Equity Scholarships Scheme

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2012 Semester 1 Equity Scholarships Scheme application now available.

Applications for Semester 1, 2012 will are now available.

In Semester 1, 2012 the scheme will offer the following:

• Equity Scholarships ($2500 for one year)
• Equity Bursaries ($1000 for one year)
• Indigenous Commonwealth Scholarships
• Learning Potential Fund Scholarships (up to $5000 for one year)
• Equity Computer Scheme

How to apply

This year we have an interactive PDF form to make applying easier.

1. Download the PDF [575 kb]*
2. Fill in the details electronically
3. Print
4. Sign
5. Attach supporting documentation
6. Post or drop in to Equity Services

*You can request a hard copy form or pick one up from Equity Services or Student Centres on each campus.

Current Commonwealth Scholarship Recipients

Students who are still eligible to receive their CS in Semester 2, 2011 will receive their payment by mid-September 2011.

Commonwealth Scholarship recipients who received their eighth and final payment of their Commonwealth Scholarship (CS) or who are no longer eligible to receive further CS instalments are encouraged to apply for Semester 1, 2011 QUT Equity Scholarships Scheme.

Applications open in August 2011.         

Changes to Student Income Support and Commonwealth Scholarships

Legislation reforming student income support (i.e. Youth Allowance, Austudy and ABSTUDY) and Commonwealth Scholarships will particularly benefit students from low-income backgrounds and students who have to relocate for study, including rural and regional students. Key elements of the changes include:

• The parental income test has been raised so that families with two children studying away from home can earn more than
  $140 000 before their allowance is cut completely.
• Students are now able to earn up to $236 before tax per fortnight without having their payments reduced.
• The age of independence will reduce progressively from 25 years to 22 years by 2012, which will see an estimated 7600 new recipients of the independent rate of allowance.
• Where students receive equity or merit-based scholarships, up to $6,762 of this scholarship is now exempt from the personal income test. This means that these scholarships, usually paid by universities or philanthropic organisations, will have less of an impact on your fortnightly Centrelink payment.
• Students who live in very remote, remote and outer regional areas, who have to move away from home to study and whose parents earn less than $150 000 per year are now eligible for the existing independence test criteria.

Please refer to Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) for further information.

Other Scholarships

Students are also encouraged to apply for the various other scholarships made available through QUT including the Law Founder's Scholarship, Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship, Dean's Scholars programs and the Faculty-based scholarships.

To do this, you will need to lodge different application forms. Please refer to the Scholarships website for further information and application closing dates and forms.

Contact

Equity Scholarships Team
Phone: 3138 5582
Fax: 3138 5600
Email: equityscholarships@qut.edu.au