Scholarships and allowances

Federal assistance for Isolated Children's Allowance

This scholarship assists eligible students from rural areas who are disadvantaged by a low family income and geographic isolation. Applications for students who receive Assistance for Isolated Children, ABSTUDY or Youth Allowance from Centrelink will not be considered. The scholarship will assist a student who:

• Wishes to attend and board at a NSW government agricultural high school.
• Wishes to attend a specialist NSW government secondary school that conducts selection procedures and who would need to board away from home to do so.
• Needs to board at a school term hostel to access a NSW government secondary school.

Further information is available from Centrelink.

Boarding scholarships for isolated students

A student is eligible if one of the following rules is met:

• Home is at least 56km from the nearest government school.
• Home is at least 16km from the nearest government school and at least 4.5km from the nearest government transport service to that school.
• The student does not have reasonable daily access to the school for at least 20 days of the school year or the return journey to school exceeds three hours travelling time.

If the student meets one of the above rules, they are eligible for a non means tested Boarding Allowance. There is no assets testing on this allowance.

Further information can be found at:

NSW Government Scholarships and Allowances for Rural Students.

The Isolated Children's Parents' Association.

NSW DoE Living Away From Home Allowance (means tested)

Criteria:

• Meets the means test.
• Home is at least 48km from the nearest government school.

Note: A student who does not meet the 48km rule and cannot study Agriculture at their local school in the required grade may be deemed eligible for the allowance if they take two agricultural subjects. A student may receive the Assistance for Isolated Children as well as the NSW Living Away from Home Allowance if they meet both criteria’s. Family Tax Benefit will be paid for a student in receipt of Living Away from Home Allowance.

Further information is available from Centrelink.

Youth Allowance

A student cannot receive Assistance for Isolated Children or Abstudy as well as Youth Allowance.

You can receive Youth Allowance and Living Away from Home Allowance.

Youth Allowance is means and assets tested. In addition, if the family is in a partnership, trust or company, they are also subjected to an Actual Means Test.

Youth Allowance starts from the date the application is received. It will not be backdated.

Apply approximately two weeks before the students 16th birthday. If eligible for $1 a week Youth Allowance, you are then eligible for Rent Assistance based on the rent payable. In boarding schools this relates to two thirds of the boarding fee.

• Actual means test determines the level of support available to the students.
• Youth Allowance is paid fortnightly and cannot be paid by the term in advance.
• Family Tax Benefit will not be paid for a student in receipt of Youth Allowance.

Further information is available from Centrelink.

ABSTUDY

Provides financial assistance to students identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. Travel and other special assistance is also available to eligible students.

State that the child is at Boarding School.

Further information is available from Centrelink.

Bush Children's Education Foundation

These bursaries are structured to supplement the financial assistance provided by the NSW and Commonwealth Governments. These include the Assistance for Isolated Students, Youth Allowance, Living Away from Home Allowance and Boarding Scholarships for Isolated Students. There are three types of assistance for secondary school students.

Application criteria:

• Geographic isolation from schools and services.
• Family income and assets. The latest available Australian Taxation Office Notice of Assessment must be forwarded with the application form. Do not send the tax return.
• Other special and exceptional circumstances including medical cases.

Students from remote border areas (VIC, SA and QLD) may apply but must attend a country school in NSW.

For further information: www.bcef.org.au/

A Start In Life

Provides assistance to low income families to cover the cost of their school essentials. Assistance includes, but is not limited to supplying:

• School fees
• Tutoring & coaching
• Sports & Music Equipment
• Excursion Costs
• Uniforms
• School Photos
• Medical tests (exceptional circumstance only)
• Computers
• Regulation school shoes
• Books & Stationery

Every application for assistance is assessed against criteria, so the program assists those young people who are truly in necessitous circumstances.

For further information & application please follow this link astartinlife.org.au/

Student assistance grant

Funds are made available to the school for students in need. A grant of $100.00 per student is available for such items as school uniforms, school stationery, excursion costs, specific subject costs (eg Technics, Art, Hobbies, etc), costs related to school activities (eg Duke of Edinburgh Awards, sporting competitions, representative sports travel etc).

All applications for payment should be made in writing, through the Principal and will be treated on a confidential basis.

A committee consisting of the Principal, selected staff members and parents will consider all applications for assistance.

Private Vehicle Conveyance Subsidy

This is paid by the NSW Department of Transport for a student's one way trip to school. A variable amount is paid into parents' bank account at the end of Semester One and Semester Two.

To ensure payment of this subsidy, please apply at the School Travel Office.

The Keith Godfrey Rural Residential, Academic Scholarship up to $5,000

Keith Godfrey was an original student in 1922. He was the first boy to arrive in February 1922. Keith authored the school War Cry and said he was influenced in style by ‘Banjo’ Paterson. The War Cry was first used at the Cowra football carnival on 29th August that year. Keith played in the First XIII team on the day. After leaving Yanco Ag, Keith became a farmer in western NSW.

The Phyllis Breakwell Rural Residential, Academic Scholarship up to $5,000

Phyllis was the daughter of the first principal and school matron, Ernest and Lily Breakwell.  She transferred from Sydney Girls’ High to Yanco Ag in 1923, completing her Intermediate Certificate in 1924. Phyllis returned to Sydney Girls’ High to complete her Leaving Certificate with Honours in English before gaining her BA in 1929 aged 19, at Sydney University, as the youngest university graduate at the time and later gained her DipEd.  Phyllis then returned to Sydney Girls’ High in 1931 as a teacher.  She married George “Bill” Barratt in 1934 before resigning from teaching as was required of married women at the time!

