NSW Department of Communities and Justice Out-of-Home Care Pathways Scholarship

Scholarship Type:  Equity
Scholarship Group:  B

Value

• $7,500 per year for up to four years*
  _{*full-time, or part-time equivalent}

Citizenship:

• Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident, or eligible New Zealand Citizen**
  _{** Eligible New Zealand Citizen includes students who meet the criteria for HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP. Further details available here: Changes to fees for New Zealand Citizens | Western Sydney University}

Enrolment:

• new or continuing student

Program/s:

• any Western Sydney University undergraduate degree, or Foundation Studies, Diploma or Associate Degree at The College

Additional:

• have been (in the last three years) or currently be in Foster or Kinship care, as defined by the NSW Department of Communities and Justice

NSW Department of Communities and Justice

The Department of Communities and Justice enables or assists vulnerable people to participate fully in social and economic life and build stronger, more sustainable and inclusive communities. Sometimes children and young people aren’t able to live with their families for a time. They may have experienced abuse or be at risk of abuse, or their families may be unable to care for them due to illness, drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence or poverty. When children and young people can’t live with their parents for a time, the Department of Communities and Justice may provide or help arrange accommodation, care or other forms of support.

Supports include kinship care, living with foster carers or living in therapeutic care environments. The Department of Communities and Justice is working on a number of initiatives that aim to better prepare young people in out-of-home care (OOHC) and support them in early adulthood. Some of these initiatives will assist young people to reach their full potential, including participating in higher levels of education.

The Western Sydney University scholarships will complement actions that have already begun to improve the educational outcomes of children and young people in OOHC and young care leavers.

Application and Selection Process

Applications are to be submitted through the Universities Admissions Centre. Shortlisted applicants, as determined by the UAC Equity Ranking, may be required to make a written submission in support of their application.

Further information and how to apply can be found on our Equity Scholarship page.

Continuing Eligibility Criteria

• Recipients must remain enrolled at Western.
• Recipients must maintain a minimum GPA of 4.