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ACCOMMODATION SCHOLARSHIPS FOR INDIGENOUS TERTIARY STUDENTS

​EMPOWERING YOUR ACADEMIC JOURNEY

Are you thinking about studying at a university in Western Australia?

ABOUT THE

 SCHOLARSHIP

 THE MINNIE BAIRSTOW SCHOLARSHIP ASSISTS WITH RENT, HELPING STUDENTS TO ACHIEVE THEIR ACADEMIC GOALS.

WE

help students with the cost of accommodation while at university.

SUPPORT

with rent for the duration of the university course.

YOU

can receive up to $12,000 annually to help with accommodation costs.

APPLICATIONS DATES
Open Monday 20 January 2025

Close Sunday 16 February 2025

ELIGIBILITY

WHO CAN APPLY?

The scholarship is for tertiary students who:

1

Are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander

2

In financial need

Study and live in Perth, Western Australia while enroled in university

3

Receive Abstudy

4

Enroled as a full-time or near full-time, internal (face-to-face) student in a university course for at least one semester of the year applied *

5

Pay rent for accommodation *

6

Students who do not meet all criteria may be considered. 

* See FAQs for details

SCHOLARSHIP SNAPSHOT

APPLICATION STATUS

Applications open January 20th 2025

ELIGIBLE STUDENTS

Indigenous students in Western Australia

SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNT

Up to $12,000 per annum or $6,000 per semester

ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS

Universities in Perth, Western Australia

SCHOLARSHIP DURATION

One or more years

ELIGIBLE STUDY MODE

Face-to-face

(internal) study

THE SCHOLARSHIP
NITTY-GRITTY

SCHOLARSHIP DATES

The scholarship application opens each year in mid January and closes in mid February.

SCHOLARSHIP HISTORY

The Minnie Bairstow Trust, established in 1987 by Minnie Bairstow to support Aboriginal university students with accommodation, initially provided student housing and later offered modest annual scholarships.

 

In 2019, the Trust shifted to fewer, more substantial course-long scholarships to better cover housing costs and provide stability throughout students' studies.

The Trust supports students from all five Perth universities, covering a range of fields including Medicine, Architecture, Psychology, Commerce, Archaeology and more.

 

Recipients are selected by an independent panel of Aboriginal tertiary education professionals and Trust representatives.

 

The Trust is overseen by a voluntary committee under Baptist Churches Western Australia, with a part-time project officer managing applications and scholarship administration.

SCHOLARSHIP QUESTIONS

CHANGING LIVES

WHAT OUR RECIPIENTS SAY

"The Minnie Bairstow scholarship has changed my life...  Receiving this scholarship has also given me drive to succeed in my studies...  I would not be as successful, and in the position I am today, without Minnie’s support...  I highly recommend this scholarship to all those who have the drive and aspiration to grow personally, professionally and create a change that will ripple throughout their own lives’, their communities and beyond. Thanks Aunty Min."

~ 2019 Recipient, Bachelor of Psychology

 Murdoch University

HOW TO APPLY

ELIGIBILITY

The Pre-Application Eligibility Check at the start of the application form will help you determine if you fit the criteria for the scholarship. 

APPLICATION FORM

The application form is completed online and opens mid January and closes mid February. 

APPLICATION FORM QUESTIONS

Applications open Monday 20 January 2025

HAVE QUESTIONS?

NEED HELP?

CONTACT

Call or email our friendly Project Officer:

What's your question?

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