Undergraduate Scholarships & Awards

This page lists scholarships available to all VCAM undergraduate students, regardless of the discipline they are specialising in. See also Scholarships and Prizes listed by Discipline on this website for further opportunities

Each year VCAM offers a number of course fee scholarships to support students to undertake study at VCAM. The scholarships are offered in various categories. in 2009 the following scholarships were offered :

• VCAM Endowment Access Scholarships support students in the categories of Indigenous Australian and refugee status who are also financially disadvantaged. Undergraduate - Year 1- Dance and Music.
• VCAM Endowment Merit Scholarships support students who have demonstrated superior talent as part of their application for entry to a particular course. Postgraduate Drama - for a non CSP student at the rate of $6,000; and Film & Television for a CSP student.
•  VCAM Endowment Merit Scholarships support undergraduate 1st year students who have demonstrated superior talent as part of their application for entry to a particular course. Art and Production.

The number of scholarships awarded varies each year. Each scholarship shall normally be valued at one of the following amounts:

The amount equivalent to one year's HECS liability for the student's CSP enrolment, taking into account the 20% discount for upfront payments;or

Approximately $6,000 for a student enrolled on a full fee paying place.

VCAM Endowment Access and Merit Scholarships are normally offered for one year of a student's course of study. Recipients of a VCAM scholarship enrolled on the basis of a CSP student contribution fee waiver are eligible in subsequent years to continue their enrolment in a CSP place. They may also apply for and be considered for a further scholarship from another VCAM scholarship fund.

Prospective students are not required to apply for merit scholarships. Those accepting a place at VCAM for 2010 will be considered on merit for these scholarships and advised in writing when a scholarship is awarded.

For more and updated information please contact the Scholarships Administrator at Student and Academic Services.

Commonwealth Scholarships aim to assist students from low socio-economic backgrounds, particularly those from rural and regional areas. Special consideration is given to Indigenous students.

Benefits - the exact figure for Commonwealth Scholarhip benefits is determined by the Government towards the end of each year. All Commonwealth Scholarships are paid in two, biannual instalments and are indexed each year. Maximum duration of awards is 4 years.

Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarship (CECS) (in 2008 $2,162 )Is to assist with general education costs

Commonwealth Accommodation Costs (CAS) - (in 2008 $4,324 )
It is intended that the (CAS) accommodation scholarship will assist applicants from rural and regional areas fund accommodation costs associated with relocation in pursuit of their chosen field of study.

Commonwealth Indigenous Access Scholarships- (in 2008 $4,080)

ELIGIBILITY (Please read all eligibility requirments for CECS and CAS and Commonwealth Indigenous Access Scholarships on the University of Melbourne Undergraduate Scholarships Website)

Application Process

Applicants wishing to be considered for a Commonwealth Scholarship must apply by completing the appropriate section on the VTAC online scholarship application form and submitting appropriate documentation.

Timeline

4 August - VTAC and SEAS applications open

31 August-VTAC applications close for - DANCE and FILM & TELEVISION

30 September - VTAC applications close for - ART, DRAMA, MUSIC and PRODUCTION

10 October - SEAS applications close

Payments are made each semester in the first pay period following the University Census dates of 31 March and 31 August.

Outcome - successful applicants will be notified of the outcome by mail in December 2008 and January 2009. Unsuccessful applicants will not be contacted.

Deferring your scholarship - Commonwealth Scholarships and Melbourne Access Scholarships linked to a Commonwealth Scholarship cannot be deferred.

For further information - if you have any questions, please send an email from: www.undergradschols.unimelb.edu.au/query or telephone

Freecall - 1800 772 244 or +63 3 8344 7467

The Dowd Foundation provides two scholarships (one in performing arts and one in visual arts) of $10,000 each, to third year Undergraduate or Honours students studying at VCAM. The scholarships are awarded on the basis of:

• outstanding talent,
• career aspirations and likely success,
• artistic achievement, and
• proposed use of the funds.

It is envisaged that the Dowd Foundation Scholarships will enable graduating students to produce, realise or initiate significant art projects, pursue travel, further education and career opportunities or purchase instruments and equipment, in order to further develop as professional artists. Applicants should demonstrate a high level of professionalism and have a clear plan to go forward once they complete their studies at VCAM.

The purpose of the Invergowrie Foundation Scholarships is to provide educational opportunities to Victorian women from and/ or financially disadvantaged circumstances, wishing to study at the Faculty of the Victorian College of the Arts. Two scholarships will be available in 2009; each valued at $5,000.

Key Eligibility
• Female, studying first year undergraduate degree
• Long term Victorian resident and Australian citizen or holder of a permanent humanitarian visa
• Financial Need
• Leadership capability

Selection Criteria
An applicant
• must be a female resident of Victoria
• an Australian citizen or holder of a permanent humanitarian visa
• must be in full-time study,
• not already hold another Bachelor degree

An applicant must also demonstrate that she meets any two of the Foundations three selection criteria which are:
1. Financial need
2. Be a long term resident of Victoria

3. Demonstrate Leadership qualities

Application
Invergowrie Foundation Scholarships for Women 2008 Application
Invergowrie Terms and Conditions

The Portland House Foundation is providing in 2008 an undergraduate and a postgraduate scholarship to assist talented Indigenous students to overcome barriers to university education by alleviating some of the costs associated with higher education study.

The Undergraduate Scholarship is valued at $10,000, of which $4,000 will go towards fee remission, and $6,000 for a living/materials bursary.

The Postgraduate Scholarship is valued at $15,000, of which $10,000 will go towards fee remission, and $5,000 for a living/materials bursary.

For more information Indigenous Australian Scholarships at VCA

The Margaret Lawrence Social Justice Project Fund provides financial assistance to support and involve VCAM students in work and communications, primarily through film, but also other art forms, which are designed to raise awareness and debate in the broader community about a wide range of global and local issues which do, or could (as determined by the artist or discipline) have an adverse impact on the communities within which those issues are evident or emerging.

Total funds available of approximately $5000 in 2009 and may be used to cover research, project-related expenses, costs associated with the production and presentation of art work and travel. Projects should demonstrate a high level of professional practice. The application process requires students to:
• Describe the issue adversely impacting on a community,
• Outline the project's specific communication objectives,
• Describe the stakeholders,
• Describe the audience for the project.

Projects with interstate and international travel components will be considered where students wish to undertake research, present conference papers, films and performances, and exhibit works of art directly associated with the project.

Application Kit
The Margaret Lawrence Social Justice Issues Fund Application Form 2009 will be availale in 2009

The Margaret Lawrence Social Justice Fund Issues Terms & Conditions 2008

The Foote Trust Travel awards are available for third year and Honours students enrolled in any undergraduate degree in the Faculty of VCA and Music during 2009.

The travel bursaries are specifically awarded for the purpose of assisting with costs of travel associated with - participation in exchange programs with other educational institutions, travel associated with professional development which can include - touring, exhibition, study or attendance at conferences deemed by the Selection Panel to be advantageous to the current studies and future career potential of the applicant.

• Gell Travelling Scholarship Application 2008 (93.7 KB, Adobe PDF document)