Application tips and FAQs

Getting started

• Review Requirements: Carefully check the specific documentation required for each scholarship in the description and within the Your Documents section of your application portal. This will be tailored to both your responses to the Personal Circumstances questions, and the specific scholarships you have chosen.
• Equity scholarship categories and supporting documents: We use the model developed and assessed by UAC for our equity scholarships. You can find the definitions and get an idea of what supporting documentation will be required here.
• Establishing Status for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students: You may like to apply for scholarships and other university supports that are specific to our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. To do this, please follow the university’s guidelines to establish your Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander identity and heritage here.
• Organise Early: Allow enough time to prepare your written statement and gather any necessary documents before the deadline.

Key points for submitting

1. Personal Statement:
   • A mandatory, one-page (A4) statement is required for most scholarships.
   • Highlight your Academic achievements, your career aspirations, and offer your thoughts on how the scholarship will assist you.
   • Tailor your statement for specific scholarships where relevant, but ensure it reflects your authentic self and your unique circumstances.
   • You can address the statement to the Scholarships Selection Panel.
   • Make sure your name and/or student number is included in the document.
2. Commonly Required Documents:
   • Check individual scholarships for extra requirements (e.g., references, awards, or certifications). These will be listed in the Your Documents tab of your application or may appear as a short answer or Y/N response question when submitting for the scholarship.
   • Medical impact statement: This is a statement about how the medical condition/disability you have claimed will have an effect on your studies. If required, a blank medical impact statement is provided in the Your Documents tab. It must be completed by a registered health professional who is treating your medical condition/disability.
   • Use the Student Regional Area Search on the centrelink website to see if you will be considered as living in regional or remote Australia for University of Newcastle campuses.
   • Educational impact statement: This is a statement about the impact your medical condition/disability has, or will have, on your studies. If required, a blank statement is provided in the Your Documents tab.
   • Some forms – such as the educational impact statement – will need to be signed by a Responsible Person. This may be a higher education educator, doctor, specialist medical professional, lawyer, accountant, social worker, counsellor, religious or community leader. They must be familiar with your circumstances and able to comment and provide information about their effect on your ability to study.
   • You can get an idea of what’s required from the sample forms here:
     • CA01 Carer Responsibilities
     • FD03 Exceptional Financial Hardship
     • GD01 Regional or Remote Disadvantage
     • MD01 Medical Condition/Disability or Effects of Abuse
     • OOHC Out of Home Care
     • SP01 Sole Parent Responsibilities.
3. Format and Uploading:
   • For now, all documents must be uploaded as PDFs.
   • Hardcopies or emailed documents are not accepted.
   • If there is anything we can do to make this more accessible, please contact scholarships@newcastle.edu.au.

Your personal statement is your chance to make a compelling case to the selection panel. Use these strategies:

1. Opening:
   • Address your pdf statement to the Selection Committee and ensure it includes your name and Student ID within the document.
2. Structure Your Statement:
   • Introduction: Start with a compelling opening—perhaps a defining moment, passion, or value that ties into your chosen field.
   • Body: Highlight your academic achievements (with examples), explain your career goals clearly, and show how these are connected to your field of study.
   • Conclusion: Emphasize the transformative impact of the scholarship on your journey. Conclude with gratitude or an inspiring forward-looking statement.
3. Tailor to the Scholarships: While the statement covers multiple scholarships, try to touch on elements common to their themes or purposes (e.g., leadership, innovation, community impact).
4. Focus on "How": Be specific about how the scholarship will help—e.g., enabling access to specific resources, removing financial barriers, or opening doors to networking opportunities.
5. Be Concise: Avoid repetition or vague statements. Use action verbs and quantify achievements where possible (e.g., “ranked top 5% in class,” “received formal recognition for my contribution”).
6. Show Passion and Drive: Let your enthusiasm and commitment to your field shine through. It’s not just about what you’ve done, but why it matters to you.

Equity Scholarships:
When addressing personal or educational disadvantages (e.g., financial hardship, health challenges, or geographic barriers):

• Focus on how you have navigated these challenges and your resilience in pursuing higher education.
• Share only what feels comfortable—there is no need to include distressing details. Our goal is to make the scholarship application process a positive and empowering experience.
• Ensure you’ve included all necessary documentation for your equity assessment, such as your Centrelink CRN or forms completed by health professionals, where applicable.

