The Elite Athlete Scholarship is open to domestic students undertaking undergraduate or postgraduate study, who are recognised as an elite athlete by the AIS, State Institute or Academy of Sport, the AFL Players' Association, Rugby Union Players' Association, Rugby League Professionals Association, Australian Professional Footballers' Association or a national squad member from Australian Sports Commission funded sports.

Eligibility 

• Domestic student
• New/commencing or continuing student in 2025
• Enrolled in an undergraduate or postgraduate course (excluding research degrees)
• Studying at Camp St, Mt Helen (Ballarat), SMB, Berwick, Wimmera, Gippsland or Online
• Must provide evidence of being an elite athlete as outlined above

Scholarship Amount 

1 Scholarship Available 

• If successful in being awarded the Elite Athlete Scholarship, students will receive the scholarship payments for a period of maximum 4 years, provided they continue to meet the ongoing eligibility requirements.
• Students successful in being awarded a Federation University Australia Foundation Scholarship will receive their payment in two installments each year.

The recipient will receive $7,000 to be paid as two instalments. $3,500 after the first census date and $3,500 after the second census date in their first year.

The recipient will continue to receive $4,000 to be paid as two instalments. $2,000 after the first census date and $2,000 after the second census date in their second, third and if applicable fourth year of studies.

Please note if undertaking studies part-time, the scholarship will be paid in pro-rata, half per year of the scholarship amount for up to 8 years of the degree.

Conditions 

• Active and enrolled for the full year post census date.
• Students who defer their offer or take a leave of absence will forfeit their award.
• Can be full-time or part-time.
• Must not be in their final semester of studying when applying.
• Awardees are required to attend the Foundation event at the scholarship-specified campus. 
• Students are to maintain current contact details. If you cannot be contacted by mail, email or telephone in relation to this scholarship, your scholarship may be terminated.

How to apply 

Read the Selection and Administration Guidelines to check your eligibility. 

• Once applications open you will need to complete the application form questions and provide the required written references. 
• Please note all applications will require two written references. If you are unsure what to provide in a written reference, please refer to the example reference.  

Reference letter

A reference letter is a written recommendation from someone who knows your situation well. This person: 

• should be at least 18 years old. 
• have known you for at least a year or for the entire time you were in the situation. 
• not be a close family member. 
• not live with you. 
• and be able to speak about your situation without needing you to explain it to them. 

Reference letters can be written by supervisors, co-workers, clients, teachers, or professors. 

Please note, that the reference letters must not be older than 12 months from submission date. Reference letters that do not meet the requirements will be deemed as invalid.

If you're unsure about what to include in a reference letter, you can look at an example reference for guidance.

Information Privacy Procedure

Please read the Information Privacy Procedure before entering your profile in the Scholarships and Grants portal. Entering and submitting scholarship applications will constitute your consent to using your personal information as detailed in the Information Privacy Procedure.