Suzanne Aubert Tertiary Scholarship 2025
“Our soul is a fertile field in which God sows with open hands the seeds of our future happiness; we are the owners of that field; it will produce according to the amount of labour we take the trouble to give it.” Meri Hōhepa Suzanne Aubert. The Sisters of Compassion welcome and invite applications for their 2025 Tertiary Scholarship.
Intent
The intent of the Suzanne Aubert Tertiary Scholarship is to financially assist tertiary students with their tuition fees. It is open to tertiary students living within the Catholic Archdiocese of Wellington and the Diocese of Palmerston North.
Focus
The Suzanne Aubert Tertiary Scholarship is open to students studying all disciplines however, those aligned with the tertiary education pathway compatible with the Values of the Sisters of Compassion is preferred.
Level of study
In 2025, the Suzanne Aubert Tertiary Scholarship is offered to 2nd year tertiary students enrolled at a reputable tertiary university or training facility.
Backgroud
Suzanne Aubert Meri Hōhepa (Mother Mary Joseph Aubert) founded the Daughters of Our Lady of Compassion Congregation in Hiruhārama/ Jerusulem on the banks of the Whanganui river in 1892. Her spirituality was the Compassion of Christ which inspired every facet of her life. She was a woman of faith and courage who witnessed to the goodness of God, by living Gospel values. [1]
In 1992, the Centennial Year of the Sisters of Compassion, the Sisters affirmed a Tertiary Scholarship Grant. Through the persevering efforts of Sister Margaret Anne Mills and Ron Henry, it was recognized and administered by the Catholic Foundation Fund in 2008. As of 2014, the Sisters of Compassion now administer and manage the Scholarship Grant. We are thankful to the Mother Aubert Home of Compassion Trust Board for continuing to make this Scholarship possible in 2025. The scholarship is open to students from any ethnic and cultural group with New Zealand citizenship.
[1] Excerpt from ‘Notes on the Run’ by Sister Barbara King
Value and tenure
Three scholarships of $3,000 each will be awarded for the 2025 Academic Year.
This is a one-off Grant offered to second-year Tertiary Students in 2025.
Eligibility Requirements
Students meeting the follow eligibility requirements will be considered for the scholarship:
• New Zealand Citizenship
• Students who demonstrate a commitment to honouring Te Tiriti O Waitangi of Aotearoa New Zealand
• Students who have attended Catholic secondary colleges or students who have not attended Catholic secondary colleges but are active participants in their Catholic Parish.
• Application form completed and received before closing day and time, 1 October 2024 at 5pm.
• Availability for an interview at the Home of Compassion, Island Bay, Wellington.
• Enrolment in a reputable tertiary university/training facility for studies
• Can provide two written references with their application
• Give permission for their photo and name to be used for publicity purposes.
• Tertiary education pathway compatible with Catholic Social Teaching principles and the Values of the Sisters of Compassion.
Selection criteria
The following selection criteria outline how recipients are chosen. Selection can be based on among others, complete and comprehensive answers with examples to the following questions:
A. Tell us about yourself? (e.g. Cultural, sports, volunteering agencies, other experiences)
B. What do you hope to achieve in the future? (Both short-term and long-term goals)
C. What motivated you to apply for this scholarship?
D. How does Suzanne Aubert Meri Hōhepa’s story of faith and courage, inspire you in your life and studies? (Please hand write this answer and upload. Est 600 words)
Other criteria
• financial circumstances, hardship or need.
• academic merit and achievement
• personal qualities or characteristics
• potential research impact
• students whose aspirations for their future reflect the values of the Sisters of Compassion
Conditions of the scholarship
This scholarship may be held with other scholarships, bursaries or awards (so called co-tenure).
On receipt of a letter of acceptance for the award, the recipients of the award will be expected to:
• Submit written notification from their university or training provider that they have been accepted for study in 2025
• Submit the correct university account details. The scholarship is paid directly to the University or training facility for academic fees, this means the student must submit University account details for the funds to be paid into.
• Submit details to ensure the funds get credited to you: Your student ID number.
• Submit a high-resolution photo and permission to publish by 19th December 2025 for publication in WelCom, our Facebook page and in our Compassion Newsletter.
• Submit a written bio of 200 words by 19th December on what you are studying next year, how you hope to contribute to Aotearoa, New Zealand in the future, and what receiving the Scholarship means to you.
Final information
From 2011-2024, over 40 Scholarship Grants were awarded. Six grants were awarded for the 2015 Year of Consecrated Life. Special circumstances are given to compassionate consideration i.e. migrants, and family circumstances.
All applications are given full, compassionate and comprehensive consideration by the Scholarship Committee, which comprises Sisters of Compassion, and lay staff members. The Sisters of Compassion community look forward to receiving your application.
The Scholarship is advertised via WelCom, Parish Newsletters, Voice of Compassion as well as Sisters of Compassion Facebook page and website. Students can access any other pages on this website at www.compassion.org.nz
