General Education Scholarships Requirements and Application For 2027/2028

General Education Scholarships are available at several private schools in Australia for students who have demonstrated outstanding ability in areas such as sport, leadership, music, performing arts, community service and academic performance.

This guide covers nine Australian schools offering General Education Scholarships or closely related awards. It explains who can apply, what the scholarships may cover, and the latest application dates published by each school.

Important: These are school-based scholarships, not automatically fully funded international scholarships. Many have Australian citizenship or residency requirements. Parents should check the eligibility conditions carefully before applying.

General Excellence Scholarships: Quick Application Guide

1. Haileybury Rendall School General Excellence Scholarship

Haileybury Rendall School offers General Excellence Scholarships to students who combine strong academic performance with achievement in other areas of school life.

For the 2027 entry programme, the school advertised scholarships for students entering Year 7 or Year 10. Applicants were expected to demonstrate academic achievement and ability in at least one other area, such as sport, music, performance, art, leadership or community service.

The scholarship normally provides a percentage reduction in tuition fees. The amount is determined by the school, and all awards are made at the Principal’s discretion.

Eligibility

• Applicants may be new or current students entering Year 7 or Year 10.
• Australian citizens, permanent residents and temporary residents may apply.
• Students should have a strong academic record and evidence of achievement outside the classroom.

Application status: Applications for the 2027 General Excellence Scholarship are closed. The school has not yet published the next General Excellence application dates.

How to apply: Check the official Haileybury Rendall School scholarship page for the next application announcement.

2. Ivanhoe Grammar School General Excellence Award

Ivanhoe Grammar School offers General Excellence Awards to students who show strong achievement, potential and character across academic, co-curricular and community activities.

The current programme is for students entering Years 7, 9 and 10 in 2028. Both current students and external applicants may apply.

Eligibility and requirements

• Applicants must be entering Year 7, Year 9 or Year 10 in 2028.
• Students who hold, or need, an Australian Student Visa (subclass 500) are not eligible.
• Applicants must provide a supporting reference, their latest school report, NAPLAN results and a recent photograph.
• Specific NAPLAN performance requirements apply to applicants in the different entry years.

Application dates

• Applications opened: 12 October 2026
• Closing date: 14 December 2026 at 4:00 pm
• Application fee: AUD $200
• Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview in Term 1 of 2027.

The application fee is non-refundable. Late applications will not be considered.

How to apply: Visit the official Ivanhoe Grammar General Excellence page.

Note: Ivanhoe also offers a separate First Nations Scholarship. It is a different programme and should not be confused with the General Excellence Award.

3. Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School (PEGS) General Excellence Scholarship

Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School offers General Excellence Awards to students with sound academic achievement and outstanding ability in areas such as performing arts, sport, leadership and community involvement.

Both current students and students seeking admission may apply.

Eligibility

• Applicants must be entering Years 7 to 11.
• Students must live permanently in Australia.
• Students holding an ongoing scholarship at another school are not eligible.
• Overseas full-fee-paying students are not eligible.
• Applicants need to provide their most recent school reports and NAPLAN results.

The school reviews scholarship recipients’ progress annually. Award holders are expected to maintain suitable academic standards and take part in the school’s co-curricular programmes.

2028 application dates

• Applications open: 1 March 2027
• Applications close: 16 July 2027 at 5:00 pm

How to apply: Read the requirements on the official PEGS scholarship page.

4. Camberwell Grammar School General Excellence Scholarships

Camberwell Grammar School offers General Excellence Scholarships for boys entering Years 7 to 11. Its programme includes awards for sport and for community and leadership.

The school assesses applicants according to the relevant scholarship category. Its General Excellence programme recognises achievement in sport or contributions to the community and leadership.

Application status

Applications for entry in 2027 are closed. The school states that information about its 2028 General Excellence programme will be available in 2027.

Parents should not rely on the old 2023 application dates or eligibility conditions in earlier versions of this article. The current school page should be checked when the next application information is published.

How to apply: Visit the official Camberwell Grammar School scholarship page.

