What is a scholarship?

Funded by Notre Dame, industry, individuals and non-profit organisations, scholarships are available to prospective and current students.

Scholarships provide financial support to students while they are completing their studies.

How scholarships can help students

Every student’s story is unique, and scholarships are often a life-changing financial contribution that help students to start or continue their studies, without the added stress presented by the day-to-day costs of living. This could mean buying food, paying rent, transport, and household bills, raising children as single parents, being a single-income household, becoming unemployed or caring for a sick loved one.

Scholarships can change lives by providing help when it’s needed the most.

Notre Dame also wishes to recognise and acknowledge the support of our most generous donors and acknowledge their ongoing commitment to Notre Dame by supporting our students.

EXPLORE OUR SCHOLARSHIPS

What scholarships can I apply for?

  • New scholarships for 2024 commencing students

    Notre Dame Opportunity and Merit scholarships worth up to $20,000 are available for students commencing undergraduate and postgraduate programs in 2024. There are over 20 scholarships available, which will be awarded on the basis of equity or merit. Scholarships for 2024 commencing students include:

    • The Notre Dame Merit Scholarship
    • The Notre Dame Postgraduate Merit Scholarship
    • The Notre Dame Opportunity Scholarship
    • The Notre Dame Postgraduate Opportunity Scholarship

  • Scholarships for postgraduate research students

    The Australian Government RTP scheme provides funding for domestic and international students to undertake a higher degree by research at Notre Dame.

    Students can be offered RTP scholarships for one or more of the following:

    Tuition fees offset

    What is it?

    • Domestic students with an offer in an HDR course at Notre Dame are exempt from having to contribute towards the cost of these courses.
    • If you’re eligible, you’ll be exempt from paying fees for your program for a maximum of four years full-time equivalent study for a Doctoral research degree, and two years full-time equivalent study for a Master's research degree.

    Who can get it?

    • Notre Dame automatically assesses the eligibility for domestic students, and no application is required for this category.
    • International students can also apply for financial support through the Australian Government RTP, but a Tuition Fee Offset Scholarship is only available competitively.

    Stipend

    What is it?

    • This scholarship can assist HDR students with general living costs while undertaking a Research Degree.

    Who can get it?

    • Stipend Scholarships are available to domestic and international HDR students on a competitive basis.
    • New HDR and currently enrolled research students can apply for a Stipend Scholarship. Stipends are awarded for three years, with the possibility of a maximum of one semester’s extension subject to satisfactory progress to completion.

    Allowance

    What is it?

    • This Scholarship can assist students with ancillary costs related to a Research Degree at Notre Dame. Applications for Allowances are approved by the Pro Vice Chancellor, Research (or delegate).

    Who can get it?

    • Examples of allowances for consideration are research degree thesis printing and academic publication costs, relocation costs to undertake the research degree or a standard Overseas Health Cover policy for international students.

    What you need to know when applying for the RTP scholarship: 

    The University offers the Australian Government RTP Scholarship through a competitive process. The procedures and awards for all three types of scholarships are at the discretion of each individual University.

    Before applying you should: 

    • Review the application closing date:  
      • RTP application is closed for 2024. If the deadline has passed, HDR students can still apply for admission into a higher degree by research and apply for the scholarship as a current student per the eligibility above.
    • Review the selection criteria:
      • Applications are assessed based on academic performance, evidence of research capability, relevant professional experience, quality of research project, alignment with the University Research Plan and Transformative Research Themes, quality of the supervisory team, such as a record of successful supervision, supervisory load and complementary expertise.
      • All scholarship applications will go through the UNDA selection process, and the applicants will be advised of the outcome in mid-November.
    • Indicate whether you’re a prospective or current student
      • For prospective students, indicate Yes” to “Are you interested in applying for a scholarship?” on your Expression of Interest Form, and you’ll automatically be considered for the RTP fees offset and stipend. If “Yes” was not selected but you still want to apply for a scholarship, please contact  Research Office for assistance.
      • Current students will need to complete the RTP Application Form (RTP application is closed for Semester 1, 2024) and submit it to Research Office by the Scholarship application closing date. You’ll need to provide your progress for confirmation of candidature and progress review. Please attach these documents to your application. If you are unable to attach these, please provide the reason.

    If you need help with your application or have any questions, please email us at hdr.scholarships@nd.edu.au.

  • Other scholarships for postgraduate research students

    Fulbright Scholarships

    What is it?

    • The Fulbright Program is the flagship foreign exchange scholarship program of the United States of America, aimed at increasing binational collaboration, cultural understanding, and the exchange of ideas. Born in the aftermath of WWII, the program was proposed by Senator J. William Fulbright in 1946.

    Why apply?

    • The Fulbright Program has become the largest educational exchange program in the world, operating in over 160 countries and with an alumni network of over 370,000 former recipients (5,000 of them under the Australian-American program).

