Tertiary Scholarship Program
We offer university and TAFE scholarships to young people who have grown up in out-of-home care.
Make a Difference
Scholarships for success
A scholarship will allow you to work less hours, and better focus on your studies
You may choose to spend the scholarship however you wish, for example on study expenses (course fees, textbooks, laptops and other tech, Wi-Fi), taking advantage of career opportunities (attending conferences and networking events, completing internships), or living costs (rent, bills, groceries, transport, health care etc).
The scholarship has made a massive difference in my life and made studying more accessible. It helped me buy a laptop, a printer and a desk, minimised the financial stress in our household, and gave me the ability to focus more on studying.
Tenayah, Diploma of Community Services
Eligibility requirements
Our scholarships allow young people with care backgrounds to study at their choice of university, TAFE and other institutions Australia-wide
To be eligible to apply for the Tertiary Scholarship Program, you must:
- be an Australian citizen or permanent resident;
- be enrolled, or intending to enrol, at a tertiary institution;
- currently be in out-of-home care, or have previously been in out-of-home care;
- be aged 27 or under;
- demonstrate that you are experiencing educational disadvantage and financial hardship; demonstrate academic achievements, commitment and motivation to study and to successfully complete the course to gain employment;
- correctly and fully complete the appropriate application form, submitting it by the closing date;
- include a personal statement in support of your application, that indicates how you believe the scholarship will assist you with their studies and in your future career. This statement should give a sufficient explanation of your background and current circumstances, enabling the Foundation to judge your eligibility, need, and merit;
- be willing to provide the Foundation with reports on your progress. These may include a written report once a year, a survey, and informal conversations throughout the year.
Graduation was something that I never thought would happen. I never thought I would ever be able to choose to study. When I wore my gown I felt very powerful.
Faraz, Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production
Apply for a scholarship
Our general 2025 scholarship round has now closed, however we are still accepting applications from students living in – or wishing to study in – Canberra and surrounding areas, including the South Coast and Illawarra regions.
Download the university or TAFE application form, save it to your computer, fill it in and send it to Program Development Manager Estelle Muller at [email protected]. Don’t forget to add all the supporting documents including your personal statement.
Download the 2025 University Application
Download the 2025 TAFE Application
Applications will be processed by the Foundation as they are submitted, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
Our scholarships for young people living in – or wishing to study in – the ACT or surrounding areas have been generously funded by the Snow Foundation.
When I learnt I’d won the scholarship I was absolutely ecstatic. A huge financial burden was lifted from my shoulders.
Danny, Bachelor of Nursing
FAQs
What is out-of-home care?
For the purposes of this scholarship, out-of-home care means living away from your family home in alternative care arrangements, including living with relatives or friends (kinship care); foster care; with permanent carers; in residential care; or any other relevant arrangements.
I want to apply for a Sisters of Charity Foundation scholarship. How do I do this?
Our general 2025 scholarship round has now closed, however we are still accepting applications from students living in – or wishing to study in – Canberra and surrounding areas, including the South Coast and Illawarra regions.
Download the university or TAFE application form, save it to your computer, fill it in and send it to Program Development Manager Estelle Muller at [email protected]. Don’t forget to add all the supporting documents including your personal statement.
Download the 2025 University Application
Download the 2025 TAFE Application
Applications will be processed by the Foundation as they are submitted, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
How do I fill out the application form?
- Download the form onto a computer and save it.
- Read through the application and make sure you have all the supporting documents you need (such as your birth certificate or passport, evidence of out-of-home care experience and your high school or post-school study results).
- You will need a referee to complete a declaration on your behalf – this cannot be completed by a friend or relative. Examples of suitable referees might include a teacher, case worker, school principal, registered counsellor or a past or current employer.
- Complete the application form.
- Write your personal statement (see section 7 for details).
- Sign your application form, and make sure your referee has signed it as well. You should be able to sign the form in Acrobat Reader, the free program that enables you to view PDFs. See here for more information.
If you get stuck at any stage of the process or need help completing the application form, please contact the Foundation directly on (02) 9367 1211.
Do I need to be a high-achieving student to apply?
No, but you should be able to demonstrate that you are committed to your chosen course of study.
I am not Catholic. Can I still apply for a scholarship?
Yes you can. Eligibility to receive support through our programs is not determined by religion.
I have already won another scholarship. Can I still apply?
Yes, you can still apply if you meet our scholarship criteria.
Can I apply for a scholarship part-way through my course?
