Scholarships in Australia:
What you need to know!

Education in foreign countries is so expensive. How will I arrange the funds?

This might be the first thought that crosses your mind as you begin thinking about admissions to colleges in Australia!!

Funding your education can be burdensome, and it might even push you to reconsider your decision about enrolling in an Australian educational institution. However, it is mostly just a mental block because as you explore the various scholarships and financial aids available in Australia, you realize it is possible to pursue a good degree in Australia with the financial support available. 

There are numerous ways in which financial support will be available for you as a student in Australia; and, Starbright Overseas Education is here to guide you through the process. 

What is a scholarship? Is it the same thing as student loans?

First things first, a scholarship is an important and reliable means to ensure that your Australian dream is fulfilled. It is a grant-in-aid to a student, usually granted by an agency (mostly the educational institution), generally on the basis of scholastic merit, or for excellence in co-scholastic areas such as sports and participation in extracurricular/cultural activities. 

Student loans refer to funds borrowed from a loan provider (say a bank or other such institution) for a particular time period and they have to be repaid, usually with interest. Scholarships have no such clause of repayment, and are more like gifts to a student.

Scholarship opportunities for studying in Australia

The best part about scholarship opportunities for international students aspiring to study in Australia is that there are a large number of scholarships available and Australia is one of those very few countries where Government-supported scholarships are also available besides the institute-supported scholarships !

With the aim to inspire, encourage and whole-heartedly support students who wish to pursue education in Australia, besides the Government-based scholarships, many government organizations, private organizations, and educational institutions/universities provide avenues to avail both merit-based as well as financial-requirement based scholarships.

What do Australian scholarship programs cover? 

While some scholarships provide more holistic support, the majority of scholarship programs cover various aspects of a student’s life in Australia. And they may include –

·      Tuition Fee

·      Return airfare to Australia

·      Establishment allowance

·      Living allowance

·      Academic and other compulsory fees

·      Basic health insurance [Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)]

Is there a list of scholarships available for a student in Australia?

Some of the popular scholarships that will be available for you as an international student in Australia are-

Scholarship	Funding Mode	Benefits (in AUD)	Process for availing scholarship
Australia Awards Scholarships	Government based	Full tuition fees	Application through the Online Australia Scholarships Information System (OASIS) portal.
Australian Government Research Training Program (AGRTP) Stipend Scholarship	Government based	AUD 28,092 per annum	No separate application process. Eligible candidates are automatically considered for scholarship benefits.
Australian Catholic University (ACU) Global Excellence Scholarship	Institute based	AUD 2,500 per semester	No need for a separate application.
Allianz Global Assistance Scholarship	Institute based	AUD 7,500 per semester	Must apply by registering on the official scholarship page of ACU.
ANU Chancellor’s International Scholarship	Institute based	AUD 2,500 per semester	No separate application process, applicants are automatically considered based on the eligibility criteria.
		AUD 1,500 per semester	No separate application process for scholarship. Eligible candidates are automatically considered for scholarship. GPA on a scale of 7.0 scale will be used.
Deakin University International Students Scholarship	Institute based	25% of tuition fees	Students shall apply through the Deakin International Scholarship Program application form available on the official website of Deakin University.
Monash International Merit Scholarship	Institute based	AUD 10,000 per annum	Only the students enrolled at Monash University can apply for the 31 different scholarships offered by the University. Separate applications have to be made for each scholarship.
Melbourne – India PG Scholarship – Australia	Institute based	Covers living expenses of up to AUD 30,600 per year, relocation grant of up to AUD 3000 and health insurance	Selection is done on the basis of academic merit, application through university website.

Besides the above, to know more about the institute-based scholarships, have a look at the following-

