Western Southland Veterinary Club Legacy Fund

Scholarship

About this scholarship

The Western Southland Veterinary Club Legacy Fund Scholarship is a contestable award administered by the Southland Foundation

The main purpose of this fund is to provide financial assistance to people undertaking tertiary education study in all, or any of the fields of agricultural, including but not limited to veterinary science, horticulture, forestry and all type and purposes of farming and related fields.

How it works

  • Applications open 9am Thursday 1 October 2026

  • Total scholarship funding available; $10,000

  • Applications to be submitted online via the funding portal

  • Applications close 5pm Friday 30 October 2026

  • Scholarships will be awarded by an independent panel

  • Shortlisted applicants may be invited to attend an online interview

Can I Apply?

To be eligible to apply for this scholarship you must:

  • Hold a New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency.

  • Have resided in Western Southland as defined in the map (included below and in the application guidelines) for at least two years prior to study and have immediate family or care givers still residing in the area.

  • Be enrolled full-time at a New Zealand university, institute of technology or similar. (Please note, while first year students may apply, preference will be given to students entering their second or subsequent year of study.)

  • Pursuing studies in all, or any, of the fields of agriculture, including but not limited to veterinary science, horticulture, forestry and all types and purposes of farming and related fields.

Connection

Applicants must have a strong and genuine connection to Western Southland.

Fields of Study

This financial assistance is directed towards tertiary education in agriculture and related fields, including, but not limited to, veterinary science, horticulture, forestry, farming of all types and purposes, and other fields directly related to the agricultural sector.

Tertiary Study

First year students may apply however preference will be given to students in their 2nd or subsequent years of study.

Key Information

Please see the key information below for assistance on how to complete and submit your application.

It is a good idea to also read the application guidelines and to review the application questions, you will need to have all information required on hand so you can complete your application as efficiently as possible.

We are here to help, so please contact us if you have any queries or concerns. - info@southlandfoundation.org.nz

  • The first time you use our Funding Portal, you will need to register as a user. To do this click  “Not a member” and enter your name and email address.

    You will then receive an email from Southland Foundation with your username, which will be the email you registered with. This email will also include a link to the login screen, where you will be prompted to create a password. If you do not receive an email please check your spam.

  • If you start your application but run out of time, that’s not a problem. To make sure the information you have entered is saved and available when you return, please complete each mandatory field marked with an asterisk (*). If needed, you can enter a few temporary words in a mandatory field. Please ensure you have progressed your form through to the Review Screen.

    When you log back in, you can update your application by removing any placeholder text and adding the correct information.

  • When you return to continue your application, log in using your email address and password. Then, on the top toolbar, click “My Application” to return to and continue your application.

    From this Review Screen you can make any changes as well as uploading any additional supporting documents.

    Once you are happy with your application click ‘Submit Application’.

    You will then receive an acknowledgement email.

    To view your submitted application(s) login and go to ‘My Applications’.

Application Guidelines
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Frequently Asked Questions

  • A wide range of people can apply. You must be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, having resided in the Western Southland area for at least two years prior to your study and your immediate family or care givers still reside in the area. You will need to be undertaking an agriculture related field of study. Preference will be given to students in their second or subsequent year of study.

    Please read the guidelines and criteria before applying.

  • You need to have lived in the area covered by the scholarship for a least two years prior to starting your study.

    Your parents or caregivers must be currently living in the area covered by the scholarship.

  • As long as you meet the eligibility, you can still apply. However, applications are assessed against criteria, and selection will depend on the strength of the applicant pool and the extent to which you meet the overall requirements.

  • Yes. However, some other awards may not be able to be held simultaneously, so if you receive multiple offers, you may need to choose between them. Make sure you review the terms and conditions of each scholarship or award carefully.

    Our Distribution Committee reserves the right to consider the total value of your funding held when considering applications.

  • The total funding available for the scholarship programme is $10,000. Awarded amounts may vary depending on individual circumstances and need.

    The number of scholarships awarded may also vary depending on the quality and range of applications received.

  • Study related expenses such as training or course fees, course specific materials and equipment, accommodation, living and travel costs. In your application you will need to explain how you plan to use the funds and how it connects to your chosen pursuit.

  • Confirmation of enrolment or acceptance (if available), most recent academic transcript of results, bank account verification, parental/legal guardian consent form (if under 18), two written references.

    You can find the exact requirements in the application guidelines.

  • You may be invited to attend a brief interview of around 10-15 minutes. Interviews will be held online.

  • Applications are initially reviewed by our staff for fit against eligibility. The Distribution Committee Panel then considers and makes distribution recommendations to the Southland Foundation Board.

  • Applicants will be notified after the assessment and selection process has been completed in late November/early December 2026. Timeframes are however subject to change.

  • If you receive a scholarship, you will need to meet some ongoing requirements as outlined in agreement with the Southland Foundation. These may include providing updates on your progress, letting us know about any significant changes to your plans, and meeting any other agreed conditions related to the scholarship.