Yes you can. Depending on the level of funding we have available, we sometimes can support students who have already completed some of their chosen course.
How much are the scholarships and what can the money be used for?
The scholarships are valued at up to $30,000 for university scholarships or up to $10,000 for TAFE scholarships. You can choose how you spend the scholarship money however you wish, for example on course fees, laptops, living expenses (rent, bills, groceries) or career opportunities like internships or networking opportunities.
Are scholarships offered Australia-wide?
Yes, we offer scholarships to young people from out-of-home care backgrounds in all Australian states and territories.
Do you offer scholarships for tertiary institutions other than university or TAFE?
Yes we do, however, please phone the Foundation on (02) 9367 1211 to discuss your choice with us prior to filling out your application.
What is the selection process?
Your application will be reviewed by our Scholarship Committee, which assesses each application against the selection criteria. The Committee then presents their recommendations to the Sisters of Charity Foundation Board for final approval.
I’m having trouble with my application. What should I do?
Please phone the Foundation on (02) 9367 1211 or email [email protected].
I don’t have my year 12 results yet. What should I do?
Just make a note of this on your application and submit your results separately via email to [email protected] when you receive them.
How do I find out more about the Tertiary Scholarship Program?
Please contact Program Development Manager Estelle Muller at [email protected] for information about the Tertiary Scholarship Program.
What is out-of-home care?
For the purposes of this scholarship, out-of-home care means living away from your family home in alternative care arrangements, including living with relatives or friends (kinship care); foster care; with permanent carers; in residential care; or any other relevant arrangements.
I want to apply for a Sisters of Charity Foundation scholarship. How do I do this?
Our general 2025 scholarship round has now closed, however we are still accepting applications from students living in – or wishing to study in – Canberra and surrounding areas, including the South Coast and Illawarra regions.
Download the university or TAFE application form, save it to your computer, fill it in and send it to Program Development Manager Estelle Muller at [email protected]. Don’t forget to add all the supporting documents including your personal statement.
Download the 2025 University Application
Download the 2025 TAFE Application
Applications will be processed by the Foundation as they are submitted, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
How do I fill out the application form?
- Download the form onto a computer and save it.
- Read through the application and make sure you have all the supporting documents you need (such as your birth certificate or passport, evidence of out-of-home care experience and your high school or post-school study results).
- You will need a referee to complete a declaration on your behalf – this cannot be completed by a friend or relative. Examples of suitable referees might include a teacher, case worker, school principal, registered counsellor or a past or current employer.
- Complete the application form.
- Write your personal statement (see section 7 for details).
- Sign your application form, and make sure your referee has signed it as well. You should be able to sign the form in Acrobat Reader, the free program that enables you to view PDFs. See here for more information.
If you get stuck at any stage of the process or need help completing the application form, please contact the Foundation directly on (02) 9367 1211.
Do I need to be a high-achieving student to apply?
No, but you should be able to demonstrate that you are committed to your chosen course of study.
I am not Catholic. Can I still apply for a scholarship?
Yes you can. Eligibility to receive support through our programs is not determined by religion.
I have already won another scholarship. Can I still apply?
Yes, you can still apply if you meet our scholarship criteria.
Can I apply for a scholarship part-way through my course?
Yes you can. Depending on the level of funding we have available, we sometimes can support students who have already completed some of their chosen course.
How much are the scholarships and what can the money be used for?
The scholarships are valued at up to $30,000 for university scholarships or up to $10,000 for TAFE scholarships. You can choose how you spend the scholarship money however you wish, for example on course fees, laptops, living expenses (rent, bills, groceries) or career opportunities like internships or networking opportunities.
Are scholarships offered Australia-wide?
Yes, we offer scholarships to young people from out-of-home care backgrounds in all Australian states and territories.
Do you offer scholarships for tertiary institutions other than university or TAFE?
Yes we do, however, please phone the Foundation on (02) 9367 1211 to discuss your choice with us prior to filling out your application.
What is the selection process?
Your application will be reviewed by our Scholarship Committee, which assesses each application against the selection criteria. The Committee then presents their recommendations to the Sisters of Charity Foundation Board for final approval.
I’m having trouble with my application. What should I do?
Please phone the Foundation on (02) 9367 1211 or email [email protected].
I don’t have my year 12 results yet. What should I do?
Just make a note of this on your application and submit your results separately via email to [email protected] when you receive them.
How do I find out more about the Tertiary Scholarship Program?
Please contact Program Development Manager Estelle Muller at [email protected] for information about the Tertiary Scholarship Program.
