Fleet Air Arm Association of Australia

Scholarships Available

Updated 12 July 2010

In 2011 the Australian Veterans' Children Assistance Trust (AVCAT) is expecting to give financial assistance for up to 65 students under different scholarship schemes.

All schemes help the selected children with the costs of tertiary education. Applicants are considered for all schemes for which they are eligible.

Applications open on 18 August 2010. To apply you must be:

• Within the means test. That is eligible on assets and income grounds for Youth Allowance benefits for full-time education;
• Enrolled, or planning to enrol in a full-time course of tertiary education in Australia by attendance at a university, TAFE or college. The course must be of one or more academic years length and at undergraduate level;
• The child or grandchild of a person who has operational service with the Australian Navy, Army or Air Force, or if not has three or more year's continuous full-time service as a member of the Australian Defence Force;
• Under the age of 25 when applying, unless exceptional circumstances related to veteran's service exist.

The largest scheme is the Long Tan Bursary funded by the Australian Government. There are 50 new bursaries each year. They are valued at $9,000 each which is paid at $3,000 per year for three years. There are selection quotas for each State and Territory. To apply you must be the child of an Australian Vietnam Veteran, be resident in Australia, be entering any year of tertiary study, having not previously received a Long Tan Bursary.

The other national schemes are the AVCAT Bursary, the two RSL Scholarships, three Vietnam Veterans' Peacekeepers and Peacemakers Scholarship and the Defence Force Welfare Association Scholarship.

George Quinsey Scholarships directly pay tuition fees for economics, commerce and accountancy studies.

There are also regional scholarships. In NSW, there are three from Brisbane Water Legacy covering Gosford/Wyong NSW and one from the NSW TPI Association. Some private donors offer two scholarships to resident NSW applicants. In SA, the VVAA also offers a scholarship.

Schemes vary between $3,000 and $5,000 per year each. Some are restricted to location of residence or studies. Most require veteran service in Vietnam but others are broader in eligibility criteria. Most schemes continue payments for later years of study.

All scholarship schemes but one pays monthly instalments. That scheme helps with tuition costs for courses in commerce, economics and accountancy. In addition to the above there is one grant per year to assist a handicapped eligible veteran's child or grandchild with special extra costs of transition to tertiary studies or employment.

To receive an application form register interest on 1800 620 361. Children and grandchildren of Vietnam veterans should do so now, as should any others who believe that they are eligible. If not sure, ask.

Applications close on 31 October each year.

For more information, see www.avcat.org.au.

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