Helen Macpherson Smith Trust Scholarship

Prospective candidates should ensure they meet all criteria before submitting their application.

To be eligible you must be:

• a female domestic student
• commencing in an undergraduate bachelor's degree at Deakin University in Trimester/Semester 1 2024
• enrolled full time in a Commonwealth supported place
• living in a Victorian rural or regional home location, or be relocating from a Victorian rural or regional home location to study at Deakin University
• able to demonstrate financial disadvantage either that you are in receipt of Centrelink benefit, Low Income Health Care Card or have a personal or family taxable income below the threshold determined by the University.

As a scholarship recipient you must:

• maintain a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of at least 60
• write an introduction statement about your goals for study and what it means to receive the scholarship
• provide a completion statement at the conclusion of your studies
• not hold another scholarship concurrently.

Supporting documents

As part of the application process, you will also be required to upload current supporting documentation.

When you apply for this scholarship, you'll need to supply evidence of your financial hardship.

Make sure you choose the correct document type when you upload your documents as it will make a difference. If your documents are uploaded into the incorrect type they will not be considered when assessing your application. Remember it is quality, not quantity, which you need to provide. Aim to provide documents which are current, relevant and concise.

Read more about supporting documentation

Application tips

Applying for a scholarship isn’t just about meeting the eligibility criteria.

It’s a good idea to think about why you want a scholarship, how it will help you and what you have to offer the Deakin community.

Read our 5 top tips on applying for a scholarship

Apply directly to Deakin

If you didn't complete a VTAC scholarship application, are applying directly to Deakin for a course or already have your 2024 course offer, you can apply for this scholarship directly to Deakin through our Scholarship Application Portal.

When applying direct to Deakin for this scholarship, select the 'Undergraduate Scholarship Application Tri/Sem 1 2024' option and, if eligible, your application will automatically be considered for this scholarship.

This reduces the number of scholarships you have to apply for and increases your chances of receiving a Deakin scholarship.

Apply for this scholarship

The scholarship application process is highly competitive with a limited number of scholarships available. Unfortunately, not all eligible applicants will receive one.

Your application will be assessed and ranked based on the details you provide and your supporting documentation.

We will commence offering scholarships progressively from mid-January 2024. To give your application the best chance possible of being considered in all offer rounds, you should submit your application and supporting documentation by 9 January 2024 at 5pm.

If you are successful, you will be contacted by the email address you nominated in your application portal account, unsuccessful applicants will not be contacted. You'll find out if you are successful usually within six weeks of the Re-offer round closing date. If you have not received an offer by this time, you have been unsuccessful. You can view the status of your application via your scholarship application portal account.

This scholarship is generously supported by the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust.

The Helen Macpherson Smith Trust (HMSTrust) is an independent philanthropic trust which works to build fair, creative and resilient Victorian communities through initiatives that promote positive change.

The Helen Macpherson Smith Trust Scholarship at Deakin University provides an opportunity for women from rural and regional Victoria, in financially disadvantaged circumstances, to study an undergraduate degree at Deakin University.