompanied stipend and other NZAID entitlements for dependants: • you must have included all your dependants in your application form; • you must be undertaking a study programme that is 18 months or longer and you must have at least 12 months remaining on your scholarship by the time your family arrives in New Zealand; • you must have successfully completed any bridging programme into your main course of study; • your dependants must live with you in your home country and your study centre in New Zealand; • your dependant spouse/partner must not have citizenship or permanent residency of a developed country, including New Zealand or Australia. Dependants’ costs not funded by NZAID You are responsible for arranging and paying your dependants’: • passport costs, including renewal of passports; • immigration visas or permits, including extensions to visa or permits; • the full cost of all living expenses. The accompanied stipend ceases when: • you complete your study programme; • your dependants return to live at home (and you are still studying); • you are out of New Zealand for more than three months. (Note: If a postgraduate student on overseas fieldwork, this will be assessed on a case-bycase basis); or • your scholarship is terminated. It is your responsibility to let the ISO adviser know if your family is planning to leave New Zealand for any reason during your scholarship as this could affect the continuation of your stipend. You will be required to repay any allowances that
New Zealand Development Scholarships and Commonwealth Scholarships Student Handbook • NZAID
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are overpaid. Dependants working in New Zealand If your spouse/partner is eligible to work in New Zealand and wishes to obtain a work permit, you must notify your ISO adviser, as approval must be sought from NZAID before Immigration New Zealand will issue the work permit. Your spouse/ partner’s stipend will continue to be paid even if they are successful in gaining employment. However, should a dependant child gain full-time employment, their portion of the accompanied stipend will cease. Other New Zealand Government benefits You and your dependants cannot receive other benefits funded by the New Zealand Government while on scholarship. If you apply for, or receive, other New Zealand Government benefits, your scholarship may be terminated and you will be required to repay the New Zealand Government the total cost of your scholarship (see page 38).
Other Entitlements for Dependants Dependants’ initial travel to New Zealand NZAID will fund the initial air tickets to New Zealand for your spouse/partner and up to two of your children This includes any reasonable, compulsory stop-over costs, such as transit visas and unavoidable overnight accommodation. To receive this provision, they must meet the eligibility criteria listed on the previous page. If you want to bring your dependants to New Zealand after your arrival in New Zealand, you must ask the ISO adviser in writing. If approved, they will assist in organising their travel to New Zealand. You must also inform the ISO adviser once your family has arrived in New Zealand. Dependants’ final departure travel When you complete your scholarship, you will receive an economy class air ticket home for each eligible dependant family member. English language tuition for dependant spouse/partner A dependant spouse/partner may apply for NZAID funding to undertake English language tuition for up to a total of 20 weeks, if their first language is not English. To apply, contact your ISO adviser. Schooling for dependant children Your dependant school-aged children between six and sixteen years are required by law to attend school in New Zealand. You must talk to your ISO adviser before enrolling your children at school – they will provide you with information about local 22
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schools. All school age dependants of NZAID students are treated as domestic students with effect from 1 January 2009. NZAID will pay school donations for all schoolaged children and the cost of NCEA fees for senior secondary school children. The ISO adviser administers the payment for these costs directly to the school. NZAID provides a school allowance of up to $250 for each full year for children at primary school, and up to $500 for each full year for children at intermediate and secondary school. This allowance is to assist with school related costs, such as school uniforms, transport to school, school trips, sports clothing, stationery textbooks etc. The Institution may pay this allowance directly to the school against an invoice or into your bank account. This allowance will not cover all of the costs for your child/children. Childcare allowance The childcare allowance pays for day-care costs for dependant children. You may qualify if you have dependant pre-school children or children who require after school care and both you and your partner are full-time NZAID scholarship students; or if you are studying in New Zealand and your children are living with you, but your partner is not in New Zealand or you do not have a partner. NZAID considers applications on a case-by-case basis. To apply, contact the ISO adviser. If approved, payment is made directly to the registered childcare provider.
