Lori Meadows
While university education is not free for Indigenous students in Australia, there are a number of scholarships and support services available to help improve access and outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Universities Australia, for example, works with its member universities and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Higher Education Consortium (NATSIHEC) to support the advancement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in and through universities. UniSQ, for instance, offers the Indigenous Student Success Program (ISSP), which provides free tutoring for any program or course.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Indigenous enrolments | Grown year on year |
| Indigenous advancement strategies | Appeared more in central university policy documents |
| Senior Indigenous staff representation | Increased |
| Indigenous student completion rates | Lag behind non-Indigenous students |
| Indigenous student financial support | Scholarships available |
| Indigenous student academic support | Tutoring available |
| Indigenous student social support | Support services and programs available |
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What You'll Learn
Scholarships for Indigenous students
Universities in Australia and the United States offer various scholarships and grants to support Indigenous students in their pursuit of higher education. These scholarships aim to increase access, improve completion rates, and promote Indigenous advancement in universities. Here are some examples of scholarships and initiatives for Indigenous students:
Australia
Universities Australia, in collaboration with the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Higher Education Consortium (NATSIHEC), works closely with its member universities and government agencies to support the advancement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in higher education. They have developed the UA Indigenous Strategy 2022-25, which focuses on implementing actionable commitments under five key themes. This strategy aims to increase Indigenous enrolments, enhance staff representation, and address the gap in completion rates between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students.
Additionally, universities like UniSQ offer dedicated support services, programs, and scholarships specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. UniSQ's Indigenous Student Success Program (ISSP) provides free tutoring for any program or course, and its IHEPP pathway program helps First Nations students develop the academic skills needed for university success.
United States
The Johnson Scholarship Foundation has a long history of providing grants and scholarships to support Indigenous students in the United States and Canada. Their Entrepreneurship Scholarship program has been offering scholarships to Indigenous students pursuing business or entrepreneurship studies since 1992. The Foundation invests significant funds annually in scholarships and endowment building. They also provide grants to organizations that help overcome barriers to higher education, such as the Native Forward Scholars Fund, which offers scholarships to Native students to pursue graduate and doctoral degrees.
Other organizations, like Native Forward, focus on empowering Indigenous students through scholarships and networking events. They aim to bridge the gap between Native communities and various fields of study, including science and STEM.
These scholarships and initiatives play a crucial role in supporting Indigenous students' access to higher education, helping them achieve their academic goals, and contributing to their communities' advancement.
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Indigenous Student Success Program (ISSP)
The Indigenous Student Success Program (ISSP) is a program that provides supplementary funding to universities to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students meet the demands of university and succeed. The program aims to raise outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, communities, and families and improve the knowledge of the country's culture. It was commenced on January 1, 2017, and is administered under Part 2-2A of the Higher Education Support Act 2003 and the Indigenous Student Assistance Grants Guidelines 2017.
The ISSP provides funding to universities based on enrolments, unit success rates, and course completion rates of Indigenous students. This funding is used to offer a range of support services to Indigenous students, including scholarships, tutorial assistance, mentoring, and safe cultural spaces. The program also prioritizes support for Indigenous students who are financially disadvantaged or from remote and regional areas.
Under the ISSP, there are three types of scholarships offered: Indigenous Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarships, Indigenous Commonwealth Accommodation Costs Scholarships, and Indigenous Commonwealth Reward Scholarships. The first two types of scholarships assist with education and accommodation costs, respectively, for students enrolled in enabling, undergraduate, honours, or postgraduate awards. The third type of scholarship acts as a reward for students who have achieved exceptionally high standards as determined by the university.
Universities Australia, in partnership with the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Higher Education Consortium (NATSIHEC), works with its member universities and various organizations to support the advancement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in and through universities. This includes implementing initiatives to improve Indigenous higher education success and representation in central university policy documents.
In 2018, the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) conducted a post-implementation review of the ISSP to ensure the program's effectiveness. The review included consultations with education stakeholders and an independent Health Check conducted by KPMG, leading to improvements in the program guidelines.
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Indigenous enrolments and university policy
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students face unique challenges when it comes to enrolling in and completing university. Many are the first in their families to enter higher education, making the transition daunting and unfamiliar. Immediate paid work may seem more appealing than the prospect of student debt, especially if it is available locally. Distrust of government institutions, including universities, may also play a role in the decision-making process.
Aboriginal students who do choose to pursue higher education are often older than their peers and tend to select courses relevant to their lives and communities, such as law, health, society and culture, or education. However, they are also more likely to be female, of lower socioeconomic status, and to have children. These factors, along with financial and academic pressures, contribute to lower completion rates. In 2009, Aboriginal students had an overall degree completion rate of less than 50%, compared to 72% for their non-Indigenous peers.
To address these disparities, Universities Australia has developed the UA Indigenous Strategy 2022-25, which focuses on implementing actionable commitments under five key themes. The strategy aims to increase Indigenous enrolments, improve completion rates, enhance staff representation, and combat racism. The development and implementation of this strategy are led by Indigenous leaders through the Deputy Vice Chancellor/ Pro Vice Chancellor Indigenous Committee.