University	Scholarship	Course	Process for availing scholarship
Monash University	Monash International Merit Scholarship    31 Scholarships are offered every year  Amount – AUD 10,000 every year for 3/4/5 years degree.	Undergraduate and Masters courses	Application to be made through separate application form & it shall be made after receiving full offer in terms of the given conditions. Selection based on academic achievement, assessment of the scholarship application statement (500 words), and the student’s potential to be an ambassador for Monash University.
Deakin University	DUISP scholarship/Bursary	Undergraduate/ Masters  courses	International student with student visa. Good academic score.
	10% Bursary	Masters courses	Bachelor degree with 55-59.9%
	15% Bursary	Masters courses	Bachelor degree with 60-64.9%
	20% Merit Scholarship	Undergraduate/ Masters courses	CBSE/ICSE/State Board: 70-79.9%     GCSE/A level: 8-9.9       IB Diploma: 27-32.9   Bachelor Degree: 65-74.9%
	25% Merit Scholarship	Undergraduate/ Masters courses	CBSE/ICSE/State Board: 80% or above GCSE/A level: 10 and above IB Diploma: 33 and above Bachelor Degree: 75% and above
	NDTV Deakin Scholarships- 50-100%	All Masters and Undergraduate Programs	For Masters courses: 80% or above in Undergraduate degree. Applicants should not have any back logs and must have finished the UG course within the specified time frame. Applicants must meet the Deakin University’s English proficiency requirements prior to admission.  For Undergraduate Studies:  85% or more in class 12th. Significant achievements in co-curricular activities. Applicants must meet the Deakin University’s English proficiency requirements prior to admission.
RMIT University	AUD 5,000 scholarships to study at RMIT University in Semester 2	Undergraduate and Masters courses at RMIT’s School of Computer Science and Information Technology	International students registering at the RMIT School of Computer Science may apply. Applicants shall have scored a minimum requirement of a GPA 3.2 or 75% in previous studies. Applicants shall have a current offer but not yet accepted.
	Science, Engineering and Health scholarships for Indian students	Undergraduate courses: Health and Biomedical Sciences Engineering Science	Applicant must be an Indian student enrolling in an Undergraduate program offered by the College of Science, Engineering and Health. Applicant shall have excellent academic background.
Charles Sturt University	Charles Sturt Foundation Scholarships  Scholarship value: AUD 1,000- AUD 10,000	Undergraduate Programs at Campus: Albury-Wodonga; Bathurst; Canberra; Dubbo; Orange; Port Macquarie; Wagga Wagga	International students who are commencing/continuing an Undergraduate programme may apply. Applicants have to provide proof of : –  Good academic score –  Community/Regional participation –  Career objectives and aspirations
Macquarie University	PG Scholarships for students from selected Indian institutions	Masters Courses – Faculty of Arts	Indian students who are about to complete Undergraduate degree from Macquarie University may apply. Students must apply within 3 months, before completion of their degree. Applicants must have at least GPA of 5.0 out of 7.0 (60%) in their UG programme. Applicants must meet the Macquarie University’s English proficiency requirements prior to admission.
Griffith University	Griffith International Postgraduate Coursework Excellence Scholarships	Any Masters course (except online, non-award, and offshore delivery)	Applicants must be having minimum GPA in their Undergraduate studies: -GPA (4 Scale) :  at least 3.0 -GPA (7 Scale) : at least 5.5  Applicants must meet the Griffith University’s English proficiency and Masters’ entry requirements prior to admission.  Applicants must be commencing students and registered for a full-time program.
Queensland University of Technology	QUT Triple Crown Scholarship	Undergraduate and Masters students in Business  program	Those students who have done their high school studies equivalent to an Australian Year 12 qualification may apply, provided they have following minimum GPA in their post-secondary studies:  -GPA (4 Scale): at least 3.5    -GPA (7 Scale): at least 6.25
	Creative Industries International Scholarship	Undergraduate program in: Creative Industries (All majors) Media and Communication Journalism Designing Creative Industries Masters program in: Advertising (Creative Advertising)	For Undergraduate course: Applicants must meet QUT’s English proficiency requirements prior to admission. Applicants who have done their high school studies equivalent to an Australian Year 12 qualification with good academic scores.    For Postgraduate coursework degree: Applicants should have a recognized UG degree award with 85% or more.
University of Canberra Australia	University of Canberra International Bachelor of Engineering in Network and Software Engineering (Honors) Scholarship	Bachelor of Engineering in Network and Software Engineering (H)	Existing UCC and UC students are not qualified to apply. Applicants must meet the English proficiency requirements prior to admission (IELTS minimum 5.5). University of Canberra International Bachelor of Engineering in Network and Software Engineering (Honors). Scholarship is not transferable across courses. Scholarship will be withdrawn if the applicants do not maintain a good GPA(at least 5 in & point scale).
Swinburne University Of Technology	Swinburne International Excellence Scholarship – Undergraduate Programs – 4 Year Degree	All Undergraduate  Programs (4-years)	Students having excellent academic background are granted this scholarship based on marks. Students having 70% or more in class 12th are awarded: 10% scholarship in 1st and 2nd years, 12% in 3rd year, 15% in 4th year. Students having 75% or more in class 12th are awarded: 15% scholarship in 1st and 2nd years, 17% in 3rd year, 20% in 4th year. Students having 80% or more in class 12th are awarded: 20% scholarship in 1st and 2nd years, 22% in 3rd year, 25% in 4th year. Students having 85% or more in class 12th are awarded: 25% scholarship in 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th years
The University of Western Australia	UWA Undergraduate scholarship (India)	Undergraduate Programs	Indian Students having a score of at least 85 in preceding studies mentioned for admission in the University may apply. Students must have excellent academic background. Applicants must be commencing students and registering for a full-time program.
La Trobe University	La Trobe MBA scholarship Scholarship value: AUD 10,000	Master of Business Administration Master of Business Administration (Advanced)	To apply for La Trobe University scholarships, applicant must fulfil all course entry requirements. Applicants shall –  Hold an offer letter from La Trobe University for a course to which the scholarship applies. – Have a grade point average of 70% or above from their Undergraduate degree. – Meet the course academic and English language proficiency requirements at the commencement date. Level and seniority of work experience, and/or a statement that details a contribution to diversity will also be considered in lieu of high academic scores in some cases.
		Master of Management Scholarship value: AUD 5,000	Master of Management (HRM) (Entrepreneurship and Innovation) Master of Management (Sport Management)
		Two year Master’s by coursework Scholarship Scholarship value: AUD 5,000	Various Masters Degree courses

