Many highly capable students are held back by financial challenges, which make it harder for them to reach their goals.

First Foundation is changing that by giving talented young Kiwis a hand up to attend university and reach their full potential.

First Foundation’s four-year programme offers students a unique combination of financial assistance, a dedicated mentor and experience in the professional world. This dramatically improves each scholar’s opportunities in life, giving them access to networks and opportunities many of us take for granted.

Chief Executive of First Foundation, Kirk Sargent, says he’s particularly grateful to count Simplicity Foundation as a partner. “Simplicity and First Foundation are both working to ensure Kiwis have real choices about their futures. Together, we’re doing this in such a tangible and specific way."

"In low-income families, young people are more likely to go straight from school into low-skilled work to help support their families. This keeps the cycle of poverty going, leading to another generation in low-skilled work. Yet, thanks to Simplicity Foundation’s generosity, bright young Kiwis from challenging backgrounds can choose a different path."

“Simplicity’s support enables the financial assistance and guidance they need to thrive at university. In turn, our scholars bring fresh perspectives to the workplace, enriching their companies and industries. Each student’s skills, experience and financial stability will also improve the lives of their parents, siblings, wider whānau and community.”

Simplicity Foundation’s first three scholarships were awarded to Tupouseini Tuitupou, Bella Lucia Griffin and Mahdi Barbari. Tupouseini can now attend Otago University to study towards a Commerce degree, and Mahdi and Lucia are set to gain their Law degree at the University of Auckland.

Like most Foundation scholars, Tuposeini, Bella and Mahdi are the first in their families to go to university. While financial assistance is crucial for students from lower-income households, so is having role models who have been to university. Scholars are connected with mentors while they’re still at school in Year 12. This makes a huge difference to them in overcoming the challenges of transitioning to tertiary study — a journey that often means leaving behind everything familiar.

Young people with financial challenges also tend to lack access to influential social and professional networks compared with their peers at high decile schools. Work experience through First Foundation’s programme allows its scholars to build confidence and relationships to help launch their careers. This is vital in breaking the chain of intergenerational poverty.

First Foundation has been backing students to succeed for more than two decades, and it’s an investment that’s paying off. They’ve helped close to 1000 ambitious young people transform their futures through education. The alumni inspire their siblings and wider whānau to follow in their footsteps. This creates a ripple effect that reaches across generations, making an impact that changes lives again and again.