Student Scholarships
The Philippine Government provides basic school fees but prospective students need to be able to pay other expenses like uniforms, subject fees, project fees, graduation costs, transport to and from school, food, on the job training etc in order to attend and graduate from school or university. Without the support of sponsors throughout the student's education journey, they cannot attend school. Students are then able to graduate and find jobs. They then begin to support their families and local community.
A scholarship with Starfish Ministries enables students to gain an education that they otherwise would not be able to afford.
At Starfish, we intentionally look for those students who have a real desire to learn, families that are unable to earn the minimum wage (currently the equivalent of NZ$120.00 per week) or larger families who really struggle to provide the daily needs from the income they earn.
from the earliest possible opportunity, right through to when they become independent.
We aim to EMPOWER the scholars and walk with them on their life journey, until they become independent.
We want to ENABLE them to fulfill their God-given potential.
Listen to what 2 of our graduate students say about how a Starfish scholarship has helped them
and their families and what they are doing now they have graduated.
Our program actually provides far more than just extra education costs.
It is designed to begin with new entrants to primary/elementary school
From only NZD $45/month
Your sponsorship will provide
* Subject & project fees
* Uniforms & shoes
* Graduation costs for 3 graduation levels
* Books & stationery
* Transport & lunches
* Medical checks & treatment as required
* Annual Dental checks & treatment
* Annual Scholars Teenage camp (5 years)
* Senior level annual Christian discipleship training (5 years)
frequently asked questions
sponsorship basics
sponsorship basics
It covers a lot more than just school fees. Your sponsorship goes toward:
- Subject and project fees
- Uniforms and shoes
- Graduation costs (across elementary, high school and university)
- Books and stationery
- Transport and lunches
- Medical checks and treatment as required
- Annual dental checks and treatment
- An annual Scholars Teenage Camp
- Senior-level Christian discipleship training
The Philippines Government covers basic school fees, but families still need to cover everything above just to keep their kids in school — that's the gap your sponsorship fills.
Sponsorship starts from just NZD $45/month if you start with an elementary-age student in grade 1 or 2 (age 6-7). This rate stays flat for the life of your sponsorship.
You may also wish to start with a junior high, senior high, or university student. The monthly rate will be higher for older students as they need extra help covering the higher cost of senior education. Please contact us for details.
We're a small, grassroots, Christian ministry — every board member is a volunteer and we don't employ any staff. We partner directly with trusted local churches in the Philippines who help run the on-the-ground side of things, so there's no big overhead to fund.
That means we don't take any portion of your donation for administration — your sponsorship goes straight to your student.
Donations to Starfish Ministries New Zealand are not eligible for New Zealand donation tax credits, as the funds donated are used to support charitable activities overseas rather than within New Zealand.
how we work
how we work
We intentionally look for students who have a real desire to learn, and who come from families that are unable to earn the minimum wage (currently around NZ$120/week) — or larger families who really struggle to cover their daily needs from what they earn.
- We're a small but growing, grassroots, Kiwi-initiated Christian ministry.
- We partner with trusted, like-minded churches and organisations already doing the work in the Philippines, rather than running everything ourselves.
- We walk alongside students and their whole families — from elementary school right through to university graduation.
- We maintain close personal connections with every single student.
- We aim to empower and enable students and families both physically and spiritually.
- We don't take any portion of donations for administration.
In the words of one of our local pastors, it makes a HUGE difference. It affects all areas of the life of a student and his/her family including their attitudes, discipline, spiritual walk with God, physical health, mental health, financial well-being and also comes with many unexpected blessings.
A scholarship is an investment — not just in one student's education, but in the wellbeing of their whole family and, ultimately, their local church community. Sponsored students go on to graduate, find jobs, and start supporting their own families and communities.
your commitment
your commitment
We ask sponsors to commit for at least one year, since it can be hard to find a replacement sponsor partway through the school year. Many sponsors stay with their student for the full journey — from new entrant right through to university graduation — while shorter-term options for junior high, senior high, or university run for 4–8 years.
We understand life circumstances change. If you ever need to stop sponsoring, just let us know as much in advance as you can — since finding a replacement sponsor mid-year can be tricky, and we don't want a gap in your student's support. Get in touch with us and we'll work it out with you.
No — the rate you start at is a flat rate that stays the same for the whole time you sponsor your student. We won't ask you to increase your sponsorship as your student moves up to a higher level of education.
(Note: for new students joining the programme, we do periodically adjust the starting monthly amount for inflation — but once you're sponsoring, your rate doesn't change.)
your student
your student
Yes! We encourage you to write to your student, and we're happy to pass letters on — tell them about your family, your church, your hobbies, and feel free to attach a photo. We can't pass on gifts, though.
For your protection, we suggest you don't share your personal contact details directly with your student, just in case they end up in the wrong hands.
Yes — you may get the chance to meet your sponsored student and their family in person if you join us on one of our missions trips to the Philippines, which run approximately every 3 years.
Our students come from 5 local church communities in and around Metro Manila and surrounding provinces. Some are in the metro city area and some are more rural.
Please Note
- The rate quoted above is a flat rate that will remain consistent throughout the duration of your sponsorship, i.e we will not be asking you to increase your sponsorship as your student graduates to a higher level of education.
- If your student drops out of the program for any reason we will inform you and give you the option to pick up another student.
- On application we will send you an information pack and endeavour to match you up to a child or student as soon as possible. We will try to keep you updated with progress and photos at least once per year.
- We would like you to commit to sponsoring your student for at least one year as it can be difficult finding replacement sponsors mid-year.
- We encourage you to write to your student and are very happy to pass on letters. We are not able to pass on gifts. For your protection, we suggest you don't pass on your contact details direct to your student, in case it gets into the wrong hands.
- You may get the opportunity to meet your sponsored child and his/her family should you come with us on one of our 3 yearly missions trips.