FAQ Sheet 3
What scholarships can I apply for?
How can I find more information about scholarships?
Scholarships available
Scholarships involve a sum of money awarded to a student to help cover living expenses, study costs and/or travel.
There are several different types of scholarships available to students. Basically undergraduate university scholarships can be provided via the Commonwealth Government, the university being attended, or other sources including community organisations, businesses, disability organisations or church groups.
Equity scholarships
Equity scholarships are specifically designed to help students struggling to meet the costs associated with studying at university. To be eligible for an equity scholarship you must be able to demonstrate financial hardship which may be due to low-income, difficult family circumstances, living in a rural or remote area and/or the effect of extra costs associated with disability or medical condition.
Equity scholarships include the Commonwealth Government funded scheme called the 'Commonwealth Scholarships Programme' (or CS: for further information see 'Going To Uni') and the 'Institution Equity Scholarships' (or IES) funded by individual universities. Both types of equity scholarships are administered by individual universities. The selection criteria is set by individual universities for both types of scholarships and often target additional equity groups including people with disability, women in non-traditional study areas, inhabitants of rural and remote communities, people of Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander background and/or those from non-English speaking background.
For many (but not all) equity scholarships you may apply through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) or the individual university running the scholarship. Some universities do not use the central UAC process for their equity scholarship programs and only accept applications made directly to the university. Equity scholarship applications to UAC open in August and close in late September. See the UAC website for more information about the UAC application process.
Equity scholarships may affect your eligibility to claim Centrelink benefits. Check with Centrelink about the effect of a scholarship on your ability to receive other payments, allowances or concessions before you accept a scholarship offer.
Other types of scholarships
Other scholarships are also available from many various sources and may be awarded based on a wide range of categories. The criteria may be based on academic, sporting or art achievement, contribution made to the community, the area you are living in, field of study or career, family circumstances and/or type of disability or medical condition.
These scholarships may be funded by businesses, church groups, community organisations or other bodies. Universities also offer scholarships based on these types of criteria (additional to equity scholarships). The amount of money awarded and for how many years it may be granted to the student varies greatly depending on the individual scholarship conditions.
More details about specific scholarships are at the end of this information sheet.
Finding scholarships
Finding the right information about a scholarship that fits you can be difficult. Because there are so many scholarships available and from so many different sources it can be like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Scholarships are publicised in various forms and places.
Searching tips
Here are some tips on finding a scholarship that suits you:
- Start searching for scholarship information as early as possible, say February the year before you plan to enter university.
- Look in as many places as possible, including:
- Major and local newspapers
- Newsletters from local community or church groups
- The internet (see below for websites)
- Search more than once and expect the search to take a long time. Don't give up too easily – you might find something next time you look.
- Recruit help from as many people as possible. Ask all your friends and family to listen and keep a look out for information about university scholarships.
- If you are currently using any type of disability or community service, ask them for any scholarship information.
- Seek advice from professionals about available scholarships and where to search to find further information. Be sure to ask your careers advisor, Transition Support Teacher, case worker and Disability Liaison Officer (at any university).
- Most universities have a contact person specifically for queries about scholarships. Ring the university and ask to speak to the scholarships officer, or other person who can provide the appropriate information.
- If and when you find a potentially appropriate scholarship to apply for:
- Note down the scholarship name, the organisation, contact details and closing date
- Make contact with the organisation to request any written information and
- Check the small details because some scholarships can be very specific about the scholarship conditions (e.g. selection criteria, items money can be spent on, maximum amount, etc.).
Useful websites
Information about equity scholarships
Universities Admissions Centre (NSW & ACT)
UAC's website provides explanation of equity scholarship programs available in NSW & ACT and how to apply for scholarships through UAC. Also provides links to participating universities.
Going To Uni: Higher Education for Students in Australia
Website by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) which provides information about equity scholarship programs, including amounts, guidelines and selection processes. Also gives links directly to scholarship information on university websites and a limited list of other available scholarships.
Information about other scholarships
Australian Disability Clearing House on Education and Training (ADCET)
ADCET's website lists various scholarships that post secondary students with a disability can apply for.
'Study in Australia'
This Australian Government website provides information for international students studying or planning to study in Australia. It includes a searchable database of scholarships supplied by Australian based organisations, institutions and government bodies.
Education Network Australia Online
EdNA Online is a free information service about education in Australia. Searching on 'scholarships' provides links to other websites with specific scholarship information.
'myfuture: Australia's career information service'
This website is run by a combination of government agencies specifically for young Australians about future career and study options. It includes a database of scholarship information and allows you to search the scholarship information based on specific keywords.
The Australian Grants Register
This website lists grants, scholarships and public funding available to students, other individuals, non-profit organisations, welfare agencies, etc. The website runs on a subscription basis and involves a fee. A hard-copy of the register is also published every two years (available to be ordered via the website) and is generally available in public, school and university libraries.
Other types of websites to search:
- University websites
- Local councils
- Church groups
- Check internet search engines by searching on 'scholarships'.
Examples of private scholarships available specifically for people with disability
This is a small sample of scholarships available, more can be found by following the search tips in this section.
For people with Arthritis
Alison Watson Memorial Award
Organisation: The Arthritis Foundation of NSW
PH: 9683 1622
Email: info@arthritisnsw.org.au
Website: http://www.arthritisnsw.org.au/aboutus.htm#watson
Criteria/Aims: For young people with arthritis whose study has been interrupted by arthritis. To be used for computer equipment, coaching fees, textbooks, etc.
Amount: Up to $4000
Closing Date: October
For people who are blind or have a vision Impairment
Further Education Bursary
Organisation: Vision Australia
PH: 1300 847 466
Email: bursary@visionaustralia.org.au
Website: http://www.rvib.org.au/info.aspx?page=829
Criteria/Aims: For students who are blind or vision impaired - for the purposes of adaptive technology.
Amount: up to $6000
Closing Date: October
For people who are Deaf or Hearing Impaired
Kenneth W Tribe Scholarships
Organisation: Deaf Society of NSW
PH: 9893 8555
TTY: 9893 8858
Email: info@deafsociety.com
Website: http://www.deafsocietynsw.org.au/index.htm
Criteria/Aims: For people who are deaf or have a hearing impairment studying for the purpose of improved employment outcomes
Amount: Up to $5000
Closing Date: Awarded twice yearly. Closes 30 June and 31 December.
For people who have a physical disability:
Thomas Hepburn Lennox Scholarships
Organisation: The Northcott Society
PH: 9890 0100
Email: enquiry@northcott.com.au
Website: http://www.northcott.com.au/
Criteria/Aims: For students who are past or present clients of the Northcott Society (formerly the NSW Society of Crippled Children) with a physical disability.
Amount: Decided by committee based on need.
Closing Date: 1st September
Contact the Northcott Society for current details of open scholarships.
Gregory and Delores Farrell Scholarships
Organisation: Spinecare Foundation
PH: 9890 0100
Email: spinecare@optusnet.com.au
Website: http://www.spinecarefoundation.org/about/farrell.html
For people who have a Spinal Injury:
Golden Stave Educational Fellowship
Organisation: ParaQuad NSW
PH: 8741 5622
Email: scholarships@parquad.nsw.asn.au
Website: http://www.paraquad-nsw.asn.au
Criteria/Aims: For people with spinal injury, to be used for mobility, speech, computer equipment, fees, books.
Amount: No minimum or maximum-depends on the amount available and the number of applications.
Closing Date: Advertised in Sydney Morning Herald late October, closes late November.