What does QATSIF stand for?

The Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation. It is a perpetual charitable trust which aims to support Year 11 and 12 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to complete their QCE (Queensland Certificate of Education) or *QCIA (Queensland Certificate of Individual Achievement) - for students with a disability.**

How is QATSIF administered?

QATSIF’s work is overseen by the QATSIF Board of Advice. The QATSIF Board of Advice is made up of both prominent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other influential community members.

The day to day operations of QATSIF are overseen by the QATSIF Secretariat staff. The QATSIF Secretariat is currently made up of a Secretariat Director and three full and part-time QATSIF Project Officers.

The Public Trustee of Queensland is responsible for QATSIF's funds and also provides financial and human resources support for QATSIF.

Who can receive a QATSIF Scholarship?

QATSIF Scholarships provide financial support to assist eligible Year 11 and 12 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to complete their QCE (Queensland Certificate of Education) and *QCIA (Queensland Certificate of Individual Achievement) - for students with a disability.**

Why does QATSIF support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to gain a QCE (Queensland Certificate of Education) or QCIA (Queensland Certificate of Individual Achievement) - for students with a disability. * ?

Current research indicates that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who complete year 12 and gain their QCE increase their chances of employment or further study by 1/3rd.

How do I apply for a QATSIF Scholarship?

Queensland Secondary Schools apply on behalf of their current Year 10 or 11 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and their families starting in around mid-May each year for a scholarship in the following year.

Can parents/carers apply for a QATSIF Scholarship on behalf of their child?

Parents / carers are unable to apply directly for a QATSIF Scholarship, but should approach their school community to apply on their behalf. It is best to do this in the first half of the year when your child is in Year 10 or before.

Do parents and carers have a say on how the QATSIF Scholarship is spent?

QATSIF schools are encouraged to work with their parents and carers to determine the best way to spend QATSIF funds within our QATSIF Scholarship guidelines. The school Principal has the overall responsibility for overseeing that QATSIF funds are spent within the QATSIF guidelines and in a manner that will be of most benefit to the student.

What happens if my child gets a QATSIF Scholarship, but changes school during their senior years?

QATSIF encourages schools to support the transfer of QATSIF scholarships to new schools for eligible students. Transfers of scholarships to non-QATSIF schools will also require the QATSIF Board of Advice’s approval.