Fast Forward Leadership and Community Scholarship

Scholarship Type:  High Potential
Scholarship Group:  A

Value

  • $5,000 per year for up to four years*
    *full-time, or part-time equivalent

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

Citizenship:

  • Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident, International student, eligible New Zealand Citizen**, or holders of a Permanent Humanitarian Visa.
    ** 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 student

Program/s:

  • Any undergraduate degree, diploma, or associate degree

Additional:

  • Demonstrate academic potential by achieving band 4 or higher in two HSC subjects.
  • Demonstrate active involvement in the Fast Forward program at their high school, including participation in events.
  • Provide a referee report supporting leadership – community involvement.
  • Provide a personal statement outlining how participation in Fast Forward has contributed to their leadership while also outlining any other benefits gained from participating in the program.

Fast Forward Program

Fast Forward is a partnership between schools in the Western Sydney region and the University. The program encourages high school students and their families to see tertiary study as a realistic and viable post-school option and raises participants' aspirations for the future. The program aims to increase the higher education participation rates of students in the West by enhancing students' knowledge, skills and educational attainment.  The Fast Forward program gives students a greater preparedness for participation and success in higher education. For more information, visit the Fast Forward web page (opens in a new window).

Application and Selection Process

Applicants must provide a statement supporting their application indicating how they believe receiving the scholarship will assist them with their studies and future careers. This statement should give a sufficient explanation of the applicant's background and current circumstances to enable the University to judge their eligibility, need and merit.

In addition, Fast Forward applicants are asked to submit a further statement outlining their involvement in the Fast Forward program, how it has assisted them and ways in which they can help the program in the future. Applicants should also detail any extra-curricular activities they have been involved in and are encouraged to include the following documents with their application:

  • Documents demonstrating involvement in the Fast Forward Program throughout high school e.g. Fast Forward certificate - upload to Fast Forward Scholarship Support 1
  • A written referee report or testimonial from a teacher or other relevant person via reference from a schoolteacher - upload to reference from a school teacher
  • Any other supporting documentation, e.g. certificates of achievement of participation, copies of major awards or prizes - upload to Fast Forward Scholarship support 2 (optional)

Successful applicants will be selected based on their written application, academic potential, ability to meet the criteria, and, where appropriate, performance in an interview before a selection panel.

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

Continuing Eligibility Criteria

  • Recipients must remain enrolled at Western.
  • Recipients must maintain a minimum GPA of 5.