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.

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.

ADS
Australian Development Scholarships are long term development awards administered by AusAID. ADS aim to contribute to the long term development needs of Australia's partner countries in line with bilateral and regional agreements. They provide opportunities for people from developing countries to undertake full time undergraduate or postgraduate study at participating Australian universities and Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutions.

The study and research opportunities provided by ADS develop skills and knowledge of individuals to drive change and contribute to the development outcomes of their own country

ARDS
Australian Regional Development Scholarships are  for studies undertaken in Fiji and the Pacific region.

Scholarship Study Levels

These scholarships are for Certificate and Diploma studies, as well as Undergraduate (UG) and Postgraduate (PG) degree studies.

ADS study is for any Australian approved university, while ARDS is for tertiary study in institutions in the Pacific region. ARDS institutions include USP (including campuses in Samoa & Vanuatu), Fiji National University (FSM, FIT, FCAE, LTC, FCA, FSN), and the tertiary institutions in Papua New Guinea.

Application Forms - Where can I get one?

The AusAID Application form can be obtained from the following sources:

     i.        Australian High Commission website: www.fiji.highcommission.gov.au

ii.        The AusAID website: https://oasis.ausaid.gov.au (Online Applications using          OASIS – Online Australian Scholarships Information System) 

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

   iv.        All the Education Offices throughout Fiji  

    v.        The SPBEA front office reception (Hard copies) 

Filling the Application Form

• All sections marked with an asterix are mandatory and must be filled including the placement of a tick in the required boxes provided. Any question(s) not answered or not responded to means a faulty form, therefore the application is deemed an Invalid Application.

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

• Submit “ONLY’ the required documents with the Application form and ensure that they are properly certified by an approved certifying officer together with 3 recent passport sized photos. (They must be similar)

• Ensure that the Application form is signed off and dated at the end of the form. 

•  If you check 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 duly completed Application Form

b) Birth Certificate (Original or Certified)

c) Curriculum Vitae

d) Statement of Intent (Study Proposal which should not be more than an A4 page)

e) Form Six (6) or Form Seven (7) results, Foundation Academic Transcript or Undergraduate Academic Transcript (All must be 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 25 years and older)

c) A Certificate or diploma applicant, or a mature undergraduate degree applicant, and who has a minimum of five (5) years relevant work experience, 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. Only the required academic transcripts stated above under “The Essential Documents to Be Submitted” part (e) will be accepted.

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

The awards are advertised in the Fiji Times and Fiji Sun newspapers on consecutive Saturdays once the awards are open to the general public. It provides information pertaining to both the awards including the academic entry requirements and the list of Fiji’s prioritised Human Resource Development needs and the closing dates. It details What an applicant needs to do to submit a “Valid” application.

Applicants should read the advertisement carefully and act on the guidelines contained in the advertisement.