5. Caulfield Grammar School General Excellence Scholarship

Caulfield Grammar School awards General Excellence Scholarships to students who demonstrate achievement across different areas of school life.

Applicants must show excellence and involvement in at least three of the following areas:

• Academic achievement
• Leadership and service
• Sport
• Performing or visual arts

Applicants may be new or currently enrolled students, but they must be Australian citizens or permanent residents at the time of application.

Successful students may receive a tuition fee reduction, typically between 25% and 75%. The school considers the family’s financial circumstances when making offers. Scholarship recipients are expected to remain involved in their chosen discipline and contribute to school life.

2028 application information

• Entry years: Years 7, 9 and 10
• Scholarship test registration deadline: 3 February 2027 at 3:00 pm
• Scholarship test: 13 February 2027, 9:00 am–12:00 noon
• Application fee: AUD $130
• Year 7 supporting documents deadline: 15 February 2027 at 3:00 pm
• Years 9 and 10 supporting documents deadline: 23 March 2027 at 3:00 pm

Applicants must sit the scholarship test. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview. Required documents include the application form, two references, a 200-word handwritten statement, the latest school report, NAPLAN results and relevant certificates.

How to apply: Read the full requirements and use the application links on the official Caulfield Grammar scholarship page.

6. Carey Baptist Grammar School General Excellence Scholarship

Carey Baptist Grammar School offers a limited number of General Excellence Scholarships for students with outstanding sporting ability.

The scholarships are available to current and prospective students entering Year 7, Year 10 or Year 11.

The school usually provides a 50% reduction in tuition fees. This does not cover application and entry fees, books, uniforms, digital devices, compulsory camps and excursions, or optional extras.

Selection criteria

Applicants should:

• Compete in sport at representative, State or National level.
• Demonstrate leadership potential and good character.
• Be willing to support and encourage other students.
• Participate in school, community and co-curricular activities.
• Show commitment to the school’s values and activities.

Sports considered include athletics, basketball, cricket, cross country, Australian rules football, hockey, netball, rowing, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis and volleyball.

2028 application dates

• Applications opened: 19 October 2026
• Closing date: 26 February 2027

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview. They may then be required to complete academic testing through Edutest. The school also requires a recent school report and may request NAPLAN results and supporting documents.

Scholarships are reviewed annually and may continue to the end of Year 12 if the recipient maintains the required academic, behavioural and co-curricular standards.

How to apply: Read the conditions and complete the application form on the official Carey Baptist Grammar School page.

7. Geelong Grammar School General Excellence Scholarship

Geelong Grammar School offers General Excellence Scholarships to students who demonstrate sound academic achievement, good character, a strong work ethic and ability across a range of activities.

The scholarships are available to day and boarding students. They are means-tested, so shortlisted families must provide financial information.

Eligibility

Applicants must be Australian or New Zealand citizens, or hold an Australian Permanent Residency visa.

Entry-year requirements depend on the campus. For example, external applicants may apply for different year levels at Corio, Toorak and Timbertop. Current students have more limited entry-year options.

The school also offers the Old Geelong Grammarians Scholarship to eligible new students whose parents or grandparents attended Geelong Grammar, The Hermitage or Clyde schools, where financial assistance is needed.

Scholarship value

A General Excellence Scholarship may cover up to 75% of day or boarding fees. It does not cover expenses such as uniforms, textbooks, excursions, private music lessons or other personal costs.

2028 application dates

• Applications open: 2 November 2026
• Applications close: 1 February 2027
• Scholarship examination: 20 February 2027
• First-round interviews: April 2027
• Expected outcome notifications: by June 2027

Shortlisted applicants will be asked to provide financial information and may be invited to an interview.

How to apply: Check the eligibility rules and application details on the official Geelong Grammar School scholarship page.

8. Presbyterian Ladies’ College (PLC) General Excellence Scholarship

Presbyterian Ladies’ College (PLC) offers General Education Scholarships to girls who demonstrate achievement in academics and active involvement in school and community life.

