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Winning a scholarship can be an effective way of helping to pay for your education.
Schools, universities and other educational institutions offer scholarships based on various criteria. These may be merit-based or related to the cultural or social background of student's.
External institutions and benefactors also fund scholarships for various reasons, including needs-based or career specific.
Government schools
Some government schools offer scholarships or awards that are usually sponsored by an organisation to help cover the cost of specific educational activities. In most cases it is for students already attending the school. Talk to the principal to find out more.
In addition, the STEM scholarship for high school students is available for students to pursue mathematics and science subjects.
Indigenous higher education students
The Commonwealth Scholarships Program provides support to eligible Indigenous higher education students with the general costs of study and support where they have had to move from a rural or remote area in order to study.
International students
International students studying or planning to study in Australia on a student visa can apply for a scholarship offered by Australian-based organisations, institutions and government bodies.
Rural and regional students
The Commonwealth Rural and Regional Enterprise Scholarships (RRES) program helps Australians in regional and remote areas to access higher education. It supports people studying from Certificate IV through to PhD level.
Study in regional locations
The Commonwealth Destination Australia scholarship program supports both Australian and international students to study in regional Australia. Scholarships are offered to support the study and living expenses associated with studying a Certificate IV to Doctorate level qualification at a regional campus of an eligible tertiary education provider.
Universities
Visit the websites of South Australia's three universities to find out about their range of scholarships:
Scholarship programs offered by other universities in Australia can be found on the Study Assist website.
Vocational education and training (VET)
The Commonwealth Scholarships Program for Young Australians provides scholarships for young Australians from select regions to undertake an eligible VET qualification.
Scholarship for women
The Catherine Helen Spence Scholarship is offered every 4 years to a woman who wants to investigate social problems or study in the field of social science in Australia and overseas.
Applications are now closed and will open again in 2026.
Women don't need to be employed, studying, or attached to an organisation to apply.
The value of the scholarship in 2022 was $25,000.
Related information
Other websites
- Youth Awards and Sponsorships - Department of Human Services
