Scholarship Entry to Prince Alfred College

A scholarship is an award of access to Prince Alfred College for a student to further his education. Scholarships are awarded on various criteria usually reflecting the values and purposes of the College or the donor of the award.

One of the objectives of Prince Alfred College is to encourage young people with potential, which is why the College offers scholarships in different fields. Students benefit from scholarships because their particular interest and abilities are recognised. The College and other students gain from the contribution made by students who are academically gifted or who have outstanding allround skills. For parents it can be an opportunity to ensure their son can be enrolled in a school that will nurture their child’s special attributes.

1. Academic Scholarships – these are the most numerous scholarships as the College is seeking to reward the most academically able. Students sit a rigorous exam a year before they are to enter the school. School reports, a student portfolio and other achievements are also considered.
2. Music Scholarships – music scholarships are offered on the basis of an audition. The scholarship is also tied to high achievement in the academic scholarship exam. Single studies instrument and voice lesson scholarships are also available.
3. General Excellence Scholarships – (or all-round scholarships) are offered to students with a broad set of skills and experience, and high achievement in many fields. They are awarded on the basis of a portfolio, past school reports and examination performance with evidence of broad participation, community work, leadership and outstanding sporting or music ability. Prince Alfred College values high-achieving students as part of the school ethos.
4. Boarding scholarships - the College offers a number of boarding scholarships to very able, and all round students whose families live in the country or interstate.
5. Discretionary scholarships - some scholarships are offered at the discretion of the Headmaster. Some will be specific such as are given to indigenous students and refugees.
6. Specified Bequests – the Foundation Scholarship Fund oversees the provision of scholarships to students from funds provided by bequests. These include the Colin Hassell Scholarship, the Ken Lord Family Boarding Scholarship and the Richard Thorne Scholarship. The Prince Alfred College Foundation also offers Indigenous Scholarships through specified bequests.
7. Sports scholarships – no sports scholarships are available; however, outstanding sportsmen are recognised through the provision of general excellence scholarships provided by the school. They are based on school reports, a letter of application, financial assessment and an interview.

Prince Alfred College has a long and proud tradition of offering scholarships to families with sons who have demonstrated they have the potential to derive benefit from the College’s academic and co-curriculum programs. At PAC we offer a range of scholarships designed to help fund the costs of an independent education. Our School’s philosophy of valuing and nurturing the whole person is very much a part of our scholarship program which does not aim to have a narrowly academic focus.

The College celebrates academic excellence and student potential and we are committed to support students who are disadvantaged. Accordingly we offer a wide range of scholarships to help ensure that money and circumstance is no barrier to the most promising students having access to the world-class education and facilities that we offer.

Scholarships may cover full or part remission of tuition fees for a student. They are awarded to students who can demonstrate their ability to make a significant contribution to the school; these include outstanding academic ability, and ability in creative and performing arts, debating, leadership, sport, chess, and who will benefit from the College’s programs. We have an “all-rounder” approach to the allocation of scholarships at Prince Alfred College.

Prince Alfred College’s scholarship program offers a range of scholarships made possible through the generosity and support of donors. The School is very grateful to all those who have contributed to the scholarship program. The PAC Foundation established the Scholarship Fund in 2008. This is managed by a Scholarship Committee.

Applications for scholarships are advertised in Term 4 each year with applications closing in the following January. Offers of scholarship are made on March 1 each year.  

The key criteria for awarding scholarships at Prince Alfred College are as follows:

• Overall academic performance and future potential
• Achievement and involvement in other areas of excellence such as performing arts, visual arts, sport, music, debating and other relevant areas
• Citizenship, including community service
• Leadership abilities

Year 5 - scholarships for 2014 now CLOSED

A number of Scholarships are available to new boys entering Year 5 2014. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of school reports, references and an interview.

• A number of Council Scholarships are tenable from the beginning of Year 5 until the end of Year 12 and provide between 25% and 50% of tuition fees.