    Who can get it?

    • This grant requires internal clearance via the University Staff Research Grant Preliminary Clearance Form process before submission. Scholarships are open to Australian and American citizens.

    Learn more about the scholarships available.

    How to apply?

    • Applications are now closed. Please contact the University Research Office now to express your interest to apply and for support in developing your application.

    Visit Fulbright website to learn more about how to apply if you’re an Australian citizen, how to apply if you’re an American citizen, and to learn more about the Fulbright Specialist program.

    For more information, contact our Fulbright Advisor or visit the Fulbright website.

    Australian Government Endeavour Scholarships and Fellowships

    What is it?

    • Merit-based scholarships and fellowships that provide opportunities for Australians to undertake study, research or professional development overseas and for overseas citizens to do the same in Australia.

    Why apply?

    • The Endeavour Scholarships and Fellowships can help build Australia’s reputation for excellence in the provision of education and research, support the internationalisation of the Australian higher education and research sectors and offer high-achieving Australians opportunities to increase their knowledge and expertise in their field.

      Learn more about whether you’re eligible to apply

    The Rhodes Scholarship

    What is it?

    • Established in the will of Cecil Rhodes in 1902, the Rhodes is the oldest and perhaps the most prestigious international scholarship program. In Australia, one scholar is selected per state, with three additional scholars selected nationwide per year.

    Who can get it?

    • The purpose of this postgraduate Scholarship is to enable exceptional all-round students to study at the University of Oxford.

    How to apply?

    • For further information and for application details about the program, please visit the Rhodes Trust website or contact our Scholarships team.

    The Frank Downing Scholarship  (Fremantle, Broome)

    What is it?

    • This scholarships assists students with the costs associated with a Master's degree (except MBA) at Cambridge.

    Who can get it?

    • Available to applicants who are Australian citizens and have either graduated from a Western Australian university OR were born in Western Australia.

    How to apply?

    The RG Menzies Scholarship

    What is it?

    • The purpose of this Scholarship is to enable postgraduate study at Harvard University.

    Who can get it?

    • Australian citizens whose primary objective, after completing their studies at Harvard, is to make a significant contribution to Australia's development.

    How to apply?

    The Keiran McNamara World Heritage PhD Top-Up Scholarship

    What is it?

    • The scholarship aims to further knowledge and expertise relevant to the conservation and management of the natural values of World Heritage areas in Western Australia by attracting the next generation of outstanding intellects to this State.

    Who can get it?

    • The purpose of this Scholarship is to encourage and assist an eligible PhD student to undertake research at one of the five Western Australian universities.

      Learn more about the scholarship conditions.

    How to apply?

    The Forrest Research Foundation PhD Scholarship

    What is it?

    • Generous scholarships that provide all tuition fees, a stipend and accommodation at Forrest Hall in a luxury self-contained studio apartment; valued at over AU$270,000.
    • Within Forrest Hall, you will live amongst other scholars in a vibrant and inspiring research environment.

    Who can get it?

    • The Forrest Research Foundation is offering up to 9 prestigious three-year PhD scholarships to outstanding researchers from around the world to conduct paradigm-shifting research at any of Western Australia's five universities.
    • Open to candidates of any nationality, working on any subject. You will require an outstanding academic track record (minimum GPA of 3.8/4.0), be a creative thinker, excellent communicator, passionate researcher and wish to join this elite group of exceptional Forrest Scholars driven by excellence, inclusivity, and innovation.

    How to apply?

    Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander HDR-students – Charlie Perkins Scholarships

    What is it?

    • The purpose of the Scholarship is to assist postgraduates of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent to study either at Oxford or Cambridge universities for up to three years.

    How to apply?

How to apply for a scholarship

Selection criteria is different for each scholarship; some scholarships are awarded based on merit (such as academic achievement), or equity (such as personal or financial hardship), or a combination of these factors. It’s important to demonstrate how you meet the criteria by providing supporting documentation.

Below are some tips on preparing your application and some frequently asked questions regarding eligibility, application, payment, and continuation of scholarships at Notre Dame.

We encourage you to apply for as many scholarships as you’re eligible for.

Check out our Scholarship Finder to get started.

  • Preparing your application

    Application requirements will vary depending on the scholarship.

    Some scholarships are awarded based on merit (such as academic achievement), or equity (such as personal or financial hardship), or a combination of these.

    To stand out in your application, it’s important to show how you meet the criteria through supporting documentation.

    Some of our scholarships for commencing students don’t require an application. You’ll automatically be considered when you apply to study with us, and these are often awarded on merit.

  • Writing a personal statement

    Most scholarships will ask you to submit a personal statement in your application.

    When writing your statement, it helps if you can on draw on real-life examples and be honest about your circumstances.

    It’s important to read the conditions for the scholarship you’re applying for, and write your application based on the applicable criteria you need to meet.