Travel Entitlements Air travel and travel arrangements NZAID-funded air travel is always by the most direct and economical route from the nearest international airport in your home country to the closest city to your institution in New Zealand. Travel must be standard economy class and upgrades are not permitted. Air tickets are not transferable or refundable. Once you are in New Zealand, all travel bookings must be made through the ISO adviser. If you are going on home leave during the summer holiday you must contact the ISO adviser by July to ensure that the most economical airfare is obtained. You should not change or adjust travel bookings funded by NZAID and
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organised by the ISO. If you do change your travel plans and there are extra costs incurred, you will have to pay these costs. Initial travel to New Zealand Your ISO adviser will arrange your travel bookings to New Zealand. You will need to ensure that you have some cash with you to cover incidental costs, such as snacks, phone calls and taxis, while you are travelling to, and on arrival in, New Zealand. Compulsory stopovers If you have to make a compulsory stop overnight in New Zealand or another country on the way to or from your home, the accommodation and transfer costs (i.e. airport/hotel/airport) will be paid. If you need a visa for the country where you are required to stopover, this will also be paid by NZAID. You must use any pre-booked stopover accommodation, including accommodation within New Zealand. If you do not use this accommodation, the cost of the accommodation will be deducted from your stipend when you return to New Zealand. If you want to stay with family rather than use paid accommodation you must tell your ISO adviser before any accommodation bookings are made. Unless changes to your travel arrangements are for reasons beyond your control, e.g. flight schedule changes or delays, bad weather or illness, etc, you will have to meet the costs of changes to your travel. Overseas travel for work practicums or overseas fieldwork Return travel will be provided if you are an undergraduate student and you are required to return home for a compulsory work practicum, e.g. a teaching practicum. Return travel is also provided for postgraduate research students to undertake approved overseas fieldwork (see page 33). Study at another institution If you are required to change education institutions or if your study programme requires you to complete part of your study at another institution in New Zealand, NZAID will fund your travel costs, by the most direct route. To discuss this, contact your ISO adviser. NZAID’s approval is required before any study location change can occur. Compassionate travel Where not covered by your insurance provider, a return economy air ticket may be available on a case-by-case basis for students to travel to their home country 24
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for compassionate travel concerning the death or imminent death of an immediate family member. An immediate family member includes your parents, siblings, spouse/partner, children, or grandparents (where they have raised you in place of parents). Compassionate travel is generally only available once during the scholarship. Your stipend will continue to be paid for a maximum of four weeks. You must contact the ISO adviser if you wish to apply for compassionate travel. You will need to provide medical verification of the family member’s death or imminent death. The return air ticket entitlement does not apply to dependants. However, some funding may be available through your insurance provider. Home leave travel Home leave is an entitlement for unaccompanied, undergraduate students to return to their home country for the New Zealand summer holiday period at the end of the academic year to spend time with their family. To be eligible for home leave you must have been studying in New Zealand for at least one full academic year and you must have at least one semester of study remaining. You must travel to your home country within two weeks of your final exam and remain in your home country for the duration of the institution’s holiday period, unless you need to return to New Zealand earlier to complete special examinations or summer school. The stipend continues to be paid into your New Zealand bank accounts while you are on home leave.
Students from Pacific countries: If you are from a Pacific country you are expected to take home leave each year. Exceptions to this are if your study programme requires you to remain in New Zealand during the summer holidays to undertake compulsory work, which cannot be carried out in your home country or you are attending summer school.
Students from Timor-Leste or Rapa Nui: If you are from Timor-Leste or Rapa Nui, you are entitled to NZAID-funded home leave every two years.
Non-qualifying students You are not eligible for home leave if you: • receive an accompanied stipend; • are a postgraduate student; • are a senior medical student between your fifth and sixth year of study; • are a medical or pharmacy student between your final year and internship year.
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Private travel If you undertake any travel outside New Zealand, you are required to tell your ISO adviser before you leave. You may undertake private travel while you are here in New Zealand, at your cost. All travel must be undertaken in the institution’s holiday period and not during the semester. You should not miss any class time or coursework due to private travel and it must not affect your studies or completion date. You must return to your institution in time to recommence your studies at the beginning of the semester. Before you undertake any private travel, check your insurance policy to see whether you are covered for the travel. If you are not, you must arrange further cover (either an upgrade or a new policy), at your expense, for the time of your travel. Final departure travel You must leave New Zealand within 14 days of the completion of your scholarship, following your final exam or following submission of your thesis (for research students). Your allowances and entitlements will be paid up to a maximum of 14 days following scholarship completion, or the date of your departure, whichever is sooner. Where your study is completed within a shorter period of time than that shown in your Scholarship Offer letter, the length of your scholarship will be shortened accordingly and you will no longer be entitled to stay in New Zealand until the end date in the original offer. You are not permitted to remain in New Zealand on completion of your studies to seek employment or medical treatment or for any other reason (see page 39). Unaccompanied baggage Limited funding is available to assist with unaccompanied baggage costs for the return of your belongings to your home country at the end of your scholarship. Your ISO adviser will advise you of the baggage entitlement and eligibility criteria. Travel costs you must pay You must pay the following costs for travel to and from your home country: • passport costs, including renewal of passports; • transit visa fees for private or unnecessary stopovers; • all stopover costs if your stopover is for longer than the absolute minimum time required;
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• incidental travel costs, such as snacks, phone calls, and taxis; • the cost of travel above the most direct and economical route to your home country; and • internal travel within your home country. In addition, while you are studying you must pay travel costs associated with: • seminars, conferences, workshops or other similar events; • daily travel costs to and from your institution; • daily travel costs to your teaching practicum or any other workplace or institution you are attending as part of your studies.
