Scholarships & Bursaries

At The Friends’ School, we emphasise learning experiences that inspire our students’ curiosity and develop skills to critically examine the world we live in. We welcome scholarship and bursary enquiries from students who believe they can make a positive difference to The Friends’ School and the wider community.

Full details about the 2025 scholarships on offer at The Friends’ School can be found below.

The Friends’ School offers scholarships and fee assistance based on a number of criteria including areas of talent and personal circumstances.

We welcome applications from students who believe they can make a positive contribution to our school community. The number of scholarships awarded each year is dependent upon the quality of the applicants and the availability of places.

Community philanthropy has been integral to The Friends’ School and its core values since the school was founded in 1887. This community philanthropy and generosity continues to this day. Scholarships and fee assistance packages are funded by generous donations from the School community.

If you have any questions about scholarships or bursaries, please contact the Enrolments Manager, Jen Scharkie, on either +61 3 6210 2224 or jscharkie@friends.tas.edu.au

Scholarships & Bursaries

A Merit Scholarship provides a 25% reduction in tuition fees only. All scholarships are tenable throughout the student’s enrolment time. Additional financial assistance may be available for families that demonstrate a financial need in order to attend The Friends’ School.

These scholarships are offered to students who demonstrate they have strong abilities across a range of the key areas of learning.

Examination papers are written by a team of Friends’ teachers, who represent a broad range of learning areas. A variety of questions invite students to present written responses intended to demonstrate both the breadth and depth of their academic proficiency. We seek students who are academically well-rounded and who also embody the values reflected in our Purpose and Concerns.

Candidates who are successful and shortlisted following the examination paper will be invited to an interview with our scholarship panel. During this process, the panel will seek information on how the student might contribute to The Friends’ School beyond their academic capabilities.

Students who are offered a Merit Scholarship commencing into Year 7 are required to agree to the terms and conditions outlined in the Secondary School Merit Scholarship Agreement. Students who are offered a Merit Scholarship commencing into Year 11 are required to agree to the terms and conditions outlined in the Year 11 & 12 Merit Scholarship Agreement. Please ensure you have read and understood the terms and conditions of the scholarship before applying.

Applications for a Merit Scholarship for entry into either Year 7 or 11 in 2025 are now open. TO APPLY CLICK HERE

Applications close at 10am Monday 26 February 2024.

If you have any queries or would like to discuss, please contact the Enrolments Office on either enrol.office@friends.tas.edu.au or +61 3 6210 2286.

A Music Scholarship provides a 25% reduction in tuition fees only. All scholarships are tenable throughout the student’s enrolment time. Additional financial assistance may be available for families that demonstrate a financial need in order to attend The Friends’ School.

Music Scholarships are offered to students who demonstrate outstanding musicianship and the ability to make an ongoing, strong and varied contribution to the musical life of the School.

Students who are offered a Music Scholarship commencing into Year 7 are required to agree to the terms and conditions outlined in the Secondary School Music Scholarship Agreement. Students who are offered a Music Scholarship commencing into Year 11 are required to agree to the terms and conditions outlined in the Years 11 & 12 Music Scholarship Agreement. Please ensure you have read and understood the terms and conditions of the scholarship before applying.

Applications for a Music Scholarship for entry into either Year 7 or Year 11 in 2025 are now open. TO APPLY CLICK HERE

Applications close at 10am Monday 26 February 2024.

If you have any queries or would like to discuss, please contact the Enrolments Office on either enrol.office@friends.tas.edu.au or +61 3 6210 2286.

A Boarding Scholarship provides a 25% reduction to tuition and boarding fees. All scholarships are tenable throughout the student’s enrolment time. Additional financial assistance may be available for families that demonstrate a financial need in order to attend The Friends’ School.

Applications for Boarding Scholarships are invited from students who would otherwise be unable to attend the School because of their remote residential location or other circumstances related to their residential arrangements.

Candidates who are successful and shortlisted following the examination paper will be invited to an interview with our scholarship panel.

Shortlisted boarding candidates will need to demonstrate a willingness to participate in school life and be a positive member of our Walker House residential community.

Students who are offered a Boarding Scholarship commencing into Year 7 are required to agree to the terms and conditions outlined in the Secondary School Boarding Scholarship Agreement. Students who are offered a Boarding Scholarship commencing into Year 11 are required to agree to the terms and conditions outlined in the Years 11 & 12 Boarding Scholarship Agreement. Please ensure you have read and understood the terms and conditions of the scholarship before applying.

Applications for a Boarding Scholarship for entry into either Year 7 or Year 11 in 2025 are now open. TO APPLY CLICK HERE

Applications close at 10am Monday 26 February 2024.

If you have any queries or would like to discuss, please contact the Enrolments Office on either enrol.office@friends.tas.edu.au or +61 3 6210 2286.

Shortly after the First World War, a group of Friends’ Old Scholars set up a trust fund to support a student moving into Year 11 at Clemes, whose family had been adversely affected by war.  This worthy cause has been modified over the years, extending the support to students who simply have an Old Scholar connection in their extended family and omitting “War” from the title.

There is one grant of $4,000 towards Year 11 fees in Term 1. Students with an Old Scholar connection (such as parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts) are encouraged to apply.

The application form outlines the areas on which students will be evaluated. We are looking for a student who is academically sound, an active participant in the life of the School and strong in service. 

A panel of Old Scholar Trustees and Heads of High School will shortlist the applicants and then conduct interviews.

