Scholarships

Undergraduate Scholarship Regulations

Open: 22 August 2025
Closing: 31 October 2025 (for Semester 1 2026)

BACKGROUND

The Southern Cross Health Trust (“Trust") and Southern Cross Healthcare Limited (“Southern Cross Healthcare”) would like to support the growth, education and leadership of the nursing profession in Aotearoa New Zealand. The Trust and Southern Cross Healthcare recognise that nurses are critically important to the public and private healthcare system. This scholarship programme represents their commitment to developing Aotearoa’s healthcare workforce.

Studying towards a nursing qualification requires dedication and commitment, and students can experience challenges while studying that create barriers to enrolling in and completing a nursing qualification. The scholarship programme is designed to support selected Southern Institute of technology (SIT) students to complete their studies, provide extension learning opportunities and provide the opportunity to learn about Southern Cross Healthcare.

It is envisioned that successful recipients of the scholarship will remain in New Zealand to progress their career for the foreseeable future.

PURPOSE

The Trust is offering scholarships for study at SIT in the Bachelor of Nursing Degree to students who are passionate about pursuing a career in nursing and are experiencing personal challenges or disadvantage, including financial and family circumstances.

AMOUNT AND TYPE OF AWARD

The scholarships will be known as “Southern Cross Nursing Scholarship – Undergraduate”. 

In 2026, six scholarships are available providing:

1. 2 x three-year scholarships available to students entering their first year of study (“First Year Scholarship”) at a total value of $25,013 per scholarship.
2. 2 x two-year scholarships for students entering their second year of study (“Second Year Scholarship”) at a total value of $20,190 per scholarship.
3. 2 x one-year scholarships for students entering their final year of study (“Third Year Scholarship”) at a total value of $13,215 per scholarship.

Each scholarship includes the following benefits:

Financial benefits 2026

* Direct Material Costs means costs that are separate from tuition fees, which are covered under SIT’s Zero Fees Scheme for eligible domestic students. These direct costs typically cover:

• Uniforms required for specific programmes
• Textbooks and learning materials
• Tools and equipment needed for practical components
• Course-related activities
• NZQA charges, such as assessment or certification fees

**Changes to the Bachelor of Nursing curriculum are currently being implemented. These changes include a reduction in the number of weeks of the required clinical placement in line with the updated Nursing Council of New Zealand’s Education Standards. This is set out as follows:

• From 2027, Year 2 students will complete eight weeks of clinical placement (down from nine weeks), resulting in a $500 reduction.
• From 2028, Year 3 students will complete 17 weeks of clinical placement (down from 21 weeks), resulting in a $2,000 reduction.

All financial benefits will be paid by the Trust direct to SIT finance, who will then disburse the scholarship moneys to the recipients via SIT nursing scholarships office.

SIT will distribute the clinical placement living expenses and health and wellbeing payment to students through SIT finance department. 50% will be paid during the first semester and 50% paid during the second semester. The Nursing Council Examination fee will be paid in the second semester of the final year of study. Payments will be deposited into the student’s personal bank account or direct to third parties.

Non-financial benefits (all Scholarships)

• Priority clinical placements in Southern Cross Healthcare hospitals and subsidiaries subject to separate written agreement between Southern Cross Healthcare and recipients including relevant background checks where appropriate.
• The opportunity to explore a part-time role under separate employment contract in a Southern Cross Healthcare hospital or healthcare service provider that offers flexibility during clinical placement. Note: clinical placement cannot take place in the same department as part-time work.
• Involvement in the Southern Cross Student Mentor Programme.
• Additional group learning opportunities such as online/in-person workshops with senior leaders about specific topics, clinical learning sessions.

TENURE

The tenure of each scholarship is as below, subject to the recipient maintaining eligibility as noted below and passing all papers in each year of study.

• The tenure of the First Year Scholarship is three years of full-time study in the Bachelor Nursing
• The tenure of the Second Year Scholarship is two years of full-time study in the Bachelor Nursing
• The tenure of the Third Year Scholarship is for one year of full-time study in the Bachelor of Nursing.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

• Students who demonstrate passion for nursing and are experiencing personal challenge or disadvantage that may prevent them from undertaking or completing their studies are invited to apply.
• To be eligible for the First Year scholarship, the applicant must:
  • be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident and have lived in New Zealand for at least the previous two years;
  • have applied to study at SIT in the Bachelor of Nursing (full-time study) in the semester following the application;
  • have a provisional or firm offer of place commencing in the next semester;
  • be from a diverse or underrepresented group or from a background of hardship, and who have, or may experience barriers to their access to education because of this (see Additional Information).
• To be eligible for the Second Year or Third Year scholarship, the applicant must:
  • be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident and have lived in New Zealand for at least the previous two years;
  • be currently enrolled in the SIT Bachelor of nursing programme (full-time study); and
  • have a provisional or firm offer of place commencing in the semester following year.
  • be from a diverse or underrepresented group or from a background of hardship, and who have, or may experience barriers to their access to education because of this (see Additional Information).

