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 2009 are valued at $2,207 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.
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 2009 are valued at $4,415 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.
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 2009 are valued at $4,166. 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. More information on USQ Equity Scholarships may be found at: http://www.usq.edu.au/scholarships/equity.htm
How to apply
Applications for the Commonwealth Scholarships Program and USQ Equity Scholarships are made online via QTAC at www.qtac.edu.au.
Commencing students must lodge their QTAC application for admission to tertiary study, and, if they believe they are eligible, lodge aScholarship 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.
Currently enrolled USQ students may lodge their scholarship application directly through QTAC.
Commonwealth Scholarships- 2010
The application process for Commonwealth Scholarships is expected to change in 2010 due to the Australian Government's 2009-10 Budget proposal to transfer Commonwealth Scholarships to Centrelink. Full details are available in the document "Transforming Australia's Higher Education System" on the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) website. As updated information regarding the application process for 2010 becomes available it will be posted on the USQ Scholarships website.
Students who received a Commonwealth Scholarship in 2009 or earlier do not need to reapply for 2010 and will continue to be administered and paid by USQ.
When to apply
Applications for Semester 2 close on Friday 26 June 2009.
How will I know if I get a Commonwealth or USQ Equity scholarship?
If you are successful, you will receive a "conditional" scholarship offer from QTAC. You will then be asked to submit documentation supporting your scholarship application to USQ. 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