Scholarships

Hsing Yun Education Foundation (HYEF) Scholarship for Domestic Students

“I believe education can improve and transform one’s character which is instrumental to a better future. Hence, I founded the Nan Tien Institute”.

– Venerable Master Hsing Yun

To honour Venerable Master Hsing Yun, HYEF is offering this scholarship to assist high achieving domestic students to undertake the Graduate Certificate in Humanistic Buddhism course at Nan Tien Institute (NTI). We hope that people with similar visions can contribute to this great initiative.

1. Key Dates

1st round 2025 – closing date for applications: 20 September 2024
2nd round 2025 – closing date for applications: 28 March 2025
1st round 2026 – closing date for applications: 19 September 2025

2. Value of Award

2.1 Ten (10) scholarships will be available for award over two (2) semesters annually.

2.2 Each scholarship will provide for the following:

• Tuition fees for the course of study at NTI which must be completed within two semesters;
• Twin share accommodation at the Pilgrim Lodge of Nan Tien Temple for at most seven (7) nights per subject; and
• Vegetarian meals provided by Nan Tien Temple during the period of stay.

The scholarship does not include the cost of living expenses, books or any other additional expenses associated with study at NTI or accompaniment by family members.

2.3 The scholarship is not transferable or redeemable for cash, should the recipient choose to find their own off-campus accommodation or provide/purchase their own meals.

2.4 An additional weekly payment be charged if scholarship recipient wishes to upgrade the twin share accommodation to a single room.

3. Eligibility

3.1 The applicant must have been admitted or been offered admission to the Graduate Certificate in Humanistic Buddhism at NTI.

3.2 The applicant must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, or a permanent resident of Australia.

4. Selection Criteria

4.1 Selection will be based on academic merit, reasons for undertaking the course, and interview performance if required. The decision on award will be made by the HYEF Selection Committee.

4.2 Applicants are required to submit their application for admission to NTI prior to applying for the Scholarship. The number assigned to the online application for admission or current student ID must be indicated. Otherwise, the scholarship application is considered incomplete and will not be processed further.

5. Duration and Terms

5.1 Successful candidates must complete the course in at most two consecutive semesters.

5.2 The Scholarship can not be deferred or transferred to another course of study at NTI. Successful candidates must commence study at NTI in the semester for which the scholarship is offered.

5.3 The scholarship is awarded and monitored based on academic merit. It will be renewed automatically if the recipient attains at least a ‘credit’ grade average for the subjects taken in each semester and maintain satisfactory overall academic performance.

5.4 Successful candidates will be expected to refund the scholarship amount disbursed if he or she transfers to another course of study before the completion of the Graduate Certificate in Humanistic Buddhism at NTI.

6. How to apply

• Fill out and submit the Online Application Form for Domestic Students (this step is not required for currently enrolled students). Only students who meet our admissions criteria may apply for the scholarship.
• A complete HYEF Domestic Scholarship Application Form and all the supporting documentation should be emailed to scholarships@nantien.edu.au by the closing date. We can not accept late submissions.

Download the ‘Domestic Scholarship’ Application Form

Hsing Yun Education Foundation (HYEF) Scholarship for International Students

“I believe education can improve and transform one’s character which is instrumental to a better future. Hence, I founded the Nan Tien Institute”.

– Venerable Master Hsing Yun

To honour Venerable Master Hsing Yun, HYEF is offering this scholarship to assist high achieving international students to undertake Applied Buddhist Studies and Humanistic Buddhism programs at Nan Tien Institute (NTI). We hope that people with similar visions can contribute to this great initiative.

1. Key Dates

1st round 2025 – closing date for applications: 20 September 2024
2nd round 2025 – closing date for applications: 28 March 2025
1st round 2026 – closing date for applications: 19 September 2025

2. Value of Award

2.1 There are ten (10) scholarships available to be awarded over two (2) semesters annually.

2.2 Each scholarship will provide for the following:

• Tuition fees for the course of study at NTI;
• Twin share accommodation at the Pilgrim Lodge of Nan Tien Temple; and
• Vegetarian meals provided by Nan Tien Temple.

The scholarship does not include the cost of visa application, health check or health cover, travel insurance, living expenses, books or any other additional expenses associated with living in Australia or study at NTI or accompaniment by family members.

2.3 The scholarship is not transferable or redeemable for cash, should the recipient choose to find their own off-campus accommodation or provide/purchase their own meals.

2.4 An additional weekly payment be charged if scholarship recipient wishes to upgrade the twin share accommodation to a single room.

3. Eligibility

3.1 The applicant must have been admitted or been offered admission to one of the following courses at NTI:

• Master of Arts (Applied Buddhist Studies)
• Graduate Diploma of Applied Buddhist Studies
• Graduate Certificate in Applied Buddhist Studies
• Graduate Certificate in Humanistic Buddhism

3.2 The applicant must be a citizen of an overseas country (excluding New Zealand), and not normally reside in Australia.

4. Selection Criteria

4.1 Selection will be based on academic merit, reasons for undertaking the course, interview performance if required. The decision on award will be made by the HYEF Selection Committee.

