Prime Minister s Scholarships for Asia (PMSA) Application Form (Individual) Before you Start - Use this form apply for PMSA funding for a specific programme of study or research in Asia. - Research your proposed programme thoroughly before you begin the application process. You need to know relevant details including the cost of course fees (if applicable), accommodation and flights (close approximates are acceptable). - If you are applying to an institution in Asia you need to be confident your application will be accepted. Although you don t need to be accepted at the time of your application, you will be asked for proof of acceptance if you are offered a PMSA. - If your proposed programme requires approval from faculty and/or the International Office at your New Zealand institution, please gain this before you apply for a PMSA. Instructions - Download the application form and complete all questions and fields within the form. Do not leave sections blank. - Answers must be typed, not handwritten. - Forms must be submitted in hard copy, A4 size, printed single sided. - Emailed forms will not be accepted under any circumstances. - DO NOT staple, bind or cover your application in any way. Submitting your Application - Submit completed application form and required documents in hard copy: By post: Education New Zealand, PMSA Applications, PO Box 12-041, Wellington 6144 By courier: Education New Zealand, PMSA Applications, Level 5, 160 Lambton Quay, Wellington Central 6011 Application Deadlines There are two PMSA rounds a year. Late applications will not be accepted under any circumstances. - September Round: Applications must be received at ENZ by 5pm 30 September - March Round: Applications must be received at ENZ by 5pm 30 March Eligibility All applicants must: - Be at least 18 years old at the time of application. - Be a New Zealand citizen or Permanent Residence holder of a minimum 2 years at the time of application. - NOT hold citizenship in their destination country in Asia. - Propose a programme that meets the requirements of the PMSA.
Prime Minister s Scholarships for Asia (PMSA) Application Form (Individual) Section A Applicant Details 1. Family Name/s: 2. First Name/s: 3. Preferred Name: 4. Date of Birth: (dd/mm/yyyy) 5. Gender Male Female 6. Place of Birth (Country): 7. Citizenship To be eligible for a scholarship you must be either; NZ Citizen* NZ Permanent Resident* (of more than 2 years) 8. Additional Citizenship List any countries, other than New Zealand, where you hold current citizenship status. *Evidence required NOTE: Programmes in countries where you hold current citizenship are NOT eligible for PMSA funding. Education New Zealand reserves the right to vary or reverse any decision regarding a PMSA offer made on the basis of misleading or incorrect information. 9. Email Address (List only one. Must be personal address, not institutional) 10. Phone Contact New Zealand Asia (if known) 11. Postal Address (for contact in New Zealand) 12. Where did you hear about the PMSA? Education NZ Website Online Search Printed marketing material Online marketing material Social Media (Facebook) NZ Education Institution Friend / Colleague Other, please state 2
Section B Education 13. Academic qualifications List ALL tertiary qualifications. Begin with the most recent. Include qualifications that are not complete or that you are currently enrolled in. If you have not completed a tertiary level qualification, please list your final year of secondary school. *Include the average grade achieved in each qualification. This is mandatory and is liable to be verified. *For incomplete qualifications, include your average grade to date. Name of Qualification Major Subject/s Institution Name + Location Start Date End Date Average Grade* Name of Qualification Major Subject Institution Name Institution Location Start Date End Date Average Grade* Name of Qualification Major Subject Institution Name Institution Location Start Date End Date Average Grade* Name of Qualification Major Subject Institution Name Institution Location Start Date End Date Average Grade* 3
Section C Proposed Programme in Asia 14. Details of Programme in Asia Read the questions and notes in this section carefully before answering. You must answer ALL questions in this section. ENZ reserves the right to vary or reverse any decision regarding a PMSA offer made on the basis of misleading or incorrect information. Programme Name/Description Destination Country Asian Institution Name Programme Begins* (dd/mm/yyyy) Programme Ends* (dd/mm/yyyy) Programme Duration* in weeks weeks (total number of weeks from start date to end date) Semester/term breaks*in weeks weeks (total number break / holiday weeks during programme) TOTAL number weeks* weeks (total number of weeks you are requesting funding for) *List details of your programme only, do not include time spent in Asia before or after your programme dates. NOTE: The PMSA will only fund time in Asia spent actively on programme. Semester breaks or holidays occurring during the programme will be supported up to a total of 2 weeks (14 days). Candidates are required to declare break times above and self-fund any break time exceeding the two week limit. If successful, PMSA recipients must provide evidence of programme dates in order to receive funding. 15. Are you currently enrolled at an educational institution? (ie: University, polytechnic, Wananga, PTE) No Yes Institution Name 16. Will the credits earned on your programme in Asia be transferred to the above programme (Q 15)? No Yes Not Applicable 17. If yes (Q 16), have you gained approval for the credit transfer from your NZ University? No Yes, from the Faculty Yes, from the International Office 18. Is your programme in Asia an exchange, included in your current institutions exchange portfolio? If you are unsure, contact your institution s International or Exchange Office and check. ENZ will verify your exchange status with your institution. No Yes Not Applicable 19. Programme Structure Provide a breakdown of the structure of your proposed programme in the table below. If you are unsure of exact hours, a close approximate or estimate is acceptable. If required, list additional/alternative programme-related activities in the blank spaces provided. Activity Hours per week Description Taught class hours per week Self-driven learning hours per week Time spent actively in class Take-home work, study, assignments TOTAL course hours per week 4