Immigration and Visas Entry to and residence in New Zealand is controlled by Immigration New Zealand. Their website is: www.immigration.govt.nz You need a current passport to enter New Zealand. You must also ensure that your passport remains valid for at least six months longer than your expected course completion date. Immigration New Zealand advises that all people coming to New Zealand to study for more than three months are required to obtain a student visa. You must apply for a student visa well before you come to New Zealand. You also need to maintain a current student permit all the time that you are in New Zealand. You should not enter New Zealand on a visitor’s visa. Do not let your passport, visa or student permit expire while you are in New Zealand. If you lose your passport or it is stolen, you must re-apply for a replacement at your nearest Embassy or Consulate immediately. You will also need to apply to Immigration New Zealand for a replacement visa and student permit. Obtaining a visa to enter New Zealand The New Zealand Diplomatic Post nearest to you will assist you to arrange your student visa before your departure. The visa is generally for multiple-entry to New Zealand. The New Zealand Diplomatic Post will pay the cost of your visa application fee. (You may need to pay for the associated medical and police clearance costs initially, but your ISO adviser will reimburse these costs to you on sighting receipts following your arrival in New Zealand.) On arrival at the airport in New Zealand you must apply for a student permit.
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If, for some reason, you do not get a student permit at the airport you will need to apply to the nearest Immigration New Zealand office for a student permit as soon as possible after your arrival. Your ISO adviser will reimburse you the student permit application fee. You can use your Scholarship Offer letter to provide evidence that you are a NZDS or Commonwealth Scholarship student funded by the New Zealand Government. New Zealand or Australian Permanent Residency You must not apply for, or be granted, New Zealand or Australian permanent residency while you are on a NZAID scholarship or within two years of completion of your scholarship. If you apply for, or are granted, New Zealand or Australian permanent residency while you are on a NZDS or Commonwealth Scholarship, your scholarship will be TERMINATED immediately (see page 37). If you apply for, or are granted, permanent residency or a work permit (see ii. below), you will be required to repay the full costs of your scholarship to the New Zealand Government. Your Scholarship Offer letter states the estimated cost of your scholarship. All your allowances will cease immediately. Immigration New Zealand will be advised of the termination of your scholarship. Working in New Zealand i. If you are required to work as a compulsory component of your study programme, you will need to obtain approval from NZAID through your ISO adviser. (Note: In most situations, compulsory work practicum or internships are unpaid.)
You will need to provide a letter from the ISO adviser and your course supervisor supporting your application and confirming that the work will not impact upon your academic progress. You will also need a letter of support from NZAID to include in your application for a work permit.
If permission is granted, you will need to obtain a variation of conditions to your student permit from Immigration New Zealand. Where the work attachment or internship is unpaid your ISO adviser will reimburse you the application fee.
ii. If you are a postgraduate student, you may apply to the ISO adviser to work up to 20 hours per week if the work is related to your study (for example, tutoring or undertaking research for your department). The ISO adviser will consult NZAID as to whether the work is relevant. You are required to pay the Immigration New Zealand fee to receive a variation of conditions to your student permit. Note: Undergraduate students are not permitted to work except as stated in i.) above. 28
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iii. If, in breach of your scholarship declaration, you apply for a work permit to remain in, or return to, New Zealand to work during or after completion of your NZDS or Commonwealth Scholarship, Immigration New Zealand will advise NZAID and your application will be declined. Immigration requirements for dependants If you bring your spouse/partner and/or children to New Zealand, you are responsible for ensuring that they meet all Immigration New Zealand requirements (e.g. hold a valid visa and permit). You are also responsible for paying any immigration-related costs and ensuring that their passports remain current during their stay.
Academic Progress Your ISO adviser and NZAID will monitor your academic performance and general progress while you are on scholarship. If you are a NZDS-Public student, certain information will also be provided to your home government. It is important that you discuss any academic concerns with the ISO adviser throughout the academic year. When planning your studies for the following semester or academic year, make sure that you confirm with your institution the exact papers or subjects you are required to take with your institution, including any compulsory papers, in order to complete your qualification within the agreed time and to meet the institution’s completion regulations. If you do not meet NZAID’s continuation criteria your scholarship will be terminated. Satisfactory academic progress For your scholarship to continue, you must • achieve satisfactory results in any preparatory or bridging programme, if relevant. If you do not pass your preparatory or bridging programme, you will not be permitted to progress to your main qualification and you will be required to return home; • demonstrate commitment to your studies (see below); • meet the institution’s continuation criteria and completion regulations; • meet NZAID’s continuation criteria (see below); and • at all times be on schedule to complete your degree within the original scholarship offer duration (unless given an approved extension).
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Commitment to study is shown when you: • remain enrolled in the study programme for which your scholarship was offered (or for which prior approval for a scholarship variation has been given); • make full use of available institutional academic and support facilities; and • study a full course load, attend classes regularly and participate in all courserelated activities (e.g. tutorials, assessments, examinations, etc) necessary to successfully complete the course requirements. NZAID continuation criteria Where your degree is semester-based, you will meet NZAID’s continuation criteria if you: • obtain a “Pass” grade or above in at least 50 percent of all papers in a full course load in the first year of the scholarship; • fail no more than one paper in a full course load in each semester in the second and subsequent years of the scholarship; • meet your institution’s continuation criteria, such as a minimum grade point average to continue to the next stage. This also includes any conditions specified in your Scholarship Offer letter; • pass core papers that are prerequisites for continuation to the next level in your study programme, or for successful completion of your qualification. Where your degree is based around a full academic year, you will meet NZAID’s continuation criteria if you: • pass the year at a sufficient level to be able to progress to the next year of your degree (including meeting any conditions specified in your Scholarship Offer letter), or to successfully complete your degree. Withdrawing or ‘dropping’ papers Your academic progress is deemed unacceptable if you drop papers or fail to sit exams. “Dropping papers” is when you stop attending classes and tutorials or submitting assessments without officially withdrawing from the paper. If you drop a paper, your progress will be assessed as if you have continued with a full course load and the dropped papers will be read as ‘failed’ grades. If you are considering withdrawing or changing papers, you must first discuss this with your ISO adviser. Remember that change of course needs prior approval from your ISO adviser.
