Scholarship and Bursary Program Policy

POLICY NAME

SCHOLARSHIP AND BURSARY PROGRAM POLICY

EFFECTIVE DATE

October 2025

ADMINISTRAT OR RESPONSIBLE

DATE OF LAST REVISI ON

Director (Enrolments)

August 2024

CONTACT INFORMATI ON

POLICY NO.

50

VERSION NO.

8

enrolments@cggs.act.edu.au

APPLIES TO FACULTY

STAFF

STUDENT EMPLOYEES

VISITORS

Yes

STUDENTS

Yes

CONTRACTORS

Pivotal to Canberra Girls Grammar School’s 100-year legacy of educational excellence, connection and opportunity is our Scholarships and Bursary Program (the Program).

The CGGS community’s commitment to equitable opportunities for girls and young women is infused throughout our history and is profoundly connected to the ethos of the Community of the Sisters of the Church. This collective belief is at the core of our Program, which continues to evolve and improve over time. The focus remains to enable a broad range of students access to a life-changing CGGS education.

The Program has two goals, to recognise student dedication and excellence, and to provide a world-class education to those who may not otherwise have such opportunities.

There are two streams to the Program: 1. The Scholarship stream is the option that specifically acknowledges and rewards students who have demonstrated academic excellence in combination with high achievement in sport, music, artistic pursuits, or across multiple disciplines. This stream provides opportunities for Indigenous students, with boarding as an offering for students in remote, regional and rural communities.

Generally, Scholarships are awarded at 25%, however scholarship applicants can request to have their applications means-tested as part of the process.

This option requires an applicant to sit the Allwell Academic (AAS) test*.

2. The Bursary stream is the option that specifically enables students who require financial tuition support. This stream provides opportunities for Indigenous students, with boarding as an offering for students in remote, regional and rural communities.

Bursaries can also be awarded to families in times of short-term hardships and are 1

only granted when the School has means.

This option requires a means test via an independent external financial review conducted by the School’s professional partner, Edstart and a meeting with the Principal.

2

Please see the accompanying booklet CGGS Guidelines: Scholarships and Bursary Program for details regarding each Scholarship or Bursary on offer, including but not limited to: 

How to apply.



When to apply by.



Eligibility.



Entitlements.



Obligations.



Exclusions.

PROCESS a) Applying for a Scholarship The Scholarship Program is only open to permanent residents of Australia or those who hold Australian citizenship.

Scholarships are awarded annually.

To apply for a Scholarship, an applicant must first make a formal enrolment waitlist application, including payment of the $235 application fee.

Once a formal application for enrolment has been submitted, families may also apply for a Scholarship. A $120 application fee applies.

Students residing at least 300km or three hours from CGGS may apply for a remote or distance application. The application fee of $300 is to enable remote invigilation by AAS. Current students are not required to submit a new enrolment application but they must complete the Scholarship application, including payment of the application fee, within the stated timelines.

All application fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.

An applicant must meet minimum standards, regardless of the Scholarship, and an application must be submitted online by the closing date, providing: 

Evidence of age, identity, and Australian citizenship or permanent residency status.



A personal letter of reference (non-family member or teacher).



Current academic and school reports from the last two years (copies).



Most recent NAPLAN report or equivalent (copies).

Other requirements: 

A Scholarship applicant is required to sit the AAS test*.

Applicants are encouraged to apply for their preferred Scholarship. Students may apply for more than one Scholarship category. If unsuccessful, CGGS reserves the right to consider a different Scholarship option for which an applicant is eligible.

When a Scholarship application is received, a place on the applicable waitlist is automatically 3

held for new applicants, pending the outcome of the Scholarship process. Current students do not require a waitlist place; their enrolment continues while the Scholarship application is assessed.

Unsuccessful applicants may reapply in subsequent years for the same or a different Scholarship. The Scholarship application fee payable each year may be subject to change without notice. *The AAS test is used as a benchmarking tool. Scholarship applicants may be means-tested should they request consideration for a higher level of fee remission than the standard 25%.

a) Offering CGGS offers a number of Scholarships each year to students entering Years 7–11. The number and type of Scholarships offered each year are at the discretion of the Principal, and not all options may be offered each year.

The final decision to award a Scholarship and the level of remission granted is at the discretion of the Principal. The Program is reviewed annually by the Principal, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Director (Enrolments) and the Director (Finance and Risk).

CGGS does not provide a report on the applicant’s performance in the Scholarship application, examination, interview or audition. b) Accepting If the applicant is successful, the applicant’s parent/carer will receive a letter of offer for an enrolment place, as well as a letter of offer for a Scholarship. Current students will receive a letter of offer for a Scholarship only.

