As of 1 July 2024, applications are open for Vision Australia's Further Education Bursary 2025.
What is the Further Education Bursary program?
Each year, Vision Australia awards Further Education Bursaries to a select number of students who are blind or have low vision.
The bursaries provide adaptive technology to help the students fully participate and succeed in their chosen studies.
Assistive technology can eliminate barriers to education and enhance access to information. It enables students to read course material, conduct research and improve their student life.
Since the inception of the bursary scheme in 1996, more than 440 students have been supported in their further education journey.
Meet the 2024 and prior years' recipients.
Expressions of interest for the 2025 bursary must be lodged no later than 15 September 2024, in order for a technology specialist to perform an assessment for you.
Application form, along with supporting documents must be lodged by 30 September 2024.
Learn more about the bursary program from Vision Australia CEO, Ron Hooton
Eligibility criteria
Students of any age can apply for a Vision Australia Further Education Bursary.
Applicants must:
- Be blind or have low vision, that is not correctable by spectacles, contact lenses or other standard medical treatments
- Be, or become, a client of Vision Australia
- Have a current (within the last 12 months) eye report on file with Vision Australia
- Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
- Be living or moving to Australia
- Be enrolling to study at an institution in Australia
- Be enrolling to study in at least Certificate IV or higher accredited courses including undergraduate and postgraduate degrees (not a Foundation or Enabling course) at the start of the year or be already enrolled in such a course (preference may be given to those in the early stages of a course). The course must have a minimum 12 months remaining from January 2022 for those already enrolled
- Be willing to be involved in publicity events and provide feedback and updated on their academic progress
Selection criteria
The Bursary Committee will take the following criteria into consideration when making their selection, thus applicants are advised to address these factors in their application:
Vision history
- Vision loss or deterioration as it relates to your work or educational history
Future goals
- Reasoning behind course selection
- Career prospects on completion of course
Potential for success in chosen courses
- Level of achievement demonstrated in previous results
- Work experience
- Academic awards, prizes or acknowledgement
- Ability to successfully complete course
Extra-curricular activities
- Community service
- Volunteer work
- Raising a family
- Music involvements
- Languages
- Sporting or other achievements
Demonstrated need for the equipment
- What, if any, adaptive technology have you used in the past?
- What, if any, accommodations have you received (for example, alternative format text)?
- Justification of the need for any additional equipment beyond your current equipment
- Implications of not having the equipment
- Justification of the types of equipment and its benefits
How to apply
- Read the "Vision Australia Further Education Bursary Information 2025" document
- Contact bursary staff member Joy King, for your expression of interest, no later than 15th September 2024, in order screen for eligibility and arrange an Adaptive Technology Assessment (no other assessments will be accepted for bursary applications)
- Fill out the 2025 Bursary Application form and provide supporting documents (including the completed Adaptive Technology Assessment)
- Sign and submit Bursary Declaration 2025
Application deadline is 30th September 2024
For further information
Please contact Joy at [email protected] or call 03 8378 1220.