Do you know that as a swimmer, you can qualify to win one or more swimming scholarships in Australia? I have curated those swimming scholarships under this blog post to make them easy for you to find.
As a talented swimmer, there are many opportunities that you stand to gain and one of them is scholarship. In fact, right from high school, you can start getting high school swimming scholarships that will support the financial cost of your high school education and even see you through college. There are even much more athletic scholarships in college that will help pay for your college tuition and other expenses while you study for a degree and still participate in a sport you are passionate about, in this case, swimming.
Sports scholarships are offered in different parts of the world like Canada, Australia, and the US – the biggest in the world – by their respective higher institutions and organizations. The scholarships cut across various sports like basketball, football, swimming, cricket, baseball, and lots more. You can take a few minutes out of your time to explore our category of athletic scholarships to see all the different types of sports scholarships in different countries.
The good thing about these sports scholarships or athletic scholarships is that student-athletes won’t be torn between pursuing a college degree or playing sports after high school. Sports scholarships strike a balance between allowing student-athletes to attend classes like every other normal college student and still be able to participate actively in their favorite sports. And the biggest perk? They do not have to worry about their tuition.
So, swimming scholarships in Australia will help pay for your tuition and sometimes other college expenses including as you participate in swimming training and competition whilst studying for a college degree at one of the accredited universities in Australia with a swimming program. When you graduate college, you will have two career options to go with. Either go into the business world with your degree or become a professional swimmer. Whatever decision you go for guarantees success.
Swimming scholarships in Australia are offered by universities, colleges, and organizations. The scholarships are targeted at developing talented swimmers who will represent their respective schools and Australia in national and international swimming competitions.
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How to Get a Swimming Scholarship in Australia
Swimming scholarships in Australia are offered at secondary and post-secondary levels of education, that is, high school and college. So, if you do want to apply for a swimming scholarship in Australia, you must either be a high school student or a college student. And, of course, you will be a swimmer, not just any swimmer but an excellent one who is actively participating in swimming training and competitions at their respective schools and/or swimming clubs.
That is the first step to getting a swimming scholarship in Australia but being an excellent swimmer is not enough to get you a swimming scholarship in Australia. You must also possess an outstanding academic record or achievement as well. If it is a college swimming scholarship you are applying for, then you must have a high GPA and ace standardized tests if any.
With an outstanding swimming record and excellent academic performance, you have passed the two major criteria to get any swimming scholarships in Australia. As part of the application for swimming scholarship, you may be required to submit the following documents:
- Official or unofficial high school transcript
- Personal statement or essay
- A portfolio of your swimming record and achievement
- Letter of recommendation from your teacher and coach
- A photo headshot
To learn more about specific requirements, you may need to speak with your coach or contact the scholarships committee.
Now, let’s get down to the icing on the cake…
Best Swimming Scholarships in Australia
- Hancock Prospecting Swimming Excellence Scholarship
- St. Hilda’s School Gold Coast Swimming Scholarships
- Elite Athlete University Scholarships
- The University of Western Australia (UWA) Global Sporting Excellence Scholarship
- QUT Elite Sport Scholarship
- Forbes and Ursula Carlile Scholarships
- Griffith Sports Excellence Scholarships
- Geelong Grammar School Sports Scholarships
- Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) Scholarships
- David Cook Scholarship
- The University of Queensland (UQ) Sporting Scholarships
1. Hancock Prospecting Swimming Excellence Scholarship
First on our list of best swimming scholarships in Australia is the Hancock Prospecting Swimming Excellence Scholarship, Aside from being the best in the country, it is also the most popular swimming scholarship in the nation. It is open only to citizens of Australia and you can apply for the scholarship when you have completed high school and applying for an undergraduate program or completed an undergraduate program and applying for a postgraduate program.
Hancock Prospecting Swimming Excellence Scholarship is offered every year and the reward is 100% tuition remission and still receive an additional $21,000 living allowance for each year of study (up to three years). The Hancock Prospecting Swimming Excellence Scholarship is tenable only at Bond University, therefore, you must be applying for an undergraduate or graduate degree program at Bond to be eligible for the scholarship.
Follow the link below to learn more about the eligibility requirements, how to apply, yearly application deadlines, and many more.
2. St. Hilda’s School Gold Coast Swimming Scholarships
As I mentioned earlier, high school students in Australia with outstanding swimming abilities also qualify for scholarships and St. Hilda’s swimming scholarship is one of them and one of the best too. You already know that you must be a current student of St. Hilda’s School and be part of the swimming team as the first step to be considered for this scholarship.
It is open to new and existing students who must maintain a high level of achievement to be eligible. In addition, applicants must attend training sessions regularly, participate in important events, and consistently represent the school in swimming competitions. Applicants can be citizens or permanent residents of Australia or international students. The scholarship provides part remission of tuition fees for the successful recipient.