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Probation If you meet the continuation criteria but your academic performance is considered to be marginal – that is, you receive mostly C- grades or you regularly fail one paper a semester – you will be placed on probation. If you are on probation your progress will be closely monitored and you will be required to pass a specified number of papers the following semester. The ISO adviser will inform you in writing of the conditions that you must fulfil if you are placed on probation, including how many and any specific papers that you must pass. You can only be placed on probation once, and generally for no more than one semester. If you do not pass the specified or required number of papers your scholarship will be terminated (see page 37). The ISO adviser and NZAID review the academic and general progress of all NZAID students six monthly to assess which students can continue with their studies. Help with coursework For various reasons you may struggle with some aspects of your coursework. The work may be difficult, you may have difficulty understanding the accent of your lecturers, or you may be homesick. Whatever the reason, you should discuss this with your ISO adviser as soon as you think you need help. They will be able to refer you to someone who can give you specific help or can provide tutoring. Your main aim while studying in New Zealand is to do your best, and your ISO adviser will endeavour to assist you in this regard. Don’t wait until you are behind with coursework or have failed exams. If there are medical or personal reasons affecting your study you may be eligible to defer your studies for up to 12 months (see page 34). In the event that health problems or an illness will affect your ability to sit an exam you should contact your course supervisor or student counsellor and the ISO adviser before or on the day of the exam to explain the situation. You may be eligible to apply for an aegrotat or compassionate pass for your exam so that you will not jeopardise the continuation of your scholarship. The ISO will have information on aegrotat or compassionate passes. If you fail to seek help and do not sit the exam you risk having your scholarship terminated.
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Additional tutorial assistance You may receive up to a total of 30 hours additional assistance per year when you have: • obtained prior approval from your ISO adviser; • fulfilled the current study requirements for your study programme; • made full use of available institutional facilities and services; and • your institution recommends that the support is essential for your satisfactory progress. If you are a postgraduate student undertaking research, you may apply for tutorial assistance for proofreading and/or editing of your final thesis draft. Approval from the ISO adviser must be sought before these arrangements are made. Summer School You can apply to attend Summer School where it is essential to the progress of your study, e.g. to make up papers for any failed during the year. You can also undertake summer school if you wish to accelerate the progress of your degree. You must apply in advance to your ISO adviser for additional tuition fee support to undertake summer school. This will normally be approved if you have: • kept your ISO adviser updated regarding any academic difficulties you are experiencing; • provided the ISO adviser with related evidence (e.g. medical certificate or reports, etc) confirming your situation; • passed all previous summer school papers, if relevant; • support from your course supervisor that taking summer school papers is beneficial to the progress of your degree and that you are likely to pass the papers. You can also apply to undertake summer school papers at another institution but only where you: • have sought, and received, prior approval from your ISO adviser to undertake summer school papers; • have confirmation in writing from your institution that you are able to crosscredit the summer school papers to your original qualification;
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• undertake to pay all additional costs from your stipend, including travel, accommodation and other incidental costs (but excluding the summer school tuition and other compulsory fees which NZAID pays); and • undertake to return to your institution in time for the new semester. You must discuss this with your ISO adviser before enrolling in another institution’s summer school programme.
Overseas Fieldwork for Research Students If you are a postgraduate student enrolled in a Masters or PhD degree, and the research component is at least 50 percent of your degree, you may apply to undertake essential fieldwork or research in your home country – ‘essential’ means that your supervisor confirms that it is an integral component of your qualification. You are expected to undertake the fieldwork in your home country so that the research is under local conditions and so that it can potentially contribute to your country’s development. However, should your research require fieldwork to be undertaken in a developing country other than your own, you will need to make a case outlining why this fieldwork will better contribute to your research rather than fieldwork in your home country. NZAID will not fund fieldwork to be undertaken in a developed country. Your application to undertake the fieldwork must be supported by your supervisor and the ISO adviser. You must submit a proposal to the institution at least six months in advance of the fieldwork which includes an: • outline of the fieldwork and its role in your qualification; • statement from your supervisor confirming that the fieldwork is essential for the successful completion of your qualification, including an indication of the supervisory arrangements; • if applicable, you must include a statement outlining how fieldwork to be undertaken in a developing country other than your home country will best contribute to your research; • travel itinerary; and • assessment of any likely effect on the scholarship duration. Prior approval must be sought from NZAID before you leave New Zealand. Overseas fieldwork entitlements are limited to payment of the awardee’s airfare(s) to and from the destination of overseas fieldwork, with the same conditions as for return travel;and a postgraduate research allowance to assist with
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additional costs related to the fieldwork/research. Your stipend will continue to be paid at the same rate up to a maximum of three months if you are a Masters student or up to a maximum of six months if you are a PhD student – this includes whether any of your accompanying dependants (if relevant) remain in New Zealand or travel with you. Generally, there is only provision for one period of overseas fieldwork over the duration of a scholarship. In exceptional circumstances, NZAID recognises that some research may require two periods of overseas fieldwork – usually for PhD research – but this should be discussed with your ISO adviser as early in the research planning as possible. Overseas fieldwork should not result in the need for a scholarship extension.
