Scholarship FAQ

Everything you need to know about applying for a Sliding Doors Foundation scholarship.

About the Foundation

  • The Sliding Doors Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation that awards financial scholarships to support young people who face economic and social disadvantage and who demonstrate potential in academics, leadership, empathy, and drive and ambition.

    Scholarships are designed to reduce barriers, open pathways, and support long-term development and leadership potential.

  • If you have any questions or need support completing your application, please contact us at enquiries@slidingdf.com.

    Our team is here to help and may contact you directly where additional guidance or assistance is needed throughout the application process.

Eligibility & Applying

  • The Sliding Doors Foundation provides scholarships to eligible applicants aged up to 25 years who are experiencing financial or social disadvantage.

    Eligible applicants include:

    • Students entering or currently enrolled in secondary school (Years 7 to 12)

    • Individuals pursuing university, TAFE, vocational education, apprenticeships, internships or traineeships

    • Applicants undertaking postgraduate study where the qualification is mandatory for entry into their intended profession

    • School-Based Scholarships (Years 7 to 12)

    • Tertiary Scholarships

    • Skilled Trades (Apprenticeships)

    • Internship and Traineeship Scholarships

  • Applications are submitted through the Sliding Doors Foundation Online Scholarship Application Form.

    Our adaptive application form guides you through the questions relevant to your scholarship program and your role in the application.

  • Absolutely!

    • Our adaptive application form can be completed by the applicant, an Institute Representative, a parent or caregiver, or another authorised third party, depending on the scholarship program and the applicant’s circumstances.

    • For applicants aged 18 years and over, we generally encourage applications to be completed by the applicant wherever possible.

    • Applicants under 18 years of age require parent or caregiver consent before their application can proceed.

    • A separate Financial Information Form will also be sent to the parent or caregiver for completion.

    • Applicants aged 18 years and over complete their own Financial Information Form.

  • Please provide information that supports assessment across the Foundation’s five Selection Criteria.

    This may include:

    • Academic reports, grade summaries or evidence of educational progress

    • Supporting letters from teachers, mentors, community leaders or Institute Representatives

    • Information about personal circumstances, including social or financial challenges

    • Evidence of leadership, community involvement, volunteering or participation in programs

    • Financial documentation where applicable, such as statements, invoices or supporting letters

    Evidence should clearly demonstrate the applicant’s circumstances, achievements and potential.

  • Yes. Please note all financial information is handled confidentially.

    • Financial information forms part of the scholarship assessment process.

    • A separate Financial Information Form is sent to the appropriate person based on the applicant’s age and the information provided in the application.

  • Please ensure all required sections of the application are completed before submission.

    Supporting documents should:

    • Be clear and legible

    • Be uploaded in PDF format where possible

    • Be named clearly (for example, Surname_FirstName_DocumentType.pdf)

    • Support the information provided in the application

    If you’re unable to provide a required document, please contact the Foundation to discuss suitable alternative evidence.

  • After the Scholarship Application Form is submitted, a separate Financial Information Form is sent to the appropriate person for completion.

    Your application is not complete until both forms and all required supporting information have been received.

    The completed application is then reviewed by a Foundation Assessor, who assesses the evidence against the five Selection Criteria and prepares a recommendation for the Board.

Assessment & Approval

  • The number and value of scholarships awarded each year depends on available funding, donor contributions and the annual scholarship budget approved by the Foundation Board.

  • Applications are assessed using the Sliding Doors Foundation Selection Criteria. Each application is scored across the following five criteria:

    • Social Disadvantage (20%)

    • Economic Disadvantage (25%)

    • Academic Potential (25%)

    • Leadership and Empathy Potential (15%)

    • Drive and Ambition (15%)

    Each criterion is weighted and scored from one to five based on the evidence provided. The combined weighted score supports the Assessor’s recommendation to the Board.

    • Each Selection Criterion is scored from one to five by the Assessor.

    • Each score is multiplied by its weighting to produce a weighted score.

    • The combined weighted score is calculated out of 500 and supports the recommendation presented to the Board.

    • Once an application is complete, it is reviewed by a Sliding Doors Foundation Assessor.

      The Foundation works with schools, universities and other partner organisations to support the application process. Some partner organisations may undertake their own assessment process, provided it aligns with the Foundation’s Selection Criteria and Scholarship Guidelines Policy.

      All scholarship applications remain subject to final approval by the Sliding Doors Foundation Board of Directors.

  • Not all scholarship programs require an interview.

    Interviews are required for:

    • Tertiary Scholarships

    • Skilled Trades (Apprenticeships)

    • Internship and Traineeship Scholarships

    Interviews may be conducted in person or online.

    Partner schools and educational institutions may also conduct their own interviews as part of their internal application process.

    School-Based Scholarships do not require a formal interview under the Foundation’s Scholarship Guidelines Policy.

  • The assessment timeframe depends on when your completed application is received and the date of the next scheduled Board meeting.

    A completed application includes the Scholarship Application Form, Financial Information Form and all required supporting documentation.

    Once an application is complete, the Foundation Assessor requires a minimum of 21 days to review the application, gather supporting evidence and prepare a recommendation for the Board. Board reports are finalised at least seven days before each scheduled Board meeting.

    The Sliding Doors Foundation Board typically meets every second month, from February through to December, to consider scholarship applications and make final decisions.

    Applications received too close to a scheduled Board meeting, or those requiring additional information during assessment, may be considered at the following Board meeting.

