Commonwealth Scholarships for Indigenous Students

The Commonwealth Government offers a significant number of scholarships each year for Indigenous students studying at the University of Adelaide through Commonwealth income support scholarships. The scholarships are to assist Indigenous students from low socio-economic backgrounds, particularly those from rural and regional areas, with the costs associated with higher education.

There are five categories of Commonwealth scholarships available to Indigenous students in 2012:

Indigenous Access Scholarship (IAS)

This Scholarship is provided under the Commonwealth Scholarships program to assist Indigenous students from regional or remote areas who are in financial need.  In 2012 the value of the scholarship is $4,485.

Students must be enrolled in or undertaking a foundation course with Wilto Yerlo, an undergraduate program or the Graduate Diploma of Education at the University of Adelaide.  This scholarship is held for a maximum of one (1 year) or a maximum of two (2) half years subject to continuing financial disadvantage.

Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarship (Indigenous Enabling) (CAS IE)

This Scholarship is provided under the Commonwealth Scholarships program to assist Indigenous students from regional or remote areas who are in financial need with accommodation costs. In 2012, the value of the scholarship is $4,754 and is indexed in subsequent years.

Students must be enrolled in or undertaking a foundation course with Wilto Yerlo. This scholarship is held for a maximum of one (1 year) or a maximum of two (2) half years subject to satisfactory academic progress and continuing financial disadvantage.

Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarship (Indigenous Enabling) (CECS IE)

This scholarship is provided under the Commonwealth program to assist with education costs for Indigenous students in financial need.  In 2012, the value of the scholarship is $2,377.  The amount is indexed in subsequent years.

Students must be enrolled in or undertaking a foundation course with Wilto Yerlo.  This scholarship is held for a maximum of one (1 year) or a maximum of two (2) half years subject to continuing financial disadvantage.

Indigenous Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarship (ICAS)

This Scholarship is provided under the Commonwealth Scholarships program to assist Indigenous students from regional or remote areas who are in financial need with accommodation costs. In 2012, the value of the scholarship is $4,754 and is indexed in subsequent years.

Students must be enrolled in or undertaking an undergraduate program of study or the Graduate Diploma of Education at the University of Adelaide. This scholarship is held for a maximum of one (4 years) or a maximum of eight (8) half years subject to satisfactory academic progress and continuing financial disadvantage.

Indigenous Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarship (ICECS)

This scholarship is provided under the Commonwealth program to assist with education costs for Indigenous students in financial need.  In 2012, the value of the scholarship is $2,377.  The amount is indexed in subsequent years.

Students must be enrolled in or undertaking an undergraduate program of study or the Graduate Diploma of Education at the University of Adelaide. This scholarship is held for a maximum of one (4 years) or a maximum of eight (8) half years subject to continuing financial disadvantage.

Current Scholarship recipients

Indigenous students who currently receive a Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarship or a Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarship, and who maintain their eligibility, will continue to receive their Commonwealth Scholarship payments until their scholarship entitlement has been consumed.

Indigenous students who undertook a foundation program in 2011 and received a Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarship – Indigenous Enabling or a Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarship – Indigenous Enabling, will automatically be awarded an Indigenous Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarship and/or an Indigenous Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarship (depending on eligibility) if they continue on to an undergraduate program at the University of Adelaide in 2012.

New Start Up and Relocation Scholarships

Indigenous students undertaking undergraduate study at the University of Adelaide who are in receipt of Youth Allowance, Austudy or ABSTUDY may also be eligible for the Student Start-up Scholarship.  If they meet the criteria for having to live away from their family home in order to study, they may also be eligible for a Relocation Scholarship.

Further information on these scholarships can be obtained from Centrelink on 13 24 90 or via their website www.centrelink.gov.au.  

Students may receive either a Student Start-Up scholarship from Centrelink, or an ICECS or CECS IE from the University of Adelaide but may not receive both.

Students may receive either a Relocation Scholarship from Centrelink, or an ICAS or CAS IE from the University of Adelaide, but may not receive both.