4.2 Applicants are required to submit their application for admission to NTI prior to applying for the Scholarship. The number assigned to the online application for admission or current student ID must be indicated. Otherwise, the scholarship application is considered incomplete and will not be processed further.

5. Duration and Terms

5.1 Successful candidates studying in Australia must maintain a full-time “international student” status for the entire length of the Scholarship in both the Applied Buddhist Studies and Humanistic Buddhism programs. Successful candidates studying from overseas have the possibility of studying part-time.

5.2 The Scholarship can not be deferred or transferred to another course of study at NTI. Successful candidates must commence study at NTI in the semester for which the scholarship is offered. The scholarship is tenable for the minimum period required by the recipient to complete the course of study, if studying in Australia. In case of successful candidates studying from overseas, the scholarship is tenable for a maximum of two consecutive semesters for the Graduate Certificate in Humanistic Buddhism or for a maximum of fours consecutive semesters for the Master of Arts (Applied Buddhist Studies).

5.3 The scholarship is awarded and monitored based on academic merit. It will be renewed automatically if the recipient attains at least a ‘credit’ grade average for the subjects taken in each semester and maintain satisfactory overall academic performance.

5.4 The Scholarship may not, without the approval of the HYEF Selection Committee, be held concurrently with any other award.

6. How to apply

1. Fill out and submit the Online Application Form for International Students (this step is not required for currently enrolled students). Only students who meet our admissions criteria may apply for the scholarship.
2. A complete HYEF International Scholarship Application Form and all the supporting documentation should be emailed to scholarships@nantien.edu.au by the closing date. We can not accept late submissions.

Download the ‘International Scholarship’ Application Form

Scholarship Details

The SSI Allianz Scholarships are offered to individuals from a refugee/asylum seeker background across a range of education categories:

1. Secondary School – amount awarded $1500
2. Vocational Education & Training – amount awarded $3000
3. University – amount awarded $5000
4. Skills & Qualifications Recognition – amount awarded $5000

Eligibility criteria

To be successful in their application for support, applicants must:

• Be from a refugee background on a humanitarian visa. Visa Subclass 117, 200, 201, 202, 203,204, 786, 842, 866. Applicants on SHEV 790 or TPV 785 and bridging visas with an asylum seeker background are also eligible to apply but must consider individual circumstances regarding visa obligations and any potential impact to other sources of income.
  If you are unsure about your visa eligibility, please contact on email below.
• Have been living in Australia for five years or less (except for eligible bridging visa holders who now have no time in country limit).
• Reside and study in NSW, QLD or VIC.
• Meet eligibility criteria specific to each scholarship category (see application forms for more details).
• Not have previously received an SSI Allianz scholarship.

No more than one scholarship will be awarded in each immediate family in the same household per year.

Further Information

For more information visit the SSI Website. 

If you are unsure about visa eligibility or require further information, please contact Belinda Small at scholarships@ssi.org.au

What scholarship opportunities are available at NTI?

Scholarship opportunities currently exist for domestic students wishing to enrol in the Graduate Certificate in Humanistic Buddhism and for international students wishing to enrol in the Graduate Certificate in Humanistic Buddhism or any of the programs in the Applied Buddhist Studies area. These scholarships are offered by the HYEF and are detailed in the relevant sections above. 

Applications for admission to a program of study at the Institute must be lodged separately. Scholarship applications are not considered for admission purposes.

Other scholarship opportunities may occasionally arise at Nan Tien Institute and they will always be made public on this website.

What are the deadlines for applying?

The HYEF Scholarship Selection Committee meets two times a year to select the recipients. Closing dates for each round of scholarships are detailed in the relevant sections above.

What if I am unsuccessful?

You are welcome to re-apply to Nan Tien Institute, however, you will need to submit a new application and new supporting documentation where required as NTI will not use your previous application material.

Can I defer a scholarship offer?

The HYEF scholarships can not be deferred and the successful candidates are required to commence their studies in the semester for which the scholarship was offered.

If I am currently on a scholarship can I defer (take leave from) the scholarship?

Only in exceptional circumstances. If you are a scholarship recipient and find that you cannot continue study in a given semester due to circumstances beyond your control please contact Student Services to talk about deferral of your scholarship. Any such request is pending approval from the HYEF.

Do I need to pay tax on a scholarship?

This can depend on your individual circumstances and the type of scholarship you have been awarded. The Australian Taxation Office is the best place to find information regarding scholarships and taxation.

The income from some scholarships may also be taken into account to calculate certain income support or other Commonwealth payments so you are also urged to seek independent advice regarding your particular situation.

If I am successful in obtaining a scholarship can I do additional paid work to supplement my income?

Yes, you can work while receiving a scholarship. 

Can I study part-time if I am on a scholarship?

Domestic scholarship recipients have the possibility of studying part-time.

Can I reapply for a second and third scholarship?

Yes, there is no limitation on the scholarship applications.

Students who have for example completed a Graduate Certificate program (4 subjects) and want to continue to complete the Graduate Diploma or Masters qualifications can reapply for additional scholarships.