Scholarships

There are three main types of scholarships offered by TAFE NSW:

Internal – Scholarships offered directly by TAFE NSW using funds received by donors. These scholarships support students across a variety of course areas and include merit-based scholarships, equity scholarships for those experiencing personal or financial barriers to achieving their study goals, and scholarships tailored to specific industries or fields of study.
External – Scholarships offered by sources such as business and enterprise, organisations, and other Government agencies.
Hunter TAFE Foundation – Scholarships offered by the Hunter TAFE Foundation, a charitable organisation that supports students in the Newcastle/Hunter and Central Coast regions through scholarships, grants and other financial assistance programs.

Eligibility criteria varies depending on specific scholarships. Generally, students must be enrolled and studying at TAFE NSW. It’s important to check the eligibility criteria, terms and conditions for each scholarship carefully to check your eligibility when applying.

The application process varies depending on each scholarship. You may be required to register an account in the TAFE NSW Scholarships Platform, log in to an existing account to complete an online application form, or download and complete a PDF application form and submit to the relevant contact.

Tips for applying:

• Ensure you have completed all fields in the form in as much detail as necessary before submitting.
• If the scholarship requires a referee endorsement, ensure you have notified your nominated referee so they can give your application the best possible referral.
• Have a teacher proofread your application to make sure there are no spelling errors.
• Include any and all attachments required to support your application. These can include: your TAFE NSW Academic Transcript if required, Certificates, Awards, voluntary contributions, letter of support, or any other recognition of your community involvement to support your application. The assessors want to know why you are the best person to receive the scholarship.
• Find out more about the free TAFE NSW Support Services available to learners, including literacy support if you’re finding it difficult to read or write your application.

Scholarship application periods vary depending on the type of scholarship. Typically, there are multiple application rounds throughout the year, usually coinciding with the academic calendar for delivery of Semester 1 and Semester 2 course delivery periods. Some scholarship programs are ongoing, and applications can be accepted and assessed on a case-by-case basis throughout the year.

Check the TAFE NSW Scholarships browse page regularly for updated application timelines and dates.

Students can apply for multiple scholarships if they meet the eligibility criteria for each. While you may apply for more than one scholarship at a time to increase your chances of receiving a scholarship, keep in mind that eligibility criteria for some scholarships states that applicants must not have received a scholarship from TAFE NSW or the Hunter TAFE Foundation within 12 months of the closing date of the current scholarship you intend to apply for, so you may only be successful in receiving one award.

Check the eligibility criteria, terms and conditions carefully for each scholarship you apply for.

After the closing date, all applications are assessed by a panel of representatives from TAFE NSW, and/or the donor organisation.

Successful recipients are selected based on a variety of factors, including academic performance, financial need, personal circumstances and, in some cases, industry or community involvement.

Each scholarship may have different selection criteria, so ensure you provide all necessary documentation and information relevant to support your application.

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) states that scholarship payments may be considered exempt income (non-taxable) depending on the nature of the scholarship. Visit the ATO website for detailed information on scholarships that are considered exempt income.

Scholarship payments | Australian Taxation Office

If your application is successful, you will be notified by the Hunter TAFE Foundation, or TAFE NSW via email or phone. The notification will include details about the scholarship award, how funds will be distributed if applicable, and any next steps.

Please note, this does not apply to External Scholarships offered on the TAFE NSW Scholarships webpage. You can contact the provider for details on how scholarships are awarded from external parties.

For more information about Hunter TAFE Foundation scholarships, visit the Hunter TAFE Foundation landing page, or contact hunter.foundation@tafensw.edu.au.

For more information about TAFE NSW Scholarships, contact scholarships@tafensw.edu.au.