Apply now or nominate for an ITSA Study Grant

ITSA Study Grants offer financial support to TAFE NSW students living or studying in the Illawarra, Shoalhaven, South East, or Southern Tablelands regions.

The 2026 program invites you to design your own study grant to help cover expenses such as:

• Computers and internet data
• Transport, travel, and accommodation (including for block release or work placement)
• PPE, uniforms, and trade equipment
• Course fees.

Funding Tiers

• Up to $2,500 for students studying fully accredited qualifications.
• Up to $1,000 for students studying skill sets or non-accredited courses.

How to Apply You must submit your own application and nominate a TAFE NSW employee (from Learning & Teaching or Student Support) as your referee.

1. Select the Apply Now button below.
2. Choose ‘ITSA Study Grant 2026’ from the Scholarship drop-down menu.
3. Complete all required questions.
4. Important: Enter the correct email address for your referee. Submitting your form triggers an automated request to them, and their endorsement must be received by the closing date for your application to be considered.

Closing Date Applications for the Semester 1, 2026 ITSA Study Grants close at 11:59 pm (AEDT) Sunday, 1 March 2026.

These grants are funded by an endowment from the Illawarra TAFE Student Association (ITSA) to benefit students living or studying in the former Illawarra TAFE regions.

From 1975 to 2023, ITSA and its predecessor, the Wollongong College Union, provided vital student services across the Illawarra, Shoalhaven, South East, and Southern Tablelands.

To be eligible for an ITSA Study Grant, you must:

• be enrolled and studying at TAFE NSW in Semester 1, 2026
• live or study in the Illawarra, Shoalhaven, South East, or Southern Tablelands regions
• be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, humanitarian visa holder, or New Zealand citizen
• demonstrate financial hardship
• demonstrate commitment and motivation to complete your course and gain employment
• nominate a referee to endorse your application (must be a TAFE NSW employee in a Learning & Teaching or Student Support role)
  • Note: Referee endorsements must be received by the closing date.
• have permission from a parent or legal guardian if you are under 18.
  • If a parent or legal guardian is not available, please contact ITSAgrants@tafensw.edu.au to discuss your options.

For further details, please refer to the 2026 ITSA Study Grants Terms and Conditions.

If you have any questions about these grants, please email ITSAgrants@tafensw.edu.au.

TAFE NSW offers a range of support services for students, including free and confidential counselling.

We understand that sharing your personal or financial circumstances can be emotionally challenging, so please do not hesitate to reach out if you need support.

To arrange an appointment with a counsellor, call 131 601 and select Option 5, then Option 2.

You can also use this number to access Disability Services or request a referral to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student support.

For more information on the resources available to you, visit the Student Services homepage.

Every year, TAFE NSW awards hundreds of scholarships and study grants.

To find the one that is right for you, visit the TAFE NSW Scholarships homepage.