Variety believes all kids deserve a fair go, and that all kids should have the chance to follow their dreams and reach their full potential.
So we’ve created two kinds of Variety Heart Scholarships to help kids do just that.
Existing Talent is designed to support children with a demonstrated talent who are living with sickness, disadvantage or disability, to reach the next stage of development in their talent.
Educational is designed to support children who are living with disadvantage assistance to cover the basic educational needs.
Scholarship Grants
- If successful, Variety will not consider another application for a Scholarship grant until 12 months after the initial date of submission
- Successive grants are not guaranteed for previous recipients
- If unsuccessful, applicants may apply for the next round
- Scholarships are available in the areas of The Arts, Sport or Education
- Existing Talent applications can be made up to the value of $5,000 per application
- Education (Technology) applications can be made up to the value of $1,000 per application Educational Supplies applications can be made up to the value of $500 per application for Primary School students or up to $1000 for Secondary School students
- Scholarship applications that receive approval may be allocated partial or full funding at the discretion of the Committee
- No grant money is provided directly to the child/families. Variety makes direct payments to suppliers on invoice
- Scholarships are valid for 11 months from the date of the approval letter. All allocated funds must be spent within that period. Any unspent allocated funds will be rescinded
- A scholarship recipient must be provided a minimum of 2 progress reports, (preferred in June and December–templates will be provided)
Eligibility
- Applicants must live in Victoria
- Educational applications can only be accepted for children aged 5 to 17 years
- Existing Talent applications can only be accepted for children aged 8 to 17 years
- Existing Talent Applicants must have a demonstrated talent which has developed over time and can be identified by a child’s achievements and verified (in a support letter) by a professional in talent
- Applicants must be living with sickness, disadvantage or disability.
Examples of appropriate Scholarship requests
The Applicant can select one or more to form part of their scholarship request. This will form the basis of the Scholarship grant and cannot be amended after the approval date.
Existing Talent
- Training fees/classes/lessons
- Competition entry fees
- Supplies/Resources
- Club/Association Registration Costs
- Equipment
- Uniforms
- Interstate/International travel & accommodation (for child only)
Educational
- School Uniform
- School Excursions/Local Camps
- Text Books
- Stationary
- Laptop or iPad
Examples of Scholarship exclusions
The following requests are examples only; these are not restricted to which items will NOT be considered:
- Ongoing funding repairs/maintenance of equipment
- Retrospective funding (reimbursement of any monies paid before a scholarship has been approved)
- Public/Private/Tertiary School fees/tuition
- Therapies, Medical, Health costs
- Parking, Petrol, tolls or other car costs
- Items or services not directly related to this child/scholarship
Documentation Required
The following documentation must be attached to each application.
Applying under Funding Option A: Financial
1. Income
For both parent/carers copies of the most current (no older than 3 months)
A) Pay slips and/or
B) Centrelink Statements or
C) Health Care or Pension Card (in parent/carer name)
Self-employed parent/carers will need to provide a copy of their current ATO Notice of Assessment. (see example here)
2. Support Letter (Existing Talent)
A support letter is required from a professional person directly related to the child’s talent. They need to be able to address the following points in their support letter in order for the application to be considered:
A) Who they are and what role do they play in the child’s life
E.g.: THE ARTS Dance, Art or Music tutors/teachers
SPORT Coaches, teachers, sporting organisations EDUCATION Teachers, Principal, Welfare Officer
B) Address the child’s demonstrated talent referencing where appropriate, any achievements
E.g.: list any medals, awards, competition results, show cases, stages of achievement, exhibitions, exam results, previous scholarships, previous Variety grants, etc.
C) How will receiving the Scholarship assist the child further to reach the next stage of development in their talent, achieve their full potential and to follow their dreams.
3. Support Letter from school (Existing Talent and Educational)
A support letter is required from a professional person directly related to the child’s education (e.g. Teacher, Principal, Case Worker). They need to be able to address the following points in their support letter for the application to be considered:
A) Who they are and what role do they play in the child’s life
B) What sort of student the child is
C) Their school absentee level (how many days a year does the child miss school)
D) How they believe the child will benefit from the scholarship
Applying under Funding Option B: Disability or Chronic Illness
1. Income
For both parent/carers copies of the most current (no older than 3 months)
A) Pay slips and/or
B) Centrelink Statements or
C) Health Care or Pension Card (in parent/carer name)
Self-employed parent/carers will need to provide a copy of their 2016/17 ATO Notice of Assessment. (see example here)
2.Diagnosis Letter
A letter from the child’s GP/Pediatrician addressing the child’s diagnosis or disability.This letter must not be older than 6 months from the date of scholarship application.
3.Support Letter (Existing Talent)
A support letter is required from a professional person directly related to the child’s talent. They need to be able to address the following points in their support letter in order for the application to be considered:
A) Who they are and what role do they play in the child’s life
E.g.: THE ARTS Dance, Art or Music tutors/teachers
SPORT Coaches, teachers, sporting organisations
EDUCATION Teachers, Principal, Tutors
B) Address the child’s demonstrated talent referencing where appropriate, any achievements
E.g.: list any medals, awards, competition results, show cases, stages of achievement, exhibitions, exam results, previous scholarships, previous Variety grants, etc.
C) How will receiving the Scholarship assist the child further to reach the next stage of development in their talent, achieve their full potential and to follow their dreams.
4. Support Letter from school (Existing Talent and Educational)
A support letter is required from a professional person directly related to the child’s education (e.g. Teacher, Principal, Case Worker). They need to be able to address the following points in their support letter for the application to be considered:
A) Who they are and what role do they play in the child’s life
B) What sort of student the child is
C) Their school absentee level (how many days a year does the child miss school)
D) How they believe the child will benefit from the scholarship
If you require further information, please don’t hesitate to contact the Kids Support team on 03 8698 3900 or at [email protected]