Waratah Education Foundation Primary Scholarship

Helping students entering Year 5 to achieve their potential in primary school

The Waratah Education Foundation Primary Scholarship supports students entering Year 5 in 2026 who face financial barriers that could prevent them from fully participating in school or reaching their potential.

The Waratah Education Foundation funds programs that improve education outcomes and break cycles of poverty and disadvantage. This scholarship is made possible through the Waratah Education Foundation Scholarship Fund.

Up to 25 scholarships are available in 2026. Each recipient will receive $1,000 per year in Years 5 and 6, for a total value of $2,000.

What the Scholarship Covers

Funds can be used for school-related expenses such as:

  • Literacy and numeracy support
  • Stationery and textbooks
  • Laptop, iPad, or similar device
  • Study-related software
  • Printer
  • Internet connection for home study
  • School excursions and camps
  • Study furniture (e.g., desk, chair, lamp)
  • Face-to-face or online tutoring

Important Notes:

  • If a student leaves public school during the scholarship period, the scholarship will lapse
  • If attendance falls below an acceptable level, the scholarship may be withdrawn
  • Any unspent funds must be returned to the Public Education Foundation

Please read the full scholarship terms and conditions before applying.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Currently in Year 4 in 2025
  • Attending a NSW public school
  • Australian citizen or permanent resident

Selection Criteria

  • Experiencing disadvantage that may impact education or school participation
  • Positive attitude toward learning
  • Strong attendance record
  • 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. Final recipients will be approved by the Foundation’s Board.

Successful applicants and their school principals will be notified by December 2025.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted via the Foundation’s online portal. Create a PEF-Apply account to access the form.

Note: All sections of the application, including the Principal’s Supporting Statement, must be completed before submission.

Information Required

Student 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 details (one or two)
  • School and principal information
  • School point of contact (name, phone, email)
  • Background information:
    • Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, or Pacific Islander status
    • Mob/family/traditional owner/language group
    • Country of origin (student and parents)
    • Languages spoken at home
    • Household composition (adults, children)
    • Primary caregiver details
    • Employment status of adults
    • Education level of immediate family
    • Disability or learning difficulty
    • Out-of-home care experience
    • Socio-economic background
    • How you heard about the scholarship

Written Statements and Documents

  • Parent/carer statement on why the applicant is suitable and meets the 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)
  • Reference from a teacher, counsellor, or wellbeing officer (PDF or Word format, max. 400 words)
  • Principal’s Supporting Statement (requested via the application portal and submitted online)

Note for Principals: Your supporting statement must be specific and insightful. Generic or copy/paste statements will disadvantage the applicant.

Submitting Your Application

Once your application is complete and all documents are uploaded, submit 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