Scholarship Deferral After commencing your study programme, you may request to have your scholarship deferred if you: • have serious family problems, either in New Zealand or in your home country; • have a serious medical condition that is affecting your academic performance; • are pregnant; or • are hospitalised for more than three weeks during term time. NZAID may approve a deferral for up to one year. You should contact your ISO adviser if you are contemplating applying for a deferral. Deferrals require the prior approval of NZAID. If you are a NZDS-Public student, NZAID will also consult with your home government. If you wish to return home on deferral you need to have gained approval for a deferral of studies before you leave New Zealand. If a request for scholarship deferral is not approved, you have the option to continue or to withdraw from your scholarship. Returning to study NZDS-Public students: At least two months before the end of the year in which the NZDS-Public award is deferred, you will need to contact your home government and the nearest New Zealand Diplomatic Post to confirm you will be taking up your studies again. If you do not do so in time, your scholarship will be terminated.
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NZDS-Open students: At least two months before the end of the year in which the NZDS-Open award is deferred, you will need to write to your ISO adviser in New Zealand to confirm that you will be taking up study in the next academic year. If you do not do so in time your scholarship will be terminated. Commonwealth students At least two months before the end of the year in which the Commonwealth award is deferred, you will need to write to your ISO adviser in New Zealand to confirm that you will be taking up study in the next academic year. If you do not do so in time your scholarship will be terminated
Scholarship Extensions If you are not able to complete your qualification by the expected completion date, you may apply for an extension to your scholarship that will allow you to successfully complete your original qualification. Extensions are granted in exceptional circumstances only and must be approved by NZAID. If you are considering applying for an extension you should discuss this with your ISO adviser. Applications are carefully considered and must have the full support of your course supervisor and the ISO adviser. NZAID must receive an application at least six months before your expected completion date. An application received after this time may not be considered. Scholarship extension criteria Approval for a scholarship extension is subject to: • whether it is the only option that will allow you to complete your approved study programme; • consideration of the reasons why the extension is needed (supported by a statement from your course supervisor and your ISO adviser); • your attitude, commitment and academic progress to date; • the additional cost of the extension and funds availability; • the length of the required extension; • institution confirmation that you will be able to complete your qualification within the extended scholarship duration; and, • for NZDS-Public students, home government agreement.
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Scholarship extension duration Extensions are generally only approved for an additional period of one semester for coursework students. A one-year extension will only be approved if the degree comprises compulsory full-year papers. Masters research students are only eligible for a three-month extension. Funding for PhD students is generally for a three and a half year period, depending on the field of research. NO extensions will be considered for PhD students that will take their scholarship duration beyond four years (including time for oral exams). A second request for an extension will not be approved unless the request has resulted from institution or other factors outside your control. If the qualification is not completed by the extended completion date, then the scholarship will be terminated. Where an extension application is declined An extension may not be granted if travel for academic or personal reasons (which was not approved by NZAID) has impacted significantly on your academic performance. If your application is declined, in some instances it may be possible to complete your study by distance. Generally, however, if a scholarship extension is declined and the qualification is not complete then your scholarship will be terminated.
Scholarship Upgrades Your scholarship has been approved for a specific qualification, detailed in your Scholarship Offer letter and accepted by you when you signed your Scholarship Acceptance letter. There is no provision under the New Zealand Development Scholarships or Commonwealth Scholarship scheme for you or your institution to initiate an upgrade of your study programme. This includes requests for upgrading from an undergraduate to postgraduate level (including to Honours qualifications), from Masters to PhD, or permission to upgrade “off-scholarship”. Such requests will be declined.
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Scholarship Termination At the end of each semester, the ISO adviser and NZAID assess your results. A decision is made on the continuation of your scholarship, based on academic and general progress. Your scholarship will be terminated by NZAID if you: • fail to make satisfactory academic progress (e.g. you do not meet the institution’s or NZAID’s continuation criteria etc), do not regularly attend classes or do not complete assessments; • have attitude or behavioural problems which are detrimental to your progress or that of other students, or instances of serious misconduct; • fail to keep your student visa, student permit or passport current or if Immigration New Zealand declines to renew your visa or permit or orders your removal or deportation from New Zealand; • contravene the conditions of your NZDS or Commonwealth Scholarship and apply for, or are granted, New Zealand or Australian permanent residency; • during your studies, apply for a work permit to remain in New Zealand (other than for compulsory work practicums for which you have already obtained NZAID approval); • seriously infringe the rules of the institution or the laws of New Zealand (e.g. being convicted in a court, being caught using or possessing illegal substances, or if you or one of your dependants are working illegally or without NZAID’s permission in New Zealand). Termination process The ISO adviser will advise you of the proposed termination in writing (and in person where possible) and ask you to provide any written statement to them within 3 working days. If you are a NZDS-Public student, NZAID will also consult with your home government. If the decision is then made to terminate your scholarship, you will receive a letter of termination from the ISO adviser, which you must acknowledge in writing. Termination on non-academic grounds If your scholarship is terminated for non-academic reasons all NZDS or Commonwealth Scholarship entitlements, including your stipend, will cease immediately.
