The ACT Government has now provided more than $3 million in financial support to Canberra families in 2024 through the Future of Education Equity Fund.
Since it opened in January, the Equity Fund has supported more than 5,000 Canberra students.
As announced in the 2024-25 ACT Budget, the ACT Government is now also providing a further boost of $1 million to the Equity Fund for the 2024 school year.
The Future of Education Equity Fund helps ACT students from eligible families access everyday essentials to assist with their education and wellbeing, such as book packs, uniforms and excursions, sport equipment and activities, tuition, and music lessons.
It supports financially disadvantaged families with students who are enrolled in preschool through to Year 12 in any ACT school.
Payments are:
- $400 for preschool students
- $500 for primary school students
- $750 for high school and college students
Minister for Education and Youth Affairs Yvette Berry said the Equity Fund has helped thousands of Canberra students and families in need with financial support to purchase items and services to fully engage with their education, and that the further boost to available funds would mean even more families could apply.
"There are Canberrans doing it tough with cost-of-living pressures right now, and the Equity Fund is helping take some of that pressure off families," Minister Berry said.
"We know how important education is, so we want to make sure all of our students have an equal chance to fully engage with their schooling.
"The additional support available through the boost to the Equity Fund announced in the Budget will allow us to support more students and their families with a range of school expenses, including items or activities to enrich their learning.
"Importantly, this additional funding will help us further improve equity and access – principles central to the ACT Government's Future of Education strategy."
Applications for the 2024 school year remain open until 29 November 2024. Information about the fund, and a link to apply online, is available at www.education.act.gov.au/support-for-our-students/financial-and-resource-assistance-for-families.
