FAQs

 
 

Who can apply for a scholarship?

All applicants must meet the following criteria to be considered for a Noosa Chances scholarship:

  • Display demonstrable talent and commitment to an education or career pathway

  • Attend a government secondary school, TAFE, university or Community Service Organisation

  • Be aged between 12 and 25 years when applying for a new scholarship

  • Demonstrate need for financial assistance e.g. AB Study, Youth Allowance, or a Health Care Card

  • Live or study in the Noosa Shire

Who can nominate applicants?

A nominator is a person who knows the applicant well in a professional capacity. This person could be a school principal, teacher, school welfare coordinator, or school career guidance counsellor. A nominator can also be a TAFE or university lecturer or tutor; a music, dance or drama instructor; or a professional from a community or welfare organisation.

Who cannot nominate an applicant?

Parents, guardians, family and friends do not qualify as nominators for Noosa Chances Scholarships. Tertiary students wishing to renew their scholarships nominate themselves; all other applicants must have a nominator.

How do I submit an application?

The nominator or renewing tertiary student must complete the appropriate Noosa Chances Application Form.

Once I get a Noosa Chances Scholarship, can I get another one?

Scholarship recipients can apply to renew their scholarship each year should their need, motivation and talent continue. This process can continue until the scholarship recipient completes their studies or training.

How much are Noosa Chances Scholarships?

Scholarships are tailor-made and based on the needs of each recipient. They average around $1,500 annually.

What can money from a Noosa Chances scholarship support?

Noosa Chances scholarships can support a variety of areas including, but not limited to:

  • Art materials

  • Computer software

  • Internet connection fees up to $300 per year

  • Laptops and specialist computers

  • Lecture notes

  • Maths calculators

  • Specialist lessons 

  • Stationery, printing and photocopy costs

  • Specialist study camps 

  • Specialist subject fees 

  • Textbooks

  • Transport costs

  • Tutoring and private lessons 

  • School uniforms

Are there items that a Noosa Chances Scholarship will not fund?

Yes, these include:

  • HECS debt

  • Living costs (food, electricity etc)

  • Sport

  • Travel or moving costs for recipients moving interstate or to rural areas for study

  • Upfront university fees

  • Year 12 graduation costs

How is the money for scholarships paid?

Following an approval process, scholarship funds are paid directly to recipients who must provide proof of purchase of items requested and approved.

Do Noosa Chances scholarships expire?

Scholarships will expire after 12 months. Any unspent scholarship funds must be returned to Noosa Chances.

When can I apply for a Noosa Chances Scholarship?

Scholarship applications open 1st of January and close 12th of March. The scholarship ceremony is held in April/May for all first time scholarship recipients.

Do you accept applications outside of the specified application rounds?

Noosa Chances may accept exceptional circumstance applications. Prior to making an exceptional circumstances application, the nominator must discuss the situation with the Noosa Chances leadership team.

Who decides if my application is successful?

Scholarships are awarded at the discretion of the Noosa Chances assessors to applicants who best meet the criteria and demonstrate their motivation to develop their talent, passion or pathway. The selection team reserves the right to seek additional information in respect of the application if it deems this to be necessary.

When will I hear if my application has been successful?

New scholarships are assessed and paid in March. Your nominator will be notified in writing of the outcome of your application. Renewal scholarships are assessed and paid in March. Your nominator (or you if you are a renewing scholarship applicant attending university) will be notified in writing of the outcome of your application.

Do I receive a certificate for my scholarship?

All new scholarships awarded and paid in March are publicly awarded at a ceremony shortly afterwards to which all first-time scholarship recipients, school representatives and families are invited. At these ceremonies, a certificate is presented to each scholarship recipient, and then the recipients and their families have an opportunity to meet with Noosa Chances representatives and supporters. Please note that certificates are not awarded for renewal scholarships.

Can the funds be paid to my parent/guardian instead of my school/organisation? 

No. For governance reasons all scholarship funds for secondary students are paid to the nominating school or organisation who are responsible for administering the funds. If you are a tertiary recipient the funds will be paid directly to your nominated bank account.

My needs have changed since my application was submitted; can I change what I spend my scholarship on? 

If you need to change one of the items you have been awarded , you must contact Noosa Chances to get approval before you buy the new item. In most cases you will be allowed to reallocate your funds. However, before you call us or choose your new item, make sure you look at the list of items (above) which will be approved for funding. 

Can my scholarship be cancelled? 

If you are not keeping up with your work habits or putting in enough effort at school, your scholarship may be cancelled and unspent money returned to Noosa Chances.