University students often find that the "purse strings" are stretched to the limit and sometimes have a hard time juggling finances. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples studying at UQ are eligible for various scholarships, prizes and cadetships. It is worth checking out the list below to see which scholarships are suitable to your specific area of study. New scholarships, prizes and cadetships are offered throughout the year; and the information is usually posted on the Unit noticeboard and included in the Unit's e-newsletter, Birra News, and/or you can ask one of our Unit staff members. In addition to the list below, there are many scholarships and prizes available across the university. For information about other academic scholarships, available by application, contact the Scholarships Coordinator; and/or the Unit Reception office.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pharmacy Scholarship Scheme
The aim of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pharmacy Scholarship Scheme is to encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to undertake studies in Pharmacy at University. It is acknowledged that if the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are to be adequately met by pharmacists, there is a need for more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander pharmacists working in the industry. A total of three (3) scholarships valued at $15,000 per annum for a maximum of four years are offered. For more information about the scholarship please visit the website.
ABSTUDY
Centrelink ABSTUDY (Tertiary) is the main source of income-tested financial assistance available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students undertaking courses of study at Universities, Colleges or TAFE Colleges. Assistance for both full-time and part-time study is available. An application form must be lodged with Centrelink every year by each student. ABSTUDY applications are available from the website.
AMA Indigenous Peoples Medical Scholarship
The AMA Indigenous Peoples Medical Scholarship was established with a contribution from the Australian Government. The scholarship is offered annually and is administered by the Australian Medical Association with the help of an Advisory Committee appointed by the Board of Trustees. The purpose of the Indigenous Peoples Medical Scholarship is for the assistance and encouragement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders studying for a medical degree at a recognised Australian University. For more information about the scholarship please read the scholarship application and overview document and/or visit the website.
AusAid - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scholarships
For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students about to enter final year of study. For more information please visit the AusAid website.
Bid O'Sullivan Teaching Scholarships
Since 1999, the Department of Education, Training and the Arts has offered the "Bid O'Sullivan Teaching Scholarships" annually to assist Year 12 students from rural and remote areas who have chosen a career in teaching. The scholarships have been created to develop a workforce that is more effective of its client group and provides opportunities to enhance the number of rural and remote teachers in Queensland's education system. The scheme provides financial assistance to the student while studying an undergraduate education course at a Queensland university. Each scholarship is valued at $20,000 (before tax). Payments of $2,500 (before tax) are made every semester following successful completion of the previous semester's assessment. For more information about the Bid O'Sullivan scholarship, please visit the website.
Claud and Kate Delpratt Memorial Scholarship
Open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who are enrolled, or seeking to enrol, in the Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) program, or in a program taken as a precursor to the MBBS. This scholarship is awarded, as tenure becomes available, alternately to a University of Queensland student and a University of Western Australia student. Selection is based on previous academic results at secondary school and, if applicable, tertiary level; as well as social or economic need.
Value: approximately $7400 per year
Information: contact School of Medicine by email or phone (07) 3365 5481
For application: http://www2.som.uq.edu.au/som/CurrentStudents/PrizesAndScholarships/Pages/Other.aspx
Applications close: This scholarship was awarded in 2007 and is not expected to be open for application at UQ again before 2015.
Commonwealth Learning Scholarships (CLS)
The University of Queensland offers a significant number of Commonwealth funded scholarships to full-time undergraduate domestic students enrolled as commencing or continuing students in a Commonwealth supported place, and who are experiencing financial hardship. These CLS are offered in accordance with Commonwealth Guidelines. The university also gives special consideration to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to ensure that a fair proportion of available scholarships are allcoated to this group. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit once all eligibility criteria are met. To learn more about UQ Scholarships, please visit the website.
CPA Australia - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scholarship
CPA Australia offers up to five scholarships annually for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The scholarship will assist recipients to meet the educational requirements needed to attain CPA status. Scholarship recipients will be exempt from all CPA program segment fees and from the first year's membership fess as an Associate (ASA). The scholarships will be awarded each January and July to the best qualified applicants based on tertiary academic results. To apply for the scholarship, please complete the application form here.
Economics Scholarships
Applications are invited from outstanding Year 12 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students seeking admission to the UQ Bachelor of Economics program. For more details and application forms, visit the School of Economics website.
E.O.H. Handy Memorial Scholarship
The scholarship was established in 1995 by a bequest under the will of Maisie Elizabeth Handy in memory of her late husband E O H Handy. The object of the scholarship is to provide financial assistance to attend the University of Queensland. The scholarship is open to Indigenous students of Queensland. Selection is on the basis of academic merit, social and economic need. The scholarship is valued at $500. For more information please visit UQ Scholarships.
