Scholarship FAQ Agent

FAQs

• Does the portal work on a mobile phone? (I do not have a laptop).
• Will the interviewers understand my local accent?
• Data usage: How much data will the application consume? (Data is expensive).
• Timeline: How many weeks/months between "Application" and "Interview"?
• How much data (MB/GB) will the application consume? (Data is expensive here).
• If I fail a paper, can I take summer classes to catch up? Who pays?
• Do you check my personal social media
• I share a computer at an internet cafe; does the site auto-save my password? Is it safe?
• If the interview is online, will you provide data credit for the video call?
• Browser safety: I use a shared computer at an internet cafe; does the site remember my password? Is it safe?
• I'm not staying in university halls. What is the best way to find a flat?
• Can I postpone a scholarship? What happens if I need to leave NZ due to an emergency?
• How do I physically receive my first payment ? Do I need a bank account first?
• Retake: If I fail IELTS by 0.5 points, is my scholarship cancelled instantly?
• What are the primary eligibility criteria I must meet?
• Is the test in my local language, or is it 100% in English?
• Can I save my application halfway through and come back if the electricity goes out?
• What is the official online application portal?
• Re-application: If I am rejected this year, does it hurt my chances for next year?
• Can I bring a support person or elder to the interview?
• When does graduation typically take place? Can I stay to attend my graduation?
• Is the interview online, or must I travel to the Embassy in the capital?
• Who pays for the bus/hotel to get to the test center?
• My transcripts are not in English; do I need to pay for a certified translation now or later?
• What is the "Establishment Allowance," and when do I receive it?
• What is the scholarship's main purpose?
• How do I prepare for the interview? What is the "C-A-R method"?
• Typo fear: If I make a mistake in my birth date, will the system block me forever?
• Translation costs: My transcripts are not in English. Do I pay for certified translation now or only if I win?
• I am a PhD applicant. What are the special requirements for me?
• How long do I have to submit my English Language Test results and how do I upload?
• Does the application portal work on a mobile phone, or do I strictly need a laptop?
• Will the scholarship provide any financial support for my family?
• If I need to translate my birth certificate/ID for the visa, who pays?
• What happens if I get pregnant? Does the insurance cover the birth?
• What are the exact steps to apply online?
• Do I get to choose my city in NZ? (e.g. I have family in Auckland).
• The nearest IELTS center is a 12-hour bus ride away. Do I have to travel there?
• What can I expect in the scholarship interview?
• You pay for the flight, but who pays for the travel from my village to the international airport?
• Instant Rejection: The diagram says "Notification Ineligible" happens instantly. Is a robot deciding my future?
• Passport timing: Do I need a passport today, or can I apply for one later? (Passports take months here).
• What is the application timeline for the 2026 intake?
• What is the "home country residency" requirement?
• Am I allowed to work part-time?
• Does the scholarship cover the cost of my visa application and Medical Insurance?
• What is the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship?
• Can I apply for two different courses
• My internet is slow (3G); is there a low-bandwidth version of the site?
• Can I bring my regular medication (e.g., for blood pressure) into NZ?
• How long is the wait between "Application Submitted" and "Interview"?
• What documents are not needed for the initial application?
• Power cuts: If the electricity goes out while I am applying, does the system auto-save my progress?
• If I fail the IELTS test by 0.5 points, is my scholarship cancelled instantly?
• Will the interview panel understand my local accent, or should I try to speak like a Westerner?
• Testing Cost: Who pays for the IELTS test fee? (It is very expensive).
• What is an "Abstract Reasoning" test? Is it math, or English, or shapes?
• My internet is only 3G; is there a "lite" or low-bandwidth version of the website?
• What TEI’s are part of the Manaaki Scholarship Program?
• Can I bring a support person to my interview? And can I use notes in my interview?
• What are the selection stages after I apply?
• How long, exactly, must I return to my home country?
• Is the interview in-person?
• If the power goes out, can I resume the test later, or do I fail immediately?
• How long does the test take?
• What are my obligations after my scholarship ends?
• Can I update my application if I get a promotion while I am waiting?
• I have a physical disability; is there a box to check so I am not unfairly judged on the health requirements?
• Will you email me if am unsuccessful?
• Does the insurance cover eye exams or glasses?
• Document scanning: Do I need a scanner, or are clear photos from my phone camera accepted?
• What does the name "Manaaki" mean?
• What are the eligible countries?
• Disability: I have a physical disability; is there a box to check so I am not unfairly judged on health?
• If I return home but cannot find a job, does the scholarship program help me?
• Do I need to have my English test results when I first apply?
• Is there counselling available in my own language?
• Unpaid work: Does "work experience" count if it was unpaid family labor (e.g., farming/market)?
• Do I need a scanner for my documents, or are clear phone photos acceptable?
• If I apply and get rejected this year, does the system "remember" and penalize me next year?
• What are the English language proficiency requirements? (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, etc.)
• What are the minimum academic grades required?
• Login recovery: If I lose my password, can I reset it via SMS? (My email access is unreliable).
• Can I bring my family (spouse or children) with me?
• Is it a video test?