Scholarships & bursaries

St Joseph’s College Academic Scholarships are awarded in Year 7 to students who demonstrate academic excellence across a range of subjects and a demonstrated high level of engagement in their learning.

Br Liguori (1888–1972) taught at the College from 1922 until his retirement in 1966. His students regularly achieved academic honours – including first place in the state – in Mathematics, English and French. His renown in mathematics extended beyond St Joseph’s. For several years he was the President of the Mathematical Association of NSW, and he was called upon to solve a construction problem of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

The Br Liguori Mathematics Scholarship is awarded to a mathematically gifted student entering Years 7, 8 or 9 and not currently attending St Joseph’s College.

The successful applicant would be placed in the Accelerated Mathematics course and would aim to sit their HSC in both Mathematics Advanced and Extension 1 in Year 11 and the Mathematics Extension 2 course in Year 12.

Br Michael Naughtin (1919–2009) arrived at St Joseph’s in 1962 as Deputy Headmaster and taught English, Latin and Classical Greek. During his time at St Joseph’s, Br Michael’s significant contributions included penning the College’s history A Century of Striving, editing the College Magazine and the Old Boys Magazine Cerise and Blue and most notably, writing the College Prayer.

The Br Michael Naughtin English Scholarship is awarded to a gifted English student entering Years 7, 8 or 9 and not currently attending St Joseph’s College.

Donated by Mrs Kathleen Cronin in memory of her husband, the Dr Kevin James Cronin Memorial Scholarship is presented to a student entering Years 11 or 12 who shows ability in English, Mathematics and/or Science and who, without the scholarship, would not readily have available to him a suitable Catholic education.

Presented by Mr Michael Dorrell (1991) in honour of his grandmother, the Clarice Dorrell Scholarships are partial scholarships offering up to one-half support of the boarding and tuition fee and are available to new students entering Years 10 or 11 who show significant academic aptitude and community involvement. Preference may be given to students from outside Sydney.

Generously funded through the Joeys Partners Program and other donor support, the Boys from the Bush Bursaries are presented by St Joseph’s College Foundation and provide up to one-third support of the boarding and tuition fee at St Joseph’s College for students from rural and regional areas.

Donated by Richard Cusick in honour of his father, Dr Alton Cusick (1940), and Br Brian Horton (1941). The Br Brian Horton and Dr Alton Cusick bursary is presented to a new student entering Years 10 to 12 from the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle for up to one-third support for tuition and boarding.

Donated by siblings Paddy (2017), Bill (2019) and Meg Dalton. The Ned Dalton Scholarships are presented to a new student from New South Wales entering the College in Year 9 for up to 30 per cent of tuition and boarding fees.

The Gregory Patrick and Marie Dolores Farrell Memorial Scholarships are presented by the Farrell family in memory of their parents. These scholarships provide up to one-third support of the boarding and tuition fee and are awarded to students commencing in Years 10 to 12.

The Dr Maurice Edward Renshaw AM Memorial Scholarships are presented by the Renshaw family. These scholarships provide up to one-third support of the boarding and tuition fee and are awarded to students commencing in Years 10 to 12.

The Tom Petersen Memorial Scholarships are presented by St Joseph’s College Foundation. These scholarships provide up to on-third support of the boarding and tuition fee, with preference given to students commencing in Years 10 to 12.

Applications for 2027 are now open and will close on 1 May 2026.

Funded through the SJC Indigenous Fund in partnership with The Smith Family’s Indigenous Youth Leadership Program (IYLP).

With support through the National Indigenous Australians Agency, this government-funded program aims to close the gaps in Indigenous educational disadvantage by creating greater access to additional education choice for Indigenous students, particularly those from rural, regional and remote areas of the country.

The Program supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students living in remote areas of Australia to attend high-performing secondary school and/or university to complete Year 12 and/or an undergraduate degree. Contributing to the development of leadership skills in many ways, students are supported in their personal, academic and professional journey. The IYLP also aids in the development of positive role models and leaders to inspire other Indigenous students.

Application for admission to St Joseph’s College must be made at the same time as your IYLP scholarship application. Please contact Admissions for more information, applications close 1 May 2026.

IYLP applications are assessed according to several criteria: leadership, academic performance, behaviour (including attendance), academic effort and family support.

All IYLP applicants are required to provide:

• Verification of enrolment at your current school (on school letterhead and signed by the principal/authorised school representative).
• Your most recent school semester report (we require Semester 2 2025 report). St Joseph’s College will also require a copy of Semester 1 2025.
• Verification of ABSTUDY eligibility from Centrelink.
• Written references from two referees – these may be sent separately but must be received by 1 May 2026 and must be on the IYLP template).
• Personal statement of 250 words, handwritten by you.