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Scholarships and Bursaries

Each year, the College awards a number of Academic and Music Scholarships. It is our aim to help students who, without our support, might not be able to avail themselves of the opportunities offered. We also understand that financial considerations may prevent boys from sharing in the experiences that we offer. In response to these considerations, the College also offer a number of bursaries, primarily for those parents facing financial hardship.

Scholarships

Applications for Academic and Music Scholarships for 2025 at The Scots College are now open.

Scholarships Offered at The Scots College:
Academic

Year 7 2025 Academic Scholarships – Level 1 (open to current Scots families and new enrolments)
Year 8 2025 Academic Scholarships – Level 1 (open to new enrolments only)
Year 9 and Year 10 2025 Academic Scholarships – Level 2 (open to new enrolments only)
Year 11 2025 Academic Scholarships – Level 3 (open to new enrolments only)

Music

Year 7 2025 Music Scholarships – Level 1 (open to current Scots families and new enrolments)
Year 10 2025 Music Scholarships – Level 2 (open to new enrolments only)
Applications for other year levels may be considered for a Music Scholarship in Years 8, 9 and 11 for new enrolments only.

Registrations

Registrations for Years 7 to 11 2025 Scholarships at The Scots College are now open via the ACER Website Registration link.

An application fee of $130 per student is payable.

Applications close midnight AEDT Sunday 4 February 2024. Late applications cannot be accommodated.

Acknowledgement of receipt of application will come in printable form as part of the online application process.

The ACER Scholarship Examination for students seeking entry in 2025 will be held Saturday 24 February 2024.

For ACER Scholarship registration enquiries please contact the ACER Parent Helpline on 1300 768 952.

Scholarship Process

Applicants for all 2025 Academic and Music Scholarships at The Scots College are required to undertake the ACER Cooperative Scholarship Examination on Saturday 24 February.

The ACER scholarship examination will be held at The Scots College, Bellevue Hill. Testing venue information will be shared by ACER closer to the date of the exam.

The examination is conducted as part of the Cooperative Scholarship Testing Program (CSTP) administered by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER).

Academic Scholarships may be full or partial scholarships and are awarded as a result of the ACER examination and interview.

Music Scholarships may be full or partial scholarships and are awarded as a result of the ACER examination, portfolio submission, an audition and interview. A portfolio must be submitted to music@scots.college after the successful submission of the scholarship application via the ACER website. Email music@scots.college for specific information regarding a portfolio submission.

Academic and Music Scholarships at The Scots College are leadership positions. Scholars must demonstrate a deep commitment to their academics through a top ranking in the ACER examination results, strong performance in the interview and a portfolio of achievements and passions. Please note that the ACER exam is set above the current year level curriculum, and strong NAPLAN and classroom results are not necessarily an indicator of performance in the ACER examination.

ACER examination results will be communicated by ACER to registered families.

On Examination Day

The ACER Scholarship Examination will take place on Saturday 24 February 2024.

The location of the examination will be confirmed by ACER closer to the date of the exam.

Please ensure your son has with him two black or blue pens. There will be a break between tests, so please send your son with something to eat and water in a clear bottle. Students are also required to bring a handkerchief or tissues.

Please note: bags, calculators, mobile phones, scrap paper, books, stopwatches, smart watches, or watches with alarms are not permitted in the testing area.

We are unable to accept late applications or any walk-in candidates on the day of the exam.

Bursaries

Parents can apply for the following bursaries:

RM Farquharson Bursary
The Scots College All-Rounder Bursaries
Boarding Bursary
Indigenous Bursary

For more information regarding each bursary, download Scots’ General Tuition and Boarding Bursaries.

Bursaries are available to boys entering Years 7 to 11 and provide exemption of tuition and/or boarding fees. Bursaries are awarded based on a range of criteria, including financial need (means tested), leadership qualities, academic performance, interview and co-curricular abilities.

Bursary applicants are required to complete and send to the College:

Bursary Application form
Evidence of Financial Need form, with required supporting documents
Evidence of Scottish heritage (for RM Farquharson applicants)

Applications for boarding bursaries for 2024 remain open.

Please discuss with the Director of Boarding, Mr Justin McInnes at j.mcinnes@scots.college before completing an application form.

Enquiries

For Academic Scholarship enquiries please email admissions@scots.college.

For Music Scholarship enquiries including the portfolio submission deadline and the next steps in the scholarship process, please email music@scots.college.

For a Boarding Bursary please email Director of Boarding, Mr Justin McInnes at j.mcinnes@scots.college.

For more information on Indigenous Scholarships and Bursaries, contact Head of Indigenous Education, Ms Justine Kolliou at j.kolliou@scots.college.

For ACER Scholarship registration enquiries please contact the ACER Parent Helpline on 1300 768 952.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my son need to sit the ACER Scholarship Examination if he is applying for an Academic or Music Scholarship?

Yes, candidates applying for an Academic or Music Scholarship are required to sit the ACER Scholarship Examination.

What financial support do the scholarships provide?

Academic Scholarships may be full or partial scholarships and are awarded as a result of the ACER examination and interview.

Why do I have to pay a $130 application fee?

The $130 covers the ACER Scholarship Examination fee and costs such as supervisors for the examination.

By what means do we learn of our son’s success, or otherwise?

Your son will learn of his application success by a written letter.

Unsuccessful applicants will be notified by mail.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited in for an interview.
Unsuccessful shortlisted applicants will be notified by mail.
Successful scholarship applicants will be made an offer by mail.

How can we best prepare for our son’s ACER Scholarships Examination test?

The ACER Scholarships Examination test assesses acquired knowledge and intellectual ability. There is no short-term process that can provide a recipe for success. Here are some tips to assist him in preparing for the ACER exam:

Allow your son to rest well prior to the test.
Provide encouragement and not ‘driving’ him in the hope of gaining good results.
Do not overburden him with unrealistic responsibilities and expectations.
Ensure he is on time at the testing venue and equipped properly.

Where is The Scots College?

The Scot College is located on Victoria Road, Bellevue Hill, in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs. The main entrance is the Phillip Mullens Memorial Gate, opposite the intersection of Ginahgulla Road with Victoria Road.