About the scholarship

The scholarships went beyond financial assistance, with the Department of Education supporting scholarship recipients throughout their studies by linking them with mentoring programs and other support.

The program linked students with an appropriate mentor for the duration of their studies.

An increase in Aboriginal early childhood teachers will help ensure that Aboriginal perspectives are embedded in early childhood education, and that preschools are welcoming and inclusive places for all children.

Scholarship awards

There were 15 scholarships available in 2020.

Successful applicants were offered a scholarship of up to $20,000 to complete a four-year equivalent bachelor level early childhood education teaching qualification (or similar).

Eligibility criteria

Interested applicants did not need to be currently working in the education sector to apply. To be eligible to apply for an Aboriginal Early Childhood Teaching Scholarship, applicants had to:

• be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent
• identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person
• be accepted as such by the community in which they live or have lived
• be a resident of NSW
• intend to enrol or already be enrolled in a bachelors degree leading to a four-year equivalent bachelor level early childhood education teaching qualification (or similar), recognised by the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA)
• not be in receipt of any other scholarship funding related to the course for which the scholarship is sought, with the exception of:
  • Scholars who were taking part in the ECED Rural and Remote ECT scholarship program who could satisfy the remaining criteria. These scholars were invited to transfer into the first round of the program. Further payments for these scholars were adjusted according to payments already received under the Rural and Remote scholarship program.

Application process

Applications closed 10 November 2019.

Applicants were asked to supply:

• verified copy of proof of identity
• details of the degree in which they intended to enrol in/were enrolled in
• a supporting statement detailing motivation to engage in early childhood education as a career
• details of any prior early childhood qualifications
• details of employment if they were employed within an early childhood education service.

Payments

• Successful applicants were offered a scholarship of up to $20,000 to complete a four-year equivalent bachelor level early childhood education teaching qualification (or similar)
• Payments were made via EFT in instalments over the course of the degree
• Payments were proportional to the study load undertaken by successful applicants, as well as whether study was undertaken in semesters or trimesters
• One payment was made per semester/trimester. This payment was made after the department received evidence of enrolment beyond the relevant census date for each semester/trimester.
• The relevant evidence provided had to be to the satisfaction of the department, otherwise the applicable instalment could be withheld
• A scholar who was unsuccessful in completing a course/s was not able to reapply for financial support for that course
• In 2020, payments for successful applicants who were completing their qualifications or transferring to the program from the ECED Rural and Remote ECT scholarship program were adjusted to reflect a total proportional to the number of units required to complete the qualification.

Use of Funds

• Successful applicants were required to sign a Deed of Agreement setting out the terms and conditions of the scholarship
• Scholarship recipients could decide how best to use the funds to support their studies. This included, but was not limited to, the purchase or hire of textbooks and resources, costs associated with attending study sessions, technology to support study, or course fees
• Scholarship recipients could defer their study for a maximum of 12 months, with the department's prior approval.

Notification

The department contacted applicants about the outcome of their application.

Contact details

For more information about the Aboriginal Early Childhood Education Scholarships, please contact:

Early Childhood Education Directorate
Strategic Projects Team
1800 619 113
AboriginalprogramsECED@det.nsw.edu.au

For more information regarding accredited teacher education programs please visit the Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority website.