EDUCATION HOT TOPICS
WHEN SHOULD MY CHILD APPLY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP? Scholarship programs vary from school to school, so always check the specific cut-off dates and testing timeframes that apply to you. As a general rule, applications for academic scholarships open around September two years before the year the scholarship is required, with testing taking place in the February or March of the next year. So, if you wish to make use of a scholarship in 2017, for example, you could apply from September 2015 and expect testing and interviews to take place early in 2016. Most schools that offer academic scholarships participate in centralised testing processes through organisations like ACER and EduTest. These bodies offer ‘cooperative testing’, which means that testing is done on a set date for all participating schools. The benefit of this is that you can apply for scholarships at several schools and only sit the test once. Some schools prefer to nominate their own testing dates; this is called ‘alternative date testing’ and use of the results will be unique to that school.
HOW DOES MY CHILD APPLY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP? Each school will have its own specifications about eligibility and application processes, but there are a few general guidelines to consider according to the type of scholarship you wish to pursue. ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS Academic scholarship assessors look for consistent good grades in the years leading up to application along with the results of formalised scholarship testing. Your child’s application may also include an interview, a speech or presentation, or a portfolio of work. SPECIALIST SCHOLARSHIPS Consistent high achievement is also advantageous for scholarships in areas like creative arts or sport. In addition, rather than a cooperative test, your child may be required to attend an audition, present a portfolio of work samples or supply results of external awards or certifications – like dance exams, for example. It’s important to look at the fine print when it comes to eligibility for these scholarships as some will only be offered to high level athletes or creative students with a proven track record of accolades.
GENERAL EXCELLENCE SCHOLARSHIPS Students who demonstrate outstanding ability across several areas, including academic excellence and community leadership may be eligible for a general excellence scholarship. These scholarships reward students who look beyond school life for opportunities to succeed, such as volunteering, fundraising or sports team captaincy. The key to securing one of these scholarships is to retain documentation from all relevant associations, such as personal references, community awards or participation certificates. Encourage your child to request such documents if they are not offered and use these to build a portfolio of experiences. Once again, consistency and ongoing enthusiasm for both scholarly achievements and community involvement will be well received. OTHER TYPES OF SCHOLARSHIPS • Scholarships linked with industry, which encourage students towards a specific career. • Scholarships available for people of specific nationalities or faith groups. • Scholarships offered to Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people. • Scholarships for people who live in a particular town or city. • Scholarships for people experiencing illness or hardship. The Queensland government also offers limited school scholarships. Most of these are directed at Year 12 students for the purpose of career development. The scholarship system is highly competitive, but by researching your options and preparing in advance, you can help your child realise their potential through education. The effort involved is well worth it if it reduces your family’s financial burdens and sets your child on the path to long term success.
FURTHER INFORMATION: www.acer.edu.au/scholarship-parents/queensland www.edutest.com.au/schools.htm www.education.qld.gov.au/students/grants/ scholarships
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