Higher education scholarships

The higher education scholarship program encourages local school leavers to complete tertiary studies that lead to employment in the Northern Territory (NT).

Up to 20 scholarships are awarded annually to eligible NT year 12 graduates.

The scholarship provides $5,000 in financial support each year for students to complete their first bachelor degree.

For more information, read the guidelines and terms and conditions.

2025 higher education scholarship guidelines  PDF (274.4 KB)
2025 higher education scholarship guidelines DOCX (195.1 KB)

2025 higher education scholarship terms and conditions PDF (236.8 KB)
2025 higher education scholarship terms and conditions  DOCX (195.7 KB).

Who can apply

You can apply for this scholarship if you:

• are an NT resident*
• are an Australian citizen or permanent resident
• graduated year 12 in 2023 or 2024
• completed the NT Certificate of Education and Training (NTCET) or equivalent and received an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) / IB
• are enrolled in your first undergraduate degree in the NT**
• are enrolled to study full time.

* This includes students who were at an interstate boarding school and returning to the NT where their parent / guardian lives.

**Scholarships may be awarded for study interstate if your course isn't available in any form in the NT, and is considered a high priority occupation.

Who can't apply

You can't apply for this scholarship if you:

• have gained entry to university through the Tertiary Enabling Program or equivalent
• work for an Australian, state or territory government
• plan to work full time during study periods
• are completing a traineeship or apprenticeship
• have enrolled to study interstate when the course you wish to study is offered in the NT, regardless of majors offered. This includes double degrees that are available separately in the NT.
• 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.

How to apply

Applications for 2025 will open in GrantsNT on Monday 2 December 2024.

Contact

For more information, contact the Business and Workforce scholarships administrator by calling 08 8999 8862 or emailing scholarships@nt.gov.au.

All correspondence and notifications about your application will be sent via email.