2026 Kiley Secondary Boarding Scholarships (New Zealand)

The Kiley Family Memorial Trust is offering Kiley Secondary Boarding Scholarships 2026 to help New Zealand students manage the costs of secondary and boarding education. The scholarships provide financial assistance ranging from NZD 1,000 to NZD 8,000 per year, with priority given to students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds and those studying in selected regions or pursuing agriculture-related careers.

The programme supports eligible students attending secondary schools, boarding schools, and Wellington-based Catholic schools by covering education-related expenses such as fees, boarding costs, uniforms, stationery, and learning materials.

Overview of the Kiley Secondary Boarding Scholarships 2026

The Kiley Family Memorial Trust established the Secondary Boarding Scholarships to support students in New Zealand who need financial assistance to continue their secondary education.

The scholarships aim to reduce financial barriers for students and help them access quality education opportunities, particularly those from less advantaged backgrounds.

The programme supports students across different career interests, while giving additional consideration to applicants interested in agriculture-related careers.

Purpose of the Scholarship Programme

The Kiley Secondary Boarding Scholarships focus on:

• Supporting secondary school education costs.
• Assisting students experiencing financial hardship.
• Supporting boarding education expenses.
• Encouraging educational opportunities for rural and regional students.
• Supporting future careers, including agriculture-related pathways.
• Helping students continue their studies without financial barriers.

Scholarship Categories and Funding Amount

The programme provides two types of scholarships.

Secondary Scholarships

Secondary Scholarships provide:

• Minimum NZD 1,000 per year.

These scholarships support students with general secondary education expenses.

Boarding Scholarships

Boarding Scholarships provide:

• NZD 3,000 to NZD 8,000 per year.

Students receiving Boarding Scholarships may apply again each year, subject to eligibility requirements.

Support may continue for a maximum period of:

• Five years.

Eligible Uses of Scholarship Funds

Scholarship funding must be used for education-related expenses at the student’s approved education provider.

Eligible expenses include:

• School fees.
• Boarding fees.
• Stationery.
• School uniforms.
• Learning materials.
• Other study-related costs.

The scholarship does not cover personal expenses such as:

• Mobile phones.
• Personal items unrelated to education.

The Public Trust, acting as Trustee, prefers payments to be made directly to the education provider rather than directly to students.

Who Is Eligible?

Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Be a student studying in New Zealand.
• Be entering Years 9 to 13 in 2027.
• Be attending or planning to attend a secondary school or boarding school.
• Have New Zealand citizenship or be New Zealand-born.
• Be enrolled in a full academic year of study in 2027.

Applicants must apply as individuals.

Priority Consideration

Preference may be given to students who:

• Come from financially disadvantaged backgrounds.
• May otherwise struggle to meet education costs.
• Plan to study agriculture-related fields.
• Attend schools in priority regions.

Priority locations include:

• Taranaki region.
• Whanganui region.
• Wellington-based Catholic schools.

Why the Scholarship Matters

Education costs can create significant challenges for families, especially when students require boarding accommodation or attend schools away from home.

The Kiley Secondary Boarding Scholarships help by:

• Improving access to secondary education.
• Supporting students facing financial barriers.
• Encouraging academic development.
• Helping regional students access education opportunities.
• Supporting future workforce pathways, including agriculture.

The programme contributes to creating more equal educational opportunities for New Zealand students.

Selection and Assessment Process

Applications are reviewed by the Public Trust as the Trustee and Settlor of the Kiley Family Memorial Trust.

Selection decisions consider:

• Applicant eligibility.
• Financial circumstances.
• Educational needs.
• School location.
• Career interests.
• Suitability of the application.

Only suitable applicants will receive scholarships.

The Trustee makes the final decision, and no correspondence regarding decisions will be entered into.

How to Apply for the Kiley Secondary Boarding Scholarships 2026

Applicants should follow these steps:

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Students should confirm that they:

• Meet citizenship requirements.
• Will study in Years 9 to 13 in 2027.
• Are attending an eligible secondary or boarding school.
• Require support for education-related costs.

Step 2: Prepare Application Information

Applicants should provide details about:

• Personal background.
• Education plans.
• School information.
• Financial circumstances.
• Career goals.
• Intended use of scholarship funding.

Step 3: Submit the Application

Applicants must complete and submit their scholarship application according to the requirements of the Kiley Family Memorial Trust.

Applications should include accurate information about the student’s education provider and planned course of study.

Step 4: Scholarship Approval and Payment

Successful applicants must:

• Be enrolled at the education provider stated in the application.
• Meet any scholarship conditions.
• Use funding only for approved education-related purposes.

In some cases, funds may be held by the Public Trust until specific conditions are fulfilled.

Tips for Applicants

Students can strengthen their applications by:

• Clearly explaining their educational goals.
• Describing financial need honestly.
• Providing complete and accurate information.
• Explaining how the scholarship will support their studies.
• Highlighting future career aspirations.
• Including relevant information about agriculture interests if applicable.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Providing incomplete application details.
• Applying without meeting eligibility requirements.
• Using unclear information about education plans.
• Requesting funding for personal expenses.
• Failing to confirm school enrolment details.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the Kiley Secondary Boarding Scholarship?

The Kiley Secondary Boarding Scholarship provides financial support to eligible New Zealand students to help cover secondary education and boarding-related costs.

How much funding can students receive?

Secondary Scholarships provide at least NZD 1,000 per year, while Boarding Scholarships provide between NZD 3,000 and NZD 8,000 per year.

Who can apply for the scholarship?

Students entering Years 9 to 13 in 2027 who are New Zealand-born or hold New Zealand citizenship can apply if they meet the programme requirements.

Are students from all career backgrounds eligible?

Yes. Students pursuing any career pathway may apply, although preference may be given to students interested in agriculture-related careers.

Which schools receive priority consideration?

Preference may be given to students attending schools in Taranaki, Whanganui, or Wellington-based Catholic schools.

Can students receive the scholarship for multiple years?

Boarding Scholarship recipients may apply annually and may continue receiving support for up to five years, subject to eligibility.

What expenses can scholarship funding cover?

Funding can support school fees, boarding costs, stationery, uniforms, and other education-related expenses. Personal items are not covered.

Conclusion

The Kiley Secondary Boarding Scholarships 2026 provide valuable financial assistance to New Zealand secondary students who need support with education costs. By prioritising students facing financial challenges and encouraging educational opportunities across regions, the programme helps students continue their studies and achieve their academic and career goals.

Eligible students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds or interested in agriculture-related careers, are encouraged to apply for this opportunity to support their secondary education journey.