Finding your way with scholarships

There are significant costs associated with going to university. From buying textbooks, or a laptop to paying for placement. The smallest amount can go a long way.

There are so many kinds of scholarships. This guide covers the main types, and where to find them.

Best place to search

A third-party website is best to search as they will cover different institutions and funding bodies. The Good Universities Guide or the Country Education Foundation are a great starting point.

Equity scholarships

Equity Scholarships help disadvantaged students. These range from carer responsibilities to financial hardship, disabilities or regional or remote disadvantage.

For the many student in the residents outside the green zone are considered outer regional (see map below) and qualify to apply for the regional or remote disadvantage.

In Victoria, you can apply directly through VTAC  or directly through your institution.

Government scholarships

This one applies to most areas where there are jobs in need – particularly health and teaching. The NSW government funds scholarships to study health and teaching, as well as scholarships to encourage study in regional Australia.

Your institution of study

Use the scholarship finder for your institution, and then filter down to the ones that are relevant for you! If you are not tech savvy, get someone to help – like our Centre Manager.

Tips for applying

Applying for a scholarship is like applying for a job. Even if you are not sure on if you’re the perfect candidate, it is worth it to have a go.

Our best tips are;

1. Look for scholarships as early as possible. Look them while you apply for the different course interested in. Applications have closing dates, and you don’t want to miss them. Get your application in early if you can!
2. Think of not only your academic achievement, but everything you have been successful in doing. If you do extra-curricular, from sport to public speaking, these activities show you give things a go! Even better if you have an award from these activities.
3. Like applying for jobs, have a good cover letter ready to go that you only need to tinker with to address the scholarship you are applying for.
4. Have a referee ready to go to provide you a good reference. This could be a teacher, your boss at work or a sports coach. Have a chat with them about your goals, and what you are hoping to achieve so they can best support your application.
5. Apply for as many scholarships as possible. Unless you have a scholarship that says you must only accept that scholarship, then do not limit yourself! Every cent helps.
6. Do not let it discourage you if you are not awarded with a scholarship you have applied for. Take the experience and reflect on where you could improve.

This guide is to help you find and apply for scholarships. The process can be overwhelming but with this guide and help of our Centre Manager, we hope we can make this process easier for you. Contact Centre Manager Andrea Evans-McCall