Fee-free scholarships
The NSW Government's Smart and Skilled Fee-Free Scholarships mean that students can get training to get the skills they need to get the job they want and their course fees will be covered.
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Smart and Skilled Fee-Free Scholarships are available for:
- young people who are eligible for a concession fee
- young people who are or have been in out-of-home care
- people who are experiencing or have experienced domestic and family violence and their dependents.
Are you eligible?
To be eligible for a Fee-Free Scholarship, you must:
- be wanting to study a full qualification up to and including Certificate IV (use the Skills Compare); and
- meet the Smart and Skilled eligibility criteria.
and
- be aged between 15 and 30 years when you start training; and
- be either the recipient of a specific Commonwealth Government benefit or allowance or the dependant of such a recipient; or
- be aged 15-17 years and currently in out-of-home care or aged 18-30 years and previously have been in out-of-home care
or
- be aged 15 years or over and have a letter of recommendation from a domestic and family violence service, refuge or other support agency.
You are eligible for one scholarship per financial year and a maximum of two scholarships over four financial years. This limit does not apply if you live in NSW Social Housing or on the NSW Housing Register (waiting list); or if you meet the out-of-home care criteria for a Fee-Free Scholarship.
Diploma and Advanced Diploma level qualifications are not eligible for Fee-Free Scholarships.
For more information on the eligibility for Fee-Free Scholarships please refer to the Smart and Skilled Fee Administration PolicyExternal link.
Contact us
Students with any questions regarding their Smart and Skilled Fee-Free Scholarship eligibility, should contact Training Services NSW Customer Support Centre on 1300 772 104 or email SmartandSkilled.Enquiries@det.nsw.edu.au
Providers requiring assistance with managing any aspect of their Smart and Skilled contract, should contact Training Market Customer Support Training.Market@det.nsw.edu.au or call 1300 772 104.