the Global EXPLORER
SCHOLARSHIP

The Global Explorer Awards is a program that recognises students who actively explore the world around them and build real experiences. Instead of relying on grades or a single application, students create a live portfolio of activities, reflections, and experiences that demonstrate curiosity, initiative, and global awareness.

The Global Explorer Scholarship is open to all secondary school students aged 14-17 across Australia and New Zealand. Any eligible student can participate, build their profile, and be recognised as part of the Global Explorer community.

All SCCE program participants are welcome to join the Global Explorer Awards and complete the six missions as this will enhance their exchange experience.

The National winner can use the scholarship for an Academic Semester or Year, up to the value of $15,000. It covers program fees, flights within the allocated flight budget and travel insurance. It does not cover visa or passport costs, flight surcharges (if applicable) or personal expenses.

State winners in WA, SA and Tasmania receive $5,000 off an Academic Year or $2,500 off an Academic Semester.

The National Scholarship is for a full Classic Academic Year or an Academic Semester. WA, SA and TAS students who win a state scholarship can use it for a Classic Academic Semester ($2,500 off) or a Classic Academic Year ($5,000 off).

A student exchange means spending an Academic Semester or Year living in another country. You live with a volunteer host family, go to a local high school and experience everyday life, culture and often a new language, the way a local would. Our Global Explorer students do all this in one of ten destinations across Europe and the USA.

The Global Explorer Award gives your exchange extra purpose. Everything revolves around 6 core missions, completed during your exchange. Each one is designed to push you outside your comfort zone, build real-world skills and create a story worth telling. You’re not filling out a form. You’re building a living portfolio of who you are becoming. Complete all 6 and you earn your Global Explorer Award. See the “Inside the Program” section above for a full breakdown of each mission.

Applying for the Global Explorer Awards is separate from applying for an exchange program. The award application focuses on you – your video profile, activities, and cultural engagement. The program application focuses on your eligibility to travel, including school, medical, and visa requirements. You can apply for the awards before, after, or at the same time as your program application. Winning an award or scholarship does not automatically mean you are accepted into the exchange program – to travel, you must still meet all program eligibility requirements and be formally approved through the standard application process.

Applications are completed via the Global Explorer Portal. You will need to create an account, complete your application form, upload a 2-minute video & school reference, and share with family and friends to collect endorsements.

To be considered for a scholarship, you must submit a 2-minute video, a reference letter from your school, receive at least 20 endorsements, and complete all required fields in the portal. All applications must be submitted by 11:59pm AEST on January 31, 2027.

Endorsements are a vote of support from people in your network who back your participation in the program. Share your video and profile with friends, family, teachers, and supporters and ask them to endorse your application. Students applying for scholarships must receive at least 20 endorsements. Students not applying for a scholarship do not need endorsements.

All applications are reviewed by Southern Cross Cultural Exchange. Selection is based on the quality and consistency of your activities, the strength of your overall submission, your level of initiative and engagement, and your video and profile. All decisions are final.

If you are selected, your scholarship can be applied toward your exchange program fees, but you must still meet all eligibility requirements to participate. If you have already paid for your program, your scholarship will be applied as a refund. If you have not yet applied or paid, the scholarship will be applied as a discount when you proceed. If you do not win the National scholarship but are a resident of WA, SA or TAS, you may still receive a Runner-up Scholarship. These are to the value of $5,000 to apply towards your Academic Year or $2,500 for an Academic Semester program departing in August/September 2027.

If you are already participating on an SCCE program and not selected for a scholarship, you’re still welcome to take part in the Global Explorer Award as part of your exchange program.

Scholarship recipients are expected to depart in the August/September 2027 intake, subject to host family availability and destination capacity. Some destinations have earlier departure windows – students selecting one of these will depart from July 2027. Destinations may be adjusted depending on placement availability.

If you receive a scholarship, you must complete all 6 Global Explorer Award experiences during your exchange and participate in a post-exchange presentation.

Fewer students from WA, SA and Tasmania go on exchange, and the scholarships aim to change that.

No. You can participate in the Global Explorer Awards without applying for a scholarship – this is available for all SCCE program participants. The program is designed to help you build a strong personal portfolio, track your experiences, and be part of a community of like-minded explorers.

The platform is designed with student safety in mind. Personal information is protected, students control what they share, and content may be reviewed where required. Parents and guardians are encouraged to be involved.

Student safety is our highest priority. SCCE’s exchange programs operate in accordance with the requirements of the relevant Australian state and territory education authorities and the New Zealand Ministry of Education. Students are supported by trained staff, local representatives, host families, and established monitoring and welfare processes throughout their exchange.

All progress is tracked through the Global Explorer Awards Portal. Inside the portal, you can submit monthy video reflections, record your skills and cultural experiences, and upload photos, videos, and written entries. The platform acts as your personal journal and digital diary. The Global Explorer team reviews submissions, and once you have completed all requirements, your progress is formally signed off.

For enquiries, please reach out to the SCCE team at scceaust@scce.com.au – we are here to help.

For our full Global Explorer Scholarship Terms & Conditions, please click here.

No. All students who participate in an SCCE exchange program are welcome to take part in the Global Explorer Award. The scholarship is an optional opportunity available to eligible students, but participation in the Award itself is open to all SCCE exchange students. The Award is designed to help students reflect on their experiences, develop new skills, and build a portfolio showcasing their personal growth and cultural learning throughout their exchange.