Excellence Scholarships:
Highlight achievements like academic awards, leadership roles, volunteer work, or participation in special programs (e.g., internships, research, community service). You can often add up to 3 additional supporting documents to evidence these achievements.

Community Leadership Scholarships:
Provide proof of community involvement, leadership positions, or relevant projects (e.g., references or membership in clubs). If relevant, research how the donor supporting the scholarship has contributed to community and discuss how this aligns with your own values and goals.

Prompts for Applicants

You may like to use the below questions as prompts to get you started with your statement:

1. What inspired you to pursue your current field of study? Is there a personal story or challenge that shaped this path?
2. What specific academic achievement are you most proud of, and why?
3. Where do you see yourself in 5–10 years, and how does this scholarship help bridge the gap to that future?
4. Are there any challenges or barriers you’ve overcome that demonstrate your determination or resourcefulness?
5. What unique qualities, skills, or perspectives do you bring to your field of study and future aspirations?

Here is an example statement for a Relocation Scholarship that may help you structure your personal statement.

Name and Student ID

Dear Selection Committee

Introduction:
Growing up in [specific context, e.g., a small regional town in rural Australia], I’ve witnessed firsthand the challenges of limited access to educational opportunities. This experience has driven my passion for [your field of study, e.g., healthcare], where I aspire to create positive change for communities like my own.

Academic Achievements:
As a school leaver, I am proud to have [specific achievements, e.g., achieved a high ATAR of X, excelled in advanced mathematics and science courses, or received awards such as the Dux of my school]. Additionally, I contributed to my community by [extracurricular achievement, e.g., organizing a peer mentoring program or volunteering with local initiatives].

Career Aspirations:
I plan to pursue a career in [specific field, e.g., nursing or engineering] to address key challenges in regional and disadvantaged communities. My goal is to [specific aspiration, e.g., improve healthcare accessibility in remote areas or develop sustainable infrastructure for underserved populations].

Impact of the Scholarship:
Relocating from [regional or remote location] to [university city or campus] presents significant financial challenges. This scholarship would alleviate the financial burden of [specific costs, e.g., relocating to attend university, accommodation, or educational resources]. It would also enable me to participate in opportunities like [specific activity, e.g., an overseas exchange program, student leadership initiatives, or industry placements], broadening my perspective and enhancing my skills to contribute meaningfully to my field.

Conclusion:
With this support, I am determined to overcome barriers, excel academically, and give back to communities like mine. Thank you for considering my application and investing in students who aim to create a brighter future for all Australians.

There are a few scholarships that require an interview. If shortlisted, you will be contacted via email.

Here's how to prepare:

• Research: Learn about the scholarship donor or organisation.
• Review: Be ready to discuss how the scholarship aligns with your goals and circumstances.
• Availability: Scholarship interviews sometimes need to be arranged on short notice. Try to be available at the time offered.
• Be Professional: Semi-formal attire is fine—present yourself confidently but authentically.
• Plan Ahead: Arrive early, whether online or in person.

If you are awarded a donor scholarship, please complete the online survey form to express your gratitude. Your message plays an important role in strengthening our relationships with our philanthropic community and letting sharing the impact of our scholarships.

When writing your message:

• Address Properly: Use the donor’s name if provided. If unsure, include “and/or Representatives” or confirm with the scholarships team.
• Be Personal: Share how the scholarship is supporting you and express your genuine appreciation.
• Stay Professional: Maintain a formal yet warm tone.

I received an email saying I haven’t met the eligibility for <Personal Circumstances> and requesting more documents. What should I provide?

The required eligibility criteria and supporting documents are outlined in the document package for each personal circumstance you’ve claimed. You can download your document package from the Your Documents section in the application portal.

For an overview of the equity scholarship categories and the types of supporting documents required, please visit the UAC website here.

Note: If you can only provide documents in your parent/guardian's name, upload a copy of your birth certificate or other document(s) that verify your relationship.

If you’re still unsure, you can seek application assistance from the team at UAC via:

Phone: (+61 2) 9752 0200 from 8.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday (Sydney time).
Enquire online: You can email using UAC's enquiry form.

Can I see an example of the forms required for equity assessment, such as Medical, Geographic, and exceptional Financial Hardship?

Yes! Please review sample forms here:

• CA01 Carer Responsibilities
• FD03 Exceptional Financial Hardship
• GD01 Regional or Remote Disadvantage
• MD01 Medical Condition/Disability or Effects of Abuse
• OOHC Out of Home Care
• SP01 Sole Parent Responsibilities.

