The Public Education Foundation’s Aboriginal Education Scholarship supports Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students enrolled in NSW Public Schools to successfully complete their senior years of schooling.
The scholarship is supported by the Aboriginal Education Council, a charity established in 1963 to pioneer initiatives, establish innovative pilot projects, engage in research and encourage governments to provide programs and support which enables successful educational outcomes for Aboriginal people.
Two scholarships are available in 2018 – one for a male student and one for a female student. The scholarship will provide financial support of $1,000 per year in year 11 and year 12 for both students (total scholarship value is $2,000 per student).
The scholarship is to cover educational expenses such as:
- Face to face or online tutoring
- Incidental fees (eg. Text book hiring, costs associated with a specialised subject etc)
- Uniforms and school shoes (including school sports clothing)
- Stationery and general office items and equipment
- Text books
- Laptop or iPads or other similar devices
- Printers
- Internet connection for study at home
- School excursions and school camps
- Costs associated with work experience linked to VET subjects
- Furniture for study such as desk, chair, lamp etc
If a student leaves public school before the end of Year 12, the scholarship will lapse. Any unspent monies at the end of the scholarship period must be refunded to the Public Education Foundation scholarship fund.
Before applying for this scholarship, click here to read the scholarship terms and conditions.
BASIC ELIGIBILITY
- Enrolled in a NSW public school
- Entering year 11 in 2018
- Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
- Australian citizen or permanent resident
SELECTION CRITERIA
- Potential to do well at school and be able to demonstrate that the scholarship will make a significant contribution to reaching that potential
- Positive attitude towards school and high attendance rates
- Intention to complete their HSC and continue on to tertiary / vocational education
- Disadvantage currently preventing the student from realising potential and/or successfully completing their studies
- Evidence that the student is an active participant in school life and the community, in both curricular and extra-curricular activities will be considered favourably
- Evidence or testimony from the School Principal of high potential
- Agree to the terms and conditions of the scholarship, including providing feedback to the Public Education Foundation and at the completion of each academic year during the scholarship period.
SELECTION PROCESS
A selection panel will review all scholarship applications and assess them against the selection criteria. The selection panel will include representatives of the Public Education Foundation, the AEC and independent experts. After considering all applications, the selection panel will recommend the selected applicant for the approval of the Public Education Foundation’s Board.
Applicants will be notified of the outcome via email. If successful, the scholarship recipient’s school principal will also receive notification directly.
How To Apply
All applications are managed via the Foundation’s online portal, where you will need to sign up for a FluidReview account to access the form.
Prior to starting your application you should compile the following information ready to submit:
- Applicant details including:
- full name
- gender
- date of birth
- phone number
- address
- Residence status
- Parent/guardian details (at least one but up to two)
- name
- phone number
- relationship to student
- email address
- School details:
- name of school
- address
- principal name
- School Point of Contact – the person at the school who you would like correspondence sent to – name, phone number and email
- Basic information about you / your family:
- highest education qualification of your immediate family
- whether you are Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, or Pacific or South Sea Islander
- if you are from a Non-English Speaking Background
- country of original of your parents and yourself
- which languages you speak and are spoken at home
- whether you have been in out-of-home care
- socio-economic background
- how you found out about the scholarship
- A statement outlining why you, the applicant, is a suitable candidate for this scholarship and how you meet each of the selection criteria. Please also outline your academic plan (PDF or word format, maximum 400 words)
- A copy of your most recent school report ready to upload (PDF or word format)
- A personal reference which addresses the selection criteria (PDF or work format, maximum 400 words)
- A reference from your Principal which addresses the selection criteria (PDF or word format, maximum 400 words)
Note for Principals: Please be aware that your reference is a critical component of the application form and your feedback is given considerable weight in the process of panel deliberations. The panels are looking for feedback that goes well beyond simple confirmation that the student is enrolled in your school, or that you endorse the application.
Draft Paper Application Form
Our online applications are a mandatory part of the PEF process, however we are aware that this can cause additional challenges for schools assisting with scholarship applications. We have developed a paper application form which will hopefully assist with this process. Please note that the application must still be completed online but the following statements may be uploaded as handwritten documents if required. Please make sure they are legible.
If you require a paper version of this application, please contact PEF on info@publiceducationfoundation.org.au
SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION
Once you have finalized your application and all elements are complete (including references as required) you can submit it for review.
Applications must be submitted by 11.59pm on Tuesday 17 October 2017.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Call the Public Education Foundation on 02 9266 8452 or email us at
info@publiceducationfoundation.org.au.