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You will be required to return to your home country within 14 days of the date of termination. The return is at NZAID expense less any outstanding payments of entitlements. If, for any reason, you do not return to your home country within 14 days of termination, you will forfeit the return air ticket and you will be required to fund your return home. Immigration New Zealand will be advised of your scholarship termination and your student visa will be revoked. The total cost of your scholarship will then become a debt you owe to the New Zealand Government. Repayment of this debt will be enforced under New Zealand laws. Termination on academic grounds If your scholarship is terminated for academic reasons (e.g. because of unsatisfactory academic progress and/or not meeting the terms of probation), you will be required to return to your home country within 14 days of the date of termination. Immigration New Zealand will be advised of your scholarship termination and your student visa will be revoked. Your stipend will continue to be paid up to the day of departure and NZAID will fund your final departure air ticket. If you do not return to your home country within 14 days of termination, you will forfeit all your scholarship entitlements, including the final air ticket, and you will be required to fund your return home. The total cost of your scholarship will then become a debt you owe to the New Zealand Government. Repayment of this debt will be enforced under New Zealand laws. Debt to the New Zealand Government If your scholarship is terminated and you incur a debt to the New Zealand Government, the amount of the debt will equal the total cost of your scholarship including actual tuition fees, airfares, allowances and other costs paid to you or on your behalf by the New Zealand Government in relation to the scholarship. To discharge the debt, you will either have to return home and work for a period of two years in your home country or repay in full the total amount of the debt. Action to recover this debt will be taken if you remain in New Zealand.
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Remaining in New Zealand following completion of your scholarship The purpose of the NZDS and Commonwealth Schemes is for you to gain knowledge and skills so that you can contribute to your country’s development on your return home following completion of your scholarship. You are therefore unable to remain in, or return to, New Zealand within two years of completion or termination of your scholarship, to either: • undertake further study (either privately funded or under scholarship funding, e.g. from any other agency, such as the New Zealand Ministry of Education’s New Zealand International Doctoral Research Scholarships or New Zealand university-funded scholarships); or • undertake paid or unpaid work. If you do, you will incur a debt to the New Zealand Government as outlined above.
Your Welfare Adjusting to life in a new country When you come to study in New Zealand it will take you time to adjust to the lifestyle and culture here. You will be surrounded by new and different languages, cultures and foods. There are different climatic conditions to adjust to. New Zealanders may look and act differently to what you are used to. What you considered normal in your own home country might be looked at differently in New Zealand. Our social customs, etiquette or mannerisms might not be what you consider appropriate or normal. These differences and variations can all have an effect on you and may affect your academic progress and general wellbeing. Culture shock affects people in different ways. For example, you may become bored or homesick, be indifferent to the local food, or find you are unable or reluctant to mix with other people. You may suffer physical side effects such as stomach pain, headache or insomnia. There is no instant cure for culture shock. Usually, with time, it will go away as you become more comfortable with the New Zealand lifestyle and environment. It helps to talk to other students, especially other international students, or friends and people from your home country. They might be feeling the same as you and talking about it may help you both. Try to get out and about and generally try to stay busy. Health and counselling services are also available.
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Student counselling Your education institution has counselling services to help you overcome any problems you may experience while studying. These may be study problems, homesickness, culture shock or difficulties with socialising, budgeting or other personal matters. If you are experiencing any of these problems, seek help immediately at the ISO or through someone else that you trust at your institution, and use the help that is available free of charge. Health Your health and wellbeing are important. If you feel unwell see the Student Health Service at your institution. If necessary, the Student Health Officer will refer you to a specialist. Note: If the Student Health Officer refers you for further treatment you must first contact your ISO adviser to discuss this.
Evaluation of your Scholarship NZAID is required to evaluate the effectiveness of its scholarship schemes, including the NZDS and Commonwealth Scholarships schemes. Scholarship evaluations may be undertaken either by NZAID staff or their representatives, and may take place while you are studying or following completion of your scholarship in your home country. In the scholarship declaration, you agreed to participate in evaluation of the NZAID scholarships as necessary. Your participation will assist NZAID to ensure that the scholarships meet both the goals of the schemes (such as assisting in building human resource capacity of developing countries), as well as providing a positive experience for NZAID scholarship students.
