The Freemasons University Scholarships
The Freemason University Scholarships 2025
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The Freemasons Scholarships are to assist able students who are actively involved in their community, to complete their university education in their chosen field. The scholarships are provided annually, funded and administered by The Freemasons Charity.
Value: Graduate Scholarships $6,000. Post Graduate Scholarships $10,000.
Duration: One year’s duration
Number: eight Postgraduate Scholarships and 20 University Graduate Scholarships
Scholarships Universities: Auckland, AUT, Waikato, Massey, Victoria, Canterbury, Lincoln, and Otago
Applications open: 1 July 2024
Closing date: 1 October 2024 (midnight)
IMPORTANT: Graduate scholarship applicants must be going into their final year of their undergraduate degree in 2025.
Over the last 46 years Freemasons New Zealand in conjunction with The Freemasons Charity have funded several million dollars of Post Graduate and Graduate Scholarships at all New Zealand Universities. These are open to all but are awarded on academic excellence and the community involvement of students.
History of the Freemasons University Scholarships
In 1978 the Auckland District members of the Freemasons Board of Benevolence were keen to assist young persons who had no Masonic connections and who were experiencing financial difficulties during their period of university studies.
A pilot scheme was established for a trial period of one year at University of Auckland. In 1978 $1,000 was expended, which rose to $3,045 in 1979 and $3,010 over just four months in 1980. The scheme was terminated in 1980 as it was evident it should be extended to the other 6 universities.
In its stead in 1981 a substitute scheme designated for students awarding bursaries of $500.00 each. Eighteen per year were awarded and divided between the seven universities, proportional to their student population.
In 1992 the Bursaries were discontinued but replaced with applications for “Tertiary Assistance” a supplementary form completed in conjunction with “Application for Assistance.”
Freemasons Scholarships were awarded for the first time in 1992 for academic excellence to students at seven universities in New Zealand, now we have eight: Auckland, AUT, Waikato, Massey, Victoria, Canterbury, Lincoln and Otago.