Scholarships Search Sporting Grants @ JCU

Sporting Grants @ JCU

Welcome to Sporting Grants @ JCU, your one-stop-shop for athletes and sporting officials. This page will allow you to apply once to be considered for all the sporting grants and scholarships.

When applying you will be considered for the following scholarships and grants:

Scholarship offering eligibility based on scoreTotal/Score
Elite Athlete Scholarship (tier 1) - $10,000 per degreeElite Athlete + Highest score
Elite Athlete Scholarship (tier 2) - $5,000 per degreeElite Athlete + Second/third highest score
Travel grants – 10/yr valued at $1,000Excluding the above recipients, Athletes with
travel requirements outside of regional Queensland + Next highest ranking
JCU Lifelong Sport Engagement ProgramRegional/Local Athlete + Highest score
School of Business – Rugby Union ScholarshipRugby Union + Studying Business or Commerce

This scholarship is subject to the provisions of the James Cook University Coursework Scholarships, Bursaries and Grants Policy

Student TypeAthlete or Sporting Official, Undergraduate
Scholarships AvailableElite Athlete Scholarship (tier 1)
Elite Athlete Scholarship (tier 2)
Travel Grants  (up to 10 available)
JCU Lifelong Sport Engagement Program
School of Business - Rugby Union Scholarship
Total Value Varies
Duration Varies
Applications Open1 August 2025
Applications Close14 September 2025

Apply Now

The JCU Elite Athlete Scholarship provides financial support to elite athletes from northern Queensland to enable them to complete a university qualification without compromising their sporting opportunities or leaving the region. JCU is an “Elite Athlete Friendly University” and students may also be eligible for non-financial assistance under James Cook University Elite Athlete Friendly University Policy

What would I receive?

  • 1x $10,000 <tier 1> scholarship per student for the duration of their degree. Paid in equal instalments after census date of study period one and study period two or trimester census dates for 2 years from date of awarding.
  • 2x $5,000 <tier 2> scholarship for the duration of their degree. Paid in equal instalments after census date of study period one and study period two or trimester census dates over 12 months from date of awarding.

Am I eligible?

  • Are an undergraduate student studying full-time at JCU
  • Are an elite athlete.
  • Are from northern Queensland.
  • Are accepted into the JCU Elite Athlete Program (letter of confirmation required with application).
  • Are in need of financial need.

The JCU Elite Athlete Scholarship provides financial support to elite athletes from northern Queensland to enable them to complete a university qualification without compromising their sporting opportunities or leaving the region. JCU is an “Elite Athlete Friendly University” and students may also be eligible for non-financial assistance under James Cook University Elite Athlete Friendly University Policy

What would I receive?

  • 1x $10,000 <tier 1> scholarship per student for the duration of their degree. Paid in equal instalments after census date of study period one and study period two or trimester census dates for 2 years from date of awarding.
  • 2x $5,000 <tier 2> scholarship for the duration of their degree. Paid in equal instalments after census date of study period one and study period two or trimester census dates over 12 months from date of awarding.

Am I eligible?

  • Are an undergraduate student studying full-time at JCU
  • Are an elite athlete.
  • Are from northern Queensland.
  • Are accepted into the JCU Elite Athlete Program (letter of confirmation required with application).
  • Are in need of financial need.

Townsville Brothers Leagues ClubCowboys Leagues Club LTD.

Proudly sponsored by Townsville Brothers Leagues Club and Cowboys League Club Ltd.

The JCU Lifelong Sport Engagement Program aims to foster a lasting connection to sport among university students in Townsville. Supported by Brothers Leagues Club Townsville and the Cowboys Leagues Club, the program provides $2,000 grants to students who demonstrate a strong commitment and level of expertise in their chosen sport. It encourages students to continue their sporting involvement alongside academic pursuits, particularly in the early years of university study. Grants are available to those competing at the highest level in North Queensland, as well as students involved in coaching or officiating—recognising the many ways individuals contribute to the sporting community.

