IBA Scholarship Fund
IBA Scholarship Fund recipients at an awards dinner in Canberra. (Front L:R) Janita Chapman, Charmaine Munro, Sharon Brady. (Back L:R) Ross Andrews, Kalina Morgan-Whyman, Sam Raciti, Yvette Carolin.
Are you a mature-aged Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person who aspires to achieve higher educational qualifications in business and administration to enhance your community?
The Indigenous Business Australia (IBA) Scholarship Fund provides financial support to enable recipients to achieve nationally recognised qualifications – with a focus on financial, commercial and/or economic management. IBA is seeking applicants who are able to share their qualifications to enhance their community’s economic and financial development.
Scholarships are intended for those who face financial barriers that might otherwise restrict their options for further study. IBA’s Scholarship Fund acknowledges that mature-age students are often required to make great personal and financial sacrifices in order to complete qualifications that will help advance their personal and career goals.
The IBA Scholarship Fund provides recipients with a broad range of financial support covering not only course fees, but day-to-day study expenses (telephone, broadband, child care, transport) and costs that may arise if living away from home (relocation costs, accommodation costs and travel costs for family visits).
Read about the Fund in recent articles from our bi-annual magazine, Inspire:
- Educating the Indigenous leaders of tomorrow (new window) – the launch of the IBA Scholarship Fund
- Learning to achieve, share and enhance (new window) - the IBA Scholarship Fund in action.
What type of studies does the IBA Scholarship Fund support?
Your studies should be related to the fields of commercial and economic management; for example, business, accounting, financial management, commerce, tourism management, and governance.
Qualifications can be attained through Vocational Education and Training (VET) or TAFE courses, Undergraduate degrees or Capability Training short courses.
Are you eligible?
Scholarship recipients Ross Andrews and Sam Raciti discuss their experiences in a recent article. (Click on image to read.)
To be eligible for IBA’s Scholarship Fund, you must be:
- of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent
- of mature age – no younger than 19 years old, and have not finished secondary school within the past 18 months
- able to demonstrate support from your employer, community or an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander organisation to undertake study
- an Australian resident.
IBA recommends you read the Scholarship Fund Guidelines (PDF 138KB, new window) for further information about the application and selection process, and the expectations and requirements of scholarship recipients.
How do you apply?
Once you have read the Scholarship Fund Guidelines (PDF 138KB, new window) complete and submit an application form.
An online application form will be available shortly. In the meantime you can download a hard copy of the IBA Scholarship Fund Application Form (PDF 134KB, new window). Hard copy applications can be posted, emailed or faxed to IBA (details are provided within the form).
Applications must be received by IBA by COB on 30 September 2010.
Does a scholarship affect my income?
IBA cannot provide advice to applicants about how an IBA Scholarship might affect your taxation status or other Australian Government payments. Below are some suggested contacts for further information:
- Visit the Australian Tax Office website (new window) (ATO) and enter ‘scholarships’ in the search facility at the top of the page. Or phone the ATO enquiry line on 13 28 61
- Visit the Australian Government Social Securities Guide website (new window) or contact your local Centrelink Office for information about Centrelink payments and scholarships
- Visit the Centrelink website (new window) or phone the ABSTUDY enquiry line on 13 23 17 for information about ABSTUDY and scholarships
What other Scholarships are available?
IBA only has one scholarship fund. If this scholarship is not for you, visit the My Future website (new window) for a comprehensive listing of other scholarships that may suit your circumstances.
For more information
Contact IBA Scholarships, Priscilla Garner by email or phone 1800 107 107.
Download the IBA Scholarship Fund fact sheet (PDF 250KB, new window).