Scholarship applications & assessments

You can apply for multiple scholarships and may be eligible to receive more than one. However, you will only be granted one scholarship. This is normally the scholarship that is likely to benefit you the most.

If you’re already receiving a scholarship and apply for another of higher value or longer duration, you’ll be asked to give up the scholarship of lesser value (if your application is successful).

If you’re awarded an equity scholarship by VU, you may also be able to receive an externally-funded scholarship based on academic success. However, if the external scholarship significantly alters your financial position you may be asked to declare your income, including the value of the external scholarship.

If you apply for an equity scholarship, please notify us of any other scholarships you receive because these may impact your eligibility. Please also tell us if you are receiving an equity scholarship and are then granted another scholarship.

You are not eligible for a VU Access scholarship if you:

• already have a Commonwealth scholarship or
• are receiving a Start-up Loan from Centrelink.

To improve your chance of receiving a scholarship, you must complete your application in full (including any required supporting documentation).

All supporting documentation must be received within five days of the application closing date.

Incomplete applications will be disadvantaged in the assessment process, as they may receive fewer points when they are scored. Late applications, or applications with no supporting documentation, will not be assessed.

You can contact us for help with your application, including:

• any mistakes you’ve made with your application
• obtaining the required documents
• answering any application questions
• confirming we have received your documents
• an extension on your submission.

Scholarship applications are open during specific times throughout the year.

Most VU scholarships (TAFE, undergraduate and graduate research) are open for applications between August and October for study in the following year. Sometimes there may also be a mid-year application round in June and July.

Externally-funded scholarships are offered throughout the year.

Please see individual scholarship pages for more information on when applications open.

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 available.

We encourage you to apply again for the next available round of scholarships.

Check the scholarship or grant details carefully, including:

• eligibility requirements
• closing date
• required supporting documents
• word limits.

Make sure you understand the basis of the scholarship or grant, and that it is applicable to you. These may include:

• financial hardship
• equity
• academic merit
• placement costs
• course enrolment
• donor criteria.

The documents you need will to provide are specific to each scholarship and grant, and will relate to your circumstances.

For example, you may be asked to provide:

• Centrelink income statement or payment details
• Health Care Card
• recent payslips or evidence of low income
• bank statements (latest)
• rent, mortgage, utility bills or other financial evidence
• invoices, quotes or receipts for study-related costs
• evidence of placement, travel, accommodation, tools, uniforms or equipment costs
• resume
• proof of regional, rural or relocation circumstances
• letter of support from a school, community organisation, case worker, counsellor, health professional or support service
• confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander status, where required for an Indigenous-specific scholarship, grant or program.

Students do not need to provide evidence to identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Evidence may only be required where it is needed to confirm eligibility for an Indigenous-specific opportunity.

When answering questions, make sure you:

• answer the question directly
• explain your circumstances clearly
• give specific examples
• explain how the scholarship or grant would help you
• link your response to the purpose of the scholarship or grant
• make sure your response matches the documents you provide.

Avoid only writing general statements such as “I need financial help.” Instead, explain what the support would help with and how it would affect your study.

Please avoid uploading:

• blurry or unreadable documents
• expired or irrelevant documents
• screenshots that do not show your name, date or relevant details
• excessive personal information that is not needed for assessment.

VU understands that students may be applying because of personal, financial or difficult life circumstances.

You do not need to over-disclose. Please provide enough information and evidence to support your application.

Your information will be used to assess your scholarship or grant application and managed in line with VU’s privacy requirements.

If you are unsure what to provide, contact the Scholarships Office before submitting your application.