The grants will be available for application by students studying any undergraduate degree at JCU who are enrolled fulltime at JCU’s Townsville campus.

What would I receive?

  • The value of the scholarship shall be $2,000.  The scholarship shall be paid in one lump sum up to 4 weeks after awarding.

Am I eligible?

  • Are an undergraduate student studying full-time at JCU Townsville Campus
  • Are competing at the highest level in North Queensland, or be involved in coaching/officiating.

Proudly supported by Townsville Scorecard Report Team, this scholarship aims to support students to continue to strive for excellence on the rugby field whilst fulfilling their study commitments at JCU.

What would I receive?

  • The value of the scholarship shall be $2,000.  The scholarship shall be paid in one lump sum up to 4 weeks after awarding.

Am I eligible?`

  • Are an Undergraduate student studying Business or Commerce full-time at JCU Townsville
  • Play Rugby Union

To apply for a Sporting Grant @ JCU please complete the online application form via the ‘apply now’ button and attach the following documentation:

  • Copy of your JCU academic record and/or senior student statement and/or ATAR score.
  • Written statement outlining the following:
    • The sport you play and what is involved?
    • Level of Athletic or Official participation you currently participate in (International/National/State/Regional/Local)?
    • How long you have been playing your chosen sport?
    • Distance to participate in sporting events?
    • Your current course GPA or ATAR?
    • Outline how you are in financial need.
    • Outline your current years of sporting commitments, events and travel plans related to your sport. Please provide – event names, dates and locations.
  • If accepted into the JCU Elite Athlete Program, attached letter of confirmation with your application.
  • If you wish to be considered for School of Business – Rugby Union Scholarship, attach recommendation letter from Townsville & District Rugby Union.

Upon awarded additional evidence maybe requested to confirm the information you have provided in this application.

Your application is checked for completeness and eligibility, and you will receive an email confirmation it has been received. After the closing date it will be individually assessed and put forward to a selection committee who will rank your application against others who have applied. Applicants may be required to attend an interview as part of the selection process.

Scholarship and grant awarding rules

Selection committee

Based on awarding matrix. Selection committee only required to review top rank applications.

Selection committee, if required:

  • Elite Athlete Coordinator, Chair
  • And pool of JCU representatives and or general community as nominated by Chair.

Awarding matrix

Criteria

Score (10-8)

Score (5-7)

Score (0-4)

Level of Participation

National/International Elite Athlete or Official

State-level Athlete or Official

Regional/Local Athlete or Official

Level of Competition

National/International

State-level

Regional/Local

Distance to Participate in Sporting Events

Over 1,500 km

500-1,500 km

Under 500 km

Sporting events this year

5+ events

3-4 events

1-2 events

Enrolment Status

Full-time

Part-time

-

GPA

6.0-7.0

4.0-5.9

0-3.9

ATAR

100-81

80-51

50-0

Grew up in North Queensland

Grew up & currently resides in North Queensland

Grew outside of North Queensland, but semesterly address is in North Queensland

Never resided in North Queensland, external student

Indigenous Status

Identifies as Indigenous

N/A

N/A

Financial Need

Demonstrated significant financial need

Moderate financial need

Minimal or no financial need

Previous JCU financial assistance*

No other financial assistance

No previous JCU financial assistance

Previous financial assistance

All applications are pulled from the back end of SQUIZ MATRIX in excel format and loading into scholarship tracker that contains the awarding formulas.

Ongoing eligibility

Students awarded “Elite Athlete Scholarships” are required to maintain the follow:

  • Enrolled at JCU
  • Maintaining appropriate and current status in sport or Elite Athlete Status

All scholarship and grant recipients are required to submit student reports related to their use of funds and sporting activities annually.

Student who receive – Travel grant, JCU Lifelong Sport Engagement Program or School of Business – Rugby Union Scholarship – are only required to provide a student report related to the year they received the funds.