Selection Criteria

The Scholarships seek to improve social and cultural mobility in nursing education and contribute to the diversification of the profession. The intention of the Scholarships is to assist nursing students who identify with a diverse or underrepresented group or from a background of hardship, and who have, or may experience barriers to their access to education because of this (see Additional Information).

Additional Information

1. Scholarships will be offered to students who demonstrate financial hardship and/or are from communities who have been historically underrepresented in the nursing profession.
2. The applicant’s personal history and circumstances, financial needs, academic achievement, and career plans will also be taken into account by the selection panel.  Involvement in extra-curricular/co-curricular activities will be of interest to the panel.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Application for this scholarship is on-line through the on-line SIT scholarships portal. Applicants will be asked to provide their legal name on the application form. This can be obtained by enrolling at SIT online or by accessing this link: Southern Cross Nursing Scholarship Form.

Applicants will be asked to upload:

• A transcript of their NCEA results (or equivalent secondary qualification) to date or transcript for any previous tertiary study not completed at SIT.
• A brief personal statement either written (max 500 words) or via a recorded video explaining why they believe they should receive this scholarship
• Applicants should describe any cultural or other community activity or personal circumstance relevant to the eligibility category they are applying under, as well as future career goals.
• A short CV (max. two pages).

OTHER INFORMATION

Students accepted for a scholarship are encouraged to:

• Participate actively in the non-financial benefits of the programme.
• Consider applying for a job with Southern Cross on completion of their studies.

Students accepted for a scholarship are expected to:

• Pass all exams and assessments.
• Provide updates and stories relating to study to Southern Cross with support from SIT Foundation including an end of year update for each year of study under the scholarship.
• Provide feedback to Southern Cross that can be used to improve the programme.
• Advise appropriate parties of any issues relating to their study or the scholarship so that appropriate support can be provided.

SELECTION PROCESS

• For students joining the Bachelor of Nursing in semester 1 2026:

• Applications open on: 22 August 2025
• Applications close on: 31 October in the semester preceding the award.

• Applications will be considered by a selection panel including representation the Trust, Southern Cross Healthcare and SIT.
• Applicants will be short-listed and will be interviewed by the selection panel.
• The decision of the selection panel is final.
• Applicants will be formally notified of the outcome of their application by the SIT Nursing Scholarships Office.
• If the panel is of the opinion that there is no applicant of sufficient merit applying for the scholarship, then no award will be made, and applications may be reopened. 

CONDITIONS OF ACCEPTANCE AND APPOINTMENT

• The award of this scholarship is conditional on the student being enrolled in the Bachelor of Nursing in the year of award.
• The recipient will enrol in no less than 120pts each year during the tenure of the scholarship.
• The recipient must agree to allow the Trust and Southern Cross Healthcare to use their name and photograph for the purpose of publicising the scholarship.
• The recipient may only hold other scholarships with the approval of SIT and Southern Cross Health Trust and must declare to Scholarships Office all scholarships, awards and grants held at the date of application and for which the recipient receives payment while also receiving payment for the Scholarship. No Scholarship offered by another healthcare organisation may be entered into while receiving payment for this Scholarship.
• Deferral and suspension requests must be made in writing to the Scholarship Office.
• Academic progress will be monitored each semester.
• If the recipient does not complete at least two consecutive semesters of study at SIT while on award they may be required to pay back the full value of the scholarship received.
• Recipients are required to comply with the regulations for this Scholarship and must notify the Scholarships Office of any change in their enrolment or funding status.
• SIT in consultation with Southern Cross Health Trust and Southern Cross Healthcare has the power to terminate or suspend a scholarship if it receives an unsatisfactory report on the academic progress of a recipient or if the recipient has failed to comply with any of the conditions on which the Scholarship was awarded and may require repayment of any award sums disbursed.