Eligibility
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Each scholarship or award has specific eligibility criteria. Read this information carefully and determine whether you meet the criteria listed. You will not be considered if you do not meet the criteria.
Automatic consideration awards and prizes
Provided you meet the eligibility, you will be automatically considered for an award or prize. Awards by automatic consideration are often determined on academic merit, whereby the student with the highest grades (in a subject, series of subjects or course) is awarded.
Application
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You can find a list of all open scholarships by school on the Faculty of Science Scholarships and Awards page
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Student Financial Need Assessment applications are used to score and rank students for selecting a suite of financial-need based scholarships and bursaries. If the scholarship has a financial need component, applicants need to submit a Financial Need Assessment Form to be considered.
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A rural or isolated area is defined as an area with a Remote Areas (ASGC-RA) Australian Standard Geographic Classification of: RA2 – Inner Regional, RA3 – Outer Regional, RA4 – Remote, or RA5 – Very Remote. The Department of Health and Ageing uses this categorisation system for a number of programs related to medical practice in Australia. You can check the classification of your rural or isolated address on the Department of Health and Ageing website.
Please provide evidence of your rural status with documentation.
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The table below shows the types of documentation that can be used to support your application for Financial Need or Rural Criteria. Please note that family name and address must be on documentation. All claims must have evidence and be recent.
Documentation Financial need Rural Status Centrelink documents Yes Official Letters Yes Statutory Declarations Yes Utility Bill With Address Yes Official Mail With Address Yes *Depending on the award, other supporting documents maybe required.
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Applications must be submitted by the advertised closing date, extensions are not permitted. Apply early to ensure you have plenty of time to complete the application.
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You will be notified of the result of your application via SmartyGrants once a decision has been made.
Outcome timing below:
- Round 1 (Jan-March applications): May-July
- Round 2 (June-August applications): September-October
- Future Rounds - TBC
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The University uses AI-assisted tools to support the processing of scholarship applications. These tools are used to help organise and present application information, and to assist in identifying whether relevant information has been provided in response to selection criteria.
AI tools are used for administrative support only and do not make decisions about eligibility or selection. All applications are assessed by University staff and selection committees. Your application information may include data submitted by you (such as personal statements and supporting documents) and relevant University records (such as enrolment and academic data), and will be handled in accordance with the University’s privacy obligations
Offers and acceptance
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Details of how to accept a scholarship or award will be explained in your award letter sent via Smartygrants. If there are any additional requirements, these will be detailed in your letter.
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Please ensure that you log-in using your University of Melbourne student email. If issues persist, please contact the Science Awards team.
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While we strive for accuracy in all our communications, errors can occasionally occur in scholarship notifications. Please note:
1. The University reserves the right to withdraw or amend a scholarship offer if it is found to have been made in error.
2. This could include, but is not limited to, cases where:
- You were incorrectly identified as eligible for the scholarship
- The scholarship amount was incorrectly stated
3. If an error is discovered, we will contact you as soon as possible to explain the situation and discuss any next steps.
4. We understand that such situations can be disappointing, and we are committed to handling them with sensitivity and transparency.
5. If you believe you've received an incorrect notification, please contact the Scholarships Office immediately for clarification.
We continuously review and improve our processes to minimise the occurrence of such errors.
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Award values are indicative only, and the selection committee has discretion to determine both the number and value of awards in each round. Amounts may vary depending on the availability of funds, the number and quality of applications received, and the committee’s aim to distribute support as fairly and effectively as possible. As a result, individual award amounts may differ between recipients and may not always align exactly with the advertised range.
Receiving your scholarship
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Payments are made via the University’s Payroll on set pay days and will appear as a University of Melbourne salary on your bank statement. Once you have accepted your award you will need to submit your bank details.
Please note that scholarship and award payments are processed in regular payment cycles. Depending on when all required documentation is received and approved, payments can take up to one month to be processed. If your information is received before the relevant processing cut‑off date*, it will be included in the next available payment run. Submissions received after a cut‑off date will be processed in a later cycle, which may result in a longer wait time.*Staff need time to enter information you provide so we strongly recommend submitting information at least 48 hours before the processing cut off date.
If you believe you have missed a payment, please contact the Science Awards team.
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Generally, scholarship donor(s) like to know how the scholarship has made a difference to you and your studies. When you accept the scholarship, you are encouraged to write a letter of thanks outlining the possible opportunities the award has offered and the importance of the donor's support to you.
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Schools within the Faculty of Science host events to recognise and celebrate scholarship and award recipients. Your School will contact you directly with further details.
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Annual scholarship/bursary/prize reports are traditionally handed to the donor to highlight the impact that their philanthropy has had on the student’s education. They are a vital tool to maintaining donor relationships and are eagerly anticipated by the donor to hear how their gift is making an impact. The reports also assist us in our marketing of our scholarships program to future students.
The report should also include how the award has benefited you in your education, and with your goals and future career.
You will be contacted if you are required to submit a report.
Scholarship terms and conditions
- All award recipients are required to maintain an academic status of good standing in their course. If your rating changes to 'at risk', your award payment will be reviewed and may be stopped. You may be required to provide the scholarship committee with details of what has occurred in your studies causing you to fail. You will be contacted by the Faculty if your academic status changes. The Faculty may waive this requirement at its discretion.
- Award payments are made by Melbourne Scholarships to your nominated bank account and are generally paid as half yearly allowances or as a stipend payment. Some prizes, bursaries and smaller awards are paid as one-off payments.
- Individual awards may have other requirements and it is your responsibility to ensure you have checked what these may be.
- Please be aware of the implications of part time study on your scholarship and any tax related matters. Details can be found at Melbourne Scholarships
- If you do not commence your course, or if you discontinue/transfer your course or your enrolment is withdrawn by the University, the Scholarship will be withdrawn/stopped.
- Faculty/Advancement staff may contact you during the year to assist with donor related activities.
Need help with your scholarship?
If you can't find an answer to your question, please check the University's Scholarships page or contact us.