Two Wiradjuri Country Residential, Academic Scholarships for Indigenous Students up to $5,000 each

The Wiradjuri Nation is located in central New South Wales.  The Wiradjuri are known as the people of the three rivers being the Macquarie River (Wambool), the Lachlan River (Kalari) and the Murrumbidgee River (Murrumbidjeri) which border their lands. As the school adjoins the Murrumbidgee River, its location is towards the southern boundary of Wiradjuri Country.

Four George and Pat Hetrel Residential, Academic Scholarships up to $5,000 each

George attended Yanco Ag between 1945 and 1947. After leaving Yanco, George’s inspiration was to manufacture confectionary. The big turning point came in the early 1970s when he produced confectionary which he called ‘Rocky Road’. The product enjoyed tremendous market acceptance and became a launching pad for his company which went on to supply over 2,000 independent milk bars in Australia and New Zealand.

The Old Yanconians' Foundation Citizenship Scholarships

The YAHS Old Yanconians' Foundation is offering two Citizenship scholarships (Arthur Doubleday & Jean Hindmarsh) for students attending Yanco Agricultural High School for Years 11 to 12 in 2026.

The residential, half scholarships are aimed at supporting students who are committed to making a positive difference in their communities and the world, and who possess the skills and knowledge necessary to become effective global citizens.

The scholarship awards will consider gender diversity and may also consider other factors, such as financial need and geographic location.  They are offered in addition to any support students may be eligible to receive through AIC, BSIB, LAFHA or Centrelink financial assistance.

In addition to the and residential half scholarships, recipients will have access to leadership training and professional mentoring.

The scholarships will be advertised widely each October and announced at Presentation Day in December each year, for the following academic year. The scholarships will be reviewed annually and available, subject to funding.

A selection panel comprising the Principal, Deputy Principal (Day School) and Deputy Principal (Residential) will consider applications provided by students.

The Criteria:

To be eligible for a Citizenship Scholarship, applicants must demonstrate a strong commitment in several of following key areas:

1.      Community Service:
The applicant should have a demonstrated commitment to serving their community, whether through volunteering, activism, or leadership roles in local organisations.

2.      Leadership:
The applicant should demonstrate leadership skills, such as the ability to inspire and motivate others, to take initiative, and to work collaboratively in achieving common goals.

3.      Cultural Competence:
The applicant should demonstrate a strong understanding and appreciation of diversity and cultural competence, including an ability to work effectively with people from different backgrounds.

4.      Global Awareness:
The applicant should have a strong commitment to global issues, such as environmental sustainability, human rights, and social justice.

5.      Civic Engagement:
The applicant should demonstrate an understanding of and engagement with the political process, including an interest in policy, advocacy, and civic participation.

6.      Academic Endeavour:
The applicant should be making academic progress, demonstrating a commitment to learning and intellectual curiosity.

7.      Personal Character:
The applicant should demonstrate strong personal character, including integrity, honesty, and a willingness to take responsibility for their actions.

The Intent:

The aim of these scholarships is to support students in Years 11 and 12 at YAHS who exhibit qualities of community service, leadership, diversity, and personal growth. The intention is to further nurture these attributes through a structured and formal approach.

Applicants should showcase traits of good citizenship within both YAHS and their local communities. This includes:

• Assisting fellow Yanco students in reaching their potential.
• Participating in the planning, management, and execution of YAHS programs.
• Actively contributing to the wellbeing of their community members.
• Supporting initiatives that boost the contribution of local agricultural producers to the regional economy.
• Engaging in programs that enhance the environment and resources necessary for primary production.

These scholarships are valid for 12 months and can be extended by another 12 months, depending on the accomplishments during the initial scholarship period and subject to funding. Applications should clearly outline the nature of the intended contributions in their designated area of citizenship. These objectives should be quantifiable in terms of activities and outcomes.

During the application process, applicants should identify additional training opportunities. The expenses related to any approved training will be covered, in addition to the residential citizenship scholarship.

Furthermore, applicants should indicate their interest in a mentorship arrangement as part of their application.

The school may choose to nominate students who demonstrate several of the abovementioned criteria, for scholarship consideration.

The two rural citizenship scholarships have been named after significant early students who have attended the school.

Arthur Doubleday Residential, Citizenship Scholarship up to $5,000 with approved associated expenses

Arthur attended Yanco Ag (1925-1927), before returning to the family farm at Methul near Coolamon.  He enlisted in the air force in World War II, rising to the rank of Wing Commander and became a member of Bomber Command.  He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order, Distinguished Flying Cross, and was mentioned in Dispatches. Following demobilisation, Arthur became Director of Civil Aviation in Queensland and later in NSW.

Jean Hindmarsh Residential, Citizenship Scholarship up to $5,000 with approved associated expenses

Jean Hindmarsh was the daughter of Percival Hindmarsh, YAHS third Principal.  She was the second female student and was enrolled at YAHS between 1935 and 1937, gaining her Intermediate Certificate.  She completed her Leaving Certificate in Sydney following her father’s transfer to Hurlstone Agricultural High School in 1938.  She maintained an active interest in school activities and in the Old Yanconians’ Union thereafter.