Youth Development Scholarships

We will be offering up to 1,400 scholarships to students enrolled in education or training in 2024. Successful applicants will receive $1,000 to help with school expenses and secondary support services.

Can I apply?

You are eligible to apply if you are:

Studying in Year 10, 11 or 12 in NSW at one of the following in 2024:

• at a NSW high school or
• equivalent at a TAFE college including Pathways or
• doing a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship or
• home schooled

You must also be either a social housing client or living in out-of-home care, this can include:

• living in public housing, including Aboriginal housing
• being on the NSW Housing Register (wait list)
• receiving a private rental subsidy from DCJ (not Centrelink)
• living in community housing/Aboriginal community housing
• living in housing provided by a Local Aboriginal Land Council
• living in supported, crisis or temporary accommodation
• living in statutory, supported or voluntary out-of-home care.

When can I apply?

Applications will open at 9am, 16 October 2023.
For New and Returning high school students, applications will close 16 February 2024.
For Returning tertiary students, applications will close 8 March 2024.

How do I apply?

Applications are completed online. Register or log in.

Can I reapply as a returning applicant for a scholarship?

Yes, students who received a scholarship from DCJ between 2017 to 2023 can reapply as a returning applicant if they are still in social housing and taking on further studies in 2024.

What can I use the scholarship for?

The scholarship funds must be used for educational or support related costs to help you complete the school year.

Examples of items or services which can be purchased with the scholarship include (but not limited to):

Primary support

• school uniform, including sports clothing and shoes
• course related or subject fees
• tutoring
• study camps and excursions
• textbooks, workbooks, study guides
• course related equipment, materials, and clothing
• sporting equipment
• stationery
• computer desktop, laptop, tablet, Chromebook
• printer, scanner, USB drives, cables, smart drives
• computer software and license
• internet access
• study furniture (e.g., desk, chair)

Secondary support

• transport costs (e.g., opal travel cards, driving lessons)
• medical and support needs (e.g., glasses, speech therapy)
• social inclusion (e.g., in-house sports and youth programs, school formal tickets)
• training and employment (e.g., CV writing, job ready skills and clothing for interview)

Note: The scholarship funds cannot be used to purchase mobile phones, smart watches, gaming headphones and other wireless communication devices.

What material can I use to promote DCJ Scholarships?

• Fact Sheet for Returning Applicant  (PDF, 148.5 KB)
• Fact Sheet for New Applicant (PDF, 150.3 KB)
• Fact Sheet for Education and support staff (PDF, 193.6 KB)
• Guidelines for New Applicant (PDF, 319.8 KB)
• A3 poster (PDF, 291.6 KB)
• Social media tile 1 (JPG, 499.9 KB)
• Social media tile 2 (JPG, 433.3 KB)
• Social media tile 3 (JPG, 458.9 KB)
• Social media tile 4 (JPG, 503.9 KB)

Where can I find out more information?

• Call the Housing Contact Centre on 1800 422 322, press 2 for Housing Services then press 3 for General Enquiries.
• Email the Scholarships team on education@dcj.nsw.gov.au