Commonwealth Teaching Scholarships Glossary

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TermDefinition
Academic yearEach higher education provider will have an academic calendar that outlines key dates during the academic year. Contact your higher education provider or visit their website for further details.
Academic evidenceEvidence showing completion of an educational qualification, with results, grades or competencies, such as an academic transcript or official statement.
Academic transcriptAn academic transcript is an official legal record that lists all the courses you have completed with corresponding grades. The transcript should have no alterations or erasures.
Accredited teaching degreeA teaching degree that is accredited under the Accreditation of initial teacher education programs in Australia: Standards and Procedures which leads to a qualification as a teacher. A list of accredited teaching degrees is available on the AITSL website.
Census dateDate set by a higher education provider in accordance with the Higher Education Support Act 2003. The census date is the last date before which a person can withdraw from a unit of study and not incur a HELP debt in respect of that unit.
Commencement dateThe date an applicant begins their teaching degree.
Commitment to TeachThe requirement to teach for a specified period after graduating from an accredited teaching degree.
Conditional OfferA Conditional Offer will be made to an applicant whose application has been assessed as meeting the initial requirements to receive a scholarship but must provide further evidence before receiving a formal offer.
Equivalent full-time student load (EFTSL)

Measure of a student's study load.

An EFTSL of 1.0 or 0.75 as the standard annual study load of a student undertaking an accredited teaching degree on a full-time basis.

Expected completion dateThe date an academic degree is due to be completed. This date does not take into consideration events that may extend or reduce the standard expected course duration.
Full-time equivalentThe number of hours a full-time employee works. Part-time work is calculated as a proportion of full-time hours.
Full-time studyThe measure of a student’s study load as defined by either the student’s higher education provider, or as per the full-time study load definition set by Services Australia.
Grade point average (GPA)A GPA is the average result of all academic grades and is calculated on a 7-point or 4-point grading scale.
Higher education provider (HEP)A HEP is an institution that provides tertiary or post-school education. Institutions can include universities, academies or colleges.
LANTITELiteracy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education
Mid-year enrolmentMid-year typically refers to academic enrolment at a time other than the first semester/first study period of the academic year. Students commencing mid-year are not eligible under the program.
Part-time studyEnrolled in less than a full-time study load, as defined by the higher education provider. Part-time study is not permitted under the CTS Program.
Regional, rural or remote areaAn area classified as Inner Regional, Outer Regional, Remote or Very Remote by the Australian Statistical Geography Standard.
Scholarship AgreementThe agreement between the recipient and the Department of Education detailing the recipient’s responsibilities relating to the CTS Program and outcomes that must be achieved. It also sets out the arrangements for the payment of funding for the CTS Program to the recipient.
Scholarship Funding PeriodThe period of time set out in a Scholarship Agreement over which the scholarship funding will be paid to a recipient.
Semester/study periodEach higher education provider will have an academic year divided into teaching periods. These teaching periods may be, for example, four study periods, three trimesters or two semesters.
SmartyGrantsAn online grants management system used for delivery and administration of the CTS Program.
Weighted average mark (WAM)A WAM is the average result of all grades and is calculated on a 100-point scale.