Accepting an award, prize or scholarship

Everything you need to know about accepting an award, prize or scholarship, including terms and conditions, receiving payments and frequently asked questions.

How to accept your award

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.

Payments

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.

Award payments are paid as half yearly allowances or as a stipend payment. Some prizes, bursaries and smaller awards are paid as one-off payments.

Scholarship payment dates

Further information

If you believe you have missed a payment, please contact the Science Awards team.

Terms and conditions

    1. 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.

    2. 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.

    3.Individual awards may have other requirements and it is your responsibility to ensure you have checked what these may be.

    4.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

    5. If you do not commence your course, or if you discontinue/transfer your course or your enrolment is withdrawn by the University, the Scholarship will be withdrawn/stopped.

    6. Faculty/Advancement staff may contact you during the year to assist with donor related activities

Annual award reports

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.

Frequently asked questions

If you can't find an answer to your question, please contact the Science Awards team.

  • How do I find scholarships that are open for applications?

    You can find a list of all open scholarships by school on the Faculty of Science Scholarships and Awards page

  • How do I know if I am eligible?

    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.

  • Do I need to submit a Financial Need Application form?

    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.

  • What happens if I miss the application closing date?

    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.

  • When do I know the outcome of my application?

    You will be notified of the result of your application via SmartyGrants once a decision has been made.

  • Can I accept my scholarship if I am already holding another scholarship?

    The Faculty of Science is committed to assisting as many students as possible. When determining  recipients of awards, the support already received, in the form of other student awards, by all eligible applicants will be taken into account. This is to ensure that financial assistance is provided in a fair and equitable manner to students in need.

    We do not prohibit current and previous recipients from reapplying. Some awards have restrictions on  whether multiple awards can be held.

  • I cannot log-in to SmartyGrants to accept my scholarship

    Please ensure that you log-in using your University of Melbourne student email. If issues persist, please contact the Science Awards team.

  • Can I defer my scholarship?

    Generally, faculty scholarships cannot be deferred.

  • What happens when I need to change my enrolment

    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.

    If you need to take a leave or change your study load, please contact the Science Awards team as this might affect your scholarship.

  • As a recipient, how do I thank the donor(s) of my scholarship?

    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.

  • Is there an award event?

    Schools in the Faculty of Science host award events for scholarship and award recipients. You will be contacted by the school directly with the details of the event.

Need help with your scholarship?

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