IBA Scholarship Fund
Are you a mature-age Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander who aspires to achieve higher educational qualifications in business and administration to enhance your community? The Indigenous Business Australia (IBA) Scholarship Fund provides financial support to enable recipients to achieve nationally recognised qualifications – with a focus on financial, commercial and/or economic management. IBA is seeking applicants who are able to share their qualifications to enhance their community’s economic and financial development. Scholarships are intended for those who face financial barriers that might otherwise restrict their options for further study. IBA Scholarship Fund acknowledges that mature-age students are often required to make great personal and financial sacrifices in order to complete qualifications that will help advance their personal and career goals. The IBA Scholarship Fund provides recipients with a broad range of financial support covering not only course fees, but day-to-day study expenses (telephone, broadband, child care, transport) and costs that may arise if living away from home (relocation costs, accommodation costs and travel costs for family visits). Applications close 30 September 2009. For more information about the scholarship please visit the IBA Scholarship Fund website or download the application form and guidelines.
Indigenous Access Scholarship (IAS)
The Indigenous Access Scholarship aims to improve access to higher education for low-income Indigenous students, particularly students who need to relocate from a regional and/or remote area to undertake higher education. Indigenous Access Scholarships are provided as in a once-in-a-lifetime payment. The scholarship is offered annually and in 2009 was valued at $4,166. Students apply directly to The University of Queensland. Application forms for 2010 Indigenous Access Scholarships will be available for downloading from UQ Scholarships in October 2009.
Indigenous Science Scholarship
Applications are invited from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students who intend to enroll full-time in the first semester in the year of the award, in one of the following programs:
- Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Marine Studies
- Bachelor of Biomedical Science
- Bachelor of Environmental Science
- Bachelor of Biotechnology
- A dual program including any of the programs listed above
Preference will be given to students from North Stradbroke Island in Queensland. For more information about this scholarship, please visit the website.
Indigenous Youth Leadership Program
The Indigenous Youth Leadership Program (IYLP) offers scholarships and leadership opportunities to young Indigenous Australians from remote or regional communities. The IYLP gives Indigenous young people the opportunity to study at high performing secondary schools or universities and benefit from practical leadership experiences, personal development and mentoring. This program is administered by FYA on behalf of the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR). For more information please visit the IYLP website.
Lambert McBride Bursary 2010
The Minister for Communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships announced the establishment of the Lambert McBride Bursary. This bursary was established as part of the government's recognition of the 40th Anniversary of the 1967 Referendum for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights. Further information for applicants are available here and the closing date is 11 January 2010.
Mick Young Trust Scholarship
One scholarship available for a financially disadvantaged Indigenous student enrolled in the Bachelor of Behavioural Studies at the UQ Ipswich Campus. The scholarship is valued at $2,000 for one year. For further information, please contact the Marketing and Development Officer, UQ Ipswich, phone (07) 3381 1068.
NHMRC Training Scholarships for Indigenous Health Research
The scholarships are awarded to provide support for research training or training leading to research areas of particular relevance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. These scholarships will be held within Australia. For more information about the scholarship, please visit the NHRMC website.
Nurse Scholarship Program: Rural and Remote Undergraduate Scheme
The scheme provides funding for undergraduate students from rural and remote areas of Australia who are undertaking a Registered/Division 1 nursing degree. There are 130 scholarships available under this scheme, of these, 10 scholarships are designated for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants. Please click the link to read more about the scholarship or download the application form. Applications close 23 October 2009.
Pallottine Aboriginal Scholarship
The Pallottine Aboriginal Scholarship is available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as defined in Australian legislation. The scholarship trust will pay direct to educational facilities the fees debited to students who are awarded the scholarships. The scholarships are restricted to post-secondary study, whether in academic, allied discipline, cultural, religious, sporting, and vocational. All training or study must be carried out at, or through, an approved educational establishment. Scholarships are awarded for a 12-month period. For more information please visit the website or download the application form. Applications close 30 September each year.
Pearl Duncan Teaching Scholarship
The Pearl Duncan Teaching Scholarship (previously the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Teaching Scholarship) was developed by the Department of Education and Training to assist aspiring teachers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent toward completing a degree and making a difference in education. The scholarship provides financial assistance to scholarship holders to gain degrees in education at Queensland universities. Scholarships are valued at up to $20,000 each. For more information about the scholarship, please visit the Pearl Duncan Teaching Scholarship website.
