The Underlying Principles of The Selection

The processing of scholarships is based on the following philosophical and fundamental educational guidelines :

• That the principle of “more academic credentials is better than less” be followed in the process

• That non-academic considerations are important and be included in the assessment process

• That applicants’ assessment outcomes be considered in terms of a common grade-point system for comparison purposes

• That applicants be categorized and category-ranked for more validity and justification in the subsequent and necessary comparison

• That the selection at all levels achieve a gender balance

• That the applicants’ fields of study be in accordance with AusAID guidelines and Government of Fiji Human Resource Development needs.

The selection process incorporates the above at various stages of the process and although arbitrary aspects may minimally exist, the system does in general contribute to a more objective assessment of the scholarship applications.

What is AUSAID Scholarships ?

Australia recognizes that education and training are fundamental to the development process and is therefore a key sector for the Australian Aid program to Fiji. By increasing access to education including provision for re-entry for formal education and life long learning, Australia hopes to contribute to the development of skill and knowledge required to meet Fiji’s human resource development needs. Education and training is the largest element of Australian aid program in the Pacific. This is enhanced by the offer of AusAID scholarships to recipient countries like Fiji.

Brief Description of The Scholarships

The AusAID scholarship programs also aim to complement other scholarship programs currently being offered by the Government of Fiji. The ADS and ARDS programs offered through Australia’s overseas aid programs provide an opportunity for individuals from developing countries to undertake studies at post-secondary education institutions in Australia or the Pacific region. Both programs help to meet the human resource development needs of developing countries and contribute to their development across various sectors.

ADS and ARDS awards are funded through the AUSAID Country Program after a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the governments of Fiji and Australia.

ADS = Australian Development Scholarships for study in Australia

ARDS = Australian Regional Development Scholarships for study in Fiji and Pacific region

Scholarship Study Levels

Which Institutions ?

Preliminary Application Forms - Where can I get one ?

The AusAID Preliminary Application (PA) form can be obtained from the following sources:

i) The Fiji Times Newspaper cut-out

ii) The AusAID website

iii) The SPBEA website www.spbea.org.fj

iv) All the Education Offices in Fiji

v) The SPBEA front office window (Hard copies)

vi) The SPBEA Scholarship section (email: scholarships(AT)spbea.org.fj for soft copy)

Filling the Preliminary Application (PA) Form

• All sections must be filled, tick boxes. Any question not answered or not responded to means a faulty form, therefore invalid application

• Make sure you write the field of study and the level of study clearly.

• Submit all the required documents with the PA form (certify those that need certification).

• Sign the PA in the space provided at the bottom of the form

• If you tick the box that says you are studying then you must fill the space below that requires you to indicate the study, the year/level, and the qualification that you will have at the end of the year

• If you are working then you must fill the box that requires the number of years of work relevant to what you want to study

The Essential Documents To Be Submitted

The following documents are the basic essential ones that make a valid application

a) The filled Preliminary Application (PA) Form

b) Birth Certificate (certified)

c) Curriculum Vitae

d) Statement of Intent (= Study Proposal, less than 1 x A4 page)

e) Transcripts of qualifications (certified)

The following notes are important.

a) An application with one of the above essential documents missing is deemed invalid and will not be considered.

b) For a postgraduate applicant, or a mature (about 26 years and older)

c) certificate or diploma applicant, or a mature undergraduate degree applicant, and who is working, the addition of two references will help the application.

d) Many young Form 7 and USP Foundation applicants submit too many documents that are not necessary e.g. internal Form 4 & 5 examination results, Certificates from kindergarten, etc.

Transcripts of Qualifications

This is an important document for the assessment of scholarship points. The following notes should help in your deciding what transcripts to submit with your application

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Receipt/Stamp dating and validity check of PAs


Category classification of PAs


Data entry into 36 category files


Primary Ranking within categories


Merging files for Master Sheet


Printout of Scholarship category files


Files for ADS, ARDS and T/V


Report for Stage I


Submission of category files to AUSAID