Scholarships – Not Just for High Achievers

If you’re planning on further studies after high school, no matter if you’re thinking about uni or vocational training, there’s probably a scholarship for that.

No joke, there are literally thousands of scholarships available for Australians who are seeking to better their education or career prospects.

Lots of people think that scholarships are only there to benefit a very specific bunch of people (like high achievers). But that’s not the case. Most scholarships are aimed at a certain category of applicants, that’s true – but there’s a huge list of categories to choose from.

So if you’re wondering whether it’s worth applying for a scholarship, the answer is always yes. Each year there are thousands of dollars that go unawarded, simply because nobody applies!

Let’s take a look at some of the categories, and see some scholarships you can apply for.

Community Service

Spend lots of time volunteering and making a change in your school or community? Do you participate in lots of extra-curricular activities? You could be rewarded for your efforts with a scholarship.

Here are some scholarships you might be interested in:

• Bond Transformer Scholarship

• ACU Community Engagement Equity Scholarship

• UTAS Deloraine Apex Club Scholarship

Disability

If you are wanting to study but feel like your disability might be a barrier, there are scholarships out there to help. They can provide you with financial support, as well as other things like access to special support services, assistive technology, and more.

Here are a few we’ve found:

• Vision Australia Further Education Bursary

• Walter and Eliza Hall Trust Opportunity Scholarship

• Australian Disability and Indigenous Peoples’ Education Fund

Family/Domestic Violence

If you’ve found yourself in a bad situation at home, there is support out there for you. This includes scholarships to help you achieve your dream of future studies.

Here are some you might be eligible for:

• UOW Transforming Futures Scholarships

• Little Friends Scholarships

Remember, if you need any help, you can call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), available 24/7, or chat online at 1800respect.org.au. You can also call Lifeline on 13 11 14, or Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800.

Financial Disadvantage

Worried you might not be able to afford some of the expenses involved with study, like textbooks and equipment? Never fear – there are lots of scholarships out there for people struggling financially, no strings attached.

Here are some you might like to check out:

• Youth Off the Streets National Scholarship Program

• VU Access Scholarships

• QUT Equity Scholarships Scheme

Indigenous Students

There are tons of scholarships available to Indigenous students who are looking to study after school.

You can see some here:

• Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship Scheme

• Curtin Business and Law Indigenous Undergraduate Scholarship

• Australian Indigenous Education Foundation – UTS Scholarship

Leadership

Were you school captain? Or the captain of your sporting team? There are scholarships out there to reward you for your efforts.

Here are some you might like:

• Bond University Leadership Scholarship

• UTAS Global Leaders Scholarship

• UWA Fogarty Foundation Scholarship

LGBTQIA+

If you identify as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, you could be eligible for a scholarship to help with study costs.

Take a look at some we’ve found here:

• Pinnacle Foundation Scholarships

• University of Adelaide Dr Duncan Memorial Scholarship

• Monash Queer Leaders Scholarship

Musical & Sporting Ability

Fancy yourself a musical virtuoso or sporting pro? If you’d like to continue your extra-curricular activities into university, but are worried it might affect your studies, there are lots of scholarships out there to support you, as well as provide you with some extra perks.

Here are a few scholarships to take a look at:

• JCU Elite Athlete Scholarship

• UTAS Hedberg Scholarship

• QUT Rising Sports Scholarship (including esport)

Refugee

If you’re a current or former refugee, you could be eligible for scholarships to provide you with financial support towards your studies.

Here are some we’ve found:

• RMIT Halim Family Women in Science Scholarship

• Friends of Zainab Tertiary Scholarship

• ANU Humanitarian Scholarship

Rural

Living far away from university doesn’t have to be a barrier to attending. You could be eligible for tons of scholarships to assist you financially, and even provide accommodation too.

Take a look at a few you could be eligible for here:

• Rural and Regional Enterprise Scholarships Program

• UNSW Engineering Rural Scholarships Program

• Rural Pharmacy Scholarship Scheme

Women

There are also lots of scholarships out there to encourage girls and women to undertake further study, particularly in areas where they are under-represented.

Here are some you might like:

• Harding Miller Education Foundation Scholarship

• Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship

• Swinburne Avanade Women in STEM Scholarship

Want more?

You can search for hundreds more scholarships, open to all kinds of applicants, on our database here.