The above list is indicative, you may avail more details either from the respective University’s website or with the help of one of our consultants. 

Australia Awards Scholarships are talked about so much. What are they?

As per the Australian Government, “Australia Awards Scholarships are long-term awards administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade with the aim to contribute to the development needs of Australia’s partner countries in line with bilateral and regional agreements”. 

Various benefits under this scholarship are-

• Full tuition fees
• Return air travel–payment of a single return, economy class airfare to and from Australia, via the most direct route
• Establishment allowance– a once only payment as a contribution towards accommodation expenses, text books, study materials
• Contribution to Living Expenses (CLE) – a fortnightly contribution to basic living expenses paid at a rate determined by the department
• Introductory Academic Program (IAP) – a compulsory program prior to the commencement of formal academic studies covering information on living and studying in Australia
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of the award (for award holder only) – provided to cover the scholar’s basic medical costs (with the exception of pre-existing conditions)
• Pre-course English (PCE) fees– if deemed necessary, PCE may be available for students for in-country and/or in-Australia training
• Supplementary academic support may be available to ensure a scholar’s academic success or enhance their academic experience
• Fieldwork (for research awards and Masters-by-coursework which have a research component where fieldwork is compulsory) may be available for eligible research students for one return economy class airfare via the most direct route to their country of citizenship or within Australia.

How do I avail benefits of this scholarship program?

If you want to get benefits of the Australia Awards Scholarship, you will need to sign a contract with the Commonwealth of Australia stating that you will comply with the conditions of the scholarship. Further, you will also have to declare and ensure that you will necessarily leave Australia for a period of minimum two years after completion of the scholarship. If you won’t, then you will have to return the scholarship amount, with interest !!

To check whether your country is a beneficiary of this scheme, either get in touch with one of our counselors, or visit this link. 

Besides Australian Government and Australian Educational Institutes, are there other international organizations which provide scholarships? 

Yes, there are several international organizations also which can provide support to you through their scholarship programs. They include-

·      Rotary Peace Fellows

·      Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship

·      CSIRO PG Scholarship Program

·      OFID Scholarship Award

·      Flowers Across Melbourne Scholarship – for design, technology and agriculture students

Are all the scholarships in Australia fully funded?

There are both fully-funded as well as partially-funded scholarships available for you in Australia. In order to avail a fully-funded scholarship in Australia, keep the following points in mind-

·      Have ample, well-researched information about the eligibility criteria, requirements and the timelines of the application process. This is facilitated by contacting the universities or the scholarship hosts directly through their official websites.

·    You shall apply for not just one, but several scholarships so that you stand a better chance to get a scholarship.

·    Having good grades, and a well-rounded academic profile is always going to benefit you as a candidate. There is going to be competition for sure, so you shall begin early and work sincerely. 

·     Your application shall be impressive, professional and error-free. 

What if I can’t avail a scholarship?

The probability of you getting a scholarship for studying in Australia is very high!! 

However, in the remote case, if you don’t get a scholarship somehow, then you can avail a student education loan. Lack of funds won’t be an impediment for you as the Government of India has now made it easier for the students to apply for education loans. 

You can avail loans from a large number of banking institutions- almost all nationalized banks offer loans to students who wish to study abroad. The banks provide funds considering the course, duration and the student’s requirement. Each bank has its own criteria and terms for offering education loans to students- for instance, the tenure of the loan, interest rate to be charged, the period and mode of repayment are different for different banks.

Be careful about the documentation process – the documents needed by the banks for grant of loans for studying in institutions in India are different compared to those that are needed when one applies for loans to study in Australia.

Role of  Starbright Overseas Education in the process?

We are there to assist you with the following-

• To organize and streamline the process for you.
• Find and shortlist the right university and the most beneficial scholarship for you.
• Coordinate with the university, help you complete the formalities, and avail the best scholarship as per your eligibility.