Friends of Zainab Scholarships
Donate now to help young refugee students complete their schooling.
Click here for Information and Eligibility Criteria.
An information Pack and Application Form will be available soon.
The Friends of Zainab Scholarship is a prestigious and life changing scholarship for refugee students studying in NSW public high schools and universities.
The scholarships financially help year 11 and 12 refugee students through the critical years of their HSC. The Scholarships also provide for financial support for the first two years of full time university study.
The number of scholarships awarded each year depends on the value of donations made to the fund. So please donate to this worthy cause. You can donate online or by downloading a donation form.
Friends of Zainab scholarships were established in 2002 to enable a young asylum seeker, Zainab Kaabi, to complete her schooling at Holroyd High School.
Since then, the fund has supported Zainab and other refugee students at Holroyd High School in their school education and at university.
In 2009, Friends of Zainab joined the Public Education Foundation in order to expand its reach beyond Holroyd High School.
Friends of Zainab Scholarship applications open in Term 3 each year.
Information and Eligibility Criteria
Who can apply?
What does the Friends of Zainab Scholarship provide?
What are the criteria for selection?
How does a student apply for a Friends of Zainab Scholarship?
What are the conditions of the scholarship?
How will the Scholarship affect the student’s youth allowance or Austudy?
How do I submit my Application Form?
When is the Closing Date for Applicants?
Application Form
Who can apply?
Students must be studying at a public school.
All students who have entered Australia on a humanitarian visa, and who currently hold permanent residence or Australian citizenship are eligible to apply.
Students who have applied for protection but who do not currently have either permanent residence or Australian citizenship will be considered on a case by case basis.
Principals will submit applications after assessing the needs and academic potential of each applicant.
Principals will need to be satisfied that the scholarship will improve a student’s chance of successfully completing secondary education, and contribute to success in tertiary studies.
What does the Friends of Zainab Scholarship provide?
There are two types of scholarship: senior secondary and tertiary.
For students in years 11 and 12, a scholarship of $1,000 will be made available in each of years 11 and 12.
For tertiary students, a scholarship of $2,000 will be available for each of the first two years of full-time university study.
The scholarship funds will be directed to the school to administer in each of years 11 and 12. The funds for tertiary study will be paid directly to the student.
What are the criteria for selection?
Applicants need to demonstrate that they:
- Have a positive attitude towards schooling and their school work;
- Have made academic progress whilst at the school;
- Have high rates of attendance;
- Participate in school life, in both curricular and extra-curricular activities; and
- Intend to complete years 11 and 12.
How does a student apply for a scholarship?
Students should apply through their school principal.
Applications will open in Term 3 each year.
The application must include documentation of visa and residence status, and relevant academic records, certified by their Principal or a supervising teacher.
The Principal must provide a personal reference for the Applicant. Principals may nominate up to two students each year from their school. The limit of two students per school may be extended in exceptional circumstances.
Scholarship recipients will then be determined by the Friends of Zainab Scholarship Selection Committee of the Public Education Foundation.
Applications will be short-listed, and students on the short-list will be invited to an interview before the final decision is made.
The Public Education Foundation will notify applicants in writing within 30 days of the closing date as to their success.
What are the conditions of the scholarship?
The scholarship will be reviewed each year by the selection panel to confirm continuation of the scholarship.
Principals of students in years 11 and 12 will need to provide a report on students’ academic progress, attendance and participation.
Students at tertiary level will need to provide a copy of their academic record to the panel.
If a student leaves school before the end of year 12, or a student leaves university before completion of the course, the scholarship will lapse.
Unspent moneys will be refunded to the Friends of Zainab Scholarship Fund of the Public Education Foundation Ltd.
How will the scholarship affect the student’s Youth Allowance or Austudy entitlement?
Students can earn up to a given amount each fortnight or per annum without affecting Youth Allowance or Austudy payments. Information is available from Centrelink on 132490.
How do I submit my Application Form?
Application forms can be submitted by post:
Public Education Foundation Ltd
PO Box 1393
DARLINGHURST NSW 1300
Or by scanning the Application Form and accompanying documents and emailing to info@publiceducationfoundation.org.au
When is the closing date for Applicants?
The closing date for applications will be announced soon.