    Learn more about how to address some of the common criteria below:

    Academic merit

    • Attach your academic transcript or high school results.
    • You’ll need to supply your Grade Point Average (GPA) at university, or other reports that demonstrate your academic achievement in previous studies. This can include your Weighted Average Mark (WAM) or Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) if you’re a high school graduate.
    • If the scholarship closing date is prior to your marks being released, please include your predicted ATAR or school reports to address this requirement. Notre Dame will automatically receive your ATAR results once available.

    Community service

    • List your experience in community service or volunteer involvement, such as mentorship; coaching a sporting team; or working in a job requiring leadership. Draw on these experiences to highlight your leadership skills and service to community.
    • Contributions made to your school, institution, or your broader community can strengthen your scholarship application.

    Financial need

    • There are various levels of financial need, you must answer this criterion in a way that best demonstrates your circumstances.
    • This may include providing evidence of means tested Government assistance (such as Centrelink Income Statement or an Australian Taxation Office notice of assessment).
    • You can also describe your financial situation that negatively impacts your studies, which can also be considered as financial hardship.

    Personal circumstances

    • Personal hardship is assessed by any previous or current impact on your ability to study.
    • This can include significant events that have interrupted your studies, or your current circumstances.
    • Personal circumstances for consideration can sometimes include:
      • First in first in family to attend university;
      • Living in a regional, remote, or low socio-economic status area;
      • Presence of any physical or mental health issues or impairments;
      • Caring responsibilities for family or dependents; or
      • Difficult employment arrangements or sources of income which can impact the ability to study.

    You may also be asked to submit written references from 1-2 people to support your scholarship candidature. This can be a current or former teacher or employer, or it could be a character reference from someone in your local community who’s not related to you.

    Once you’ve compiled the required documents and proofread your application, follow the prompts on the scholarship application page and submit your application before the closing date.

  • How you’ll get paid

    The way scholarship payments are processed depends on the type of scholarship you’ve applied for, how it’s funded, and whether it’s paid in cash or fee remission.

    You’ll be notified of the outcome of your scholarship application by the census date. If you’re successful in being offered a scholarship, you’ll receive an email asking you to accept the offer by reading the conditions and completing a declaration.

    If you’ve been offered a cash scholarship, you’ll also be asked to provide your nominated bank details.

    If your scholarship is fee remission, the scholarship funds will be automatically applied to your course fees. To seek an update on your scholarship fee remission payments, contact student.fees@nd.edu.au.

    Most scholarships are paid in two instalments each semester once your eligibility and conditions of continuation have been verified. This will happen after the census date and payments will generally be received 2-3 weeks after.

    External scholarships are paid independently from the university, so you are asked to contact the external agency directly for more information on their payment process and timeframe.

  • Recipient requirements

    If you’ve received a scholarship, you’ll need to do the following at the end of each calendar year for the duration of your scholarship:

    Provide an Annual Scholarship Update that covers: 

    • An outline of your academic and personal journey, and overall student experience with a focus on how your scholarship has impacted and brought value to your studies and experience at Notre Dame.
    • For more information, please read the Annual Scholarship Update Guidelines and download the template, to assist you in this process.

    Recipients of donor-funded scholarships are invited to write a letter acknowledging their scholarship donors once they have accepted the scholarship offer. 

    Writing an acknowledgment letter has the following benefits:

    • Provides an opportunity for recipients to express the impact of the scholarship to the donor, and for the donor to hear directly from the student.
    • These letters can help demonstrate the value of their gift and often helps secure continuing gifts to support future students.
    • Please note that this letter isn’t compulsory. It’s an optional invitation that you can decide to accept or decline with no effect on your scholarship eligibility or continuation. This acknowledgement letter is separate to the Annual Scholarship Update.
    • For more information, please read the Acknowledgement Letter Guidelines to assist you in this process.

    It’s important that your studies or wellbeing aren’t impacted when writing these documents. If you need additional support or need more time to write your report, please contact the Scholarships Coordinator at scholarships@nd.edu.au.

  • Frequently asked questions

    Can I apply for more than one scholarship?

    Yes, you can apply for as many scholarships as you are eligible for. Each scholarship has different conditions, and some may prohibit you from holding multiple scholarships concurrently. For example, if you are the nominated recipient of two (2) scholarships, you may only be eligible to receive one  (1).

    Can I apply for a scholarship if I am not an Australian citizen?

    Yes, Notre Dame offers scholarships to students who are Australian citizens, permanent residents, New Zealand citizens, and international students. Please refer to the eligibility criteria of each Scholarship Conditions.

    Can I apply for a scholarship if I am not a Notre Dame student?

    If you have not enrolled in a program of study, apply to Notre Dame before completing a scholarship application. You must have received an offer to study and be enrolled in your program prior to scholarship payment.

