Indigenous Student Success Program (ISSP)

Through the Indigenous Student Success Program (ISSP), JCU provides scholarships that remove financial barriers and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to thrive in higher education.

In 2025, 12% of ISSP funding was allocated to scholarships, supporting students through education cost, accommodation, and reward scholarships that assist with study expenses, housing needs, and the recognition of academic achievement.

The IERC’s dedicated Fees and Financial Support webpage outlines the range of assistance available for students, with ISSP scholarships complementing JCU’s broader equity programs to help students focus on their success.

The IERC provides targeted academic and cultural support designed to strengthen Indigenous student retention, progression, and completion.

In 2025, 15% of ISSP funding was allocated to tutoring and related support, including supplementary tutorial assistance, safe and culturally affirming study spaces, personal wellbeing support, and professional guidance from dedicated Indigenous staff.

Learn more about student services and support via our Student Support Staff and Services webpage.

Engagement activities ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students are connected, supported, and inspired throughout their studies. These activities also build pathways for future students and strengthen cultural connection across the university.

Funding and Focus:

In 2025, ISSP funding supported outreach, engagement, and cultural competency activities, including school and community programs such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander in Marine Science, Winter School, and Summer School, which strengthen university pathways. Funding also supported Orientation and Welcome Days, community-building events like student lunches and awards nights, and re-engagement initiatives that help students return to study.

JCU prioritises Indigenous leadership and knowledge by employing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and engaging Indigenous-owned organisations to deliver ISSP-funded activities.

Commitments:

• Employing Indigenous learning support staff to ensure culturally relevant academic support. Examples include our Student and Academic Support Advisors as well as our Indigenous Student Ambassadors. Our Indigenous Student Ambassadors play an integral role in promoting our programs (e.g., Winter School, Summer School and Open Days) while connecting with people who may not have considered tertiary education. Around 70% of total ISSP expenditure was invested in these salaries.
• Staff are supported to participate in national events such as the National Indigenous Learning Support Conference (NILSC) in partnership with the National Indigenous Learning Support Network.
• Partnering with Indigenous organisations to deliver outreach and cultural activities.
• Embedding Indigenous expertise across programs to strengthen quality and accountability.

This commitment ensures ISSP programs remain Indigenous-led and responsive to community priorities.

ISSP builds on previous Indigenous education initiatives to ensure there is no gap in services for students.

Commitments:

• Maintaining continuity in academic, cultural, and wellbeing supports previously funded under earlier programs.
• Strengthening proven models of success, such as JCU’s evidence-based learning response platform, which raised Indigenous pass rates to 81% in 2024.
• Expanding effective programs across the sector, with 16 universities now adopting elements of JCU’s model.

Through these arrangements, JCU aims to provide uninterrupted and expanding support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student success.