Programme Budget - Instructions! Exchange Programmes If you are applying for an exchange programme DO NOT complete this section. Go straight to Question 21 Additional Funding (page 7). PMSA funding for exchange programmes is awarded according to a standardised policy. For more information, see the PMSA webpage. Budget Instructions for Non-Exchange Programmes Read the information provided on this page carefully. On the following page, complete a budget for your funding request by providing a breakdown and details in the table provided. Make sure to include your request total. Important Information - Only request funding for programme-related items you require. PMSA recipients may be asked for proof of purchase, particularly for big-ticket items. - Be specific. Provide details about each request in the column provided. - Ensure all requests are programme-related, legitimate and reasonable. The PMSA Selection Panel will not necessarily approve funding for all requested expenses. - Research your expenses and attain estimates or quotes where feasible, to ensure your budget is as accurate as possible. - Make sure your budget accounts for exchange rate and other potential cost fluctuations. - If your application is successful, the amount awarded to you is final. Requests for additional funding are not encouraged and very rarely approved. Approved Expenses PMSA candidates on non-exchange programmes may request funding for legitimate and reasonable expenses. Expenses must be pertinent to the completion of your programme and incurred in the period you are actively on programme, including up to a maximum 2 weeks of break/holiday time (provided this occurs within the start and end dates of the programme). Approved expenses include, but are not necessarily limited to; - Tuition/programme fees for your Asian institution - Economy flights to and from your Asian destination - Accommodation (while actively on programme) - Living expenses (while actively on programme) - Insurance (while actively on programme, including travel to and from Asia) Use the blank fields to detail expenses additional to the categories provided. Unauthorised Expenses The PMSA will NOT cover expenses that are not pertinent to the completion of your proposed programme. This includes, but is not necessarily limited to; - Computers or other electronic devices - Non programme-related personal expenses such as clothing, footwear and souvenirs - Lifestyle expenses such as sport, exercise, recreational and entertainment costs - Holiday and non-programme related travel expenses. If your application is successful, PMSA funds must only be used on approved items. 5
21. Programme Budget Read the budget instructions provided on the previous page carefully before completing this section. Complete a budget for your funding request by providing a breakdown and details in the table below. Include additional expenses in the blank spaces provided by listing the expense name, amount and details. There is space for you to comment on your budget in the field below if you wish. Make sure to include your request total. Expense Amount ($NZD) Details Tuition / programme fees Travel to Asia Accommodation Living expenses Insurance Other expenses (please specify below) TOTAL AMOUNT REQUESTED: Comment (Optional) 6
21. Additional Funding PMSA candidates MUST declare any other scholarships/funding received or applied for in relation to the proposed programme. PMSA recipients may hold other scholarships in addition to the PMSA provided the terms and conditions of the additional scholarship allows for this. NOTE: Education New Zealand reserves the right to vary or reverse any decision regarding a PMSA offer made on the basis of misleading or incorrect information. Scholarship name Amount (in NZ$) Awarded by Applied for (tick) Received Comment (Optional) 7
Section D Candidate Statements (short answer questions) 22. Programme Description In the space below provide a detailed description of your proposed programme. Describe the destination, institution, structure and content (papers, subject area/s covered) and outline the objectives of the programme. Use font size 10 or above. Do not exceed the space provided below. 23. Programme Selection Explain why you have chosen this programme and describe the benefits of the programme to you in the short and long term. Use font size 10 or above. Do not exceed the space provided below. 8
24. Programme Outcomes Describe the expected outcomes of the proposed programme and how you will know when these have been reached. Use font size 10 or above. Do not exceed the space provided below. 25. PMSA Alignment Describe how the proposed programme aligns with the goals of the PMSA and how you personally intend to fulfil these goals. Use font size 10 or above. Do not exceed the space provided below. 9