The school considers applicants’ ACER scholarship examination performance, most recent school report, co-curricular involvement, leadership, sporting activities and club membership. An interview may also form part of the selection process.

PLC scholarships may cover up to 50% of basic annual tuition fees.

Eligibility

• Scholarships are available for entry into Years 7 to 11.
• Current Year 6 PLC students may apply for Year 7 entry.
• Applicants should demonstrate strong academic and co-curricular involvement.

2028 application dates

• Applications open: 1 December 2026
• Remote and overseas applications close: 13 January 2027
• General application closing date: 20 January 2027
• Scholarship examination: 30 January 2027

Applications for 2027 entry have closed. The dates above relate to 2028 entry.

How to apply: Visit the official PLC scholarship page and read the application information before registering.

9. Trinity Grammar School, Kew Scholarships

The older version of this article described Trinity Grammar’s General (Academic) Excellence Scholarship for students entering Years 5, 7 and 9. The school’s current scholarship page lists its Academic Scholarship and Cocurricular Scholarship as separate programmes.

The Cocurricular Scholarship recognises students who show talent, commitment and leadership in areas such as sport, music, performing arts, service and wider school activities.

For the 2027 programme, the Cocurricular Scholarship was available to current and prospective students entering Years 7 to 11. Applicants had to be Australian citizens or permanent residents.

Selection was based on a student profile and interview. The school considered academic potential, co-curricular achievements, leadership, community contribution and personal interests.

Successful students receive a reduction in tuition fees, with the value determined at the Principal’s discretion.

Application status: Applications for the 2027 Cocurricular Scholarship are closed. The school has not yet published the next Cocurricular Scholarship application dates.

Trinity also lists a separate Academic Scholarship. Its published 2027 entry programme covered Years 5, 7 and 9 and is now closed.

How to apply: Check the official Trinity Grammar School scholarship page for new application information.

Important Things Parents Should Check Before Applying For Scholarships

Before applying for any of these scholarships, make sure you understand the school’s conditions.

1. Citizenship and residency: Several schools restrict applications to Australian citizens or permanent residents. Some have different rules, so check the individual school.
2. Entry year: A scholarship may only be available for particular year levels. Confirm the year your child will enter.
3. What the award covers: A tuition fee reduction does not necessarily cover boarding, uniforms, books, devices, camps or other school charges.
4. Application documents: Schools may request school reports, NAPLAN results, references, certificates, test results or interviews.
5. Deadlines: Some schools do not accept late applications. Keep track of both registration and supporting-document deadlines.

Frequently Asked Questions about General Education Scholarships

What is a General Education Scholarships?

A General Excellence Scholarship is a school award for students who demonstrate outstanding ability and achievement in areas such as sport, leadership, the arts, academics and community service. The selection criteria differ from one school to another.

Do General Education Scholarships cover full school fees?

Not necessarily. Some schools offer partial tuition fee reductions. For example, Carey usually offers a 50% tuition fee reduction, while Geelong Grammar may offer up to 75% of day or boarding fees. Always check what expenses are excluded.

Can international students apply for these scholarships?

Eligibility depends on the school. Some programmes require Australian citizenship or permanent residency, while others accept certain temporary residents. Ivanhoe Grammar, for example, excludes applicants who hold or require an Australian Student Visa (subclass 500).

Which schools have 2028 General Education Scholarships applications open?

As of 30 October 2026, Ivanhoe Grammar, Caulfield Grammar and Carey Baptist Grammar have published open application information for 2028 entry. Geelong Grammar’s 2028 applications are scheduled to open on 2 November 2026. Other schools have announced future dates application details.

What documents are usually required for general excellence scholarships?

Depending on the school, applicants may need recent school reports, NAPLAN results, references, certificates, a personal statement, scholarship examination results and an interview.

Where can I find the official application forms?

Use the official scholarship page linked under each school in this guide. Read the eligibility requirements and application instructions before submitting any form.

Conclusion

Scholarship conditions, entry years and application dates can change. Parents should always confirm the latest information directly with the school before applying. If a school has not yet published its next application dates, do not rely on an old deadline from a previous year.