Australian Veterans’ Children Assistance Trust (AVCAT) Scholarships

In 2010 the Australian Veterans' Children Assistance Trust (AVCAT) are expecting to give financial assistance for up to 65 students under many different scholarship schemes.

All schemes help the selected children in need of the Australian veteran community with the costs of tertiary education. Applicants are considered for all schemes for which they are eligible.

2010 applications opened on 18 August 2009. To apply you must be:

• within the means test. That is eligible on assets and income grounds for Youth Allowance benefits for full-time education
• enrolled, or planning to enrol in a full-time course of tertiary education in Australia by attendance at a university, TAFE or college. The course must be of one or more academic years length and at undergraduate level.
• the child or grandchild of a person who has operational service with the Australian Navy, Army or Air Force, or if not has three or more year's continuous full-time service as a member of the Australian Defence Force
• under the age of 25 when applying, unless exceptional circumstances related to veteran's service exist.

Long Tan Bursary Scheme

The largest scheme is the Long Tan Bursary funded by the Australian Government. There are 50 new bursaries each year. They are valued at $9,000 each which paid at $3,000 per year for three years. There are selection number targets for each State and Territory. To apply you must be the child of an Australian Vietnam Veteran, be resident in Australia, be entering any year of tertiary study, having not previously received a Long Tan Bursary.

Other national schemes

These include the AVCAT Bursary, the two Returned and Services League (RSL) Scholarships, the RSL Reg Saunders Memorial Scholarship (which is only for indigenous applicants), the three Vietnam Veterans' Peacekeepers and Peacemakers Scholarship and the Defence Force Welfare Association Scholarship. George Quinsey Scholarships directly pay tuition fees for economics, commerce and accountancy studies. There are also regional scholarships. In New South Wales (NSW), there are three from Brisbane Water Legacy covering Gosford/Wyong NSW and one from the NSW TPI Association. Some private donors offer two scholarships to resident NSW applicants. In South Australia, the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia also offers a scholarship.

More about the schemes

Schemes vary between $3,000 and $5,000 per year each. Some are restricted to location of residence or studies. Most require veteran service in Vietnam but others are broader. Most schemes continue payments for later years of study. All are scholarship schemes but one pays monthly instalments. That scheme helps with tuition costs for courses in commerce, economics and accountancy. One scheme is for Indigenous students doing substance abuse or related studies. For this scheme there is neither upper age limit nor a need to be related to a veteran. In addition to the above there is one grant per year to assist a handicapped eligible veteran's child or grandchild with special extra costs of transition to tertiary studies or employment.

How to apply

To receive an application form, telephone 1800 620 361. Children and grandchildren of Vietnam veterans should call now, as should anyone else who believes they are eligible. Please also telephone 1800 620 361 to check if you’re eligible. 

2010 applications closed on 31 October2009.

For further information please also visit the AVCAT website.