Now is the time to start thinking about applying for scholarships. Yet, some students might hesitate to apply because they think they won’t qualify or don’t even know about the scholarships on offer.

But what do you have to lose by applying? Trust me, there’s something for everyone. Not convinced? Just read what Uni of Newcastle Scholarships Senior Advisor, Amy Reeves, has to say.

What scholarships are available to students?

There is a plethora of scholarships available to students, whether you are new, currently studying, an Indigenous student, bringing talents in sports or music, undertaking overseas exchange, or an international student, and more. According to Amy, “We offer around 1000 students a scholarship each year across all study levels”.

Uni of Newcastle students are also able to apply for external scholarships, such as the world-renowned Rhodes Scholarship (for postgraduate students).

How do I apply and why should I?

Undergraduate, postgraduate, and enabling (Open Foundation and Yapug) students can apply for one (or more!) through the scholarships application portal, while Higher Degree by Research (HDR) scholarships are administered separately by the University’s Graduate Research team.

Make sure to take the time to read over the eligibility criteria as often it can be quite specific. However, if the end result is receiving that much-needed financial boost, then it’s definitely worth taking that extra bit of time. Every scholarship is worth applying for, and here’s why:

“There is the great financial benefit,” Amy said. “Scholarship value can vary, but the average value is about $5,000, which can certainly ease the financial stresses of study by assisting with costs of texts and materials, computers and other equipment, travel, relocation, and childcare costs.”

There is also a sense of recognition and prestige in having been successful in a competitive process and awarded a scholarship. Most scholarships are included on your academic transcripts and provide an opportunity to be recognised at Scholars Week and other prestigious events.

Are letters of recommendation needed and will I be interviewed?

Good news! A letter of recommendation is not required for most scholarships although some excellence scholarships may give you the option to provide this if you want to.

Each scholarship will tell you what documents you need to provide. Most scholarships require a personal statement which you can use to detail your experiences of disadvantage and/or your achievements and goals. You only need to write one personal statement because once you upload this to your scholarships account it will be automatically used for all scholarships you apply for. “There are some scholarships that do not require any supporting documents as they are determined by your ATAR at entry.”

And as far as interviews go, there are only a small number of scholarships requiring this, or if you’re a Music student, sometimes an audition will take place.

If you’re invited to an interview, it will most likely be a panel of three University staff members and potentially a representative for the scholarship donor. These interviews usually take about 15 to 20 minutes.

Amy recommends taking the time to research the background to the donor and their aims in supporting scholarships prior to your interview. “This will ensure that you are aware of their goals in supporting University of Newcastle students.”

Are there services available to help with my application?

Yes! For general enquiries, students are welcome to get in touch with the Scholarships team via email, contact the ASKUON Enquiries team, or check out the Application tips and FAQs page.

For technical assistance with your scholarships account and applications, you can contact UAC by phone on (+61 2) 9752 0200 (Mon–Fri, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM , Sydney time) or via email using UAC’s enquiry form.

What makes me more likely to receive a scholarship?

Well for one, meeting all the eligibility criteria. Selection panels cannot waive criteria, so it is really important to check these carefully. Here are a few handy tips:

• Back up the claims made in your personal statement by providing relevant supporting documents where possible. This could include providing a news article about your volunteering experience or sporting achievement for Excellence Scholarships. You should also make sure that you provide any documentation marked as ‘mandatory’ in the ‘Your documents’ tab of your scholarships account.
• Increase your chances by applying for ALL scholarships you meet the criteria for. If you’re successful in more than one (go you!), Amy’s team makes sure you can accept the one of most value or interest to you.

When should I apply?

Students should look to apply for Semester 1 scholarships from August the year prior, with most of them closing in early February each year. For midyear scholarships (offered in Semester 2), applications will open around July and close by early September. But this doesn’t apply to all scholarships so it’s best to double check the close date for all scholarships you are interested in.

How long until I hear back about my application?

The selection process can take some time, Amy said. “There are several applications to coordinate and we aim to have processes finalised within six to eight weeks of scholarship closing dates.”

Students will receive an email of the outcome on whether they were successful or unsuccessful.

When should I receive the scholarship money?

Most scholarships cannot be paid before a semester census date and do take some time to coordinate. According to Amy, “in most cases, you can expect to receive payment in the first few weeks of March” (and by late September/early October if you have a Semester 2 instalment).

“There is no stipulation on how you spend your scholarship, however, it is assumed it will support study costs,” Amy said. And when your scholarship is funded by a donor to the University, a nice ‘thank you’ message and an indication of how the scholarship has helped you, goes a long way toward encouraging their continued support for future students. If you are awarded a donor scholarship, your offer email will include a link to an online survey form where you can express your gratitude.

So why not consider applying for a scholarship? The amazing rewards and benefits will be sure to ease your student lifestyle.