Natasha Williams says receiving a $20,000 academic scholarship means she can focus on her studies without worrying how she will pay rent in Auckland.
The Kaikohe student is one of 15 from Northland College who together have received more than $60,000 in scholarships.
On top of that Miss Williams, 17, will benefit from the Government's fees-free study policy, which covers a year of free provider-based tertiary education or industry training in 2018 for New Zealanders who finished school this year, or will finish next year.
"It helps a lot because the fees itself would only be a problem when I leave uni and have to pay it back. But it means my debt later on isn't going to be as high as it might have been. I can go into the real adult life without having to worry about money straight away," she said.
If you're not a recent school leaver, and you've done less than half a fulltime year of education or training, you also qualify for fees-free study.