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2024 BCA Hugh Jeffrey Scholarship Program

Applications closed: BCA Hugh Jeffrey Scholarship Program

Applications for the BCA Hugh Jeffrey Scholarship are now closed. This scholarship aims to increase the opportunities available to people who are blind or vision impaired to participate in tertiary and further education.

This scholarship is open to anyone currently enrolled in, or planning on enrolling in, a post-secondary study program. Scholarship amounts of up to $5,000 are awarded to support students in their studies.

Applications are now open. If you would like to receive an application form, please email bca@bca.org.au to confirm your eligibility.

Applications for this round of scholarships will open on 8th January, 2024 and close on 31st January, 2024 at 11:59pm AEDT.

On this page you can find more information about:

“Given the current climate regarding COVID-19, I felt I was starting to lose my motivation to return to study. With the world in such disarray coupled with my blindness, it was starting to plague my ability to pursue my goals. Being awarded this scholarship gave me the kickstart I needed and helped reignite the ‘study spark’ inside me.” Samantha (Round 1 Scholarship Recipient) 

This program is proudly funded by the Commonwealth’s Information, Linkages and Capacity-building program and the Jeffrey Blyth Foundation 

Eligibility criteria 

To be eligible for consideration for the scholarship recipients must: 

  • Be a full member of BCA (membership forms available here). 
  • Provide evidence of enrolment or an acceptance letter for a post-secondary educational program that results in a recognised qualification (Internship and Graduate Program applicants may apply while waiting for confirmation of acceptance; with Scholarship awarded on successful application). 
  • Not be a current BCA staff member or Director (board member). 

Application assessment 

Applications will be assessed by the following criteria: 

  • The course of study is a logical trajectory for the student’s skills, interests, and goals. 
  • The potential of the scholarship to enhance the ability to successfully complete the program of study. 

Scholarship recipients will receive: 

  • Recognition of personal ambition, promoted and celebrated through organisational channels 
  • Alumni network of support 
  • BCA support and/or advocacy as appropriate to ensure their study is accessible to them 
  • Support for their place of study to further develop its institutional accessibility and inclusion by utilising BCA’s expertise, advice and/or resources 
  • Pathway to BCA leadership and/or committee roles 
  • Access to BCA programs to support their study and skills development 
  • Financial support up to $5000 to assist with study-related expenses.  

Preparing Your Application 

All applications must be submitted using the BCA Hugh Jeffrey Scholarship application form. This form will be made available when applications open on the 8th of January 2024. 

Please note that for your application to be complete, you must also do the following: 

You can review the application guidelines via the scholarship pre-application guidance document

Please Note: This document is for preparation work only, we will only accept final applications made via the BCA Hugh Jeffrey Scholarship application form. 

Not sure about the application process?  

Here’s what past recipient Samantha has said about the application process:

“The process to apply for the scholarship was incredibly easy and very much accessible. I completed the entire application solo, in most cases scholarships require documentation to be completed by hand, which means I require a pair of eyes for assistance. It was liberating to be able to complete the entire application independently.” 

About the BCA Hugh Jeffrey Scholarship Program 

This program, Funded by the Commonwealth’s Information, Linkages and Capacity-building program and the Jeffrey Blyth Foundation, is offering a total of 15 scholarships over three periods, each period offering recipients financial support for recognised tertiary studies. Each scholarship is for educational expenses up to $5000. 

Each semester will have a separate application and awarding process. Scholarship recipients will be funded for one semester only. 

Program Objectives 

The BCA Hugh Jeffrey Scholarships Program has two key objectives: 

  • To increase the opportunities available to people who are blind or vision impaired to participate in tertiary/further education, by offering financial assistance. 
  • To raise the awareness of mainstream education providers of the valuable contributions and unique perspectives people who are blind or vision impaired offer to education and training. 

Blind Citizens Australia, (BCA) is strongly committed to ensuring people who are blind or vision impaired have opportunities to develop skills that equip them to contribute to the social, economic, and cultural life of Australian communities. 

Comments from previous scholarship recipients 

Our Round 1 recipients have told us a little about what the scholarship has meant for them, and what they have been able to do with their funding.  

“For me, this scholarship is about more than just funding; it’s about joining a community of like-minded people in similar situations to myself. Funding can help me afford what I need for access, but a community can show me the right direction to take the funding for success.” 

– Luke (undertaking a double degree of Bachelor of Science majoring in Physics/Bachelor of Arts majoring in Psychology) 

“The BCA scholarship has assisted me practically by way of purchasing a much-needed new MacBook Pro laptop for my university studies.  

– Samantha (undertaking a Bachelor of Law).

Need more information? 

For more information, please contact Bettina Twyman via email at bettina.twyman@bca.org.au or by calling 1800 033 660.