Future of Education Equity Fund supports ACT preschoolers with expenses

Children from low income families who are attending preschools attached to school sites in the ACT may be eligible for an annual $400 payment to support the cost of their education thanks to the Future of Education Equity Fund.

The Fund can provide financial support to eligible families, helping students access everyday essentials at preschool and school such as uniforms, excursions, sport equipment and activities and music lessons.

The Equity Fund has replaced the Secondary Bursary Scheme, expanding its support to families with students in years P–12. It supports low-income families with students enrolled in an ACT preschool (attached to a school) or school (as well as independent students), who meet the eligibility criteria.

The following payments are available to those who meet the eligibility criteria:

• $400 for preschool students
• $500 for primary school students
• $750 for high-school and college students.

Applicants must:

• live in the ACT
• have sole or shared parental responsibility for a dependent student(s) in grades P-12, or be an independent student
• be financially responsible for the student(s)
• demonstrate low-income status through:
  • a current means-tested Health Care Card or Centrelink card, which must list the student(s) as dependents (some payment codes only)or
  • other forms of evidence proving low-income status or equivalent financial stress.

Applicants must attach copies of both sides of their Centrelink or Health Care Card if this is the evidence of low-income status that they are submitting with their application. 

Students must be:

• enrolled full-time in a public or non-government school in the ACT in years P-12. For the Equity Fund, a preschool is defined as a preschool that is attached to an ACT school and led by a principal. Only eligible preschools will appear in the application form
• enrolled in an approved form of education other than a school and of an equivalent age to a student in years K–12 – for example, attending the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) or registered for home-schooling in the ACT
• living with the applicant in the ACT, or in special government care that is paid for by the applicant, or be independent.