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Bond University Indigenous Scholarship

Overview

Bond University is committed to providing a culturally safe and supportive learning environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students where you pursue your academic ambitions and flourish in your chosen higher degree education program.

At Bond we understand the unique challenges faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in accessing higher education. Every story is unique, and scholarships are often a life-changing financial contribution that help you through your studies.

The Bond University Indigenous Scholarship offers an impactful opportunity, covering 50% of tuition fees for successful applicants applying for diploma programs, undergraduate degrees including approved combined programs up to 320 credit points (excluding the Medical Programs), and postgraduate degrees (excluding research degrees). For those pursuing a diploma or undergraduate degree who relocate to the Gold Coast and live in on-campus accommodation, the scholarship goes even further—providing a one-semester living bursary that includes a meal plan.

Bond University wishes to recognise and acknowledge the support of our most generous donors and acknowledge their ongoing commitment to Bond by supporting our students.

Applications have now closed.

Application dates

OPEN: 1 May, 2026 (10am AEST)

CLOSE: 31 Aug, 2026 (11:59pm AEST)

Eligibility

Available to Australian citizens who are of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent. 
 

Value

Provides 50% tuition remission plus a one-semester living bursary that includes a meal plan for those pursuing a diploma or undergraduate degree who relocate to the Gold Coast and live in on-campus accommodation.

Level of study

Available to those applying for diploma programs, single or approved combined undergraduate degrees up to 320 credit points (excluding the Bonds Medical Program) and postgraduate degrees (excluding research degrees).
 

FAQS

Am I eligible for this scholarship?

To be eligible to apply for this scholarship, you must:

  • Be an Australian citizen.
  • Provide evidence of Confirmation of Indigenous Heritage (see information on what evidence is required in application details below).
  • Meet the standard entry requirements for your chosen program of study.
     

NOTES:

  1. Eligible students commencing a Bond University College Diploma then transitioning to an undergraduate degree will receive a 50% tuition fee for up to 320 credit points. On completion of the diploma the balance of the scholarship will automatically be extended to the degree, once you move into undergraduate studies.
  2. Students already enrolled in a Bond University diploma, undergraduate or postgraduate program are not eligible to apply for their current admitted program however are encouraged to apply when progressing to further studies at a higher level.
  3. With the exception of Note 1. above, where a student completes their admitted program, any unexpended credit points are not permitted to be transferred to another program.
  4. Students applying for the following courses not eligible for the Indigenous Scholarship:
    - Diploma Preparation Program
    - Bachelor of Medical Studies
    - Doctor of Medicine
    - All higher degree research
How do I apply for this scholarship?

If you meet the eligibility criteria for this scholarship, we encourage you to apply by following the below steps:

  1. Complete the Bond University Study Application Form to lodge your application for your chosen program. Learn more about this process.
  2. Complete the Bond University Scholarship Application Form. Simply use the same log-in details as used for your study application and enter 'scholarship' in the keyword field on the 'Start an Application' tab.  

You must complete and submit your scholarship application before the application closing date as no late scholarship applications will be considered!  

Do I need to prepare anything for my application?

Yes! As an Indigenous Scholarship applicant, you will be required to submit the following documents as part of your online scholarship application form, and must be submitted before the application deadline:

  • Community Reference. As part of your application, you must provide a written reference from school, work, sporting club or community association.
  • Confirmation of Indigenous Heritage. The Bond Confirmation of Indigenous Heritage (CIH) coversheet must be completed and submitted along with one of the following listed documents. Only completed documentation will be accepted. Please provide certified copies, Bond University will not accept responsibility for any originals submitted.
    • Option 1 - Confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage document provided by an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community organisation with a common seal stamp of certification OR
    • Option 2 - Copy of your parent’s Confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage document and a copy of your birth certificate showing your relationship to your parent OR
    • Option 3 - A Statutory Declaration declaring your Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage with either: (choose at least one)
      1.   A letter from an Aboriginal and/ or Torres Strait Islander Community Education Counsellor or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Worker from the school they attended (with contact details provided);
      2.   Evidence of previous acceptance of the student’s Aboriginal and/ or Torres Strait Islander descent from an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander support centre at another university or TAFE institution, on the organisation’s letterhead;
      3.   A letter or other evidence from a Native Title Prescribed Bodies Corporate or Aboriginal Land Trust, registered with the National Native Title Tribunal confirming they are a Land Trustee or native title holder;
      4.   A letter signed by an elected Councillor from a community within the Torres Strait Island Regional Council local government area, on the organisation’s letterhead;
      5.   A letter signed by an executive leader (e.g. CEO) or board member of an incorporated Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community organisation, on the organisation’s letterhead; or
      6.   A letter from an executive leader (e.g. CEO) or board member at Link Up QLD or another Indigenous Australian family reunification service, on the organisation’s letterhead.
  • A short video statement. In this video you should explain why you want to pursue your future career by enrolling in a Bond degree. We want you to tell us about yourself, your interests and your ambitions, and demonstrate your cultural and community contributions, and commitment to creating positive change. 
    •    Your video must be uploaded to YouTube as an unlisted video (this ensures it is kept private).
    •    It is important to make sure you provide the correct video URL as we will not follow-up with any videos that are not working.
    •    Your video must be in English.
    •    It must be no longer than 3 minutes.
    •    You must ensure that you can be seen and heard clearly in the video.
    •    Your video must be suitable for public viewing, cannot include copyright material, and must not contain illegal or obscene content such as adult themes, violence, drug use, coarse language, or nudity.
     