Information for candidates:
2014 Year 5 Scholarships.pdf

Year 7 & 8 - scholarships for 2014 now CLOSED

The school offers Scholarships to boys entering Year 7 and 8 on the basis of merit. Academic scholarships are allocated on a competitive basis with qualification dependent on the applicant’s performance in the ACEP (yr 8) or PSP (yr 7) Scholarship Examination, his willingness to actively participate and contribute to the wider school program, and on a written application to the Headmaster. The ACEP/PSP Scholarship Examination is sat in February each year and is held in conjunction with Independent and Catholic schools in Adelaide. It is coordinated by a sub-committee of AISSA. Scholarships available include:

Four scholarships are available for entry to Year 7 including:

• The Samuel Fiddian Scholarship which provides full remission of tuition fees for six years.
• The J.R. Robertson Scholarship provides half (50%) remission of tuition fees for six years. 
• Two College Council Scholarships, each tenable for six years and offering at least 25% remission of the tuition fee.

Four scholarships are available for entry to Year 8 including:

• The Sir Thomas Elder Scholarship which provides full remission of tuition fees for five years.
• The Prince Alfred Scholarship which provides half (50%) remission of tuition fees for five years.
• Two College Council Scholarships, each tenable for five years and offering at least 25% remission of the tuition fee.

Music Scholarship (Year 7 or Year 8 entry)

• The Rolland May Music Scholarship provides half (50%) of tuition fees.  Candidates must sit the ACEP/PSP Entrance Scholarship Examination, and demonstrate their musical ability by audition where they may present a maximum of 10 minutes of contrasting material and also demonstrate their sight reading. Although not necessarily and advantage candidates are welcome to audition more than one instrument. 

Information for candidates:
2014 Year 7 and Year 8 Scholarships.pdf

The links below will take you to the registration and payment page for the ACEP/PSP Entrance Scholarship Examinations.  Registrations close at midnight on Sunday January 20, 2013.

Years 10 and 11 - scholarships for 2014 now CLOSED

A number of Scholarships are available to new boys entering Years 10 and 11. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of school reports, references and an interview.

• The Grasby Scholarship is tenable for two or three years and provides full remission (100%) of tuition fees.
• The Shierlaw Scholarships:  several Scholarships are awarded and are tenable for two or three years, giving remission of up to half (50%) of tuition fees.

Information for candidates:
2014 Year 10 and Year 11 Scholarships.pdf

Boarding Scholarships for entry and Years 8, 10 and 11 - scholarships for 2014 now CLOSED

• The Linden Boer Scholarships and the Norman Jolly Scholarships are awarded to boarding students only, and provide at least half remission of boarding fees for up to five years.  They are awarded on the basis of reports, references and an interview.
• The John Olsson Freemasons Memorial Scholarship for entry at Year 11 provides 50% remission of the boarding fee.

The Ken Lord Family Boarding Scholarship is available to a boarder entering Prince Alfred College in Year 8 and will entitle the successful applicant to 75% remission of tuition and boarding fees for five years. Initial preference is given to applicants from South Australia and from the Tibooburra, Wentworth and Broken Hill areas, or where distance is a significant factor in a student’s education. This Scholarship is offered bi-annually and is next available for entry in 2014.

The Richard Thorne Scholarship is for entry for students in Years 7-12. This academic/chess scholarship provides remission of 25%-75% of tuition fees and is awarded on the basis of academic potential with favourable consideration given to candidates who have a demonstrated ability and achievement in chess.  

2014 entry applications close at 5.00pm, 1 February 2013.

2014 Ken Lord Family Boarding Scholarship.pdf

2014 Richard Thorne Scholarship.pdf

Scholarships are awarded on the basis of school reports, references and an interview.  Boys and parents should write a letter of application outlining their reason for wishing to attend Prince Alfred College.  A photograph of the student, along with copies of any supporting documentation such as reports, references and certificates should accompany the application. All scholarships are awarded at the discretion of the Headmaster.

For further information and enquiries regarding applying for a scholarship please contact:

Matthew Rawes
Manager, Student Recruitment

The Scholarship fund welcomes financial contributions to assist it to provide a Princes education for young men. For further information regarding establishment of a scholarship in recognition of your link with Prince Alfred College please contact:

David Cornish
Executive Officer of the Prince Alfred College Foundation