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AUSTRALIAN VETERANS’
CHILDREN ASSISTANCE TRUST
Worrying About
Living Costs While Doing Tertiary Study?
In 2009 the
Australian Veterans’ Children Assistance Trust (AVCAT) is offering
financial assistance for up to 75 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.
Applications open
on 18 August. To apply you must be:
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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 Army, Navy or Air Force, or if not has three or more
years 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.
The largest scheme
is the Long Tan Bursary funded by the Australian Government. As part
of the Commemoration Program the value of each bursary is $9,000
paid at $3,000 per year for three years. Currently, 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.
The other schemes
vary between $3,000 and $6,000 per year each. Some schemes are
national and others are restricted to location of residence or
studies. Most grants require veteran service in Vietnam but others
are broader. Most schemes continue payments for later years of
study. All schemes but one pay 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 no upper age
limit nor a need to be related to a veteran.
The Long Tan
Bursary is a national scheme with quotas for each State and
Territory. The other national schemes are the RSL Scholarship, and the RSL Reg Saunders Memorial Scholarship, the
Vietnam Veterans’ Federation of Australia Scholarships plus the George Quinsey and the AVCAT Bursary.
There are also
regional grants. In NSW, Brisbane Water Legacy (covering the Gosford/Wyong
region), Legacy Club of Coolangatta Tween Heads, The Defence Force
Welfare Association, The TPI Veterans Association and some private
donors offer scholarships to resident applicants. In Sa, the VVAA
also offers a grant.
To receive an
application form register interest on 1800 620 361 .Children and
grandchildren of Vietnam veterans should do so now, as should any
others who believe that they are eligible. If not sure, ask:
Applications close
on 31 October each year.
AVCAT PO Box K978,
Haymarket, NSW 1240
FAX: 02 9281 9164, Email: vvt@accsoft.com.au Web:
www.accsoft.com.au/~vvt
Australian Veterans’
Children Assistance Trust Limited
ACN 008 609 032 / ABN 50 008 609 032
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