How to score a private school scholarship: A guide to education’s ‘golden ticket’
It can have the same impact on a family as winning lotto – and it’s not just straight-A students who have a shot at securing a private school scholarship.
When it comes to school scholarships – the “golden ticket” that can save parents literally hundreds of thousands of dollars – it’s not all academic.
The private school prizes, generally granted in key transition years of 7, 9, 10 and 11, aren’t just for the super smart. They’re also offered for disciplines such as music, sport, drama and “general excellence” and to support rural students or those from families who are in financial need.
Many parents start their kids early – as young as five or six, years before registrations even open – to maximise chances of securing an elusive scholarship.
“It could cost a couple of grand but it could get you a quarter of a million-dollar prize if you get a full scholarship to a top school,” says Paul O’Shannassy, founder of Regent Consulting, which helps families in NSW and Victoria choose the right school.
“Parents need to be aware that it is an extremely competitive environment and obtaining a scholarship is very difficult.”
Schools generally outsource their academic tests to a private company – the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER), Edutest or Academic Assessment Services – but parents can also pay to shop their child’s results to a number of private schools.
“The most common mistake is focusing on just one or two schools, in doing so elevating the pressure on the child to obtain a scholarship from that school,” says Dr Jarrod Hingston, ACER’s head of student learning and progress.
Here is a guide to the scholarships available – and how parents can maximise their child’s chances.
SPORT
Mr O’Shannassy says sporting scholarships are generally offered directly by the school and come a bit later in a student’s school life when they have established themselves as a talented prospect.
They cover traditional sports such as Australian rules football, rugby league and union, cricket, athletics, swimming and rowing.
Carlton champ Chris Judd had a scholarship to Caulfield Grammar. “Caulfield can forever use that as a promotional tool for future students, that Chris Judd is an old boy,” Mr O’Shannassy says.
Schools are not just looking for raw talent. Kids with exceptional skill can boost their chances by displaying excellent character, dedication to their sport and training and impressive academic results
ACADEMIC
Used by schools to isolate students who excel academically, most private schools offer full and half scholarships.
Children can start studying for scholarships years before they sit for them, an investment that could pay big dividends and save money, says Mr O’Shannassy.
The exam is usually held a year before the scholarship starts. Registrations open about six months before that.
ACER’s head of student learning and progress Dr Hingston says children should be “widely read and have a love of learning”.
He says the best thing parents can do is “help their child to feel encouraged and supported”.
“The more positive they feel about the experience, the less likely they are to feel anxious,” he says.
Practice tests can be purchased from ACER’s website after parents have registered their child for the exam.
GENERAL EXCELLENCE
This scholarship rewards students who stand out across the board – community service, general character and academic performance. “They might not be the top of the tree when it comes to academics but they’re generally very strong and they’ve got other things that make them a good candidate for a scholarship,” Mr O’Shannassy says.
Getting involved in community groups like Scouts or volunteering for a charity can boost credentials.
“We know that schools look at the whole student, not just their test scores, so it’s good for children to have other interests or strings to their bow if they’re applying for scholarships,” says Dr Hingston.
MUSIC
Student musicians and singers must perform a live audition and take sight-reading and aural tests to qualify for these scholarships. Evidence of musicianship – private tuition or music exam results – is also required. Successful students must make an ongoing commitment to the school’s orchestral and musical ensembles and be prepared to take a leading role in their performances and events.
Scholarships are given for vocal musicians as well as those who play traditional instruments such as piano, violin, flute and brass. Some schools also offer specialist programs for “rare” instruments such as the tuba, oboe or bassoon, which could be an option for musically gifted students seeking a point of difference.
DRAMA
A drama scholarship at Adelaide’s Scotch College was the launching pad for Hollywood superstar Sarah Snook.
The A-lister, who won an Emmy for outstanding lead actress in a drama series last year for her role in the acclaimed series Succession, graduated from Scotch College in 2005.
Drama scholarships give young people a chance to follow in her footsteps and chase a career in acting – and at the same time snare a free education.
Submitting criteria for these scholarships varies from school to school but usually involves one or two audition pieces plus a group workshop and also an interview.
Students must be able to demonstrate their passion for drama, with experience in community theatre, drama clubs or private tuition and school productions. Be sure to include a highlights reel of past performances and references from teachers or mentors in any application.
Scholarship recipients will be expected to take leading roles in school productions.
BOARDING
Offered at boarding schools to students from regional or remote areas, these scholarships waive full or partial fees – which can cost up to $90,000 for Year 12 tuition and boarding – and may also cover uniforms, textbooks and technology and help with travel to and from home.
The lucky recipients will need to demonstrate strong academic ability, excellence in sport, arts, music or community service and leadership skills.
OTHERS
Equity or means-tested scholarships are offered based on a student’s financial need and give students with great potential the chance to attend some of the nation’s most expensive schools.
There are also bespoke bursaries for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
Schools also offer scholarships in their areas of speciality interest, such as languages, science, technology or mathematics and niche areas such as robotics or creative writing.
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Originally published as How to score a private school scholarship: A guide to education’s ‘golden ticket’