As Scholarships are awarded for a specific year of entry, they are not transferable to future years.

For new applicants, if the parent/carer accepts the offer for an enrolment place, and a Scholarship, the non-refundable, non-transferable enrolment deposit ($2,500) is payable at that time.

If a Scholarship application is not successful but the parent/carer accepts the offer of an enrolment place without a Scholarship, the non-refundable, non-transferable enrolment deposit ($2,500) is payable at that time.

If a Scholarship offer is declined, the application fee is non-refundable and cannot be transferred to another application.

Should a Scholarship recipient withdraw and later return to the School, the Scholarship will not be reinstated. c) Obligations and monitoring Obligations for each Scholarship are stipulated in both the CGGS Guidelines: Scholarships and Bursary Program and the CGGS Scholarship and Bursary Agreement, which is provided at the time an offer is made. Please refer to these documents for the specific obligations relevant to each Scholarship.

All Scholarship recipients are supported through the School’s usual pastoral process to meet their obligations. This support is integrated into the School’s ongoing reporting and assessment procedures. The Inclusive Learning and Enrichment team compile the recipients’ report data and provide this information to the Head of School or their delegate.

The Head of School or delegate will meet with individual students as required to support 4

both their wellbeing and academic progress.

In the case of the Principals Scholarship of Excellence, the Principal meets with the individual awardees to check-in and support their progress and involvement with the School.

If a recipient falls below or does not meet the obligations of their Scholarship or CGGS standards more broadly, the School reserves the right to rescind the Scholarship.

5

PROCESS b) Applying for a Bursary The Bursary Program is only open to permanent residents of Australia or those who hold Australian citizenship.

To apply for a Bursary, an applicant must first make a formal enrolment waitlist application, including payment of the $235 application fee. Once a formal application for enrolment has been submitted, families may also apply for a Bursary.

Current students are not required to submit a new enrolment application but must complete the Bursary application, including payment of the application fee, within the stated timelines.

All application fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Applications for a Gabriel Foundation Bursary are accepted and awarded year-round, pending the availability of funds.

Archer Family Bursary applications are accepted one year before a student’s commencement in Year 11 and must be submitted from January 1 to March 31 of that year.

An applicant must meet minimum standards, regardless of the Bursary, and an application must be submitted online, providing: 

Evidence of age, identity, and Australian citizenship or permanent residency status.



A personal letter of reference (non-family member or teacher).



Current academic and school reports from the last two years (copies).



Most recent NAPLAN report or equivalent (copies).

Other requirements: 

A Bursary applicant is required to agree to a means-test via an independent external financial review conducted by the School’s professional partner, Edstart.

An applicant is advised to apply for their chosen Bursary. When a Bursary application is received, a place on the applicable waitlist is automatically held for new applicants, pending the outcome of the Bursary process. Current students do not require a waitlist place; their enrolment continues while the application is assessed.

Unsuccessful applicants may reapply in subsequent years for the same or a different Bursary.

The Bursary application fee payable each year may be subject to change without notice. d) Offering CGGS offers a number of Bursaries each year to students entering Years 7–11, pending the availability of funds. The number and type offered each year are at the discretion of the Principal, and not all Bursary options may be offered each year.

The final decision to award a Bursary and the level of remission granted is at the discretion of the Principal. The Program is reviewed annually by the Principal, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Director (Enrolments) and the Director (Finance and Risk).

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e) Accepting If the applicant is successful, the applicant’s parent/carer will receive a letter of offer for an enrolment place, as well as a letter of offer for a Bursary. Current students will receive a letter of offer for a Bursary only.

As Bursaries are awarded for a specific year of entry, they are not transferable to future years.

For new applicants, if the parent/carer accepts the offer for an enrolment place and a Bursary, the non-refundable, non-transferable enrolment deposit ($2,500) is payable at that time.

If a Bursary application is not successful but the parent/carer accepts the offer of an enrolment place without a Bursary, the non-refundable, non-transferable enrolment deposit ($2,500) is payable at that time.

If a Bursary is declined the application fee is non-refundable and cannot be transferred to another application.

Should a Bursary recipient withdraw and later return to the School, the Bursary will not be reinstated.

f) Obligations and monitoring Obligations for each Bursary are stipulated in both the CGGS Guidelines: Scholarships and Bursary Program and the CGGS Scholarship and Bursary Agreement, which is provided at the time an offer is made. Please refer to these documents for the specific obligations relevant to each Bursary.

Students who receive bursaries are supported through the School’s usual pastoral processes.

Bursaries are reviewed each year to ensure that the recipients’ circumstances continue to align with the conditions of the bursary.

Families are obliged to advise the School of any change of circumstance that would alter their financial suitability for a bursary.

