The Public Education Foundation’s David S. Ratner Scholarship provides support and encouragement for public primary, high school or tertiary students in 2024. This scholarship will support students for a maximum of five years in primary and/or secondary school and/or University or TAFE (provided they remain in public education throughout the five year period).  The scholarship provides targeted assistance to students currently in primary or high school to address family hardship and ensure that academic potential can be reached regardless of disadvantage.

A bursary amount of $1,000 per year (maximum $5,000 in total) will be paid to successful applicants for each year of their education commencing from 2025. Consideration will be given to applicants whose family identifies as Jewish who can display potential to thrive in an education environment and who would benefit from additional financial support.

The scholarship funds are intended to be spent on items including:

  • Literacy and/or numeracy support
    • Stationery and text books
    • Laptop, iPad or other similar device
    • Subject or study related software
    • Printer
    • Internet connection for study at home
    • School excursions and school camps
    • Furniture for study such as desk, chair, lamp etc
    • Face to face or online tutoring
    • Course related fees

If a student leaves public school before the end of Year 12, the scholarship will lapse.  Please note – if a student’s attendance rate falls below an acceptable level at any time during the duration of the scholarship, the scholarship may be withdrawn.  Any unspent monies at the end of the scholarship period must be refunded to the Public Education Foundation scholarship fund.

Before applying for this scholarship, please ensure that you read the scholarship terms and conditions available on our website

BASIC ELIGIBILITY

  • Attends a NSW Public School (primary or high school)
  • Currently in Kindergarten – Year 12 (in 2024)
  • Australian citizen or permanent resident

SELECTION CRITERIA

  • Experiencing disadvantage which could prevent the student from realising their potential at school
  • Potential to succeed at school/University/TAFE
  • Have a positive attitude towards school and high attendance rates
  • Identifies as Jewish
  • Demonstrate they participate in school life

SELECTION PROCESS

A selection panel will review all scholarship applications and assess them against the selection criteria. The selection panel will include representatives of the Public Education Foundation, a funding representative, NSW Department of Education and independent experts. After considering all applications, the selection panel will recommend the selected applicants for the approval of the Public Education Foundation’s Board. The panel may choose to shortlist applicants and invite those shortlisted to an interview.  Successful applicants will be notified in December 2024.

Applicants will be notified of the outcome via email. If successful, the scholarship recipient’s school principal will also receive notification directly.

How To Apply

All applications for the David S. Ratner Scholarship must be submitted via the Foundation’s online portal. You will need to sign up for a PEF-Apply account to access the form. . Note – ALL sections of the application, INCLUDING the Principals Supporting Statement must be completed before the application can be submitted.

Prior to starting your application, you should compile the following information ready to submit:

  • Applicant details including:
    • full name
    • gender
    • date of birth
    • phone number
    • address
    • email (please ensure you nominate an email account you regularly access)
  • Residence status (copy of residency Visa or Citizenship certificate is a requirement for applicants born outside of Australia)
  • Parent/guardian details (at least one but up to two):
    • name
    • phone number
    • relationship to student
    • email address (please ensure you nominate an email account you regularly access)
  • School details:
    • name of school
    • address
    • principal name
    • email
  • School Point of Contact – the person at the school who you would like correspondence sent to – name, phone number and email
  • Basic information about you/your family:
    • whether you are Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, or Pacific or South Sea Islander
    • your mob/family/traditional owner/language group
    • if you are from a Non-English-Speaking Background
    • country of original of your parents and yourself
    • which languages you speak and are spoken at home
    • how many adults live on your home
    • how many of those adults are working
    • who is the primary caregiver at home
    • how many other school aged (or younger) children live in your house
    • highest education qualification of your immediate family
    • if you have a diagnosed disability or learning difficulty
    • whether you have been in out-of-home care
    • socio-economic background
    • how you found out about the scholarship
  • FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS
    • A statement from the applicant’s parent/carer regarding why the applicant is a suitable candidate for this scholarship and how they meet each of the selection criteria.
    • A brief statement from the applicant’s parent/carer on how the scholarship funds would be used.
  • FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS
    • A statement outlining why you are a suitable candidate for this scholarship and how you meet each of the selection criteria, (maximum 400 words)
    • A brief outline of your plans after you have completed your HSC (maximum 150 words)
    • For applicants currently in year 10 – 12, a brief explanation of how your current or proposed subject selection and/or work experience will assist you in your future study and/or work goals (maximum 250 words)
    • A brief statement on how the scholarship funds would be used (maximum 150 words)
  • A copy of all pages of your most recent school report ready to upload
  • A personal reference from a member of the Jewish community (PDF or Word format, maximum 400 words). Please advise your referee that our Panels are not in a position to contact them for additional information.  The reference should provide all information they feel is relevant
  • A supporting statement from your Principal which addresses the selection criteria (the applicant must initiate a request via the online application to the Principal. This will result in an email being sent to the Principal asking them to complete a statement of support online). This statement must be completed by your Principal before the application can be submitted.

Note for Principals: Please be aware that your statement is a critical component of the application form and your feedback is given considerable weight in the process of panel deliberations.  The panels are looking for feedback that goes well beyond simple confirmation that the student is enrolled in your school.  Generic responses, or copy/paste responses from the applicants or referees statements WILL disadvantage the applicant.

Generic supporting statement WILL disadvantage an applicant

SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION

Once you have finalised your application and all elements are complete (including references as required) you can submit it for review.

Applications must be submitted by 11.59pm on Tuesday 17th September 2024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Call the Public Education Foundation on 02 7814 2806 or email us at info@publiceducationfoundation.org.au.