Variety Heart Scholarships Guidelines Individual NT
Variety believes all children deserve a fair go and the opportunity to reach their full potential.
The Variety Heart Scholarships, proudly presented by the Grahame Mapp Family Foundation in honour of the late Gillian Mapp, support children in the Northern Territory who demonstrate talent or strong potential in the arts, sport or academics.
These scholarships provide practical financial assistance to children living with a disability, chronic illness, or financial hardship, helping them pursue their passions and continue developing
their skills.
We support children striving to achieve excellence by assisting with costs such as tuition, equipment, and competition fees.
Scholarship Categories:
We want to see children reach their full potential in the following areas:
The Arts:
This category includes:
⭐ Visual Arts – for example ceramics, drawing, painting, photography, filmmaking.
⭐Performing Arts – for example dance, singing, music, theatre.
⭐Literary Arts – for example fiction, drama, poetry, prose.
Sport:
This category includes mainstream sports, like athletics and ball sports, but also extends to mind
sports such as chess and e-sports.
Academics:
This category includes Extracurricular academic pursuits, which may include being in a specialist
extension program (e.g. MENSA, coding, apps and games development, robotics etc.)
Key Dates:
⭐1 May: Applications open
⭐1 July: Applications close
⭐1 August: Applicants receive outcome notification
Eligibility
⭐ The child must reside in the Northern Territory
⭐The child must be between 8 to 17 years old at the time of application.
⭐ The child must demonstrate recognised talent or strong potential in The Arts, Sport, or Academics (extracurricular).
⭐ The child’s achievements and potential must be verified by a relevant mentor, educator, instructor, coach, or other qualified professional such as independent practitioners, community arts leaders, private tutors or specialist educators.
⭐ Evidence of achievement or potential must be included and must be relevant to the child’s discipline.
⭐ Applicants can apply under one of the following funding categories (A or B)
Scholarship Grants
⭐ Scholarship funding is available within the Arts, Sports and Academics disciplines.
⭐Applicants may request up to $5,000 per application.
⭐ The Scholarship Committee will determine the level of funding, which may include partial or full allocation of the requested amount.
⭐Scholarships are valid for a period of 12 months from the date of the approval letter. All funds must be spent within the 12 months
⭐A scholarship survey is required to be submitted within two months of the scholarship’s completion, using a form provided by Variety.
⭐ Scholarship funds can only be used for items listed in the approval letter.
⭐Previous scholarship recipients are not guaranteed future scholarships.
⭐ Unsuccessful applicants are eligible to reapply in future rounds.
Examples of appropriate scholarship requests
Successful applicants may spend their grant across any of the categories listed below:
⭐Tuitions and training fees
⭐ Entry or competition fees
⭐Registration costs
⭐ Equipment and supplies directly related to discipline.
⭐Uniforms and costumes
⭐Airfare for the child (for travel to scholarship-related events like competitions)
o Depends on the child’s needs – may cover parent/carers travel
⭐Basic accommodation (for the child attending a competition or training)
⭐Fuel (for travel to scholarship-related events; you must provide clear fuel receipts, not just EFTPOS slips).
The following documentation must be attached to each application associated with either Funding A
or B:
1. Income Proof of household Income:
🟢If you receive Centrelink payments (and are unemployed): Provide your latest Centrelink income statement. (You can get this online through your myGov account.)
🟢 If you receive wages (full-time, part-time, or casual): Provide your most recent pay slips.
🟢If you have both wages and Centrelink payments: Provide your most recent pay slips and your latest Centrelink income statement.
NOTE: If parents are separated and one is still contributing to the child’s needs (but living outside the household), financial information for both parents is required.
2. Talent Support Letter
A Support letter is required from a qualified person who can speak to the applicant’s skills, development and potential.
The letter must be dated within three months of the date of submitting the application.
The letter must be on a letterhead (no older than 3 months) and needs to be able to address the following points:
🟢Relationship:
o Who the writer is (e.g., coach, teacher, music tutor) and their role.
o How long they’ve known the child/family.
🟢 Talent &Achievements:
o Clear description of the child’s demonstrated talent, potential, and development.
o Provide examples of the child’s specific achievements, recognitions, performances, progression milestones, or relevant experiences in their area in the last 12 months.
o Elaborate on the child’s passion and commitment toward their talent.
🟢Scholarship Impact:
o Detail the specific ways this scholarship will support the child’s growth and help them achieve their goals.
3. Diagnosis Letter
Funding Option B only A letter from the child’s doctor (GP, Pediatrician or treating specialist) or allied health professional (OT, Physio, Speech therapist) outlining the child’s diagnosis, chronic illness and/or disability.
This letter must not be older than 12 monthsfrom the date ofscholarship application and on an official letterhead.
Decision
Successful Applicants
🟠Successful applicants will receive approval via email to the primary contact listed in the application
🟠Any unused and/or unspent funds will be forfeited after the expiry date of the grant.
The primary contact will receive regular updates regarding the scholarship balance throughout the 12 months Unsuccessful Applicants
🟠Reasons pertaining to unsuccessful applications are at the discretion of the Committee and Variety NT and will not be disclosed with the applicant.
🟠Unsuccessful applicants will be notified of the outcome via email to the primary contact listed in the application.
🟠Unsuccessful applicants may be eligible to reapply in the following round.
Outcome Reporting
The applicant will be requested to complete a short survey within two months of the scholarship
completion. This will be emailed to the applicant’s parent/carer.
Outside of completing a survey and without obligation, Variety enjoys hearing any updates on a
child’s progress, well-being, and achievements once they’ve received their grant. If the
Parent/Carer and the child feel comfortable to share any updates with Variety, please email
them through to [email protected]
How to access funds after approval
Variety NT makes direct payments to suppliers via invoice (reimbursement is available in some
circumstances).
It is the family’s responsibility to ensure that invoices and receipts meet requirements stated on outcome letters.
All requests for invoice payment or reimbursement must be sent to [email protected]
Variety will not pay any invoices or provide reimbursement of any monies dated before the scholarship has been approved.
If you require further information, please don’t hesitate to contact our Kids Support Team on 0889812544 or email [email protected]