    In some circumstances, Board meetings may be rescheduled or deferred, which may extend the assessment timeframe.

  • Scholarship funding varies depending on the scholarship pathway and the applicant’s individual circumstances.

    Funding may assist with education-related expenses such as school fees, tuition fees, course costs, educational resources, equipment, uniforms, technology, tools of the trade and other approved expenses.

    Funding categories, conditions and maximum payment limits are outlined in the Scholarship Policy and Guidelines and are reviewed annually by the Sliding Doors Foundation Board.

    • All scholarship decisions are made by the Sliding Doors Foundation Board

    • Recommendations are provided by Assessors and, where applicable, partner institutions

    • The Board may approve, modify, defer or decline any application

    • If an application is not successful, applicants are welcome to seek feedback or reapply in future rounds where appropriate

Scholarships

  • Scholarship funding varies depending on the scholarship pathway. Funding categories, conditions and maximum payment limits are outlined in the Scholarship Policy and Guidelines and are reviewed annually by the Foundation Board.

    Depending on the scholarship program, funding may assist with education-related expenses such as:

    • School fees and tuition fees

    • Cost of living expenses

    • Course costs and educational resources

    • Equipment, uniforms and technology

    • Tools of the trade

    • Other approved education-related expenses

  • Scholarship funds are generally paid directly to the educational institution, training provider or approved supplier.

    Payments are not made directly to scholarship recipients.

    Applicants are responsible for confirming that their educational institution or training provider can receive and administer scholarship funds on their behalf.

  • The duration of a scholarship depends on the approved scholarship program.

    The scholarship period and any funding arrangements are outlined in the Scholarship Agreement.

  • If your application is successful, you’ll receive a Scholarship Agreement outlining your approved scholarship, funding arrangements and any applicable conditions.

    Once the Scholarship Agreement has been signed by all parties, the Foundation will arrange payment in accordance with the agreement.

    Where appropriate, we may also arrange a Scholar Morning Tea with the scholarship recipient, parent or caregiver (where applicable), and Institute Representative to celebrate the scholarship and officially welcome you to the Sliding Doors Foundation community.

    Throughout your scholarship, we’ll stay in touch through annual reporting, provide ongoing support where needed, and encourage you to explore the opportunities available to scholarship recipients through our Foundation.

  • Yes. We are committed to supporting the ongoing development and success of our scholarship recipients.

    All scholarship recipients are required to submit an Annual Progress Report, typically at the end of the calendar year or once academic or training results are available. The Sliding Doors Foundation will contact you when your report is due.

    Annual reporting may include:

    • Academic or training progress

    • Achievements and milestones

    • Leadership, volunteering or community involvement

    • Feedback on the impact of your scholarship

    • Any significant changes in your circumstances

    This information helps the Foundation measure the impact of its scholarship programs, meet reporting obligations, and continue supporting scholarship recipients throughout their educational journey.

  • Yes, the Foundation Board may vary, suspend or withdraw a scholarship where concerns arise regarding a recipient’s academic performance, conduct, compliance with the Scholarship Agreement or the appropriate use of scholarship funds.

  • The Sliding Doors Foundation is committed to supporting young people beyond financial assistance alone.

    Scholarship recipients may have opportunities to stay involved through:

    • Mentoring opportunities

    • Networking events

    • Professional development opportunities

    • Foundation events

    • Social media features

    • Impact stories

    • Video updates, where appropriate

    These opportunities are designed to help recipients build confidence, develop meaningful connections and professional pathways, while also demonstrating the impact of the Foundation’s scholarship programs to supporters and the wider community.

    Participation is always optional and is approached respectfully in accordance with privacy, consent and safeguarding requirements.

    For scholarship recipients under 18 years of age, the Foundation works closely with parents or caregivers and is committed to child safety, online safety, and protecting the privacy and wellbeing of young people.

Schools & Partner Organisations

  • Institute Representatives play an important role in supporting scholarship applications.

    Depending on the scholarship program, an Institute Representative may:

    • Complete the educational sections of the Scholarship Application Form

    • Verify enrolment and academic information

    • Provide supporting comments or recommendations

    • Assist with administering scholarship funding where applicable

    • Support annual reporting requirements

    The Foundation works closely with Institute Representatives throughout the scholarship process.

  • Where scholarship funding requires an invoice from a school, educational institution, training provider or supplier, invoices should be addressed as follows:

    Sliding Doors Foundation
    Level 4, 15–17 Featherstone Place
    Adelaide SA 5000

    Email: enquiries@slidingdf.com

    ABN: 36 966 467 115

    Invoice Description

    YYYY Sliding Doors Foundation Scholarship – [Recipient Name]

    Invoices should only include approved scholarship expenses and be submitted as a PDF where possible.

  • To help us process payments efficiently, please ensure:

    • The invoice is addressed to the Sliding Doors Foundation.

    • The scholarship recipient’s full name is included.

    • The scholarship year is included in the description.

    • The invoice clearly identifies the approved education-related expense.

    • Bank account details are included where payment is required.

    • The invoice is submitted to enquiries@slidingdf.com.

  • The Sliding Doors Foundation works in partnership with schools, universities, training providers and community organisations to identify and support young people who may benefit from a scholarship.

    If your organisation is interested in partnering with the Foundation or establishing a scholarship program, we’d love to hear from you. Please contact us at enquiries@slidingdf.com.

Explore our scholarships