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How to Get a Private School Scholarship in Toowoomba

Are you wondering how to get a Toowoomba scholarship to one of the best local high schools? Private school scholarships are available in Toowoomba but they’re highly sought after and things can get very competitive.

Full scholarships and bursary grants largely come down to your child’s results in the ACER scholarship examinations that are held in February. So how can you try to take advantage of this opportunity? Read on to find out the facts.

What is the difference between a scholarship and a bursary?

To get a scholarship (a set fee paying program) in a Toowoomba school, the student must be able to meet specific criteria. Usually they excel academically and get a very high ACER exam score. Scholarships can also be based on sporting or cultural achievements. A bursary is funding offered by elite schools at the discretion of the Principal on a case-by-case basis.

Usually, this will go to a student who is already at the school and doing extremely well but who lacks the financial means to cover their full fees. This might mean they receive discounts on their school fees or even free tuition if the school wants them to stay.

What is the ACER exam?

ACER is a nationwide test that happens in February to help schools decide their scholarship candidates. Skills tested include the student’s ability to interpret, infer, deduce and think critically. Tests are NOT curriculum based. After you enrol your child as a candidate you will then be able to access resources, mock exams and teaching materials to use to prepare. ACER online offers prep testing to any enrolled students. Once you have registered, you then apply for scholarships through the website. You might want to consider focusing on your desired school – applying for ALL the scholarships means your child will have to sit ALL of the tests.
Tests are available for students entering elite schools from grade five up to senior. Some schools will only choose you if you list their scholarship as your first choice so think carefully. Each test usually costs around $100.

What’s the ACER test? Find sample ACER questions to help your child prepare

Toowoomba private schools offering scholarships

How to get a scholarship will depend on the criteria set by each individual school. It’s vital to read up on the best school scholarship options for your child before listing your preferences through the ACER system. Take your time, call or email them to ask questions and be as informed about your decision as possible. This needs to be the right choice for your child and an atmosphere where they will be able to do well.

The Glennie School

Scholarship Name: Academic Ability, General (all-round) Ability, Isolated Children’s Parents Association, Glennie Old Girls’ Association, Helene Orton performing arts scholarship (based on music ability, results and financial need). All scholarship entrance exams typically offered at year 7 and year 10 for entry the following year.

Bursary Options: General Bursary – Financial Need

General Bursaries: For incoming students who, because of financial circumstances, would be otherwise unable to attend. Students sit the scholarship test and are assessed on academic performance and ability. Parents provide documentation certifying financial circumstances. Information is treated confidentially.

Fairholme College

Scholarship Name: Academic Scholarship, Music Scholarship (consideration for both is given to students who would not otherwise be able to attend the College due to financial reasons), Isolated Children’s Parents Association Scholarship (spot available for one boarder)

Criteria: Open to all students currently not enrolled at the College. Current students may apply for scholarship or bursary in conjunction with the financial needs application process. ACER Examination and interviews, along with provision of necessary certification, will form basis of process.

Bursary Options: Board of Director’s Bursary (for current students), Presbyterian Church of Queensland Bursary (for new students only)

Toowoomba Anglican College and Preparatory School (TACAPS)

Scholarship Name: N.S. Connal Academic Scholarship (Academic, students entering year 7), E.A. Gill and E.G. White Music and Performing Arts Scholarships (High level of performance with academic excellence, audition required), E.A. Hunt General Excellence Scholarships (all-rounders – academic, arts, sports and service). All TACAPS scholarships require ACER exam and may be sat by students entering year 7 and 11 in 2018.

Bursary Options: Head of School Rural Boarding Bursaries. At the discretion of the Head of School with the expectation that the student contribute positively and remain at TACAPS for the duration of their studies. Open to students entering year 7 in 2018.

Concordia Lutheran College

Scholarship Name: General Excellence Scholarships (for years 7-1) in the following categories: Academic All-Rounder, Leadership and Community Service, Sporting Excellence, Excellence in Music and the Arts. Special Category Scholarships in the following categories: Boarding, Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association, Past Student Association.

Bursary Options: Bursaries are available on application for students who, due to family circumstances, would otherwise be unable to attend Concordia Lutheran College. Contact must be made directly with the Business Manager to obtain necessary application forms. Offered for one year only to assist with short term financial hardship.

Faith Lutheran College, Plainland

Scholarship Name: Students who are currently in year 6 and 9 may apply for Academic and General Excellence Scholarships. Students who are in year 11 and pursuing a VET qualification, school-based traineeship or school-based apprenticeship may apply for a VET scholarship.

Students applying for scholarships will need to have made an application for enrolment prior to the registration close date or be students who are already at the College.

Downlands College

Scholarship Name: Academic, All Rounder and Performing Arts partial scholarships are available for years 7 and 10. Extensive details, including audition criteria and application forms, can be found on the Downlands scholarships link.

Scholarship Name: General Excellence (Arts, Sport, Leadership, Academic) open to all current and new student applicants.

Bursary Options: Equity Scholarships are offered in compassionate support of families who desire a Christian education but who, without financial support, would be unable to afford private education. Determined at the discretion of the College.

Scots PGC College

Scholarship Name: Academic scholarship (based on ACER for students in years 7-11), Scholarships of General Excellence (for talented students in years 6-12). Both scholarships require examinations and details for those can be found on the scholarships page of their website.

Bursary Options: Scots PGC College Foundation Scholarship Fund (Bursary for Hardship). For students who wish to attend but are not currently enrolled. Existing families, however, may also apply in cases of hardship on application to the Principal.

St Saviour’s College

Scholarship Name: Australian Indigenous Education Foundation Scholarship (for Indigenous students who are seeking to become residential students, are in financial need and are eligible for ABSTUDY), Catherine McAuley Scholarship (for students experiencing genuine hardship).

If your family is interested in a private school scholarship in Toowoomba there are many choices and opportunities available. Your best bet is to visit websites and campuses, call and email Enrolment Officers and make the most informed decision possible based on what works for your family. Good luck!

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Janine Mergler

Janine Mergler is a veteran Queensland teacher, graduating from QUT with a BEd majoring in Social Sciences. After many years in the classroom, Janine moved on to academia. She has proudly trained new generations of teachers in her role as a lecturer at Queensland University of Technology Faculty of Education. She has also worked in the Queensland Government as an education specialist, developing education resources and delivering community awareness programs to help families conserve water. Currently she is the owner and editor of Families Magazine, a publication specifically targeted at parents who value a quality education for children.  Janine leads a team of professionals who write about family lifestyle, early childhood, schools and education information and family-friendly events.

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