Commonwealth Scholarships Program

The Commonwealth Learning Scholarships (CLS) Program has begin since 2004. Since 1 January 2008, the program changes its name to Commonwealth Scholarships Program. The aim for the program is to provide choices in higher education and to open more opportunities of higher education participation by students for all range of socio-economic status backgrounds, including Indigenous students and students from regional and remote ares.

Higher education providers will assess applicants and granted the scholarship for students according to broad guidelines as determined by the Minister for Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR). The scholarships are not treated as income for Social Security and Veterans Affairs pensions and allowances, or for ABSTUDY.

2008-09 Budget Announcements


The Commonwealth Scholarships Program has doubles the number of available scholarships to 88,000 by 2012. This most recent expansion of Commonwealth Scholarships follows an increase in the number of new Commonwealth Scholarships in 2008 from 8,500 to 12,900.

Two new scholarship categories will be introduced in 2009 are as follows:

1. National Priority Scholarships (NPS) which is allocated for undergraduate students enrolling in priority disciplines
2. National Accommodation Scholarships (NAS) for students whom have to relocate to study specialist courses that are not available near their places.

Applying for Scholarships

The Commonwealth Scholarships program is administered on behalf of the Australian Government by a number of higher education providers approved by the ministers. Providers are compulsory for managing their own application and selection guideline and process on the basis of guidelines according by the Commonwealth. Potential students need to apply or forward their enquiries on application or any issues to the higher education provider where they are studying or plan to study.

Australian Government,
Deparment of Education,Employment and Workplace Relations
http://www.dest.gov.au/