Additionally, universities like UniSQ offer support services and programs specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. The Indigenous Student Success Program (ISSP) provides free tutoring for any program or course, and the IHEPP pathway program helps students develop the academic skills needed for university success. Scholarships are also available to recognise academic achievement and make university more accessible. The Aurora Education Foundation is another Indigenous organisation that supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in realising their full potential, from completing high school to achieving postgraduate degrees.
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Indigenous student completion rates
While the number of Indigenous students participating in higher education continues to grow, Indigenous student completion rates remain very low relative to non-Indigenous students. In 2017, the higher education attrition rate for Indigenous students was 35%, compared to 23% for non-Indigenous students.
There are a variety of factors that contribute to lower completion rates among Indigenous students. One significant challenge is access to education. A relatively high proportion of Indigenous university students come from regional and remote areas, and they face additional barriers such as relocation costs, isolation from their families and communities, and limited opportunities to participate in higher education in their local areas.
Indigenous students from regional and remote areas are also more likely to belong to multiple equity groups, experiencing significant educational disadvantages when adequate support systems are not in place. Furthermore, racism continues to undermine Indigenous advancement in higher education.
To address these disparities, universities in Australia have implemented various initiatives and strategies to support the advancement of Indigenous students. Indigenous centres or units within universities have been identified as crucial in ensuring a sense of connection and belonging for Indigenous students, providing a space to connect with each other and their cultural identities. These centres offer pastoral and personal care that supports Indigenous identities, values, and goals.
Additionally, programs like the Indigenous Student Success Program (ISSP) provide free tutoring and academic support to Indigenous students, helping them succeed in their chosen programs or courses. The IHEPP pathway program at UniSQ is another example, designed to give First Nations people the academic skills needed for university study success.
Despite these efforts, there is still work to be done to improve Indigenous student completion rates and address the systemic factors contributing to the disparity.
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Indigenous organisations and student numbers
Indigenous students in Australia face a unique set of challenges when it comes to accessing higher education. For many, enrolling in university is a daunting prospect as they may be the first in their family or community to do so, with no prior experience to guide them. Additionally, immediate paid work may seem more appealing, especially if it is available locally. Financial barriers, a lack of trust in government institutions, and a strong connection to their land may also contribute to Indigenous students' reluctance to pursue university studies.
Despite these challenges, there has been progress in increasing Indigenous enrolments in universities. Organisations like the Aurora Education Foundation play a pivotal role in supporting Indigenous students' educational aspirations. The Foundation provides a range of interconnected pathways to guide students from high school to university and, eventually, the workplace. Universities Australia, in collaboration with the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Higher Education Consortium (NATSIHEC), is also actively working to improve Indigenous higher education success. Their Indigenous Strategy 2022-25 focuses on actionable commitments outlined under five key themes, including recognising the value Indigenous people bring to universities.
Universities are also implementing initiatives to support the advancement of Indigenous students and staff. For example, UniSQ offers the Indigenous Student Success Program (ISSP), which provides free tutoring for Indigenous students across all programs and courses. UniSQ also offers the IHEPP pathway program, designed to equip First Nations students with the academic skills needed for university success.
To further encourage Indigenous students to enrol in higher education, a variety of scholarships are available specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. These scholarships are offered by universities, such as the University of Sydney, and aim to address financial barriers and make university education more accessible.
While enrolments are increasing, Indigenous student completion rates still lag. In 2009, Aboriginal students had an overall degree completion rate of less than 50%, compared to their non-Indigenous peers at 72%. Strategies to improve completion rates include embedding Indigenous value systems and knowledges into university structures and increasing the representation of senior Indigenous staff.
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Frequently asked questions
No, university is not free for Indigenous students in Australia. However, there are a variety of scholarships available for Indigenous students, such as the NSW Freedom Ride 60th Anniversary Scholarship, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pharmacy Scholarship Scheme, and the University of Sydney Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Exchange Scholarship. Additionally, Indigenous students can access the Indigenous Student Success Program (ISSP), which provides free tutoring and other support services.
There are several barriers that Indigenous students in Australia face when it comes to accessing higher education. One significant barrier is financial constraints, as well as a lack of family or community support and guidance. Additionally, Indigenous students may have a deep distrust of government institutions, including universities, and may opt for immediate paid work instead. There is also a lack of representation of Indigenous knowledge and values in university curricula, which can deter prospective students.
Universities Australia, in collaboration with the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Higher Education Consortium (NATSIHEC), has developed the UA Indigenous Strategy 2022-25. This strategy focuses on implementing actionable commitments outlined under five key themes to improve Indigenous higher education success. Universities are also offering support services and programs specifically for Indigenous students, such as the IHEPP pathway program, which provides academic skills training.
The completion rates for Indigenous students in Australian universities are lower than those of their non-Indigenous peers. In 2009, Aboriginal students had an overall degree completion rate of less than 50%, while 72% of their non-Indigenous peers completed their studies. However, enrolments for Indigenous students have been growing year on year, and strategies are being implemented to improve retention and success rates.
