Submit Entries for ACT Youth Scholarship Program (Australia)

Deadline: 30-Jun-2027

The ACT Youth Scholarship Program supports individual young people aged 12 to 25 in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) by helping them overcome financial barriers to personal and professional development. Successful applicants can receive up to $500 to access education, training, wellbeing, employment, sporting, cultural, community, and civic development opportunities. The scholarship is designed to help young people strengthen their wellbeing, independence, skills, education, training, and employment pathways. Funding must be used within 12 months, and eligible applicants must apply at least six weeks before the proposed event or project start date.

About the ACT Youth Scholarship Program

The ACT Youth Scholarship Program provides financial assistance directly to individual young people who need support to participate in activities that contribute to their personal or professional development. The program aims to reduce financial barriers that may prevent young people from accessing valuable opportunities.

Support can contribute to:

- Personal development. - Professional development. - Wellbeing. - Independence. - Education. - Training. - Employment preparation. - Skills development. - Community participation. - Cultural participation. - Civic engagement. Who Is Eligible? Applicants must meet the program’s age, residency or education, citizenship, and previous-funding requirements.

To be eligible, applicants must:

- Be aged 12 to 25 at the time of application. - Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or hold an ACT Services Access Card. - Reside in the ACT, or attend a school or higher education institution in the ACT. - Not have received ACT Youth Scholarship funding within the previous 12 months. - Apply at least six weeks before the proposed event or project start date. The scholarship is intended for individual young people, rather than organizations. Additional Requirements for Applicants Aged 12 to 17 Young applicants aged 12 to 17 require parent or guardian permission.

They must also provide:

- Parent or guardian permission. - Photo identification. - Proof of ACT residency. Applicants should make sure these documents are available when preparing their application. How Much Funding Is Available? The maximum scholarship available to an individual applicant is: $500 The scholarship can be used to help cover eligible costs associated with approved personal, educational, professional, or development opportunities. Successful recipients must use the funding within 12 months of receiving the Scholarship. What Can the Scholarship Fund? The ACT Youth Scholarship can support a wide range of activities and development opportunities. Mental Health and Wellbeing Funding may support participation in eligible mental health programmes and activities designed to strengthen wellbeing. Self-Improvement and Life Skills The scholarship can support opportunities that help young people develop: - Life skills. - Confidence. - Independence. - Personal development. - Self-improvement skills. Skills-Based Learning Applicants can seek support for skills-based learning courses that contribute to their personal or professional development. Vocational Training Funding can also support eligible vocational training opportunities that help young people develop practical skills and improve pathways toward employment. Employment Support The scholarship may assist with activities or services that help young people prepare for or progress toward employment. Sporting Activities Eligible participation in sporting activities can be supported when it contributes to the applicant’s development. Cultural Activities Funding may also be used for eligible cultural participation and development opportunities. Community and Civic Engagement The scholarship can support participation in community or civic engagement activities that contribute to personal development and active participation. Equipment and Materials Funding may be used to purchase equipment or materials required for learning and personal development. Applicants should clearly explain how the requested equipment or materials support the proposed development activity. What the Scholarship Cannot Fund Several costs and activities are specifically excluded.

The scholarship cannot be used for:

- Retrospective costs. - Personal spending money. - Travel costs for companions. - Ongoing gym memberships. - Internships. - Student exchange programmes. - Reimbursement for costs that have already been paid. Applicants should ensure that the proposed costs have not already been incurred or paid before applying. Funding Must Be Used Within 12 Months Successful recipients must spend their scholarship funding within 12 months of receiving the Scholarship. This means applicants should have a clear understanding of their proposed activity and expected costs before applying. Completion Survey Successful scholarship recipients are required to complete a completion survey. Applicants should therefore be prepared to provide information about their use of the funding and the outcome of their supported activity. Why It Matters Financial barriers can prevent young people from accessing education, training, employment preparation, wellbeing programmes, sporting activities, cultural experiences, and other development opportunities. The ACT Youth Scholarship Program helps address these barriers by providing direct financial assistance to individual young people.

The support can help young people:

- Develop new skills. - Improve independence. - Strengthen wellbeing. - Explore career pathways. - Access vocational training. - Participate in community activities. - Develop personal confidence. - Engage in cultural, sporting, or civic opportunities. How the ACT Youth Scholarship Works Applicants should plan their proposed activity carefully before submitting an application.

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

Confirm that you:

- Are aged 12 to 25 at the time of applicati