Scholarships FAQs

Scholarships are awarded for the duration. It is our expectation that all scholarship holders will maintain academic standards appropriate to those of a scholarship holder, and standards of conduct and application of the highest order. It is assumed scholarship holders will involve themselves actively in the life of the College, to fulfil representation opportunities as required, and at all times support the general standards of the College.

The Principal's Scholarship of Excellence.  As part of this application you will be required to submit a portfolio highlighting her excellence in sporting and/or cultural pursuits.

Most of the PLC Sydney scholarship positions are finalised by the end of Term 1 (other than the indigenous scholarships). We receive results of the ACER testing in early March each year and successful applicants are contacted the following week for interviews. 

The scholarship contract expects you to repay the funds to the value of the tuition fees that would otherwise have been incurred. This is because those who donate expect a long-term commitment to the cohort.

All students applying for the Year 7 ACER Academic Scholarship must sit the ACER examination.  

The ACER examination does not apply to other year groups eg. Year 7 Music Scholarships, Year 8 - 11 Music Scholarships.  There is no academic testing for other scholarships however you are required to include your daughter’s past 2 years of school reports and most recent NAPLAN as part of the application process.

There is a fee of $150 payable to ACER for the Year 7 ACER Academic Scholarships only. This is payable directly to ACER when you register for your daughter to sit the examination.

There is no application fee for other scholarships.

For all new students, to accept a Scholarship you will be required to pay the non-refundable Application Fee of $440 and non-refundable Enrolment Fee of $3175. Please note Scholarships cover tuition fees only.

Yes. All applicants are required to provide full documentation.

You do not need to contact the school. We do not contact applicants prior to the scholarship closing date. After the closing date, ONLY applicants that are shortlisted will be contacted to arrange interview dates and times.

ACER Scholarships: After the closing date, we will write to each applicant to acknowledge receipt of application and to provide details of the ACER testing for those applying for the ACER scholarships. ALL applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application once scholarship places have been offered and accepted.

All Scholarship Applications require the submission of Australian Birth Certificate/Australian Citizenship documentation, 2 most recent school reports and most recent Naplan. Additional documents are as specified within each Scholarship Application.

The following scholarships closed at midnight on Wednesday 5 February 2025 at midnight.

• Year 7 ACER Academic Scholarship
• Year 7 Music Scholarship
• Principal’s Scholarship of Excellence
• Year 11 Academic Scholarship
• Year 8-11 Music Scholarship
• Boarding and Foundation Bursaries

Only the AIEF (Indigenous) Scholarships, close in May of the year prior to entry.

Music Scholarship auditions will be held in early to mid March.

Year 7 Music Scholarship

Please note that Scholarships are not available for Voice, Piano or Harp as first instruments.

Year 8 – Year 11 Music Scholarship

PLC Sydney Music scholars are assessed continuously throughout the year and are expected to participate fully in the Music program offered at PLC Sydney.

Students who gain a scholarship are required to:

This varies from year to year. College Council sets an overall percentage. How that is divided each year shifts according to the quality of the applications.  Scholarships are offered at the discretion of the Principal.

Some of our scholarships are means-tested, however as part of the application, we will ask both parents to provide their last two notices of assessment so we may determine household income. Scholarships at PLC Sydney are awarded on a merit-based framework yet we will also strive to assist girls from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

This varies from year to year. As a guide, we usually have between 150-200 applicants.

The ACER Academic Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit. We review the results of the ACER testing as this provides a common form of assessment. We do look at the student’s capacity to communicate with others and their willingness to engage at the interview.

The value of each scholarship is at the discretion of the Principal. They cover 50%, 66%, 75% and occasionally 100% of the academic fees. Scholarships do not cover textbooks, uniforms, excursions, technology fees, individual subject fees or boarding fees.

It is our expectation that all scholarship holders will maintain academic standards appropriate to those of a scholarship holder, and standards of conduct and application of the highest order.  It is assumed scholarship holders will involve themselves actively in the life of the College, to fulfil representation opportunities as required, and at all times support the general standards of the College. Music scholarships and the Principal’s Scholarship of Excellence scholarships have expectations in regard to commitment to College activities.

The scholarship contract expects you to repay the funds to the value of the tuition fees that would otherwise have been incurred. This is because those who donate expect a long-term commitment to the cohort.

She is expected to do her best. We support her in her learning.

Scholarships are awarded for Year 7 to Year 12.

Each applicant is assessed on her own academic merit.

Successful applicants will be contacted in early- mid-March by telephone.

Scholarships are not means tested. Bursaries are means tested.

If a scholarship is offered, written acceptance of the scholarship must be accompanied by a completed PLC Sydney Enrolment Agreement, along with payment of the non-refundable registration fee of $440 and the non-refundable PLC Sydney Enrolment Fee of $3 175 (for external applicants only).

Yes - families will be invited to attend an interview. Interviews will be held in early-mid March

Yes - on occasions we do.

Yes - we write to all families at the conclusion of the interviews to notify the outcome of your daughter’s application.

You will receive an email from ACER to your nominated email address with details on how to access your daughter’s results. This will be sent in mid-March.

We do not hold offers open indefinitely. You will be required to provide your decision within weeks of receiving the offer.

Scholarships are open to Australian Permanent Residents only. You will be required to provide documentation supporting your daughter’s Australian birth certficate and residency. 

The ACER scholarships are open to all students and are awarded on academic merit. It makes no difference if she is a current student, enrolled to commence in a future year or not enrolled.

The Principal has a set amount of funds to distribute. He does this following a fair criteria.

Yes - please contact our Enrolments office to arrange this.

You will receive an email after the applications close date with details about the meeting time and other arrangements for the test day.

You will receive an email after the applications close date with details about the collection time and other arrangements for the test day.

Your daughter should bring the following on the testing day:

Note that smartwatches must not be brought into the examination room; mobile phones are to be put on silent and placed on the desk.

School uniform is not required. She should wear comfortable clothing.

There are 4 tests: