Our Programs

Little Friends Scholarships

Round 17 opening 16 November 2026

Testimonials

Since receiving the Little Friends Scholarship, my daughter has been able to continue her dream of becoming a dancer and has really excelled this term with her dancing. She has her first competition coming up. Thank you so much Friends with Dignity for helping her dream come true
Mother of 6yo girl (VIC)
This funding has been incredibly helpful for the family, especially as they needed financial support while rebuilding their lives after experiencing significant domestic violence. The family felt a huge sense of relief in being able to purchase the children’s school uniforms after having to move schools for safety reasons, and the two girls (12 and 14) have adapted well to their new school. I cannot thank the Little Friends Scholarship enough for this support. Please continue providing this fundamental assistance to the most vulnerable families.
Applicant's Sponsor (QLD)
My daughter and I are very grateful for the amount of money paid directly to the school for her school fees and charges for this school year. We can't thank you enough, Friends with Dignity, for making us feel that we are not forgotten, there is hope and that there is a light at the end of our dark tunnel. Thank you.
Mother of 12yo girl (WA)
My son's school uniforms, which included an Instrumental Band Shirt, were provided by the Little Friends Scholarship. With the Band Shirt being provided, he was able to participate in an interschool Band competition playing trombone and they placed Silver! He wouldn't have been able to perform without the shirt and we are forever grateful for the scholarship.
Mother of 9yo boy (QLD)
The Little Friends Scholarship has helped pay for my child’s school fees and basketball fees, which has allowed me to contribute to new school/sports uniforms. The extra help from the Little Friends Scholarship has not only assisted with school attendance, but also his self-esteem as he did not have to feel left out from attending sports with his peers and was not ostracised for wearing old clothes. Little Friends Scholarship has definitely been a god send and we are so grateful for the financial assistance.
Mother of 15yo boy (QLD)
I'm so grateful for the Little Friends Scholarship!! It went towards uniform and school supplies for my daughter starting kindergarten this year. Thank you again. I wouldn't have been able to do it without the help!!
Mother of 5yo girl (NSW)
I would like to sincerely thank the Little Friends Scholarship program for helping to pay for my son's Brazilian Jiu Jitsu fees. He was lacking confidence following some unfortunate events. He is now only 2 stripes away from progressing to a grey-white belt & is still only 5 years old. It is clear that this training has helped his overall demeaner and his ability to defend himself has given him more courage and confidence. We are very grateful for the support.
Father of 5yo boy (QLD)
This client had very high costs associated with separation with the person using violence. This meant she was falling behind with school fees. The scholarship meant that the 13yo child could stay at the school he is so settled in. He has gone on to get his first after school job and is very proud of himself. It helped create the stability in his life he needed to thrive.
Applicant's Sponsor (NSW)
This scholarship has really helped in supporting a 14yo boy in need, to allow him to participate in electives that where normally unavailable to him. Thank you.
Applicant's Sponsor (WA)
Without this my 10yo granddaughter wouldn't be able to do her favourite sport! We are so appreciative. xx
Grandparent (NSW)

What is the Little Friends Scholarship?

One of the key goals of Friends with Dignity is to support children in Domestic and Family Violence affected environments to go on and live happy, healthy and inclusive lives. These scholarships are specifically for children financially impacted by Domestic and Family Violence.

Our Little Friends Scholarship has been established to ensure all children have the ability to either further their education and/or be able to participate in extra-curricular activities that they may not be able to pursue due to the financial impact of Domestic and Family Violence.

Scholarships are awarded nationwide on an “as needs basis” with all valid applications being reviewed and considered.

Scholarships are up to a maximum value of $500 per child.

Scholarships are provided on an annual basis and are categorised into two groups:

Educational

The Educational Category may include, but is not limited to, school fees, laptops, ipads or other devices required for school, textbooks, stationery requirements, specialised equipment such as art supplies, or hospitality uniforms. It may include costs for excursions, camps, access to academic competitions, or school uniforms (including school shoes).

Extra-Curricular

The Extra-Curricular Category may include, but is not limited to, sporting equipment, sport uniforms, tuition costs, training or transport costs. It may include equipment for music, the arts or to cover the costs of representative teams. It may also be used for sign-up or registration fees for a sporting season, competition, debating, or some element of the arts.

The Application Process

Applications must be completed and submitted using the online application form by either:
- The Parent or authorised Guardian of the child; or
- A Social Worker, GP, School Principal, Counsellor or other relevant professional authorised by the parent / guardian of the child
Applications are only open to DFV impacted children between the ages of 5 and 18 years old at the time the application is submitted, and who are in an educational environment (such as a school or home-school).
All applications must be supported/endorsed by a verifiable Sponsor who endorses the application.
A Sponsor must:
- be different to the person submitting the application;
- use an email address linked to a verifiable organisation (such as the child’s school, GP clinic or registered support organisation); and
- may be a Social Worker, Case Worker, General Practitioner, School Principal, Counsellor or other relevant professional.

Round 17

Key Dates

Applications Open: 16 Nov 2026

Applications Close: 19 Feb 2027*

Applicants Notified of Outcome: asap during the application process

Funding Disbursement: asap during the application process

Note: * Friends with Dignity reserves the right to close the application process early once all available funding has been awarded

Once the Application has been evaluated, if a scholarship is awarded, the Applicant will be requested to provide:

- copies of receipts that are dated no older than eight (8) weeks prior to the Application submission date; and/or
- valid invoices (such as for school fees or a book list yet to be paid for)

Friends with Dignity will confirm the latest date when these receipts / invoices are to be provided.

Remaining funding available for Round 17 of the Little Friends Scholarship Program

Funds will be distributed to the successful Applicants in two ways:

Reimbursement of funds

Friends with Dignity will reimburse funds upon presentation of valid receipts. Receipts must include the date of purchase, details of items purchased, and name of the provider (such as a school or stationery supplier).

If more than one child is successful in the application, it must be clear what items are for which child.

Friends with Dignity will accept receipts for purchases/payments that were made up to eight (8) weeks prior to the Application submission date.

Payment of Invoice (preferred)

Friends with Dignity will pay funds direct to a provider (such as a school or stationery supplier) for the payment of an invoice which must include the child’s name and the provider details (including ABN).

The invoice must also include BPAY, BPoint or BSB/Account details such that Friends with Dignity can make the payment to the provider.

Little Friends Scholarship Community Support Hub

What is the Community Support Hub?

Friends with Dignity has created the Little Friends Scholarship Community Support Hub to give the wider community the opportunity to help us increase our impact with the Little Friends Scholarships.

Every year we are inundated with applications that are all worthy of approving. However, in the past we have only had the financial support to help about 50% of the children in need of our assistance.

We are now offering you the opportunity to directly, and positively, impact the life a child affected by exposure to DFV by either:

covering the cost of the amount requested under an actual application, or
by donating dollars that will go directly into the Scholarship fund to be distributed across one or more applications.

Note: The ability to cover the cost requested under an actual Scholarship application will be aligned to the opening of the scholarship round (generally mid-November each year).

Join Us

We invite all Australians to join us in supporting victim-survivors of domestic violence as we work
towards building a nation free from domestic violence.