Application help

The Ma & Morley Scholarship Program is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. To give yourself the best shot at receiving a scholarship, please read and follow the information below.

Important information before you apply

• Check your eligibility. Applicants may be eligible for more than one category but only need to submit one application. To apply for more than one category simply tick the categories you’d like to apply in the online application form.
• Be familiar with the information on this webpage. Be sure to check out the Program origins, values, Program structure; key dates and the experience of current Ma & Morley Scholars.

4 step application process

1. Create a University of Newcastle scholarship profile
2. Write an 800-word written statement addressing the two application questions
3. Get a responsible person to complete a reference to support your application.
4. Get the appropriate documents together.

Should you have any questions be sure to contact us at mamorley@newcastle.edu.au

1.  Create a University of Newcastle scholarship profile

To apply for any scholarship at the University of Newcastle, you must first create a profile using the University's Scholarship Portal. The Portal is where you will upload your 800-word written statement, your reference and your supporting documentation.  The Portal will also require you to upload a one-page personal statement outlining your academic achievement to date and how a scholarship would assist you and your career aspirations. We suggest that all applicants complete this statement so that they are eligible for other University of Newcastle scholarships.

2. 800-word written statement

This is not a test of your academic or written skills. This is your chance to show us that you will be the right fit to join the Ma & Morley family. We are looking for students who want to change the world in a way that upholds the Program's values and purpose.

In your 800-word written statement, you will need to address two questions:

First Question:

Discuss your understanding of one or more of the Ma & Morley Scholarship Program values and why they are important for creating positive change in the world. In your response include relevant examples of:

• Current events, influential individuals and/or social movements that align with these values and that inspire you
• How your current actions and life choices align with these values

Second Question:

Explain how you plan to use your degree and experience to make a positive impact in one or more of the Ma & Morley Scholarship Program values in the future. In your response, discuss the change you expect to see in the future as a result of your commitment to the Program’s values.

We suggest that applicants spend 400 words per question, as both questions are weighted equally. To give yourself the best chance at receiving the Ma & Morley Scholarship, please read through the marking rubric [PDF, 200KB] for the 800-word written statement.

3. Get a responsible person to complete a reference to support your application

A letter from a responsible person to verify your circumstances and support your personal character to be a Ma & Morley Scholarship Program Scholar. This person  can include a higher education or VET educator, employer/manager/supervisor, community elder, doctor, specialist medical professional, lawyer, accountant, social worker, counsellor, religious or community leader, high school teacher, principal, counsellor, year advisor or career advisor.  Your reference cannot be written by a relative.

We want this person to tell us their relationship to you, how long they have known you, and verify that you have the personal character to be a Ma & Morley Scholar. It will be important this person is informed about the Scholarship Program and has read the information on our website, including the values page.

4. Get the right documents together

*This only applies if you are applying for an Educational Disadvantage or Indigenous categories of the Scholarship.  The Academic Excellence category is based on ATAR or Pathway Program results, which are available to the Program once results have been calculated. Generally, the results for both ATAR and Pathway Program students will not be available to students prior to submitting an application, but we still encourage students to apply if they believe they will get the required results for the Academic Excellence category.

Students applying for the Indigenous category:

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identity is unique and sacred to every person.  Applicants for the University of Newcastle’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-specific scholarships are required to provide evidence to support their Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander identity and heritage.

For more information about this process please see the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander - Establishing Status Within the University Procedure and Policy.

This is in addition to your scholarship application and will allow you to be considered for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-specific scholarships as well as other specific programs which may include tutorial support, student accommodation and alternative entry pathways.

You can begin this process here.

For any enquiries please email EstablishingStatus@newcastle.edu.au

Students applying for the Educational Disadvantage category: this is for students who have/are one or more of the following: carer responsibilities, sole parent responsibilities, financial hardship, Indigenous Australian, long term medical condition/disability or ongoing effects of abuse, refugee status, regional or remote disadvantage.

You may experience one or more category of disadvantage, if so please provide evidence demonstrating this.

Provide copies of any documentary evidence supporting your claim that you are facing circumstances that may impact your study. For example; Centrelink income statement, health care card, registration with disability service, evidence of address in a remote area etc, medical certificate; Australian permanent humanitarian visa. You can find examples of supporting documentation here.

When completing your online application you will be asked about your educational circumstances which will include questions about Centrelink and Medicare. If you are applying for the Educational Disadvantage category your evidence will be automatically captured here.

In addition to uploading your 800-word statement and a letter from a responsible person, you may also like to upload any additional evidence of the community/school/volunteer etc. work you have done. This is optional.

Applications open 1 July 2024