Undergraduate Scholarship
Each year the Air Force sponsors selected candidates through their degree studies. This could be your ideal start if you’re interested in engineering, logistics and finance/administration and would like a challenging and rewarding career without having a student loan haunting you for years to come. You’ll get your fees paid, a living allowance, and the chance to work during the holidays on an Air Force base.
- Category: Aircrew and Ground Officers.
- Salary after one year: Not Applicable.
- Joining age: You must be 17 years or older.
- Qualifications: A minimum of 90 credits at NCEA Level 3 over five. subjects (45 or more of these credits should be at merit or excellence).
// WHAT YOU CAN STUDY
To gain sponsorship, approved degrees include, but are not limited to:
- Engineer Officer: Engineering degree – majoring in mechanical, electrical, aeronautical or mechatronics options
- Logistics and Human Resources Officers: Commerce, business management or arts degrees – majoring in supply chain management, business administration or accounting
- Aircrew Officers: Degrees in aviation management, science or commerce
- Specialist Officers: We will consider applicants on a case-by-case basis for undergraduate and postgraduate sponsorship in specialist fields such as teaching, psychology, medicine, information technology and civil engineering (Ask your RNZAF recruiter for more information)
// THE SPONSORSHIP AGREEMENT
Financial assistance is provided in the form of a suspensory loan. The loan covers:
- Full tuition fees for approved courses
- Texts and specialist instruments to the sum of $900* per year
- Accommodation assistance to the sum of $2,160* per year
- Living assistance to the sum of $7,385*per year
*Before tax. Sponsorship amounts are reviewed annually.
// REQUIREMENTS
To apply, you must be 17 years or older and be a New Zealand citizen (some exceptions apply). You need to have a minimum of 90 credits in NCEA Level 3, and a minimum of 18 credits in English and Mathematics at Level 2. Merit/Excellence preferred. Consideration given to year 12 students with excellent NCEA Level 2 results and good results to date and Level 3.
// HOW TO GET SELECTED
If you satisfy the criteria for applying, you’ll need to attend an interview with one of our Recruiting Officers where we’ll discuss your application in full. You’ll also be asked to complete a medical questionnaire. Suitable candidates will be required to attend an Officer and Aircrew Selection Board (OASB) for up to four days at our expense, during which time you’ll need to demonstrate your suitability as an Officer. Here, you’ll do team and leadership exercises, more interviews and possibly a medical to show us if you’ve got what it takes to be an Officer. If you’re recommended at the end of the four days, you’ll be given a full medical examination before returning home.
// CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
After graduation you’ll be able to start your actual Air Force career, and transfer from the Teritorial Air Force (TAF) to the Regular Force (RF) on a standard 15 year engagement. (Please note that engagements may differ for Specialist Officers.) You will begin by undergoing initial officer training.
Your suspensory loan is repaid by way of commissioned service in the Regular Force of the RNZAF. On successful completion of your initial officer training the amount decreases on a daily basis over a period of service comprising one year for each year of sponsorship plus one year. That is if you receive sponsorship for three years then your loan is repaid by four years of service. If you leave the RNZAF before that period is served your loan is reduced by the time you have served. If you do not complete your degree, are discharged from the TAF, decline an offer of service in the Regular Force of the RNZAF or fail to complete initial officer training you will be required to repay the total amount of your loan.
// WANT TO KNOW MORE?
Contact your nearest recruiting office to you to request further information or call 0800 AIRFORCE to start your professional career!
// OTHER TERTIARY TRAINING SCHOLARSHIPS
Find out about the other tertiary training scholarships we offer: