Students being prepped with ‘scholarship training’ years in advance, to get into elite schools

Parents are preparing their children for scholarship exams at some of the state’s top schools years in advance, in an effort to secure free or cheaper education.

Students are preparing for scholarship exams at elite private schools years in advance.

Parents are sending their children to academic tutors for years in an effort to win scholarships to some of the state’s most elite private schools.

Students hopeful of winning scholarships — often worth tens of thousands of dollars per year — will sit gruelling exams and be interviewed in coming weeks.

Lincoln Lai, founder and tutor at Lincoln’s Scholarship House, said some parents were investing in tutoring services as early as four years out from scholarship and SEAL testing.

“Parents who contact me well in advance are very eager to send their children to good schools in their local areas,” Mr Lai said.

“Some children are more focused on sports, while others have an academic focus, usually students apply for scholarships in areas they have interest in.”

Parents are preparing their kids for scholarship exams at some of the state’s most elite private schools years in advance.

Mr Lai, who tutors about 30 students – some who are applying for scholarships or already obtained them – said he advised parents not to let a scholarship define their child.

“A scholarship can be life-changing but if they try and don’t get it, it’s not a big deal.

“They might be an artist or a chef without going to university.

“Scholarship training is not only for the children; parents also have to take part.

“It does involve putting time and effort with the child so that they can achieve the best outcome,” he said.

La Trobe University education expert Dr Kate Lafferty said students should be “genuine” in interviews, or when writing about themselves as part of scholarship applications.

“This allows for the true individual to shine through and avoids ‘cookie-cutter’ responses,” Dr Lafferty said.

“Avoid the trap of responding with what they think others want to hear.”

Dr Lafferty said it important for parents to make sure the schools they were applying for scholarships at were a good match for their kids and to be aware that applying for scholarships could be a “nerve wracking” time.

Alphington Grammar will offer scholarships to students in 2025. Picture: Stuart McEvoy

Private schools including Geelong Grammar School, Caulfield Grammar School and Alphington Grammar School are among dozens of colleges offering scholarships in 2025.

Among the most prominent recent scholarship holders is Fremantle Dockers star Caleb Serong, who attended Geelong Grammar on a sports scholarship.

Serong arrived at the school as a Year 11 boarder in 2018 and was awarded his first all-Australian blazer in 2023.

Caleb Serong was a scholarship student at Geelong Grammar before he was drafted by Fremantle. Picture: Getty Images

Depending on the school, scholarships can be based on financial need, science, maths or language prowess, sporting excellence or musical ability; with the criteria for success varying accordingly.

Indigenous scholarships are on offer at most elite schools and discretionary family trust scholarships or bursaries are available at some.

How can I apply for a private school scholarship?

– Most private schools offer a range of scholarships for students, usually for entry in years five, seven and ten

– Some scholarships are purely academic and based on the results of an external exam like an EduTest or an ACER (Australian Council for Educational Research) test. Other scholarships are based on general excellence and may require the applicant to submit a CV, a statement about themselves and have an interview with the school principal

– There are also some scholarships based on financial need, sporting excellence or musical ability, and the criteria for success will vary accordingly

What do students need to know about applying for scholarships?

– Be authentic in applications and provide genuine responses

– Do practice tests on the EduTest website

– Students should be themselves in interviews, know about the school they are applying for, and consider not only what the school has on offer, but also what they will bring to the school.

How can I apply for a SEAL gifted program at a state high school?

– Eligibility for SEAL, which starts in year seven, is determined in a range of ways, including sitting an EduTest or other assessment exam such as the ACER Higher Ability Selection Test, NAPLAN results, and interviews with parents and primary teachers.

– The list of SEAL schools can be found at https://www.sealacademy.org.au/