Nursing Scholarships in Australia

Choosing to study a university degree can be one of, if not the most significant financial investment you will

make. It will often determine who you will be, and the career pathway you will take. Making this decision is

hard enough, than having to worry about how you will finance your nursing education. The government offers

a number of ways for you to support your studies, the most common of which is a student loan. However,

accumulating a massive debt, doesn’t need to be the only option. Numerous institutions from around Australia

offer a range of different nursing scholarships that can help you pay your tuition fees.

7 Tips for Maximising Your Scholarship Application

Thinking of applying for a scholarship? There are heaps of reasons why you should – but how can you make sure your application is the one that stands out from the crowd? We’ve got some tips for maximising your scholarship application.

Start early

Some scholarship applications can be quite involved and need a lot of information, so it’s best to ensure you give yourself enough time to get all your documents together and can craft a quality application. Plus, the earlier you start the less likely it is you’ll miss the closing date!

Use examples

There are lots of scholarships that will probably ask you to demonstrate your skills or experience – so think of situations you’ve been in and how they might specifically apply to the scholarship you’re applying for. A great way of doing this is by using the STAR method:

• Situation: Describe the situation and when it took place.

• Task: Explain the task, the goal and your role.

• Action: Provide details about the action you took.

• Result: Talk about the results of your actions, try and use concrete numbers or evidence if possible.

Read the criteria carefully

While it might seem like a good idea to cast a wide net, you should still make sure you’re eligible for any scholarships you apply for. At the end of the day, you’ll not only be wasting the assessor’s time but your own as well.

Do some research

If the scholarship is offered or sponsored by a donor, do some research on them. Think of ways you can tie your skills and experience together with the donor’s mission or goals, and use this to your advantage. It shows you’ve gone that one step further and can make your application stand out.

Make it personal

A lot of the time, institutions will want to know a bit more about you and your motivations. It’s important to answer any questions honestly and not just say what you think they’ll want to hear. And if your personality and interests tie in with the scholarship criteria, even better – use that as a way to show why you’re most deserving of the scholarship.

Keep it relevant

Building on the point above, it’s also important to make sure you don’t spend lots of time waffling on about things that aren’t relevant to the scholarship. Addressing any eligibility criteria in a way that’s both concise and relevant is a great way to maximise your application (plus a lot of applications will have word limits you need to stick to as well).

Don’t limit yourself

There are literally thousands of scholarships out there – so give yourself the best chance of winning one and apply for as many as you can. Lots of scholarships go unawarded every year simply because people don’t apply! Don’t forget to keep point three in mind though, and make sure you’re eligible before applying.

Interested in applying for a scholarship? You can search through hundreds on our database and get more tips for maximising your scholarship application here.

7 Things to Consider When Searching for Scholarships

Navigating the world of scholarships can sometimes seem like a daunting task. With so many opportunities available, it’s crucial for you to identify scholarships that are not only financially beneficial, but also align with your goals and circumstances. We’ve come up with some things to consider when searching for scholarships to help you make an informed decision.

Eligibility criteria

This one seems obvious, but it’s important! Always ensure you meet the specific eligibility requirements of a scholarship before applying, or you might be setting yourself up for disappointment.

Application deadlines

It’s essential to be aware of the application deadlines for any scholarships you want to apply for. Most scholarships have strict closing dates and won’t accept late submissions, so make good notes of any deadlines to ensure you don’t miss out.

Award amount and duration

Consider the scholarship’s award amount and duration to determine if it will provide sufficient financial support throughout your studies.

Renewability

Some scholarships are renewable, meaning they can be awarded for multiple years if you maintain certain criteria (e.g. meeting a minimum GPA). Consider if a renewable scholarship is more beneficial to you than a one-off award.

Application requirements

Each scholarship will have unique application requirements, including essays, letters of recommendation, or interviews. Evaluate the effort needed for the application process and ensure you can provide all necessary materials within the deadline.

Scholarship restrictions

Some scholarships come with specific restrictions or conditions, such as requiring you to study a particular course, attend certain promotional events, or write letters of thanks to donors. Make sure you’re comfortable with any conditions before applying.

Impact on other financial support

Receiving a scholarship may impact your eligibility for other financial support, such as government payments and grants. If you’re unsure, reach out to the institution you’re applying to and ask if a scholarship might affect your other financial support options.

If you want to find out more about scholarships and search for opportunities, take a look at our scholarships database here.

Land, Environment and Agriculture Scholarships

Are you, or someone you know interested in a career in agriculture? Careers Harvest provides a directory

for scholarships in the field of agriculture, land and environment.

https://www.careerharvest.com.au/scholarships