Scholarships are an excellent way to finance study and to obtain recognition for your achievements. Prizes and bursaries can also be listed on your curriculum vitae and a track record built that will impress future employers and scholarship givers in the future. It is not always necessary to be an A grade student to receive a scholarship, prize or bursary. Scholarships are offered to students by a wide range of organisations such as community organisations, large and small charities, State, Federal and local governments in addition to tertiary institutions.
Most organisations offer scholarships in a wide variety of categories such as students with disabilities, students in equity groups, students from overseas and students that have demonstrated academic achievement in a particular area of study. The commonwealth government also offers scholarships for students from rural and remote areas of the country, indigenous heritage and low socio economic backgrounds. The Australian Grants Register is also a source of information regarding financial support and assistance while studying.
The Commonwealth government funds two scholarships for students from low socio economic backgrounds, rural and regional areas of Australia and indigenous backgrounds that undertake tertiary study. The Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarship and the Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarship are merit based, non repayable and are exempt from social security income tests.
These scholarships are administered on behalf of the Commonwealth Government by individual tertiary institutions. These education providers are responsible for conducting their own application and selection procedures in line with guidelines produced by the Commonwealth Government. Potential applicants need to direct their enquiries regarding application procedures and deadlines to their individual tertiary institution. Information on these scholarships will be available on the website of each tertiary institution or from the scholarships office.
Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarship
The Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarship is for students that are facing particular challenges in meeting the cost of their education. The scholarship is for full time undergraduate students from low socio economic and/or indigenous backgrounds. The scholarship provides eligible students with $2,000 a year for up to four years to meet their general education costs.Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarship
The Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarship is for students from rural and isolated areas, many of whom are from low socio economic and/or indigenous backgrounds who need to relocate to undertake tertiary education. These scholarships are available to full time under graduate students and is $4,000 (indexed annually) up to four years. The scholarship is to assist recipients with accommodation expenses and is available available to students that attend the education provider of their choice. In determining whether an applicant is from a rural or regional area of Australia, the tertiary institution is to be guided by specific classification guidelines.
The GrantSearch Register is a listing of the many different Grants, bursaries, prizes and scholarships that are available across Australia. The register has over 2800 entries including information on the grant, its purpose, eligibility criteria and funding amount. Included in the register are grants, bursaries, prizes and scholarships for students, individuals, groups, non-profit organisations, businesses, child-care workers, medical researchers and international students. There are 1,885 scholarships and fellowships available for tertiary students. Prospective students can subscribe to the GrantSearch database for a subscription fee or purchase the publication. Further information can be obtained from the GrantSearch website. NOTE: copies of the publication should be available at local libraries.