Australian South Sea Islander Community Foundation Scholarship

The Australian South Sea Islander Community Foundation Scholarship was established in 2001 by the Queensland Government to improve educational opportunities for Australian South Sea Islander undergraduate students at participating Queensland-based universities. The Foundation provides university scholarships for students who identify as Australian South Sea Islanders and are direct descendants of the South Sea Islanders who were brought into Queensland between 1863 and 1904 and worked as indentured labourers. Scholarships are funded from income generated by invested donations to the Foundation and are offered on a yearly basis. The foundation is independently managed by The Public Trustee under the umbrella of the Queensland Community Foundation. The scholarship aims to support Australian South Sea Islander students enrolled in any undergraduate program at the University of the Sunshine Coast. Selection is based on academic merit and financial need, with preference given to applicants who do not qualify for Abstudy. Recipients should not have previously completed an undergraduate degree at any university. The scholarship amount is up to $5,000 per year, though the exact amount may vary based on annual disbursement of funds by the Foundation.