Frank Healy Scholarship in Law

Description:

This scholarship is to financially assist second and third year Māori and Pasifika undergraduate students of Victoria University of Wellington’s Faculty of Law. The scholarships are for those who consider themselves disadvantaged in regard to either economic, educational or social circumstances.

History:

This scholarship was established in 2020 by the Victoria University of Wellington Foundation through a bequest from alumnus Francis John Healy who graduated (1954) with a degree in Law. Frank Healy spent his professional career as a highly regarded Patent Attorney in Wellington. He maintained a close relationship with Victoria University continuing a lifelong interest in learning, especially languages. He lived in Kelburn and regularly frequented the University library and attended public lectures. He was a prolific reader and enjoyed travel. He recognised the value of a good education and encouraged young people to pursue a tertiary or trades education. Frank was a modest man from humble beginnings who was generous to the community especially in the areas of education and health.

This scholarship is open to applications from Maori and Pasifika students who are currently enrolled in 200 or 300 level LAWS courses and experiencing some form of disadvantage (economic, educational or social).

Definition of ‘Disadvantage’: A disadvantaged student in “one who, despite facing significant obstacles, has prepared himself or herself for a university education”.

The following are examples of circumstances of what may qualify as evidence of disadvantage:

• Coming from a low-income, single-parent or rurally-isolated family environment
• Coming from a family which was partially or wholly dependent upon government assistance
• Coming from a family in which few or no members have attended university
• Attending a low-decile school or one which had a high drop-out rate
• Attending a primary or secondary school whose student body comprised 50 percent or greater minority students
• Being raised in a family environment in which English was a second language.

Criteria:

• Applicants must be currently enrolled in a Bachelor of Laws at Victoria University of Wellington
• Applicants must be currently enrolled in 200 or 300 level LAWS courses, in a minimum of 50% LAWS courses
• Applicants should be of either Māori or Pasifika descent
• Applicants must be experiencing some form of disadvantage or hardship.