For further assistance pertaining to these requirements, please contact the Future Students Team.

Can I apply for more than one scholarship?

Yes! We encourage you to apply for as many scholarships as you are eligible for. This should all be done in the one scholarship application form. You will only be considered for the scholarships you have applied for so ensure you have included them all in your application before you submit it!

If you are applying for more than one scholarship with different application closing dates, it is important to submit your scholarship application form by the earliest scholarship closing date. 

When do applications open and close for this scholarship?

Applications for 2027 entry open on Friday, 1 May, 2026 and close on Monday, 31 August, 2026.

Please note, if you are applying for scholarships with different closing dates, you must submit your full scholarship application by the earliest closing date. 

If you have a question about this scholarship that is isn't answered above, we're here to help!

We've put together the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions. Follow the link below to review these carefully to find the answers to your questions. If you still have a question after reviewing our FAQs, please contact us and our team will be happy to help.

VIEW SCHOLARSHIP FAQS

Next steps after applying

You've submitted your scholarship application, so what happens next?

Scholarship applications are reviewed once the relevant scholarship closing date has passed, so take a deep breath and hold tight!

Once scholarship applications have closed, you will be sent an important email outlining the next steps in the selection process relevant to the scholarship(s) you have applied for. 

Each scholarship has a different selection process and we will keep in touch throughout the way. All applicants will be notified of their scholarship outcome by email.

Terms and conditions

Scholarships are conditional upon formal enrolment in the program for the offered semester and cannot be combined with other Bond University scholarships, bursaries, loyalty discounts, or staff-related tuition remissions.

Scholarship recipients must enrol in a minimum of 30 Credit Points per semester. If necessary, a reduced load can be requested, but it requires supporting documentation. Any absence for one semester or more requires approval from the University Registrar. Unapproved absences or reduced loads may result in scholarship termination, though reinstatement is possible with proper documentation.

The scholarship can be transferred between degree programs, but any additional subjects required may incur extra costs. Continued scholarship eligibility depends on passing all subjects with a minimum average of 65% per semester. If a scholar fails a subject, the scholarship will not cover the tuition for repeat or substitute subjects. Failure to meet performance expectations after an academic warning may lead to termination or continuation with conditions.

Scholars must adhere to all scholarship-specific conditions and university policies. Scholarships will be terminated if a scholar is excluded for unsatisfactory academic progress or is expelled or suspended due to misconduct.

View our full scholarship terms and conditions in the Enrolment Policy in section 4.10.

View the Enrolment Policy 

You've submitted your scholarship application, so what happens next?

Scholarship applications are reviewed once the relevant scholarship closing date has passed, so take a deep breath and hold tight!

Once scholarship applications have closed, you will be sent an important email outlining the next steps in the selection process relevant to the scholarship(s) you have applied for. 

Each scholarship has a different selection process and we will keep in touch throughout the way. All applicants will be notified of their scholarship outcome by email.

Being a Bond University Indigenous scholar

As an Indigenous scholar, you are expected to demonstrate strong cultural connection, leadership potential, and academic achievements. This includes active involvement in your Indigenous heritage and community, as well as broader community engagement through activities such as sports, creative arts, and volunteer work. You will be required to showcase your commitment to your community and exhibit a well-rounded profile of extracurricular involvement. Additionally, you must be willing to actively participate in both the Bond University and Nyombil Centre communities, contributing to their cultural and academic environments.

Throughout your studies at Bond University, you will be supported by the team in our Nyombil Centre who will help you transition to university life and throughout your degree, and our staff will help you connect with the local Indigenous community who welcome our students at various cultural and social events. As an Indigenous scholar, you will be provided with a network of extracurricular programs, professional networking, internships and more.

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