Commonwealth Scholarships

The Commonwealth Scholarships (CS) Program financially assists students on low incomes with higher education costs. These scholarships are aimed at students looking to undertake or already studying full-time undergraduate degrees and associate degrees. Scholarships are awarded to Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa on a competitive basis, and do not need to be repaid. The value of a Commonwealth Scholarship is NOT considered income for Centrelink purposes. 

There are different categories of scholarships with specific eligibility criteria. A significant number of Commonwealth Scholarships are available to students from regional and remote areas who need to move away from home to commence higher education. There is also significant scholarship assistance for commencing Indigenous students.

Types of scholarships

There are currently three types of Commonwealth Scholarships:

1. Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarships (CECS) provide financial assistance to students from low income backgrounds in order to help with the costs associated with higher education. CECS are indexed annually, and in 2008 were valued at $2,162 per year for up to four years. CECS are available for students undertaking: undergraduate courses and associate degree courses as well as Graduate Diploma courses in areas of National Priority i.e. teaching or nursing.
2. Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarships (CAS) provide financial assistance to low-income students from regional and remote areas. The scholarships aim to help with the accommodation costs associated with the need to relocate in order to undertake higher education. These scholarships are indexed annually, and in 2008 were valued at $4,324 per year for up to four years. CAS are available for students undertaking: undergraduate courses and associate degree courses, as well as Graduate Diploma courses in areas of National Priority i.e. teaching or nursing.
3. Indigenous Access Scholarships (IAS) aim to improve access to higher education for low-income Indigenous people, particularly those who need to relocate from a regional and remote areas in order to undertake higher education.  IAS are provided as a one-in-a-lifetime payment for students who are starting a higher education course for the first time at their relevant institution. These scholarships are indexed annually, and in 2008 were valued at $4,080. Recipients of IAS will also receive a CECS, and if they meet the additional eligibility requirements, they will also receive a CAS.

USQ Equity Scholarships

Your application for a Commonwealth Scholarship will automatically cover the USQ Equity Scholarships as well.

How to apply

Applications for the Commonwealth Scholarships Program and USQ Equity Scholarships are made online via QTAC at www.qtac.edu.au.

New applicants must lodge their QTAC application for tertiary study electronically, and, if they believe they are eligible, lodge an Equity Scholarship application.

Please note: the scholarship application is an optional and separate application; it is not required for consideration of a tertiary place. Your application for a scholarship will not affect your QTAC application for tertiary study. You are not obliged to submit a scholarship application.

Please also note: do not supply documentation until requested by USQ; any documentation must be sent to USQ, not to QTAC.

How will I know if I get a Commonwealth or equity scholarship?

If you are successful, you will receive a conditional scholarship offer soon after your tertiary study offer. You may then be asked to submit documentation supporting your scholarship application to the institution where you will be studying. Supporting documentation and material is not sent to QTAC. If you do not supply supporting documentation which matches the information you have submitted in your scholarship application, your scholarship offer will be withdrawn. If you wish to appeal a scholarship decision, please direct your enquiry to the USQ Scholarships Officer.

Further information

The Scholarships Officer
University of Southern Queensland
Phone:  +61 7 4631 5324
Email:  scholarships@usq.edu.au
Web:  www.usq.edu.au/scholarships