We have all your questions about scholarships covered on this page. However, for some reason, if you cannot find what you're looking or need more information, please email the Scholarships team.

Where should I start?

There are a range of scholarships available, and sometimes it can get confusing. This short video will help you get started.

Read video transcript

What scholarships are available?

We have a number of scholarships available to undergraduate, postgraduate and TAFE (Vocational Education) students. Our scholarships are designed to help students on low income who suffer from financial disadvantage. You can view our comprehensive list of scholarships to see which one is most suitable for you and your field of study.

Our scholarship assessments are NOT based on academic performance but are based on your personal financial situation. If you cannot find a suitable scholarship, you can also see what externally funded scholarships are available to you.

International students should refer to international scholarships and the Study in Australia website

Are TAFE and Undergraduate scholarships available for part-time students?

Most scholarships are only available to students enrolled on a full-time basis.

For a higher education student, 75% of a normal full time load is 0.375 EFTSL (36 credit points) per semester, usually three units per semester.

For a TAFE student, 75% of a normal full time load is a minimum of 270 study hours per year.

There are limited circumstances in which a scholarship can be granted to a part-time student, such as illness or other exceptional circumstances. If you are requesting approval you need to submit a statement with supporting documentation for consideration by the Scholarship Selection Panel. Students who are registered with VU Disability Services are eligible for scholarships if enrolled part time.

Who do I contact if I want to speak with someone about a scholarship?

TAFE and undergraduate students should phone the Scholarships Office on 9919.5568 or email the Scholarships team.

Research students should phone the VU Office for Postgraduate Research on 9919.4659 or email the postgraduate research office.

International students should phone VU International on +61 3 9919 1164 or email the international team. 

How to apply for a scholarship

Most applications for VU scholarships are submitted by completing an online application. How to apply instructions are listed on each of the scholarship information pages.

If my scholarship application was unsuccessful should I apply again?

Yes! You should apply again for the next available round of scholarships. There are many reasons why your scholarship application may have been unsuccessful. You may have been ineligible at the time of application, or we received a large number of applications in comparison to the number of scholarships we had to award. You may have only just missed out.

It's my last year of study. Is there any point applying for a scholarship now?

Even if this is your last year of study, you could still receive a VU Access Scholarship and be paid $1,000 in your final year.

Which scholarships can I apply for if I am in the second, third or fourth year of my course?

You can apply for all scholarships available. VU Access scholarships are available for both continuing and commencing students.

Can I apply for more than one scholarship?

Yes! You complete one application and you will be assessed for all the scholarships available at that time. If your application is successful, you will only be granted one scholarship. If you already have a scholarship you can apply for one of a higher value or duration, but you will be required to give up your current scholarship to be granted the new scholarship.

I already have a scholarship. Can I apply for another or different one?

Yes! You should apply for any scholarship with a higher value or longer duration. If you are successful in obtaining a more valuable scholarship than the one you already hold, you will be required to give up the scholarship of lesser value.

When do scholarship applications open and close?

For undergraduate students, there are usually two scholarship application rounds each year - August to October for the following year and June to July for mid year.

For TAFE students there is usually only one round of applications mid year in May or June each year.

Postgraduate scholarships are usually available in January to March each year.

Externally funded scholarships are offered throughout the year so be sure to check this site regularly.

Can I submit a late scholarship application?

Applications cannot be accepted after the online system has closed. Applications are assessed after submission of supporting documents. If your application is incomplete or late, it will not be assessed.

Will there be mid-year scholarships available?

For higher education students, there are usually two scholarship application rounds each year - August to October for the following year and June to July for mid year.

For TAFE students there is usually only one round of applications mid year in May or June each year.

Externally funded scholarships are offered throughout the year so be sure to check this site regularly.

Why can't I login to MYVU to apply for a scholarship?

If you have any difficulties logging in to MYVU Portal or you have forgotten your MYVU Portal password, refer to ASKVU or telephone the Student Contact Centre on 9919 6100 during business hours. You may need to have your password reset.

I made a mistake in either my online scholarship application or supporting documents. Can I change my answers?

Phone the Scholarships Office on 9919.5568 or email the scholarships team as soon as possible.

What if I cannot answer all the questions on the scholarship application?

Incomplete applications will be disadvantaged in the assessment process, as they may receive fewer points when they are scored. You can preview the questions before you start the application to make sure you have everything you need. You can SAVE your application and return later to EDIT your answers, then SUMBIT & LOCK when you have answered everything. If you are finding it difficult to answer a question please phone the Scholarships Office 9919.5568 or email the scholarships team.

What happens if I do not send in all the information that is required for my scholarship application?

If you do not submit any supporting documentation, your application will not be assessed. Incomplete applications are disadvantaged in the assessment process, as they may receive fewer points when they are scored. If you are finding it difficult to obtain documentation please phone the Scholarships Office 9919 5568 or email.