Can I add documents to my application after the closing date?

No. You cannot add scholarship-specific documents to the application portal after the closing date. If compelling circumstances prevented you from completing your application on time, contact scholarships@newcastle.edu.au to discuss a late submission.

Please note that if more than two business days have passed since the closing date, your application may already be with the selection panel, and additional documents might not be considered.

When will I be notified of the outcome of my application?

Both successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified by email.

Selection can take up to 8 weeks as there are many scholarships closing around the same time.

Can I defer my scholarship?

Generally, no. Most scholarship offers are to be taken up for the year they are awarded.

If you have exceptional circumstances preventing you from starting study, you may apply for special consideration to reserve your scholarship via email to scholarships@newcastle.edu.au. This should be accompanied by supporting evidence.

If you are planning to defer your offer to study and have a gap year, you should apply for scholarships for the year you intend to enrol.

Note: The Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Academic Excellence in Year 12 can be reserved for up to one year for students taking a gap year.

How are scholarship recipients selected?

You’ll receive an email with your scholarship offer and its conditions. To accept or decline, log in to MyHub at https://myhub.newcastle.edu.au. Successful applicants may be invited to events like Scholars Week, and the scholarship will be noted on your academic transcript.

What happens when I am successful in a scholarship?

You will receive an email with the offer of the scholarship and the conditions relating to the scholarship. To accept or decline your scholarship you need to login to MyHub at https://myhub.newcastle.edu.au.

Successful scholars may be asked to attend a Scholars Week event or other events acknowledging your achievements and the philanthropic giving of our Donors. You will also have the details of your scholarship noted on your academic transcript.

What happens when I am unsuccessful in a scholarship?

If you’re unsuccessful, it could be due to high competition or unmet criteria. This in no way reflects your worth or needs and we encourage you to reapply in the next round or the following year.

When and how do I receive payment for my scholarship?

Payments are typically made within 21 days of the relevant census date, via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) directly into your nominated account. This is the same account you provide when accepting your scholarship in MyHub. Scholarships for tuition fees are credited directly to your tuition account around each census date. If you haven’t received your payment within the expected time, please contact Scholarships.

Scholarships paid toward tuition fees will be applied directly to your tuition account.  You will be billed normal tuition fee rates based on enrolment load leading into the Census date. The tuition fee waiver may not be reflected on the tuition fee account until the census has passed. After the census date, a fee waiver will be applied to the recipient’s student account.

If you have allowed sufficient time and still are concerned about your payment, please contact scholarships@newcastle.edu.au.

Is my scholarship taxable?

A scholarship may be taxable in some cases, especially if you are studying part-time. Please use the ATO’s Is my Scholarship Taxable? tool for more details.

Do I need to declare my scholarship to Centrelink?

Yes, you should declare all scholarships to Centrelink. Please also check the ATO tax tool to see if your scholarship is taxable.

What if I do not meet the ongoing requirements of my scholarship?

Some scholarships require you to maintain full-time enrolment or meet certain academic standards. If you fail to meet these conditions, your scholarship may be withdrawn, and you’ll be notified via email. If you’re facing challenges with your enrolment or academic progress, contact the Scholarships team to discuss options, including special consideration for extenuating circumstances.

Can I reserve my ongoing scholarship?

Some scholarships allow you to apply for leave in special circumstances. Check the conditions in your offer letter for more details.

Can I change my program of study?

This will depend on the scholarship conditions.

Many scholarships are awarded for any undergraduate study, so a change of program may not impact your scholarship.

If your scholarship is for a specific program (e.g., B Music and Performing Arts), changing your program may affect your eligibility.

If you’re unsure, please review your scholarship conditions document and/or contact scholarships@newcastle.edu.au

Can I repay my scholarship if I am no longer entitled to it?

Yes, if you can no longer meet the conditions of your scholarship and wish to return it, Scholarships staff can help arrange a repayment. Contact us at scholarships@newcastle.edu.au.

Is anything expected of me as a scholarship recipient?

You are expected to continue meeting the criteria outlined in your scholarship conditions and to contact us if you are unable to do this. Some scholarships may also require additional tasks, such as submitting an essay. Additionally, if your scholarship is donor-funded, we may ask you to write a letter of appreciation to the donor and attend events like Scholars Week to acknowledge your achievements and the generosity of donors.