Financial Hardship Support

Financial assistance options including the Mickle Fund Loan, UCSA Foodbank, the UCSA Hardship Fund and the International Student Welfare Fund.

From accommodation, food parcels, help finding a job and advice to budgeting, there are lots of options for financial support outside UC. See what's available.

The fund provides assistance to families and individuals in the Christchurch community who are in extreme financial difficulty.

Find a casual, flexible job to support you while studying, or you're looking for something long-term, you may find it here. 

Including the Sallie Mae Smart Option Student Loan and the Veterans Affairs Education Benefits.

Supporting ex-pupils of Timaru Boys’ High School who have demonstrated all-round excellence and financial need, to complete a programme for an undergraduate degree at UC.

Applications close: 06 August

A scholarship for full-time third or fourth year international students studying an undergraduate degree at UC. Applicants must be citizens of: Bangladesh, Cambodia, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Kiribati, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nauru, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, the People’s Republic of China, Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, or Vietnam; or be residents of Rapa Nui.

Applications close: 31 October

Supporting and promoting study in the BE(Hons) programmes at UC. The scholarship is tenable during full-time enrolment in a first year of a programme for a BE(Hons) at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury.

Applications close: 6 August

Supporting students in the School of Fine Arts who face financial challenges that would prevent them from considering entry to tertiary education, and to assist with costs associated with Art History field trips for students.

Closing date: 06 August

Some Departments at the university may have funds available to offer a PhD Research Continuation or PhD Research Support scholarship for the last few months of a student’s enrolment. Check with your Supervisor or Department.

Recognising and supporting incoming first-year students who have faced significant barriers or personal challenges to entering tertiary education. 

Applications close: 06 August

Grants from an annual fund of $2,500 are available to support students at UC who are enrolled, or intending to enrol in the year following application in a health-related programme.

Applications close: 31 March

Supporting incoming first-year students that are from outside the Greater Christchurch area who are planning to reside at a UC affiliated hall of residence.

Applications close: 06 August

Supporting female students residing in a hall or village that the University of Canterbury recognises as being affiliated with the University.

Applications close: 06 August

Supporting students needing financial assistance to obtain tertiary qualifications in the sciences and with the potential to contribute to the technological wealth of New Zealand. Applicants must be full time students undertaking an undergraduate degree programme in any physical science subject, such as chemistry, physics, biology, engineering, biotechnology, biochemistry, mathematics, and applied sciences, who have successfully completed at least one year of tertiary study at Lincoln University, University of Canterbury, or Ara Institute of Canterbury.

Applications close: 31 March

Supporting old boys of Timaru Boys’ High School who are enrolling full-time in an undergraduat degree at UC.

Applications close: 06 August

Supporting students who may struggle financially in the second year of their undergraduate studies at UC.

Applications close: 31 March

Recognising and supporting top students from the Kuching Division, Sarawak, Malaysia who are studying in an undergraduate degree programme at UC.

Applications close: 31 October

This Fund supports students in the Department of Mechanical Engineering by easing financial pressures, enabling them to concentrate on their academic success and personal development.

Grants will be made available as funds permit.  

Supporting Master’s research students of biology with an interest in ecology, freshwater fisheries and the Canterbury region. 

Applications close: 10 March

Supporting incoming first-year students intending to study at UC who face challenges that might otherwise prevent them fromconsidering entry to tertiary education.

Applications close: 06 August

Assisting students in Civil Engineering who face financial difficulty completing the third year of a programme for a BE(Hons).

Applications close: 31 March

Recognising and supporting top students from Malaysia who may have financial barriers to to study in an undergraduate degree programme at UC

Applications close: 31 October

Assisting Māori or Pasifika students, or students who are indigenous to states or territories of Australia, whose financial circumstances would otherwise preclude them from undertaking postgraduate study in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at UC.

Applications close: 31 March

Recognising and supporting top-achieving international students commencing an undergraduate degree programme at UC.

- For students studying at a NZ secondary school

- For students studying offshore or at UCIC

Supporting academically able students who are entering tertiary study for the first time and whose financial or personal circumstances might have prevented them from considering entry to tertiary education in the absence of the scholarship.

Applications close: 06 August

Supporting Māori and Pacific students to successfully transition and flourish in university study and life at UC. The award is based on reciprocity and commitment for the successful participants, as well as for the University.

Applications close: 06 August