I didn't send in my supporting documentation after completing the online scholarship application. Am I still eligible?

In some circumstances we may extend the time for submission, please phone the Scholarships Office 9919 5568 or email the scholarships team if this is the case. To ensure equity, applications are not assessed until after the closing date for all scholarships. If your supporting documents are not received within seven days of the application closing date, your application will not be considered.

How will I know if the supporting documentation for my scholarship application has been received?

If you would like confirmation that we have received your supporting documentation, please send a stamped self-addressed envelope with your documents.

What information do I need to provide with my scholarship application?

Please refer to details listed in the How to Apply section for each scholarship. Please note that supporting documents must be received within seven days of submitting your scholarship application.

How are scholarship applications assessed?

What are my chances of getting a scholarship?

Every year between 60% and 70% of students who submit a complete application are successful. To increase your chances of getting a scholarship, make sure you follow all the instructions for applying. The more information you provide on your application form, the better your chances of receiving a scholarship. Applications are submitted online, but you must make sure that you click on SUBMIT and that you send in all required supporting documents within seven (7) days of submitting your online application. About one in four eligible students are not assessed for a scholarship because they did not provide supporting documents.

How will my scholarship application be assessed?

The assessment is based on equity issues such as low income, financial disadvantage, educational disadvantage, caring for others, disability, language background, indigenous background or other demonstrated hardship. Applications are scored on these factors and those with the most need are granted scholarships. The more information you provide on the application form, the easier it will be for us to assess your application.

Are my grades (VCE marks, ENTER score, TAFE or university results) taken into account in the assessment of my scholarship application?

These equity scholarships do not use your school, TAFE or university academic results as part of the assessment process. The assessment is based on your financial situation and any social or educational disadvantages. Applications are scored on these factors and those with the most need are granted scholarships. If you are offered and accept a scholarship, you are required to maintain satisfactory academic progress to keep receiving the scholarship.

Is there a means test for scholarship applications?

There is no means test for these scholarships, but your financial situation is assessed for ranking. Students on lower incomes will be ranked higher than those on larger incomes.

Why did I miss out on a scholarship when some of my friends got one?

It depends on what you have told us in the application. Each part of an applicant's stated financial and personal circumstances is included in the assessment, which allows the application to be ranked against all the others. At the end of a the assessment process, scholarships are offered to applicants who demonstrate the most severe disadvantage or greatest need. Because there are many more applicants than scholarships, many people who meet the eligibility criteria will miss out because they are not ranked high enough. It is therefore very important that you include all the relevant information about your circumstances in your application, and that you send in all the required supporting documentation.

When will I find out if I have been granted a scholarship?

For Higher Education Students, offers will be sent by VTAC in mid January. Further offers may be sent by the University in late January and February. For mid year rounds, offers will be made to successful applicants within two months of close of applications. If you are successful you must return the acceptance by the required date or your scholarship will be allocated to someone else.

When are scholarship payments made?

Payments to new and continuing scholarship holders are made in late April and late September after verification of enrolment status at each semester census date.

Why do I have to wait until the middle of April or September to receive my scholarship payment?

We can only pay you after we have checked your enrolment at census date each semester 1 March and 31 August). We have more than 2000 payments to check each semester so this takes a little bit of time. Our aim is to have your scholarship money in the bank by the middle of April and September.

What can I do if I need money before my scholarship payment is made?

You can apply for a student loan. Student Welfare has information about financial support for students. You should advise the Loans Officer that you have been granted a scholarship, how much you will be paid and when. Your scholarship income may be taken into account when your loan application is assessed. Apply for a student loan as early as possible as it may take some time to be approved.

How will I be paid my scholarship?

Payments are made by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) to your nominated bank account. You will be asked to provide your bank account details at the time of accepting your scholarship. If your bank details change before the next payment, you need to fill in a new banking details form to advise us of the change

Will the Scholarship payments affect my Centrelink benefits?

You will need to advise Centrelink that you have been granted a scholarship. If it is valued at more than the maximum allowed (maximum is $6870 for 2011) there may be a reduction in your Centrelink payments. You should seek advice from Centrelink.

Is my scholarship taxable?  

Generally, scholarships for full time students are not taxable. You should obtain advice from your tax agent or refer to the Australian Tax Office

Will I still be eligible for my scholarship if my income increases?  

You will be asked to verify that you are still eligible before each payment. This includes a statement about whether your financial situation has changed. If you are unsure about your eligibility, please phone the Scholarships Office on 9919.5568 or email the Scholarships team.

Scholarship conditions

Can I hold more than one scholarship?

In most cases, you can have only one scholarship. You are not eligible for a VU Access Scholarship if you already have a Commonwealth Scholarship. An Equity scholarship will not be granted if you already hold one or more external scholarships. However you should apply for all the scholarships open for application, so that you can be considered for each of them. If successful you will be granted only one scholarship.

Do I have to reapply for my scholarship each year?

If you have been awarded a scholarship for a specific number of years you do not need to re-apply, but you will need to sign a declaration that you are still eligible before each payment. Please refer to the ongoing eligibility conditions for current scholarship holders

What does 'ongoing eligibility' for a scholarship mean?  

Once you have been awarded a scholarship, you will have your eligibility checked before each payment is made. To remain eligible for your scholarship payment you will need to: remain enrolled full-time (unless you have requested and been granted approval for part-time enrolment), maintain satisfactory progress in your studies; continue to be on a low income; advise the Scholarships Office of any changes to your income or eligibility. Please refer to the ongoing eligibility conditions for current scholarship holders

Does the University have a policy on scholarships?  

Yes, the policy is reviewed annually and is published on the University Policy Register. 

Scholarship and enrolment

Will I still be eligible for my scholarship if I reduce to part time study?

If you are registered with VU Disability Services you will retain your scholarship even if you study part time. If your reasons for reducing to part-time study relate to an illness or other exceptional circumstances, you need to submit a statement with supporting documentation for consideration by the Scholarship Selection Panel. At any time you reduce your study load you should contact the Scholarships Office by phone (9919 5568) or email the scholarships office. For a higher education student, 75% of a normal full time load is 0.375 EFTSL (36 credit points) per semester, usually three units per semester. For a TAFE student, 75% of a normal full time load is a minimum of 270 study hours per year. Scholarships are only paid for the maximum duration so if you take longer to finish your course, your scholarship may end before your studies are completed.

What happens to my scholarship if I fail units?

One of the ongoing requirements is that you have to make satisfactory academic progress. We accept your Faculty's definition of 'satisfactory progress'. If your enrolment changes to part-time, you will need to submit a statement to the Scholarships Office, and the Scholarship Selection Panel will advise if you can keep the scholarship. You will lose your scholarship if you are excluded from the course. Scholarships are only paid for the maximum duration so if you take longer to finish your course, your scholarship may end before your studies are completed.

What happens to my scholarship if I take leave of absence from my course?

As long as your Faculty has officially approved your leave, your scholarship payments can be suspended. Payment will resume in your first semester back as long as you still meet the eligibility for your scholarship. You will need to phone the Scholarships Office 9919 5568 or email the scholarships office to advise your return to studies and check your status.

If I defer my course, can I defer my scholarship?

If you are offered a place in a course and are approved to defer your commencement, your scholarship offer will lapse. You will need to re-apply for a scholarship prior to commencing your studies. It is suggested that you only complete the application form for a scholarship if you intend studying in the upcoming semester.

If I enrol in a Graduate Diploma after my Bachelor's degree, will my scholarship continue?

If you received a VU Access for your undergraduate degree and you continue your enrolment in a Graduate Diploma in Secondary Education, you will have to submit a new application and be assessed against the criteria.

If I enrol in an Honours year after my Bachelor's degree, will my scholarship continue?

Yes, you can keep your VU Access, Commonwealth Accommodation or Commonwealth Education Cost scholarship during the Honours year if you have not exceeded the maximum number of eight  payments and you still meet the ongoing eligibility criteria of low income and full-time enrolment.

What happens to my scholarship if I only have two units left to finish my course in the last semester?

If you have already been paid a scholarship for the maximum number of eight payments or four years the scholarship would finish. If you have time left on your scholarship you would need to apply for approval to study part-time and retain the scholarship for the final semester. Approval is not automatically granted, but your circumstances will be taken into account.

Can I transfer my scholarship if I transfer to another University or TAFE?

Your VU scholarship cannot be transferred to another University or TAFE. It is valid for your studies at Victoria University only.

Can I transfer to another course at VU and keep my equity scholarship?

It depends on what course you enrol into. In most circumstances, your scholarship will continue. If not, you may be able to apply for a new scholarship depending on the new course and your eligibility. Please phone the Scholarships Office on 9919 5568 or email the scholarships office to check how any changes to your enrolment will impact on your scholarship.

If I go on student exchange overseas, can I keep my equity scholarship?

Yes, if your exchange is approved as part of your course by the University and you continue to meet the eligibility requirements.

I have transferred to VU from another university; can the scholarship I received at my old university be continued at VU?

No. You will need to apply for a new VU Access scholarship.   

Contact us

ASKVU     Find answers and ask questions

Phone      +61 3 9919 5568

Email       scholarships@vu.edu.au 

Location  Footscray Park Campus, Building M, Level 2 (via Student Engagement Reception)