Applications for the Old Scholars’ Memorial Grant closed on Monday 13 November at 4pm. 

Open Date: Friday 29 September 2023
Close Date: Monday 13 November at 4pm

Visit The Mather Endowment Trust for more information about the history of the Trust and its benefactors.

Process for Application

Further information and Fee Assistance forms may be obtained through The Enrolments office. Please contact Jen Scharkie, Enrolments Manager on 6210 2224 or via email jscharkie@friends.tas.edu.au.

Selection Criteria

Students are selected based upon their demonstrated desire to learn and their involvement in their current school and community.  Students entering Year 5 to 12 may be considered for assistance through the Mather Endowment Trust.

Students are required to:
  • Demonstrate a high degree of “Academic Commitment” to a selection panel. Academic commitment may be demonstrated through consistent school records with accompanying comments from teachers that the student is completing all of the required work to his or her ability.
  • Produce an item of work that they have completed at school. This work should be offered as a good demonstration of their abilities.
  • Complete an essay focusing on how they have contributed to their current community and how they see that contribution in the future.
  • Produce a document that demonstrates their involvement in co-curricular activities at their current school
  • Demonstrate involvement in co-curricular activities at their current school or in their local community, including service to the community.
  • Provide a letter of recommendation from a current or recent past teacher who would address what type of student and person the applicant is.

Students would need to be interviewed by the relevant Head of School and Principal.

Parents/Guardians are required to:

Applicant families would need to complete the Fees Assistance Forms provided by The Friends’ School. These are obtained through the Enrolments Office.

The Friends’ Fellowship is a two year bursary, available for a new students entering Year 11 in 2024.  Applications for this bursary have now closed for new students entering in 2024.

Established in 2018, and funded entirely by community donations during annual giving, The Friends’ Fellowship provides financial assistance to families who can least afford a Friends’ education, and who will benefit greatly from attending the School. The value of the Bursary depends on funds raised. Recipients do not sit an exam, rather they demonstrate their commitment to academic achievement, service, community and the values of the School through an online application, interview and references from teachers and community members.

Term: Two years
Entry Level: a new student entering Year 11 in 2024. Applicants must be an Australian Citizen.
Value: up to 75% of school fees. Friends’ School bursaries are based on financial need and assistance varies depending on the individual family circumstances.
Applications Open: Wednesday 9 August 2023
Applications Close: Monday 11 September 2023

There is no examination for bursaries but families will be expected to make available a range of financial information to allow assessment of their application. Applications are assessed by the Fees Assistance Committee of the Board of Governors and all details are held in confidence.

If you have any queries or would like to discuss, please don’t hesitate to contact the Enrolments Office on either enrol.office@friends.tas.edu.au or +61 3 6210 2286.

This is a bursary available for a student from Years 7 to 12 from a rural area.

The Frances Parsons Bursary was created following the receipt of a bequest from Frances Parson’s estate in 2015. Frances had a passion for the education of women, particularly from rural areas, although the bursary is available to all rural students.

This bursary will be awarded to either an existing or prospective Friends’ School student entering into Years 7 – 12 from a rural area and will provide up to 50% of boarding costs for the tenure of the student’s enrolment.

Friends’ School bursaries are based on financial need and assistance varies depending on the individual family circumstances.

More information here.

Applications Open: TBC
Applications Close: TBC

If you have any queries or would like to discuss, please don’t hesitate to contact the Enrolments Office on either enrol.office@friends.tas.edu.au or +61 3 6210 2286.

 

Eligibility and Process to apply for a Friends’ School Scholarship or Bursary

Applicants must be Australian Citizens or holders of an Australian Permanent Resident Visa (you will be required to upload a copy of your PR status, in the application process if this is the case).

Merit, Music and Boarding Scholarship Application Process

Please submit your online application and accompanying documents by 10am Monday 26 February 2024.  Applications will not be considered after this date.

Applicants will be contacted about the scholarship exam and/or music audition closer to the audition and exam dates. All Merit and Boarding Scholarship applicants are required to sit an exam at 9am on Saturday 2 March 2024. Music Scholarship applicants will be shortlisted to audition. An individual time will be scheduled with shortlisted Music Scholarship applicants to audition on Friday 1 March 2024.

All scholarship papers and audition results will be reviewed by the School and further information from applicants may be sought.

Shortlisted Merit and Boarding applicants will be interviewed by the Principal and respective Head of School. Music applicants will be interviewed by the selection panel during their audition. Successful applicants will be awarded scholarships.

For any enquiries or to discuss with the School, please contact our Enrolments Office on either 6210 2286 or enrol.office@friends.tas.edu.au

Bursaries

Subject to a range of factors, such as levels of funding and available spaces in relevant year groups, limited bursaries for boarding and tuition are occasionally available. These may be offered to exceptional students who demonstrate qualities that will enrich the entire school, and contribute to our ability to deliver the Purpose and Concerns statement. Bursaries are based on financial need and assistance varies depending on individual family circumstances.

Current bursaries have been listed above and are:
  • The Mather Endowment Trust
  • The Frances Parsons Bursary

There is no examination for bursaries but families will be expected to make available a range of financial information to allow assessment of their application. Applications are assessed by the Fees Assistance Committee of the Board of Governors and all details are held in confidence.

The Board may, from time to time, offer targeted bursaries to assist students from certain special groups. These are advertised in the local media and on this website.

For more information on scholarships and bursaries please contact the Enrolments Office.

All applicants MUST be Australian Citizens or holders of an Australian Permanent Resident Visa.