The Public Education Foundation’s Aboriginal Education Scholarship supports Aboriginal 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.

Four scholarships are available in 2023 – targeting both male and female students. The scholarship will provide financial support of $1,000 per year in year 11 and year 12 for each student (total scholarship value is $2,000 per student).

The scholarship is to cover educational expenses such as:

  • Laptop, iPad or other similar device
  • Subject or study related software
  • Incidental fees (eg. Text book hiring, costs associated with a specialised subject etc)
  • Uniforms and school shoes (including school sports clothing)
  • Text books,
  • Stationery and general office items and equipment
  • Printer
  • 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
  • Face to face or online tutoring

If a student leaves public school before the end of Year 12, the scholarship will lapse.  Please note – if a student’s attendance rate falls below an acceptable level at any time during the duration of the scholarship, the scholarship may be withdrawn.  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, please ensure that you read the scholarship terms and conditions available on our website.

BASIC ELIGIBILITY

  • Enrolled in a NSW public high school
  • Currently in Year 10 (2022)
  • Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
  • Australian citizen or permanent resident

SELECTION CRITERIA

  • Potential to do well at school
  • 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
  • Demonstrate they participate in school life
  • Demonstrate they contribute in the community and/or in extracurricular activities
  • Indigenous community links

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.  Successful applicants will be notified in December 2022.

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 for the Aboriginal Education Council Scholarship must be submitted via the Foundation’s online portal. You will need to sign up for a PEF-Apply 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
    • email (please ensure you nominate an email account you regularly access)
  • Residence status
  • Parent/guardian details
    • name
    • phone number
    • relationship to student
  • School details:
    • name of school
    • address
    • principal name
    • email
    • 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:
    • whether you are Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, or Pacific or South Sea Islander
    • your mob/family/traditional owner/language group
    • who is the primary caregiver at home
    • highest education qualification of your immediate family
    • 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
    • if you have a diagnosed disability or learning difficulty
    • whether you have been in out-of-home care
    • socio-economic background
    • how you found out about the scholarship
  • A statement outlining why you are a suitable candidate for this scholarship and how you meet each of the selection criteria. (maximum 400 words)
  • A brief outline of your plans after you have completed your HSC (maximum 150 words)
  • A brief explanation of how your planned Year 11 and 12 subject selection and/or work experience will assist you in your future study and/or work goals (maximum 250 words)
  • A brief statement on how the scholarship funds would be used (maximum 150 words)
  • A copy of your most recent school report ready to upload (PDF or word format)
  • A personal reference from an Aboriginal community member which addresses the selection criteria (PDF or work format, maximum 400 words)
  • A supporting statement from your Principal which addresses the selection criteria (the applicant must initiate a request via the online application to the Principal. This will result in an email being sent to the Principal asking them to complete a statement of support online)

Note for Community Member references: It is critical that the Aboriginal community member reference is specific and supportive of the student. Generic references will disadvantage an applicant.

Note for Principals: Please be aware that your statement 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:

  • Reference from an Aboriginal Community member
  • Signed Terms and Conditions

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 finalised your application and all elements are complete (including references and supporting statements as required) you can submit it for review.

Applications must be submitted by 11.59pm on Tuesday 13th September 2022.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Call the Public Education Foundation on 02 7814 2806 or email us at info@publiceducationfoundation.org.au.

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