Secondary students

The Foundation’s bursaries are structured to supplement the financial assistance provided by the NSW and Commonwealth governments. These include the Assistance for Isolated Students, Youth Allowance, Distance Education Student Allowance, Living Away from Home Allowance, Access Scholarships and Agricultural High School Scholarships.

Details of these may be found on their websites (see Handy Links box)

There are four forms of assistance for school students:

Boarding bursaries – $1,000 p.a. to subsidise a student’s accommodation. These are paid directly to the hostel or school each term.

Thru-to-TAFE scholarships – $600 p.a. for Years 11 and 12. This pilot program for 2011-2012 is designed to assist isolated students in a boarding school to meet the costs of a TVET course studied in Years 11/12 where it is not fully subsidised. It may include a tools and equipment start-up grant on attaining a TAFE certificate and/or HSC accreditation in the subject.

Thru-to-Uni scholarships – $2,000 p.a. to outstanding Year 11/12 students from rural remote areas who lack the financial resources to achieve their goal of gaining entry to university.

Application criteria

The predominant criterion is need, as evidenced by:

• Geographic isolation from schools and services
• Family income and assets
• Other special and exceptional circumstances

Most recipients come from areas designated as Exceptional Circumstances (EC) by the Government in view of the current drought.

All applicants must declare to the Foundation the allowances they are eligible to receive from the Commonwealth and NSW Governments. Boarding bursaries will not be paid if allowances meet or exceed the cost of boarding. Consideration may be given to school-based bursaries for such students.

All bursaries are for students to attend schools and hostels in rural NSW.

All bursaries are made at the absolute discretion of the Board of Directors and may be adjusted or withdrawn if the circumstances of the recipients change.

Applications for Boarding bursaries must be made on the Bursary Application Form before the beginning of the school year. No applications are accepted mid-way through the year. The next application period is for Year 2012 and applications must be received by 10 February 2012.

Applications for Thru-to-TAFE scholarships for Year 2012 must be made on Thu-to-TAFE Application Form by 10 February 2012.

Applications for Thru-to-Uni scholarships for Year 2011 must be made on Thu-to-Uni Application Form by 10 Febraury 2012.