The beginning of high school is a very exciting transition, but also a very expensive one!
As well as a new uniform, books, stationery, add in the ‘BYOD’ (bring-your-own-device) and you are looking at an empty wallet.
As a parent, we always want the best for our kids and to support their developing talent. However, this isn’t always easy when the equipment needed to help them excel in their chosen field is expensive.
HOW TO MAKE IT MORE AFFORDABLE
Without taking on an extra job and using up precious free time you have with the family, consider tapping into the following opportunities through a family membership with Manchester Unity to help with these expenses. As a member, (from only $1.85 per week), your kids could be eligible to apply for grants and scholarships to help ease the financial pressure*.
- Grants for stationery and devices
- Music, dance and arts grants to support creative education
- Financial help for kids excelling in sports
- Awards targeting kids going into a trade
There are up to 15 grants of $500 drawn randomly to children entering year 9. They also have up to 4 grants of $750 available in each category of Creative Education (music, dance, arts), Sports and Trades.
For university students and apprenticeship roles, Manchester Unity has up to four awards each year. Two Awards cover the term of a degree at $2,500 per year. Two Awards cover the period of study at $2,000 per year. Not only do they come out of their study with a qualification, but a significantly lower student loan!
There are also special discounts at major retailers, access to lower cost entertainment and affordable holiday homes.
Manchester Unity helps to make school costs affordable, because, you never know… your talented child could be the next Sir Ernest Rutherford, Sir Peter Jackson or Dame Lisa Carrington!
Kurt Bickerstaff was one of the scholarship winners in 2021. He is currently studying Electrical and Electronics Engineering for a Bachelor of Engineering with Honours at the University of Canterbury. His passion for the natural sciences of, physics, mathematics, philosophy, astronomy, and chemistry, has propelled him to academic excellence.
‘I felt excited and overjoyed’ Kurt says about winning one of the scholarships. ‘It really makes your day…’ ‘It allows me to pursue my dreams. Someday I’ll want to do a PhD and this will really help me with the financial situation.’
*Applicants need to have held Manchester Unity Membership for a minimum of one year before applying
Manchester Unity offers up to 10 grants of $500 to children of members starting Year 9
What parents say…
“We would like to say a huge thank you to Manchester Unity for the grant, it has certainly made the start of year expenses more manageable for us.” ~ Rachel
“Our daughter Frankie, and her parents would like to say a very special thank you for the Year 9 Secondary School Grant from Manchester Unity. (She).. is thrilled to be back at school in person after many months of online learning since August last year. With a number of uniform changes, we are very grateful to be able to use this money to purchase the updated uniform and put money aside for the many exciting school trips that will be coming her way in the near future.” ~ Alison
“My name is Angus Lewer and I was the recipient of the $500 educational scholarship. Thank you for this scholarship. It has been well used as it was used to purchase a laptop for college…The laptop has been very useful because covid 19 is at our school. We have had to join the google classroom for all our subjects in case we have to go into online schooling. The laptop has been very useful for homework and class work.” ~ Angus
MANCHESTER UNITY HAVE BEEN LOOKING AFTER HARDWORKING KIWI FAMILIES LIKE YOURS FOR MORE THAN 170 YEARS WITH AMAZING COST SAVING BENEFITS – THEIR AIM IS TO MAKE LIFE MORE AFFORDABLE. GIVE MEMBERSHIP A GO FOR FREE TODAY AND ACCESS THE AFFORDABLE HOLIDAY HOMES, RETAIL DISCOUNTS, $9 MOVIE TICKETS AND MORE. YOU’LL QUICKLY SEE YOUR MEMBERSHIP WILL BE A VALUABLE TOOL IN KEEPING COSTS DOWN.
