While preparing for the HSC should be your primary focus, dedicating time to applying for scholarships is equally important. As you transition into adulthood, securing additional financial support can be extremely beneficial, whether you choose to allocate it to your savings or use it as a supplementary buffer for your weekly spending. Applying for scholarships is also a valuable opportunity to learn how to promote your personal strengths with integrity and reflect on your weaknesses. These are all valuable and transferable soft skills required when applying for jobs in the workplace.
Scholarships can be grouped into two general categories: merit-based scholarships and equity-based scholarships. Merit-based scholarships are awarded by primarily assessing your high school academic achievements while equity-based scholarships are awarded based off your financial needs and socioeconomic status. However, when being considered for both types of scholarships, panels often also consider your participation in community activities and soft skills through interviews.
When applying for scholarships, ensure you have all the necessary documents. As scholarships are highly competitive, do not provide universities any administrative reasons to reject your application.
Merit Based Scholarships:
Ensure you have some form of certification for your participation in all extracurricular activities. This could be your school reports or reference letters written by your school. However, keep in mind that while schools often issue these reference letters, after scholarship application deadlines. Thus, we encourage you to speak with your school about issuing reference letters earlier or making alternative arrangements.
Equity Based Scholarships:
Collect financial documents, including tax statements and Centrelink payment records.
For further details on documents required for scholarship applications, consult the specific requirements listed on the respective university websites.
Note that there are two methods of applying for equity scholarships:
Through UAC
Directly through the university institution
However, for both methods you are ultimately applying for the equity scholarships specific to the university you choose to study at.
Collated list of NSW + ACT University Undergraduate Scholarships:
Note: this is only a general list you can use to familiarise yourself with what scholarships there are out there. For a full list of scholarships available, spend some time researching on specific university websites.
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