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New Zealand Development Scholarships and Commonwealth Scholarships Declaration At the time of accepting a New Zealand Development Scholarship or Commonwealth Scholarship, you signed a declaration that set out the terms and conditions of the scholarship. The main conditions, summarised below, are that you: • will take up the scholarship for the academic year for which it is offered; • agree that the scholarship offered is for the appropriate field and level of study; • acknowledge that no additional study under the scholarship will be considered; • agree to follow your approved study programme and agree not to change the study programme or education institution without the prior agreement of NZAID; • agree to undertake any pre-sessional English language tuition or other bridging programme as required by the education institution; • agree to study the approved study programme full-time, achieve satisfactory academic progress and meet all course requirements set out by the education institution; • agree to comply with the regulations of the education institution; • agree that the ISO adviser at your education institution is the first point of contact during your scholarship; • agree to ensure that the education institution has your current contact details; • agree to the disclosure of information regarding your progress; • agree to the release of information in the application form and information relating to your scholarship to relevant authorities (including your home government, if a NZDS-Public student) in accordance with the New Zealand Privacy Act 1993 to enable collection of academic progress reports and results, placement in an education institution, consideration for a scholarship, and the ongoing administration and monitoring of your scholarship; • agree to the exchange of information between NZAID and authorities such as Immigration New Zealand (regarding your immigration status) or any other relevant government agency (e.g. New Zealand Inland Revenue or the New Zealand Qualifications Authority); • assist with evaluation of your scholarship as required while on scholarship or on completion of the scholarship;
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• agree to act in a manner that will not bring disrepute to yourself, your family, your country or NZAID during your scholarship; • agree to provide for your dependants while they are in New Zealand; • ensure your passport and student permit are kept current for the duration of your study or training; • agree not to engage in employment without agreement from NZAID, and not beyond the restrictions applying to your visa; • agree to return to your home country for a minimum period of two years within 14 days of the completion date of your scholarship and acknowledge that if you do not, you will incur a substantial financial debt to the New Zealand Government to the total value of your scholarship; • acknowledge that NZAID requires individuals to spend at least two years in their home country on completion of their scholarship to utilise the skills gained from their study; • agree not to submit an application for a work permit or permanent residence of New Zealand or Australia during your study and acknowledge that if you do, it will result in the scholarship being immediately terminated and that you will incur a substantial financial debt to the New Zealand Government to the total value of your scholarship; • agree not to submit an application for a work permit or permanent residence of New Zealand or Australia within two years of completion of your scholarship and acknowledge that if you do, you will incur a substantial financial debt to the New Zealand Government to the total value of your scholarship; • agree not to receive other benefits funded by the New Zealand Government while on scholarship; • agree to obey New Zealand’s laws and maintain an acceptable standard of conduct while in New Zealand; • agree that the laws of New Zealand will apply to any agreement between yourself and the New Zealand Government; and, • agree to return home at the end of your scholarship, regardless of the time remaining on your visa, or at any time upon formal request of the New Zealand Government.
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NZAID • New Zealand Development Scholarships and Commonwealth Scholarships Student Handbook
Further, you signed the declaration acknowledging that: • the information provided about and by you in the NZAID scholarship application was true, complete and correct to the best of your knowledge and that supplying incomplete or false information will result in NZAID withdrawing the scholarship; • the New Zealand Government is not responsible for your actions while you are in New Zealand; • you are not aware of any medical or other condition (e.g. disability or illness) which might prevent you from completing your study within the time allowed for the scholarship; and that • you fully understand that your scholarship may be withdrawn at any time if you fail to make adequate academic progress, you do not comply with NZAID scholarship conditions or for other sufficient cause determined by the New Zealand Government or the education institution at which you are enrolled. You made this declaration conscientiously believing the same to be true and by virtue of the Oaths and Declarations Act 1957.
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New Zealand Diplomatic Posts
