Frequently Asked Questions
- Where can I get information about the Australia Awards, Australian Development Scholarships (ADS) program?
- I need financial support towards my primary or secondary studies. Can I apply for a Scholarship?
- I have finished secondary school and want to study towards a Bachelors degree. Can I apply for an AAA scholarship?
- How can I apply for a Scholarship?
- I want to pursue my PhD. Can I apply for a Scholarship to study towards it?
- My country is not on your list of eligible countries for certain award types. Would I be considered for a scholarship?
- I already have admission to an Australian University. May I now apply for a scholarship or get financial assistance from AusAID?
- Your website says that my country has only Public category scholarships, but I do not work for the Government. Am I eligible to apply?
- Your website says that my country has only Public category scholarships. I work for an NGO or private company that does a lot of work for government, including contracts for delivering some public services. Am I eligible to apply?
- Can you give me any information on any other scholarships programmes, or other kinds of financial support for studies?
1. Where can I get information about the Australia Awards, Australian Development Scholarships (ADS) program?
This website is a good place to start as most of the information you may need is on it. Take a while to browse through, or you can contact GRM International directly by sending an e-mail to enquiries@adsafrica.org or fax your enquiry to +27-86-602-3719
2. I need financial support towards my primary or secondary studies. Can I apply for a Scholarship?
The Australian Government does not support primary or secondary studies under the Australia Awards program in Africa.
3. I have finished secondary school and want to study towards a Bachelors degree. Can I apply for an AAA scholarship?
No. Australia Awards in Africa are aimed at upgrading the qualifications of people who have achieved their Bachelors degree (or its equivalent) already. Applicants must also usually have at least two years of work experience in a relevant field. See the country-specific pages for information on participating countries, and check the overall eligibility criteria here:
http://www.adsafrica.com.au/scholarshipEligibility.php
4. How can I apply for a Scholarship?
We would advise you to read the following page, which gives general details on the AAA application process:
http://www.adsafrica.com.au/scholarship.php
You should also check the country-specific page for details on whether your country receives scholarships, and if so, what category of scholarship is offered. Public category scholarships are open only to government-sector employees; Open category scholarships are open to any individual.
The application window is usually open for several months towards the end of each year, although this may vary by year, type of award and country. The process usually starts with calls for submission of Preliminary Application Forms (PAF) that are placed in newspapers in the relevant countries, and also usually advertised through government channels. This PAF is the initial application for a scholarship. Upon receipt, these PAFs are assessed for compliance, and a paper selection process is carried out to select candidates for interview. These candidates are then invited to a face-to-face interview with an independent selection panel. Some countries’ candidates may be required to sit English language tests, such as IELTS, to be considered further. Once the selection panel has ranked the interviewees and made its recommendations, selected Priority and Reserve candidates are informed, and begin the process of applying to Australian Universities and for their visas. The Managing Contractor, GRM International, assists awardees with their University and visa applications.
5. I want to pursue my PhD. Can I apply for a Scholarship to study towards it?
Yes, you may be eligible for a PhD scholarship if you work in the field of agricultural research and have an association with one or more of the three Australia-Africa Agricultural Research Partnerships being funded under the Australian Food Security Program in Africa: ACIAR-CIMMYT; CSIRO-BecA; and CSIRO-CORAF. Please see the following page for further information: http://www.adsafrica.com.au/countryAgriculture.php
6. My country is not on your list. Would I be considered for a scholarship?
No, I’m afraid you wouldn’t. Based on negotiations with partner governments and taking account of country and Australian government priorities, eligibility for different award types is decided on a yearly basis. If your country is not listed as being eligible for an award type (or does not appear on any of the lists), then your application will not be considered. You should, however, keep checking back with the website, as future intakes may have different eligibility requirements.
7. I already have admission to an Australian University. May I now apply for a scholarship or get financial assistance from AusAID?
Yes, you may apply for a scholarship, and if you have an admission letter from an Australian University it may assist your application, although please note that there are several criteria used to select interviewees. However, AusAID does not provide financial assistance outside of the AAA process – i.e. you will not be given funding to cover your current offer. All applicants must go through the AAA selection process – there are no shortcuts. It is also not a criteria that is considered when assessing applications.
All applicants must go through the AAA selection process – there are no shortcuts. The AAA process works to a pre-defined schedule and applicants are not considered outside of this timetable. If you have missed the AAA application window, you will need to wait until the next year or intake round, which will be publicised on this website and possibly through the media and government channels in your country.
Eligible candidates are generally nominated or supported by their government for Public category scholarships, or go through the application process indicated above for those applying under the Open category. Once a candidate has been awarded a Scholarship, they must apply to Universities using the AAA forms and procedures. Universities will usually take account of a candidate’s previous admission or acceptance while considering the AAA application.
The AAA program does not have any other mechanism for providing financial support to students other than the processes outlined on this website.
8. Your website says that my country has only Public category scholarships, but I do not work for the Government. Am I eligible to apply?
No. If your country has only Public category scholarships, then only those people recognised by the Government of that country as public-sector employees are eligible to apply.
9. Your website says that my country has only Public category scholarships. I work for an NGO or private company that does a lot of work for government, including contracts for delivering some public services. Am I eligible to apply?
No, unless you are seconded to such an organisation from government and are still recognised by the Government as being a public sector employee.
10. Can you give me any information on any other scholarships programmes, or other kinds of financial support for studies?
Africa AAA / AusAID does not keep an up-to-date database of current scholarship providers or donors. We advise you to run an internet search to access such information. Several countries and organisations provide scholarships and support for studies, but you should find and contact them directly to ensure you get the right information.