What you need to know about scholarships
While studying overseas offers a wide range of benefits and opportunities, it can also be expensive. Luckily, there are a number of scholarships on offer that can help fund your education experience. Scholarships can be very competitive, so it is important to do your research to find out what you may be eligible for. To help, we break down some of the scholarships available to international students in Australia.
Scholarship providers
In Australia, scholarships are offered by the federal government, education providers and some private organisations. You may also find some scholarships in your home country that target students looking to study overseas.
Government
In the 2017-18 financial year, the Australian Government provided more than $300.5 million in scholarships and fellowships to international students, including Endeavour Scholarships and Fellowships, International Postgraduate Research Scholarships and Australia Awards.
Institutions
The majority of university scholarships are awarded to postgraduate research students, although there is still close to $30 million worth of funding provided for other programs, including undergraduate degrees. Most scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit, but international advisers at your Australian institution will be able to outline all of the options available to you. Many larger institutions also have a scholarships database on their website.
Organisations
Scholarship providers are not just limited to the government and institutions — a wide range of organisations, both in Australia and overseas, offer scholarships to international students, including charities, international organisations, industry associations and large businesses.
What’s on offer?
Each scholarship will differ in its eligibility requirements and level of funding. Some scholarships may target students in a particular field of study or students from certain countries. Other scholarships may require the applicant to demonstrate skills, achievement or experience in a certain area, such as community service or leadership. Many are awarded for academic merit, while others are offered to students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Scholarships may offer financial assistance with tuition fees, living expenses or a mixture of both. They may cover costs throughout your entire study experience, provide funding for a certain timeframe (such as the first year) or simply offer a one-off payment.
How to apply
You will be able to apply for most scholarships online through the provider’s website. It is important to read through eligibility criteria carefully to make sure you include everything that is required — you may need to supply supporting documents, such as academic transcripts or a personal statement. Some scholarships are automatically awarded to students based on their academic results and do not require students to fill out an application. Keep in mind that scholarships can be very competitive and even if you initially miss out, you can reapply again in future years.
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