Scholarships for children/grandchildren of veterans
Applications are now closed and will reopen 18th August 2026
Scholarships
Applications for scholarships open each year on 18 August and close on 31 October. Read more about preparing your application in our Application Guide.
AVCAT scholarships include Long Tan Bursaries and Sponsored Scholarships.
- Long Tan Bursaries are for the children and grandchildren of Vietnam Veterans and are funded by the Australian Government Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA). Each year 37 bursaries are awarded to successful applicants across Australia.
- AVCAT Sponsored Scholarships are for the children and grandchildren of all ex-serving veterans. These scholarships are funded by ex-service organisations, corporate and private donors.
All bursaries and sponsored scholarships are for tertiary education and are $4000-$6000 per year, for up to three years.
The selection process is very competitive, and scholarship numbers are limited therefore, not all worthy and eligible applicants will receive a scholarship. Applicants are notified of the outcome of their application from late February through March.
Common Eligibility Criteria for Long Tan Bursaries and Sponsored Scholarships
- Australian residency status
- Planning to enrol or enrolled in a tertiary course of study (recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework) for one or more academic years at an Australian university, TAFE or a registered training organisation.
- Be studying or planning to study full-time, online or face-to-face. If an applicant is offered a scholarship or bursary but defers study, they are no longer eligible. Priority is given to those who have not previously undertaken tertiary education. Applicants who are seeking a scholarship for a second degree, or a graduate degree, Masters or Doctorate will be given lower priority.
- Be a child or a grandchild of an ex-serving veteran. Children include adopted children, ex-nuptial children, stepchildren and foster children. Stepchildren and foster children must have resided with, or been financially supported by, their veteran stepparent or foster parent for 5 of the last 10 years. Grandchildren are defined as the children of one's son or daughter. Step-grandchildren and foster grandchildren must have resided with or been financially supported by a person who is a child of a veteran for 5 of the last 10 years.
- The veteran must be an Australian ex-serving veteran with operational service including eligible war service, war-like service and peacekeeping/peacemaking service OR 3 or more continuous years of full-time other service, as a member of the
Australian Navy, Army or Air Force, OR served in an organisation during war-like situations which is recognised by DVA. - People who are serving in the Reserve Forces (SERCAT 3, 4 & 5 – Rendering Service) are considered to be serving so the applicant child or grandchild is not eligible.
Eligibility for the Long Tan Bursary also includes:
- Be the child or grandchild of an Australian veteran who served in the Vietnam War during 31 July 1962 to 30 April 1975.
- In receipt of, or eligible to receive, a means-tested Commonwealth educational benefit - Youth Allowance, ABSTUDY, Austudy, Veterans' Children Education Scheme (VCES) or Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act Education and Training Scheme (MRCAETS).
- Have not previously received a Long Tan Bursary.
Eligibility for the Sponsored Scholarships also includes:
- Be able to demonstrate financial hardship on income and assets grounds.
- Specific eligibility may apply to Sponsored Scholarships such as: born/living in a specific state/territory; membership of an association; course of study; veteran's service in a specific conflict/battalion or branch of the Australian Defence Force.
Applicants should only complete one application to be considered for the Long Tan Bursary and a Sponsored Scholarship. Applicants will be considered for all scholarships and bursaries for which they are eligible.