The Department of Education and Training (the department) seeks to grow a skilled, agile, and capable workforce to meet business and community needs now and for future demand.

To support this, the Higher Education Scholarship (the scholarship), encourages NT school graduates to undertake tertiary studies leading to employment in the Territory.

Up to 10 scholarships are available for eligible NT Year 12 graduates. The scholarships provide financial support of $5,000 per year for recipients to pursue their first undergraduate degree at Charles Darwin University (CDU).

You can apply for an NT higher education scholarship if you:

• Are an NT resident*
• Are an Australian citizen or permanent resident
• Graduated year 12 in 2023 or 2024
• Completed the NTCET or equivalent and received an ATAR/IB of 80 or above**
• Are enrolled to study full-time at CDU
• Are enrolled in your first undergraduate degree at CDU

Notes:

*This is inclusive of students who were at boarding school interstate and are returning to the Northern Territory, where their parents/guardians are resident/s.

** Additional points will be awarded on top of your ATAR if you:

- Are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (5 points)

- Live regionally/remotely (5 points)

You can't apply for a higher education scholarship if you:

• have gained entry to university through the Tertiary Enabling Program (TEP) or equivalent
• work for an Australian, state or territory government
• plan to work full-time during your studies
• are completing a traineeship or apprenticeship
• receive a scholarship, bursary, stipend or funding from another source, excluding:
• Australian Government Youth Allowance and ABSTUDY
• one-off merit scholarships paid in one year or less
• access and equity grants
• subsidies and grants not paid to you directly, like an accommodation scholarship or textbook bursary.

What can be funded

Funding is only available for the recipient’s first undergraduate degree, at the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level 7, i.e., Bachelor Degree. If you are enrolled in a Bachelor Honours Degree (AQF level 8), you will be funded for the Bachelor component only.

All Bachelor Degrees being studied in the Territory are eligible, however qualifications undertaken interstate must be considered a high priority occupation on the NT Skilled Occupation Priority List.

The scholarship is paid for the minimum time it takes to complete the degree at the full-time study load.

If enrolment is in a double degree, it will be paid at the minimum time it will take to complete one qualification of full-time study.

Scholarship holders can choose to defer their payments to the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS).

What can't be funded

The following are not eligible to be funded:

• Qualifications at AQF levels 1 to 6, and 8 to 10 (inclusive)
• Courses outside the Northern Territory that:
• are not listed as high priority on the NT SOPL
• are available in the NT
• are a double degree, available separately in the NT.

How to apply

To apply for a higher education scholarship, follow these steps:

Step 1. Read over the scholarship guidelines to confirm you are eligible

Step 2: Check you have all required evidence/information as outlined below.

Step 3. Fill in the higher education scholarship application form through GrantsNT

The application will require the following documents:

• Confirmation of Australian Citizenship/evidence of permanent residency
• Proof of NT residency (for example, a bill or photo ID)
• Evidence of certificate of education completed in the Northern Territory (e.g., NT Certificate of Education and Training (NTCET))
• Evidence of Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR)/International Baccalaureate (IB)
• Confirmation of full time enrolment

Your application will also need a personal statement, covering:

• How the scholarship will assist you
• Why you have chosen your particular degree
• What career path you wish to take
• The positive impact you hope to have on the NT community
• Intentions to work in the NT after graduation

Useful links

• Higher Education Scholarship Guidelines 2025

Contact Details

Name: Scholarships Administrator

Role: Department

Phone: 0889357706

Email: scholarships@nt.gov.au