Financial assistance and scholarships
Financial assistance to students through Centrelink
Eligible students, who are Australian residents, can apply to Centrelink for financial assistance through Youth Allowance, Austudy or ABSTUDY.
Visit Centrelink or call 132 490 for more information.
NIDA Scholarships
NIDA Scholarships are divided into two main categories: one open to application by future students (applicants), and the other open to application by enrolled students. Most scholarships are allocated based on financial need.
Future Students' Scholarships
These scholarships are for individuals applying to study at NIDA in 2021.
Please note these scholarships are only available for domestic applicants (those who are a citizen or permanent resident of Australia, a citizen of New Zealand or the holder of an Australian humanitarian visa).
NIDA is committed to building a diverse community of students and strongly encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from a wide range of backgrounds and people with a disability.
View 2021 Future Students’ Scholarships
| Scholarship name | Who can apply? | Amount | When to apply? |
| The YouTube Scholarship (x1) | Applicants to any 2022 BFA from a background historically underrepresented in the screen and stage industry | $44,000 over three years ($14,500 per year) | From July 2021 |
| The William Rubensohn Foundation Scholarship (x1) | Applicants to any 2022 BFA experiencing financial hardship with priority given to applicants from rural NSW | $30,000 over three years ($10,000 per year) | From July 2021 |
| The Helen Dumbrell Scholarship (x1) | Applicants to 2022 BFA (Acting) experiencing financial need | $30,000 over three years ($10,000 per year) | From July 2021 |
| The Ezekiel Solomon AM Scholarship (x1) | Applicants to 2022 BFA (Acting) experiencing financial need | $5,000 | From July 2021 |
Successful scholarship applicants will be notified upon receiving an offer for a place in their chosen NIDA course in December 2020.
Enrolled Students’ Scholarships
In 2021, approximately $300,000 worth of NIDA Scholarships, including Indigenous Scholarships, will be available to assist enrolled students with living expenses and/or tuition fees.
Scholarships are paid to students on a fortnightly basis from the census date and paid only during the NIDA teaching year. They are awarded for one year or multiple years depending on the terms of the Scholarship.
Details of the application process are provided to students at the start of the NIDA academic year.
View 2021 Enrolled Students’ Scholarships
| Scholarship name | Who can apply? | Individual amount |
| The Frank Thring Scholarships (x4) | BFA or MFA students for their excellence and achievements | $6,000 |
| The Geoffrey Rothwell Scholarship (x1) | BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need | $6,000 |
| The Keith Bain Memorial Scholarship (x1) | BFA (Acting) student for their achievements in movement work | $6,000 |
| The Laidlaw Foundation Scholarship (1) | BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need | $6,000 |
| The June Penn Scholarships (x1) | Female BFA (Acting) students experiencing financial need | $6,000 |
| The Mel Gibson and Village Roadshow scholarships (x2) | BFA students experiencing financial need | $5,000 |
| The Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust Scholarship (x1) | BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need | $5,000 |
| The Ben Gannon AO Scholarship (x1) | BFA or MFA student for their excellence and achievements | $15,000 |
| The Laurie Cowled International Scholarship (x1) | BFA (Costume) student in third year undertaking an international secondment | $5,000 |
| The Dawn O'Donnell Scholarships (x6) | Female BFA (Technical Theatre and Stage Management) or female MFA (Directing) students | $5,000 |
| The Helpmann Family Foundation Scholarships (x8) | BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need | $5,000 |
| The Jessica Falkholt Memorial Scholarship (x1) | BFA (Acting) students experiencing financial need | $5,000 |
| The Kate Davy Memorial Scholarship (x1) | BFA (Technical Theatre and Stage Management) students with priority given to a female student from regional area. | $5,000 |
| The Seaborn Broughton Walford Foundation Scholarship (x1) | BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need | $5,000 |
| The Tim Fairfax Scholarships (x3) | BFA or MFA students relocating from rural and regional areas experiencing financial need | $5,000 |
| NIDA Foundation Trust scholarships (multiple) | BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need | $2,000–$5,000 |
| The Fay Mokotow Memorial Scholarship (x1) | Female MFA (Directing) student for their excellence and achievements | $4,000 |
| The Geoff Richards Memorial Scholarships (x3) | BFA (Technical Theatre and Stage Management) students experiencing financial need | $4,000 |
| The J.G. Reynolds memorial Scholarship (x6) | BFA or MFA students aged under 25 years. | $4,000 |
| The June Baker Scholarship (x1) | BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need | $4,000 |
| The Peter Baynes Memorial Scholarship (x1) | BFA (Technical Theatre and Stage Management) or (Scenic Construction and Technologies) students undertaking a secondment overseas. | $4,000 |
| The Prof Ross Steele AM Scholarship (x1) | BFA or MFA student experiencing financial need | $4,000 |
| The Cowled Foundation Scholarships (x3) | BFA (Design for Performance) students, with a priority given to young women from rural Australia experiencing financial need | $2,500 |
| The Actors Benevolent Fund (x1) | BFA (Acting) students experiencing financial need | $2,000 |
| The Ellen Borda Scholarship (x1) | BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need | $2,000 |
| The Gillespie/Price Scholarship (x1) | BFA students experiencing financial need | $2,000 |
| Gallery First Nighter Scholarship (x1) | BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need | $1,000 |
| Philip and Vivien Green Scholarship (x1) | BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need | $1,000 |
| Tony and Coleen de Saxe Scholarship (x1) | BFA or MFA students experiencing financial need | $1,000 |
| The Pam Dawson Memorial Scholarship (x2) | BFA (Technical Theatre and Stage Management) students undertaking a secondment | $900 |
View 2021 Indigenous Enrolled Students’ Scholarships
| Scholarship name | Who can apply? | Individual amount | |
| The ARA Group Scholarships (x3) | BFA or MFA Indigenous students | $10,000 | |
| The Dr Eric Wegman Scholarship (x1) | BFA Indigenous students | $5,000 | |
| The Luminis Indigenous Fellowship for Cultural Leadership (x1) | Indigenous applicants to MFA (Cultural Leadership) (All Indigenous applicants to the MFA (Cultural Leadership) will be automatically considered. Read more) | $15,000 covering 50% of tuition fees | |
| The Julia Mant Scholarship (x1) | BFA or MFA Indigenous students | $5,000 | |
| The Roger Allen & Maggie Gray Scholarship (x1) | BFA or MFA Indigenous students | $2,000 |
Thank you to our supporters
NIDA Scholarships and Fellowship are made possible through the generosity of donors, trusts and Foundations, Corporate Partners, and bequests through the NIDA Foundation Trust.
For Indigenous student scholarships, NIDA receives support from the ARA Group Limited, NIDA’s Principal Partner for Property and Services. NIDA is grateful to ARA for their support of scholarships and funding towards NIDA’s education and training.