Puggy Hunter Mermoral Scholarship Scheme
The aim of the Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship is to help address the under-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in health professions and increase the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with professional health qualifications. The scholarship provides financial assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who undertake study in Nursing, Medicine, Allied Health, Certificate IV, Diploma or Advanced Diploma Aboriginal Health Worker Course or Health Management at a recognised tertiary education institution/University/Registered Training Organisation. The scholarship offers students assistance to the value of $15,000 per annum for the usual term of the course. For further information phone 1800 688 628 or visit the website.
Robert Riley Scholarship
The aim of the Robert Riley Scholarship is to promote the pursuit of justice and human rights for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through supporting education of young Indigenous people. Up to four (4) scholarships of $5,000 each will be awarded to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 25 years or under to provide financial assistance with studies in child protection; criminal justice system, criminology, human rights, juvenile justice, law and legal practice. For further information please visit The Foundation for Young Australians (FYA) website.
R.N. Hammon Scholarship
Applications are invited from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students who have successfully completed at least one year of an undergraduate or postgraduate program at one of the following institutions, and are enrolling on a full-time basis for a subsequent year of that program, or for a further program at that or another participating institution:
- The University of Queensland
- Queensland University of Technology
- University of Southern Queensland
- Central Queensland University
- Queensland Colleges of TAFE
The scholarships are tenable for the duration of the program, subject to satisfactory academic progress and annual review. Preference will be given to applicants enrolling for programs in the fields of Science, Engineering, Medicine, Dentistry, Architecture, Agriculture and Veterinary Science. For more information please visit UQ Scholarships.
Siggins Miller Scholarship
Awarded annually to an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander student enrolled in the first year of the MBBS program. Based on financial need. Applicants must demonstrate academic ability to pursue and complete the program. The scholarship varies each year. For more information contact the School of Medicine via email or telephone (07) 3365 5481.
Reg Saunders Memorial Scholarship
The Returned Services League (RSL) established this tertiary level scholarship for drug and alcohol abuse studies in 1992 for students of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent. The scholarship provides a $3,000 grant to assist with studies. For more information about the scholarship please telephone RSL Headquarters (02) 6248 7199.
The Ceridwen Indigenous Scholarship
The aim of the scholarship is to assist students or scholars undertaking study or research that will serve to benefit Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Australia. The words 'to benefit Indigenous children' are to be interpreted broadly, encompassing undergraduate and postgraduate study, pure and applied research, and including such subjects areas as Indigenous health, education, housing, commmunity planning and design; and quality of lifestyle. The size and number of scholarships may vary from year to year. For further information about the scholarship; please contact the Aboriginal Environments Research Centre or visit the website.
The Neville Bonner Memorial Scholarship
Established in 2000 by the Federal Government, in memory of the first Aboriginal Politician, The Neville Bonner Memorial Scholarship is Australia's most prestigious scholarship for Indigenous Australians to study Honours in Political Science at any Australian university. Application forms are now available for 2010. Closing date is 30 November 2009.
The Sally White/Diane Barwick Award
The award of $1,000 is awarded annually to a female Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander student who is undertaking; or about to start study at Honours level. The award can be used for any purpose. Candidates are invited to apply in writing at any time for selection in April of the following year. Apply to Aboriginal History, Box 2837, GPO, Canberra, ACT, 2601 or telephone 0419 736 459.
University of Queensland College Accommodation Scholarship
There are 20 scholarships available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who are seeking college accommodation for the first time at the Gatton or St Lucia campuses of the University of Queensland. The scholarship is valued at $400 and is to be used to assist with payment of the Caution Money (Security Bond) for the accommodation. The bond is returned to the Unit at the end of the year. Written applications must be sent to the Director, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit. Closing date is 20 October each year. For more information please contact the Unit phone (07) 3365 6699 or email Reception.
UQ-Link Residential Scholarships
The scholarship is valued at $6,000 (tenable for the first year of study only). The scholarship provides financial assistance toward accommodation for the first-year of study; is only available to Australian citizens or permanent residents who are undergraduate students who have completed Year 12 (or equivalent), and who have been nominated by the school for participation in the UQ-Link Special Entry Program. For more information about scholarships and UQ Link, please visit the website.
Zonta Bursary for Australian Indigenous Women Students
Zonta International is an international women's service organisation dedicated to the development and well-being of women worldwide. The bursary scholarship is a joint project between the Zonta Club of Brisbane Inc and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit at The University of Queensland. The scholarship is open to all Australian Indigenous Women students at the University, in any course of study (undergraduate and/or postgraduate) and will be offered to students who have successfully completed 16 units of study toward their current program at the University by the commencement of the award. Two awards will be offered to the vaule of $1000 per semester during the academic year. Application forms are available from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit. Applicants are required to complete the form, provide copies of academic records; a current CV, and a letter of Aboriginality. Finalists will be required to attend an interview. For more information please contact Reception or visit the website.