Scholarships and Financial Support
Below you will find a list of some of the scholarships that are available in 2024 for students and families. Please contact the school and speak with someone in the wellbeing team if you would like more information or support with an application.
A Start in Life Scholarship
To be eligible for assistance, each family must meet our criteria in the following three areas:
Financial - an assessment of income and assets of parent/carer
Engagement - of the parent/carer and student with schooling and A Start in Life
General - the student's/family's needs and circumstances
Students must maintain:
A minimum school attendance of 85%
A minimum of sound/good effort across all subjects
A willingness to create and then work towards the attainment of learning goals
NOTES:
Students and families will need to provide recent school reports, copies of Centrelink income summaries (if applicable) and recent Notice of Assessment received from ATO.
School does not need to provide a letter of support but can support you with providing school fees statement, attendance summary, etc.
https://www.astartinlife.org.au/school-students
MSN Educational Scholarships
Educational scholarships are offered for one year and valued at up to $2,000. They are designed to assist eligible students aged 15 years and over to reach their full potential in terms of their individual educational and career goals.
The Mentor Support Network scholarships program is open to young students who are:
in challenging financial circumstances which make it difficult for them to secure the educational supports necessary to their success
attending school or enrolled in an apprenticeship program (including V.E.T.) in the Hunter Region (see below for Region definition)
aged at least 15 on 31st December of the applying year
committed to continuing their education
NOTES:
Must be nominated by school (speak to staff member to express interest)
School to provide a letter of reference
Only 5 students per school
Priority will be given to school students who will be entering Year 11 (or equivalent), although others that have an ‘exceptional case’ may still apply. Year 10 students to apply closer to the end of the year.
Scholarships are not necessarily awarded because of academic achievement but because of a demonstrated desire to achieve educational goals despite financial difficulties.
https://mentorsupportnetwork.com.au/
Youth Development Scholarships
For social housing clients. Application have closed for 2024, but they will re-open in October and close Feb 2025.
The Youth Development Scholarships (YDS) program offers up to 1,400 scholarships to young people enrolled in education or training to help complete their studies in the 2024 school year.
You are eligible to apply if you are:
Studying at one of the following in 2024:
Year 10, 11 or 12 at an NSW high school or equivalent at TAFE or a VET subject at school; or
completing a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship and able to provide a signed contract agreement from your registered training provider; or
home schooling and able to provide a Certificate of Home Schooling Registration.
You must also be either a social housing client or living in out-of-home care. This can include:
living in public housing, including Aboriginal housing
being on the NSW Housing Register (wait list)
receiving a private rental subsidy from DCJ (not Centrelink)
living in community housing/Aboriginal community housing
living in housing provided by a Local Aboriginal Land Council
living in supported, crisis or temporary accommodation
living in statutory, supported, or voluntary out-of-home care.
NOTES:
Students will need to apply directly online without any school support. However, the school wellbeing team can help support students with preparing their student personal statement.
Click on the above image to find out more.
The Australian Government’s offer of free home internet until 31 December 2025 is still available for families with school aged students who do not currently have an internet connection, through its School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI).
Click on the image to the left to find out more. Alternatively, you can contact the school and request more information from a member of the wellbeing team.
Merewether High School can provide school based financial support for families in need. Please contact the Head Teacher Wellbeing, Sherida Johnson, to discuss how we can support you and to obtain a form.