If a recipient does not meet the obligations of their Bursary or CGGS standards more broadly, the School reserves the right to rescind the Bursary.

7

EARLY ENROLMENT If a new (future) CGGS student is awarded a Scholarship or Bursary but chooses to enrol the year prior to the Scholarship or Bursary taking effect, this may be considered.

The full remission cannot be accessed or awarded until the year the Scholarship or Bursary officially begins.

MULTIPLE SCHOLARSHIPS AND BURSARIES AND FEE REMISSIONS Successful applicants will only be eligible to receive one Scholarship or Bursary at a time.

The exception to this is a Boarding student who chooses to apply for a Bursary to assist with the cost of Boarding fees, which will be offered and granted at the discretion of the Principal, and will be subject to means-testing.

Should a current recipient choose to reapply for a different Scholarship or Bursary in subsequent years and be successful, the previous Scholarship or Bursary must be rescinded and the new Scholarship or Bursary will be instated. Should they be unsuccessful, the original Scholarship or Bursary will remain in place.

Bursaries awarded to Boarders forfeit the full tuition and Boarding fees provided by the Gabriel Foundation if they leave the Boarding House and become a Day student.

A Scholarship or Bursary fee remission cannot be aggregated with other discounts such as the Sibling Discount. The family can choose which fee remission to accept. Once the fee remission is determined it is final and cannot be altered in the future, except at the discretion of the Principal in exceptional cases. An exception to this is where a Scholarship or Bursary is offered to a student of a current member of staff.

The Staff Discount and a Scholarship or Bursary can be aggregated up to, but not exceed, a 40% remission.

EXISTING DEBTORS Current families with an overdue debt to the School are not eligible for a Scholarship. In the case of financial hardship, families should request a meeting with the Principal to discuss options before a debt is accrued.

Definitions Academic excellence

All Scholarship and Bursary applicants must meet a minimum standard of academic ability or show evidence of their aptitude for academic achievement, regardless of the award requirements or entitlements.

Scholarship applicants must show evidence of achieving mostly A grades across most subject areas.

Bursary

The award or grant given to the recipient to support their academic or other achievements, subject to means-testing.

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Means-test

An assessment of the financial status of a family. Scholarships may be means tested upon request, but Bursaries are subject to means-testing. Bursary applicants must therefore agree to undergo external financial assessment under strict confidence.

NAPLAN

National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy test: an annual assessment for all students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 covering skills in reading, writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation and numeracy.

Obligations

Responsibilities of the student for standards agreed upon by the School.

Recipient

The CGGS student recipient of the Scholarship or Bursary.

Scholarship

The award or grant given to the recipient to support their academic and other achievements.

Related policies and other references VERSION HISTORY

ACT Government, Gifted and Talented Student Policy 2014.

ACT Government, Students with a Disability: Meeting their Educational Needs.

Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration 2008.

CGGS Enrolments Policy.

Discrimination Act 1991.

Education Act 2004.

Education Act 2004 (ACT).

Human Rights Act 2004.

Kemp, Response to Intervention and Differentiated Instruction, 2014 Hawker Brownlow Education.

McInerney and Elledge, Using a Response to Intervention Framework to Improve Student Learning 2013 (American Institutes for Research).

Melbourne Declaration on Educational Goals for Young Australians.

Privacy Act 1988 (Cwlth).

VERSIO N 1

APPROVED BY

REVISION DATE

DESCRIPTION OF CHANGE

AUTHOR

Principal

April 2021

New policy

Director (Enrolments)

9

2

Principal

August 2021

Addition to existing debtors policy section

Director (Enrolments)

3

Principal

March 2022

Revised to include pro-rata aspect of Standard Family Contribution (SFC), update to application fee, and clarity around offering and granting of multiple awards.

Director (Enrolments)

4

Principal

July 2022

Revised to update application link information, levy payment clarification, change to orientation and monitoring, aggregation of discounts, and eligibility requirements.

Director (Enrolments)

5

Principal

April 2023

Revised to update eligibility and detail around exclusions, and information around entitlements and obligations.

Director (Enrolments)

6

Principal

January 2024

Removal of SFC, update on Scholarship and Bursary means testing. Eligibility and entitlements changes.

Update staff discount.

Numerous updates to reflect separate approach to Scholarships and Bursary and to align with Guidelines and Agreement.

Director (Enrolments)

7

Principal

September 2024

Revised to reflect additional details regarding distance applications, and amendments to the process of accepting a Scholarship and Bursary.

Director (Enrolments)

8

Principal

August 2025

Revised to include details on bursary application timelines and the nontransferability of scholarships.

Director (Enrolments)

1 0