3. Elite Athlete University Scholarships
As an elite athlete whether in swimming or any sports, you stand a chance to qualify for the Elite Athlete University Scholarships. The scholarships are available across the Australian Elite Athlete Education Network (EAEN). It is more like a partnership between the Australian Government, the Australian Sports Commission, and some universities to provide scholarships to elite athletes.
The participating institutions are the Australian Catholic University, Charles Sturt University, Australian National University, the University of Canberra, Southern Cross University, the University of New England, the University of Newcastle, and many others. Each of these universities has its specific requirements to offer the scholarship. But before applying, ensure that you have an active swimming team.
4. The University of Western Australia (UWA) Global Sporting Excellence Scholarship
UWA established the Global Sporting Excellence Scholarship to offer sports scholarships to high-performing athletes, coaches, and officials from across the globe. Since the university has an active swimming team, you can apply for the Global Sporting Excellence Scholarship and receive funding between AUD$36,000 to AUD$48,000 depending on whether it is a 3 or 4-year undergraduate course.
Postgraduate students are not left out either, they can receive up to AUD$24,000 over two years on eligible courses. This scholarship is open to international and domestic students. You must be accepted or enrolled in UWA to be eligible. In addition, eligible applicants judged to be the highest-rated student-athlete will receive additional funding.
5. QUT Elite Sport Scholarship
Queensland University of Technology (QUT) offers swimming scholarships to outstanding swimmers through the Elite Sports Scholarships program. The scholarship is available to undergraduate and postgraduate students in all study areas as well as future and current students accepted or enrolled at QUT. The scholarship value is between $5,000 and $10,000 paid over two years.
Other perks include membership to the Elite Athlete Program, membership to QUT’s College of Excellence, access to personal and professional development opportunities, and access to nutrition and sports psychology services. It is open only to citizens of Australia.
6. Forbes and Ursula Carlile Scholarships
This is one of the swimming scholarships in Australia provided by the Carlile Foundation. The scholarship program is aimed at identifying and supporting talented athletes who have the potential to be selected for Swimming Australia and Junior teams and squads during the current Olympic period.
7. Griffith Sports Excellence Scholarships
Griffith University, Australia provides sporting scholarships to commencing and current student-athletes in an undergraduate or postgraduate degree program at the university and competing at an elite level in their chosen sports. Your chosen sport must either be listed as a funded sport in the Australian Sports Directory or an Olympic, Paralympic, or Commonwealth Games sport. Swimming checks the list thus, elite swimmers in Australia are eligible to apply.
The scholarship is targeted at student-athletes competing at national or international level. The value is between $5,000 and $28,000.
8. Geelong Grammar School Sports Scholarships
Here is another financial aid opportunity for high school swimmers in Australia. Geelong Grammar School established this sports scholarship for students who cannot attend the school without financial assistance. Students should have strength in swimming, football, netball, touch football, water polo, badminton, rowing, tennis, hockey, soccer, and cross country.
To be eligible, applicants must be a citizen or permanent residents of Australia or New Zealand entering Years 10 or 11. You must show exceptional sporting promise at an elite level to be considered for the award. The scholarship is awarded each year and covers up to 100% of the day or boarding fees.
9. Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) Scholarships
Every year, the Victorian Institute of Sport awards scholarships to athletes competing in Tier 1 sports which include swimming. As a student-athlete participating in swimming competitions, you can apply for this scholarship and receive benefits and awards that will draw you closer to being a professional swimmer after you graduate.
10. David Cook Scholarship
If you are 13 years old or above, you can apply for the David Cook Scholarship. It was established by the Nunawading Swimming Club in memory of David Cook who was a life member of Nunawading Swimming Club. The scholarship awards free swim coaching and gym training, free flights to one Australian championship each year, and standard Nunawading Swimming Club swimming gear.
Applicants must display exceptional swimming ability and potential for further development as competitive swimmers. Nunawading Swimming Club members are not eligible to apply.
11. The University of Queensland (UQ) Sporting Scholarships
The University of Queensland provides sports scholarships to assist elite-level student-athletes in balancing their studies with the demands of their sports. The scholarship cut across a wide range of sports offered at the university which includes swimming.
The scholarship provides free tutoring and academic liaison, financial support, sports psychology services, discounted physiotherapy, free UQ Sport 12-month Gold Membership, academic support options and development workshops, and class sign-on support.
Conclusion
To recap, swimming scholarships in Australia are for athletes, men, and women, with exceptional swimming abilities and good academic records. The scholarships are available to secondary and post-secondary school students whether currently enrolled or about to enroll. Universities and other organizations offer these swimming scholarships annually.
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