    What are government means tested benefits?

    Generally, this refers to means tested Centrelink payments, including ABSTUDY payments. Notre Dame will also accept a current Health Care Card under this category. Please visit the Centrelink website for other current means tested benefits.

    To provide supporting evidence of this in your scholarship application, you must include a full copy of a current Centrelink Income Statement (CIS), dated within the last three months. Please allow 4-5 business days for Centrelink to provide this and factor this timeframe in before the scholarship closing date.

    Will a scholarship affect my Centrelink payments?

    Most scholarships awarded based on merit or equity are exempt from Centrelink’s income assessment. However, scholarship payments up to a certain amount per annum may affect your Centrelink entitlements, please visit the Centrelink website for further information.

    Do I need to pay tax on my scholarship?

    Scholarships for full-time undergraduate study are not usually taxable, however you are encouraged to seek independent taxation advice regarding your individual circumstances. Notre Dame is not responsible for personal taxation implications of any scholarship funds. Please visit the Australian Taxation Office website for further information.

    Can I transfer my studies to another university or institution and retain my scholarship?

    No. Notre Dame Scholarships are not transferable to another university or institution.

    How do I access my academic transcript?

    If you are a current Notre Dame student, you can obtain an unofficial copy of your current academic transcript from your Student Centre by following the instructions online.
    If you are a commencing student and the scholarship closing date is prior to your high school marks being released, please include your predicted ATAR or school reports to address this criterion. Notre Dame will automatically receive your ATAR results once they become available.

    Who is considered regional or remote?

    Regional and remoteness is identified by the postcode of your permanent home residence at the time of your enrolment, using the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) system classification. If you are a current Notre Dame student, please ensure your address is up to date on your Student Centre and that it matches the address on your scholarship application.

    How can I check my regional or remote status?

    1. Go to the Australian Government’s Health Workforce Locator.
    2. Select “ASGS Remoteness Areas 2011.”
    3. Click “Find address”, enter your permanent home address, and click “Search Location.”
    4. Check your ASGS Remoteness Areas classification. If your address is classified as inner regional, outer regional, remote, or very remote, then you are eligible for any scholarships with this criterion.

    Who is considered low socio-economic status (LSES)?

    Socioeconomic status (SES) in Australian higher education is determined using a student’s residential address. This status is determined by your permanent home address falling within the lowest quartile in the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage by Statistical Area 1.

    How can I check my socio-economic status?

    1. Go to the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage interactive map.
    2. Set the map layer to “2016 Statistical Area Level 1 (SA1).”
    3. Enter your address and click the search button.
    4. Click on your address on the map and check the percentile in the box that pops up. If the percentile is between 1 and 25, then you are eligible to apply for any scholarships with this criterion.

    What should my reference letters include?

    You may need to include two (2) written reference letters in your scholarship application. References can be from a previous employer; a representative of a volunteering organisation you are or were involved with; or one of your lecturers or teachers. We suggest you provide your referee with a copy of the scholarship conditions so that the reference letter can be written with a particular focus.

    Letters from relatives, partners, neighbours, or personal friends will not be considered.

    Are late scholarship applications accepted?

    Once the closing date has passed, late scholarship applications are not accepted.

    When will I be notified of my application outcome?

    You will be notified of your scholarship application outcome via email. Sometimes the selection process for scholarships can be long and competitive, and you may not receive your outcome until after the semester has started. We will communicate any anticipated delays to you as best we can.

    If you are experiencing immediate financial hardship whilst awaiting your application outcome, we encourage you to apply for the Student Hardship Assistance Fund.

    What if my situation changes?

    Changes to your enrolled program of study, academic performance, or living arrangements, can all impact the eligibility and continuation of your scholarship.

    If any of these circumstances change whilst you are in receipt of a Notre Dame scholarship, you must notify us at scholarships@nd.edu.au immediately. Should you fail to update the University on any of these changes, you may be at risk of your scholarship being terminated.

    If you are a recipient of an external scholarship, you must update the external agency directly of any change in your circumstances pertaining to your scholarship eligibility.

    Where can I stay updated on when scholarships become available to apply?

    Please check our Scholarships Finder regularly for scholarships that may become open and available to apply. We may include information for external scholarships (not administered or offered by Notre Dame), which you may be eligible for.

    If you are a current Notre Dame student, you will receive an email to your student inbox each semester announcing the opening of a scholarship round.

    Who do I contact for information about scholarships?

    For any queries related to scholarships, contact scholarships@nd.edu.au.

    How do I establish a scholarship?

    If you wish to become a donor and establish a scholarship, please visit the Invest in future generations.

Contact us

Need help?

For more information or to get in touch, contact our Scholarships Offices:

Email: scholarships@nd.edu.au
Fremantle: +61 8 9433 0545
Sydney: +61 2 8204 4228