Primary School Scholarships
Supporting Year 2 students in public primary schools to thrive in their education journey
The Public Education Foundation offers several scholarships for primary-school-aged students, including:
- The Vorsay Scholarship
- The NSW Teachers Federation Primary Scholarship
These scholarships support one public primary school student entering Year 2 in 2026 through to Year 6.
Each scholarship provides $1,000 per year, with a total of $5,000 over five years. They are designed to assist students who show strong potential to thrive in school but may face financial challenges that limit their participation or achievement.
What the Scholarship Covers
Scholarship funds may be used for:
- Literacy and numeracy support
- Stationery and textbooks
- Laptop, iPad, or similar device
- Study-related software
- Printer
- Internet access for study at home
- School excursions and camps
- Study furniture (desk, chair, lamp)
- Face-to-face or online tutoring
Important Notes:
- If a student leaves public school before Year 12, the scholarship will lapse
- If attendance falls below an acceptable level, the scholarship may be withdrawn
- Unspent funds at the end of the scholarship period must be returned to the Foundation
Please read the full scholarship terms and conditions before applying.
Eligibility Criteria
- Currently in Year 1 in 2025
- Enrolled at a NSW public school
- Australian citizen or permanent resident
Selection Criteria
- Experiencing disadvantage that may limit school participation or potential
- Evidence of a successful transition into primary school and capacity to succeed
- Positive attitude towards school and high attendance
- Active participation in school life
Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed by a panel including representatives from the Public Education Foundation, a donor representative, and independent experts. Recommendations will be submitted to the Foundation’s Board for final approval.
Successful applicants will be notified by December 2025. School principals will also receive notification.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online through the Foundation’s portal. Create an account at:
Note: All parts of the application, including the Principal’s Supporting Statement, must be completed before submission.
Information Required
Applicant and Family Details
- Full name, gender, date of birth, phone number, address, and email
- Residency status (Visa or Citizenship document if born outside Australia)
- Parent/guardian contact details (one or two)
- School and principal details
- School point of contact (name, phone, email)
- Background information:
- Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, or Pacific Islander status
- Mob/family/language group
- Country of origin (parents and student)
- Languages spoken at home
- Number of adults and children in the household
- Employment status of adults
- Primary caregiver
- Family education level
- Disability or learning difficulty
- Out-of-home care status
- Socio-economic background
- How you found out about the scholarship
Written Statements and Documents
- Parent/carer statement about the student’s suitability and how they meet the selection criteria (25–400 words)
- Parent/carer statement on how the funds will be used (20–150 words)
- Most recent school report (PDF or Word format)
- Personal reference from a teacher, counsellor, or wellbeing officer (PDF or Word, max. 400 words)
- Principal’s Supporting Statement (requested via the online application form; must be submitted separately by the Principal)
Note for Principals: Your supporting statement is a critical part of the assessment process. Generic or copy/paste responses will disadvantage the applicant.
Submitting Your Application
When all sections are complete and required documents are uploaded, submit your application for review.
Applications close at 5:00pm on Friday, 26 September 2025
Need Help?
Contact the Public Education Foundation:
📞 02 7814 2806
✉️ scholarships@publiceducationfoundation.org.au