AFRICA Nigeria through)
New Zealand High Commission London, United Kingdom, New Zealand House, Second Floor, 80 Haymarket, London SW1Y 4TQ, UNITED KINGDOM Tel: (+44 20) 7930 8422; Fax: (+44 20) 7839 4580 Email:
[email protected]
South Africa (also for Botswana, Kenya, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe
New Zealand High Commission, Block C (2nd floor), Hatfield Gardens, 1110 Arcadia Street, (Private Bag X17), Hatfield, Pretoria 0028, SOUTH AFRICA Tel: (+27 12) 342 8656; Fax: (+27 12) 342 8640
AMERICAS
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Argentina (also Paraguay and Uruguay)
New Zealand Embassy, Carlos Pellegrini 1427, Piso 5, Buenos Aires – C1011AAC, ARGENTINA Tel: (+54 11) 4328 0747; Fax: (+54 11) 4328 0757
Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago through
New Zealand High Commission Ottawa, Canada, Metropolitan House (suite 727), 99 Bank Street, Ottawa, CANADA, K1P 6G3 Tel: +1 613 238 5991; Fax: +1 613 238 5707 Email:
[email protected]
Brazil
New Zealand Embassy, SHIS QI09, conj. 16, casa 01, Lago Sul 71625-160, Brasilia DF, BRAZIL Tel: (+55 61) 3248 9900; Fax: (+55 61) 3248 9916 Website: www.novazelandia.org.br; Email:
[email protected]
Chile (also Peru)
New Zealand Embassy, El Golf 99, Oficina 703 (Casilla 112), Las Condes, Santiago, CHILE Tel: (+56 2) 290 9800; Fax: (+56 2) 458 0940Website: www.nzembassy.cl; Email:
[email protected]
El Salvador and Guatemala through
New Zealand Embassy (Embajada de Nueva Zelandia), Jaime Balmes 8, Piso 4, 404A, Col. Los Morales Polanco, MEXICO DF 11510 Tel: (+52 55) 5283 9460; Fax: (+52 55) 5283 9480/81
NZAID • New Zealand Development Scholarships and Commonwealth Scholarships Student Handbook
ASIA Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar through
New Zealand Embassy, M Thai Tower, 14th Floor, All Seasons Place, 87 Wireless Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, (PO Box 2719, Bangkok 10500), Bangkok 10330, THAILAND Tel: (+66 2) 254 2530; Fax: (+66 2) 253 0249
India (also for Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka through
New Zealand High Commission, Sir Edmund Hillary Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110 021, INDIA
Indonesia
New Zealand Embassy, Unit 210A, 10 Floor, Sentral Senayan Tower II Plaza Senayan, Jl. Asia Afrika 8 Jakarta 10270, INDONESIA Tel: (+62 21) 299 55 800; Fax: (+62 21) 579 74 578
Malaysia
New Zealand High Commission Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Level 21, Menara IMC, 8 Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur 50250, MALAYSIA Tel: (+60 3) 2078 2533; Fax: (+60 3) 2078 0387 Email:
[email protected]
Maldives through
New Zealand High Commission, 391A Orchard Road, #15-06/10, Ngee Ann City, Tower A, SINGAPORE 238873 Tel: (+65) 6235 9966; Fax: (+65) 6733 9924
Pakistan through
New Zealand Embassy, No. 34, Corner 2nd Park Alley, Sosan Street, North Golestan Complex, Aghdasiyeh Street, Niavaran (PO Box 15875-4313), Tehran, IRAN Tel: (+98 21) 2612 2175; Fax: (+98 21) 2612 1973)
Philippines
New Zealand Embassy, 23rd Floor, BPI Buendia Center, Sen Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City (PO Box 3228 MCPO, 1272 Makati City), THE PHILIPPINES Tel: (+63 2) 891 5358; Fax: (+63 2) 891 5357
PR China (also for Mongolia)
New Zealand Embassy, No.1 Ritan Dongerjie, Chao Yang District, Beijing 100600, CHINA Tel: (+86 10) 8532 7000; Fax: (+86 10) 6532 4317
Timor-Leste
New Zealand Embassy, Rua Alferes Duarte Arbiro, Farol, Dili, TIMOR LESTE Tel/Mobile: (+670) 331 0087, Fax: (+670) 332 4982
Viet Nam
New Zealand Embassy, Level 5, 63 Ly Thai To Street, Hanoi, VIET NAM Tel: (+84 4) 824 1481; Fax: (+84 4) 824 1480
Tel: (+91 11) 2688 3170; Fax: (+91 11) 2688 3165
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PACIFIC
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Cook Islands
New Zealand High Commission, 1st Floor, Philatelic Bureau Building, Takuvaine Road, Avarua, (PO Box 21), Rarotonga, COOK ISLANDS Tel: (+682) 22 201; Fax: (+682) 21 241
Fiji Islands (also Nauru and Tuvalu)
New Zealand High Commission, Level 10, Reserve Bank Building, Pratt Street, (PO Box 1378), Suva, FIJI Tel: (+679) 3311 422; Fax: (+679) 3300 842 or (+679) 3300 040
Kiribati (also Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands and Palau)
New Zealand High Commission, PO Box 53, Bairiki, Tarawa, KIRIBATI Tel: (+686) 21 400; Fax: (+686) 21 402
Niue
New Zealand High Commission Niue, Tapeu, Alofi, NIUE (PO Box 78, NIUE) Tel: +683 4022; Fax: +683 4173
Papua New Guinea
New Zealand High Commission, Embassy Drive, Waigani, (PO Box 1051, Waigani), National Capital District, PAPUA NEW GUINEA Tel: (+675) 325 9444; Fax: (+675) 325 0285 or (+675) 325 0565
Samoa
New Zealand High Commission, Beach Road, (PO Box 1876), Apia, SAMOA Tel: (+685) 21 711; Fax: (+685) 20 086 or (+685) 30 765
Solomon Islands
New Zealand High Commission, City Centre Building, Mendana Avenue, (PO Box 697), Honiara, SOLOMON ISLANDS Tel: (+677) 21 502; Fax: (+677) 22 377
Tonga
New Zealand High Commission, Corner Taufa’ahau and Salote Roads, (PO Box 830), Nuku’alofa, TONGA Tel: (+676) 23 122; Fax: (+676) 23 487
Vanuatu
New Zealand High Commission, La Casa d'Andrea e Luciano, Rue Pierre Lamy St, (PO Box 161), Port Vila, VANUATU Tel: (+678) 22 933; Fax: (+678) 22 518
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New Zealand’s International Aid and Development Agency Nga Hoe Tuputupu-mai-tawhiti Wellington New Zealand October 2008
