Scholarship FAQs

When applications are open, click on this link to apply.

1. Register an account.
2. Start your application (save it in-progress).
3. Submit your application to be reviewed.

If you have any questions, please read the FAQs below or contact us at scholarships@leva.co.nz.

The Futures that Work Pacific Mental Health and Addiction Scholarship are for those of indigenous Pasifika descent who are New Zealand citizens or permanent residents.  

The Addiction and Problem Gambling Harm Scholarship is open to all New Zealand citizens or permanent residents.  

All applicants must also be enrolled in a relevant mental health-related or addiction-related qualification at an approved NZQA accredited education provider in New Zealand.

You will be required to submit the following documents in order for your application to be processed:

• Photo identification (passport or driver’s license).
• Evidence of name change (if applicable).
• Evidence of Indigenous Pasifika ancestry (Vola ni Kawa Bula registration for iTaukei). Futures that Work Scholarship only.
• Evidence of NZ citizenship or permanent residency (birth certificate, passport, citizenship certificate or resident visa form).
• Official academic transcript (within last 12 months with 2025 course grades).
• Evidence of 2026 enrolment (confirmation letter of enrolment or 2026 tax invoice).
• 2026 tax invoice for tuition fees.
• Evidence of qualification/s.
• Curriculum vitae.
• Letter of support (from current employer) or a character reference letter (if not currently working).

No, the scholarship funds can only be used for tuition fees.

Yes, scholarship recipients have to be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents at the time of application and during the course of their study.

Note: New Zealand Citizenship/residency is assessed as per Ministry of Education definition of a Domestic Student in New Zealand.

Evidence of New Zealand citizenship

• NZ Passport
• NZ Birth Certificate
• Birth certificate (Cook Island, Niuean or Tokelauan) if the individual was born before 1 January 2006
• Birth certificate (Cook Island, Niuean or Tokelauan) with confirmation that the individual is a citizen by birth (if the child was born on or after 1 January 2006)
• Certificate of naturalisation (Cook Island, Niuean or Tokelauan)
• Certificate of registration (Cook Island, Niuean or Tokelauan)
• Letter of confirmation (Cook Island, Niuean or Tokelauan)
• Certificate of New Zealand citizenship

Evidence of New Zealand permanent residency

• Permanent resident visa
• Confirmation letter from Immigration New Zealand
• Endorsement in a passport

An assessment panel will assess all scholarship applications based on the following criteria: Academic capability, workforce prioritisation, Pasifika community connection, personal impact and commitment to the mental health and addiction sector.

Nursing students who are specialising in mental health or addictions are eligible to apply for the scholarship. Additionally, nurses who are currently working in mental health or addiction may also apply. Nursing students are also encouraged to apply for the Te Whatu Ora Pacific Health Scholarships

We fund up to a maximum of $5,000 per year.

The assessment panel will determine the scholarship amount. If the scholarship is only for a portion of the tuition fee, the applicant will be responsible for paying the education provider the outstanding amount.

Scholarship funds of up to a maximum of $5000 can be for one semester or a full year.

Scholarships are awarded based on the details supplied as part of the application. Any changes to primary field of study or institution may nullify your scholarship.

A minor change to course papers based on timetable issues or availability of the papers may be accepted, please email scholarships@leva.co.nz to discuss.

No. Fees will be paid directly to your education provider.

Fees can only be paid once we have received a copy of your fees invoice. Any delay in Le Va receiving a copy of your fees invoice will delay the date that fees are paid.

No. It is your responsibility to inform your education provider you have a scholarship, getting your invoice in on time and to pay for any penalties incurred or shortfall between your course fees and the scholarship amount awarded.

If you are successful, please be aware that processing payments will take time. To ensure your fees are covered by the due date, we recommend applying for StudyLink support. If your scholarship application is approved, any fees paid through StudyLink should be refunded to StudyLink by your tertiary institution.

Scholarships are valid for the calendar year (January–December) and are not transferrable for the following year.

Scholarship refunds are paid directly to Le Va by the education provider, but only if you withdraw within the specified deadline of the education provider (usually within the first two weeks of the semester). Please contact Le Va as soon as you decide to withdraw so that we may stop payment of invoice.

Scholarships are awarded based on successful completion of papers the year prior. You can apply however it will be up to the discretion of the assessment panel if you will be awarded a scholarship.

All iTaukei applicants will be required to submit a Vola ni Kawa Bula (VKB) registration document.

Please contact iTaukei Affairs directly to request your VKB registration document for submission with your application.

If you are a recipient of another scholarship, you may be ineligible. However, this will be reviewed case by case.