Section E Required Documents 26. Required Documents Candidates must arrange for provision of ALL required documents to complete a PMSA Application. Applications and required documents must be submitted in HARD COPY. Emailed/electronic documents will not be accepted (with the exception of References). Application Deadlines There are two PMSA rounds a year. Late applications will not be accepted under any circumstances. - September Round: Applications must be received by 5pm 30 September - March Round: Applications must be received by 5pm 30 March Submitting your Application - Submit completed application form and required documents in hard copy: By post: Education New Zealand, PMSA Applications, PO Box 12-041, Wellington 6144 By courier: Education New Zealand, PMSA Applications, Level 5, 160 Lambton Quay, Wellington Central 6011 Officially Verified Copies DO NOT submit original documents as part of your application. Transcripts and passport scans must be submitted as photocopies, verified to be an exact copy of the original. Verified copies must have the official stamp of a Justice of the Peace, solicitor, Police Officer, Notary Public, or other official authorised to notarise documents. If you are enrolled at a NZ educational institution documents verified at the admissions office will also be accepted. Required Documents a) PMSA Application Form b) Academic Transcripts c) 2 x Referee Reports d) Proof of Citizenship / Permanent Resident Status e) Curriculum Vitae a) PMSA Application Form Complete all fields of the PMSA Application Form. Do not leave sections blank. Print, sign and submit the form (via post or courier) to Education New Zealand (address above). These must be received at Education New Zealand by the submission date. Forms must be submitted in hard copy. Emailed forms will not be accepted under any circumstances. - Forms must be submitted in A4 size, single sided - Answers must be typed, not handwritten - DO NOT staple, bind or cover your application form or documents in any way b) Academic Transcripts Submit officially verified copies of the official transcript showing grades/marks received for ALL qualifications as listed in Section B. DO NOT SEND ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS. For qualifications that are not yet complete, send a transcript showing results to date. (Submit with PMSA Application Form) 10
c) Two References Instructions - Contact two referees and provide them with the PMSA Referee Report. The report form is available for download on the PMSA webpage. - Request for a PMSA referee report and reference letter to be completed and sent to ENZ on your behalf by each referee. References must be sent directly to Education New Zealand by the referee either by post (address above) or email to scholarship@enz.govt.nz - You must advise each referee of the requirements and submission deadline for their references. Appropriate Referees - References are a very important part of the PMSA application process. References are used to gain an impression of the applicant across key areas, and inform the selection process. - Referees must be able to comment on the skills, qualities and experience you hold, relevant to your proposed programme. - Appropriate referees can faculty and staff from your current or most recent qualification, or, former employers (especially a manager or mentor). - Select at least one academic referee. Ideally this would be a lecturer or tutor from your current or most recent course. They should be able to comment on your academic capabilities and suitability for the proposed programme. - Do not choose a personal or family friend, a classmate, or a member of your family unless they have specific knowledge of the skills, qualities and experience you hold, relevant to your proposed programme. - If it has been a long time since you last studied, it is acceptable not to submit an academic reference. References from an employer or another appropriate individual who can comment on your academic ability will be accepted. d) Proof of Citizenship / Permanent Resident Status Passports All PMSA applicants must submit a verified photocopy or scan of the Photo Identification page of ALL current passports held. If you are a citizen of more than one country or hold more than one passport, send a scan of the photo ID page for EACH of these. Permanent Residents If you hold Permanent Resident status in New Zealand, you must send a scan of this page of your passport in addition to the Photo ID page. NOTE: Programmes in countries where the candidate holds current citizenship are NOT eligible for PMSA funding. Education New Zealand reserves the right to vary or reverse any decision regarding a PMSA offer made on the basis of misleading or incorrect information. (Submit with PMSA Application Form) e) Curriculum Vitae Submit a CV outlining your education, qualifications, and work experience (if any). Your CV can also list any relevant achievements, scholarships, prizes, publications, leadership roles and memberships. (Submit with PMSA Application Form) 11
Section F Authorisation, confirmation, declaration and Signature Authorisation: I authorise Education New Zealand to: Obtain any relevant academic records/reports from educational institutions that I have attended Use the information provided by me in my application in accordance with its purposes and pursuant to The Privacy Act 1993 Share information with my New Zealand Institution (if applicable) and the institution/s I have indicated I wish to attend. Understanding: I confirm that I have read and comply with the PMSA Terms and Conditions (available on the PMSA webpage) Education New Zealand reserves the right to vary or reverse any decision regarding a PMSA offer made on the basis of misleading or incorrect information Declaration: I declare that the information contained within and provided in connection to this application is true and correct. I acknowledge that providing false or misleading information is a serious offence. Signed Date Print Full Name 12