Description of the scholarship
2008-09 Budget Announcements
What does the CS cover?
Description of the scholarships
The Commonwealth Scholarships Program was introduced in 2004 to assist students from low socio-economic backgrounds, particularly those from rural and regional areas and Indigenous students, with costs associated with higher education. To be eligible applicants must be Australian citizens or holders of Australian permanent humanitarian visas.
There are two main scholarship types – the Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarship to assist students with general education costs, and the Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarship to assist students from regional and remote areas who have to relocate to attend higher education with accommodation costs.
The scholarships are not treated as income for Social Security and Veterans Affairs pensions and allowances, or for ABSTUDY.
A once in a lifetime scholarship is available to Indigenous students to assist them to access higher education. These scholarships are aimed at students undertaking approved enabling courses. Commonwealth Scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis and are non-repayable.
2008-09 Budget Announcements
The Commonwealth Scholarships Program has substantially expanded as a result of the Scholarships for a Competitive Future measure announced in the 2008-09 Budget. This measure doubles the number of available scholarships to 88,000 by 2012. This most recent expansion of Commonwealth Scholarships follows an increase in the number of new Commonwealth Scholarships in 2008 from 8,500 to 12,900.
Two new scholarship categories will be introduced in 2009:
- National Priority Scholarships (NPS) targeting undergraduate students enrolling in priority disciplines and
- National Accommodation Scholarships (NAS) for students relocating to study specialist courses not available near their home.
These scholarships:
- target students from low socio-economic status backgrounds
- do not count as income for any social security income tests
- mostly will be allocated to eligible students on a competitive basis and
- do not need to be repaid by the student.
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Value of the scholarships:
In 2009 the value of a Commonwealth Scholarship will be:
- Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarship (CECS) - $2,207 a year
- Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarship (CAS) - $4,415 a year and
- Indigenous Access Scholarship (IAS) - $4,166
The Australian Government:
- distributes all scholarships among those higher education providers who offer Commonwealth supported places and
- issues guidelines to higher education providers on awarding the scholarships to students.
See also: Higher education providers eligible to offer Commonwealth Scholarships
Each provider determines its own application and selection processes in accordance with the Commonwealth Scholarship Guidelines.
Commonwealth Scholarship Guidelines:
More information on scholarship types and student eligibility can be found in the Commonwealth Scholarship Guidelines
More information:
More information on these scholarships can be found at the Commonwealth Scholarships Program
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