Australian Veterans’

Children Assistance Trust

(AVCAT)

Background

AVCAT administers a number of different educational assistance schemes to help with the costs of full time, tertiary education for the children and grandchildren of those who have served in the Australian Navy, Army or Air Force in peace or war, who are in need.

The schemes are funded by the Australian Government, the ex service organisations, general community and private donors. The objective is to assist those selected to get qualifications needed, appropriate to their abilities to enter their chosen rewarding career. Selection is of the most deserving candidates of merit, who, without our help, would be unable to start or complete studies without financial difficulty.

The schemes share common features and general eligibility rules, with some minor variations. They are all targeted at youth and initial employment. All are means tested and support full-time university study. All but one support TAFE and vocational studies.

Most grants are for veterans’ children, but some include grandchildren who are lineal descendents of a veteran. Most require service in Vietnam, but a few include other operational service and specified continuous full-time service. All allow entry in later study years. Most continue payments for further study but some are for one year only. Some are for applicants permanently resident in specific areas, or require organizational membership, or are only for specified studies.

Service with the Armed forces of other nations or service as a merchant mariner, or as a civilian in Vietnam or elsewhere, is not acceptable for any AVCAT scheme.

Studies outside Australia are not eligible. None of the schemes provide support for post graduate courses or for second degrees unless a first degree is a pre-requisite for entry to a professional degree; eg medicine at some universities.

The same application form is used for all schemes. Applicants are considered for any schemes for which they might be eligible.

Eligibility

To apply for any of the schemes (see exception below) you must be:

• the child or grandchild of a person with operational service, or three or more years continuous full-time other service, as a member of the Australian Navy, Army or Air Force, or
• Under the age of 25 when applying unless exceptional circumstances, related to the veteran’s service, exist.
• enrolled in (or planning to enrol in) a full-time undergraduate, tertiary course of one or more academic years duration by attendance in Australia.
• eligible on income and assets grounds for Youth Allowance full-time educational benefits, at the time of application if currently in full-time education.

Step, adopted, foster children or wards of a veteran are eligible, but grandchildren must be the lineal descendent of a veteran. Operational service for AVCAT purposes includes eligible war service, war-like service and peace-keeping/peace-making service.

National Schemes

• 50 Long Tan bursaries: of $3,000 annually for up to three years funded by the Australian Government, for children of Australian Vietnam veterans who are Australian citizens and permanent residents, planning or undertaking tertiary study. There is no age limit. No one can have more than one bursary.
• National RSL Scholarships: continuing for up to three years, for the children of veterans and members of the Australian Defence Force.
• Legacy Australia Council: continuing for up to three years for the children & grandchildren of members of the Australian Defence Force with a priority given to children who are orphaned
• AVCAT Bursary: continuing for up to four years, with preference for studies in teaching, nursing, engineering and science.
• George Quinsey OAM Scholarships: for the children and grandchildren of Vietnam veterans and peace-keepers/peace-makers, for direct payment to the ATO or educational establishment, for tuition cost for degree, diploma or certificate courses in accountancy, commerce or economics.

Regional Schemes

• Brisbane Water Legacy Club Scholarships: continuing for up to three years for permanent residents of the NSW shires of Gosford and Wyong.
• TPI Association NSW Scholarship: continuing, for children and grandchildren of TPIs in NSW who are current members of that association.
• TLC Scholarships: continuing, for studies at a NSW university.
• Vietnam Veterans’ Association of South Australia “Daryl Knapp” Scholarship: continuing, for the children and grandchildren, permanently resident in South Australia, of Vietnam veterans.
• TLC Grant: - applicant with a disability

   

Payments

The annual amount provided under each scheme is paid in instalments over the academic year. The first and biggest payment is at the start of each year to help with enrolment fees, text books and materials. A smaller amount is paid in mid-year for the second half year's expenses. The rest of the year's money is paid in ten monthly equal instalments during the academic year (March to December). Payments are exempt from income tax but are considered as income for Centrelink payments. One scheme pays HECS/tuition fees only.