2021 New Zealand Sign Language Interpreting Scholarship

You must be enrolled in Auckland University of Technology (AUT)’s Bachelor of Arts: New Zealand Sign Language: English Interpreting course to be eligible for this scholarship.

What the scholarship provides

The scholarship will:

• pay you $3,000 per year of study upon successful completion of the year.
• pay you one off travel and accommodation assistance if you have had to relocate to Auckland to attend the course, to a maximum of $1,500 on top of the scholarship payment.

Important dates in applying for the scholarship

ACTION	DATES
Applications close	30 April 2021
Applicants notified	31 May 2021

Who is eligible for this scholarship

To be eligible for this scholarship, you must:

1. Be accepted into the AUT’s Bachelor of Arts: New Zealand Sign Language: English Interpreting course.
2. Study full time.
3. Be interested in working in the education sector as a NZSL Interpreter
4. Be a New Zealand citizen or have New Zealand permanent residency.
5. Not be repeating a failed course.

We will give priority to applicants who:

• can demonstrate proficiency (NCEA level 1 equivalent or higher) in Te Reo Māori, a Pasifika language or a spoken language in addition to English that is widely used by children who attend early childhood centres and schools in New Zealand
• provide evidence of that proficiency in the form of a formal qualification or written reference from a tertiary institution, a kaumatua or a community leader.

What to include in your application

• your resume
• a cover letter outlining below:
  • Why do you want to become a qualified NZSL interpreter
  • Your strengths and experience, personal and professional, that will help you to become an effective NZSL Interpreter
• Additional Information Sheet
• academic transcripts of your highest and most recent qualifications
• written references from 2 of the following:

• • a member of the Deaf community
  • your sign language tutor or lecturer
  • your employer
  • your high school teacher or lecturer.

We will use 4 factors to assess your application, and you will be scored on how well your application meets each of these. So make sure your cover letter includes information about each of the following factors:

1. Your future commitment to working as a sign language interpreter.
2. Your academic ability.
3. Your level of financial hardship.
4. Your understanding of the philosophy and values of deaf culture.

Our decision to grant or not grant a scholarship is final, and we will not enter into any discussion about it.

Further Information

For more information about this scholarship, contact:

Senior Advisor - Study Awards and Scholarships
learningsupport.workforce@education.govt.nz
phone: 04 463 8558