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A new round of Fraser Foundation Scholarships is now available for ECEC professionals
Freya Lucas
Jul 04, 2023
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A new round of Early Childhood Education Scholarships is now available through The Fraser Foundation, offering financial support to aspiring educators in the early childhood sector.
The Fraser Foundation is a nonprofit organisation created by Little Scholars School of Early Learning Founder Jae Fraser in 2021, with the aim of redefining education pathways by offering grants and scholarships to aspiring early childhood educators.Mr Fraser has pledged $2 million of his personal funds over the next five years to support the program, which is available for a variety of early childhood professionals, including those who are ineligible for government support.
While the Government “offers great support” to students living in regional and remote communities and some disadvantaged learners, he said, “there are many disadvantaged early education students that fall through the cracks”.
“Unfortunately, financial hardship, remote or rural location, medical conditions and disabilities are some of the barriers that prevent aspiring educators from chasing their dream of a career in early childhood education,” Mr Fraser explained.
Successful scholarship applicants will be granted access to tertiary studies and research in the field of early childhood education, with financial assistance valued up to $50,000 per year, for up to four years of tertiary study.
To be eligible for a scholarship, students must meet the following criteria:
- Be an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident
- Have enrolled or intend to enrol as a full-time or part-time student in an approved Australian course of early childhood education
- A commitment to completing their chosen course/degree
- Have a passion for and commitment to education and early childhood
- Qualify based on at least one indicator of financial need or assistance (eg. financial hardship, vulnerable, ATSI, or rural/remote location)
- Be 17 years of age or older.
The financial assistance will be allocated to eligible candidates who display a passion for early childhood education, not just those achieving outstanding academic results.
“Our scholarships are not just for high academic achievers,” Mr Fraser emphasised. “They are awarded to people from all backgrounds and study areas and are designed to help all students achieve their full potential in the field of early childhood education.”
Mr Fraser, who describes himself as having come “from humble beginnings”, said he “had to go the long way around” to fulfill his dream of becoming an early childhood teacher, working to support himself while studying part time.
“For me, this isn’t about simply looking after my own business; it’s about leaving a legacy that benefits the early childhood education sector holistically,” he said. “I want to do my part to ensure that we have a strong, adequate and enthusiastic workforce of early educators across the entire country for years to come.”
At the recent Australian Childcare Alliance Queensland Conference, held on the Gold Coast in mid-June, Mr Fraser was humbled to receive a generous $5,000 donation from the Committee to support the program.
"We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Australian Childcare Alliance QLD committee, for generously donating to the Fraser Foundation,” he said.
“With immense appreciation, we celebrate this milestone as our first contribution towards empowering individuals in early childhood education. Over the past 18 months, the Fraser Foundation has been privileged to nurture the aspirations of numerous passionate educators dedicated to the growth and development of children. Thanks to the ACA's invaluable support, we can extend our reach even further, providing opportunities for educators who may have otherwise been unable to pursue their dreams to become the early childhood teacher every parent dreams for their child.”
For further details and to apply for a scholarship, complete the application form online. Stories from previous scholarship recipients are available here.
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