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Special consideration for a disability or medical condition
VTAC equity schemes (SEAS) and scholarships category: Living with a disability or medical condition
If a disability or medical condition has affected your ability to study, access education facilities or resources, attend school or complete assessment tasks, you may be able to apply for special consideration.
Eligibility
At Deakin, the Living with a disability or medical condition category includes special consideration for students who are living with, or studying while managing, a disability or medical condition. This includes a wide range of conditions, such as learning, physical, sensory, psychiatric, mental health and other medical conditions, illness or disabilities.
| Category | Consideration given | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Living with a disability or medical condition | Up to 10 aggregate points | For students who have experienced disadvantage as a result of disability, illness or medical condition. |
How to apply for special consideration
A successful application for special consideration can be the difference between receiving an offer or missing out. The process differs slightly depending on the category you’re applying for – any additional documentation or evidence required is clearly outlined as you move through the application process, via VTAC or the Deakin Application Portal.
Apply via VTAC if...
You're currently in Year 12 or you completed Year 12 in the last two years. Special consideration will be applied in the form of an ATAR adjustment.
Apply directly to Deakin if...
You left secondary education more than two years ago or you completed Year 12 in the last two years and are applying for one course only. If your application is successful, you’ll be offered a place in a course.
How to write a strong impact statement
When applying for VTAC Living with a disability or medical condition special consideration, you may be prompted to submit an impact statement. It should clearly outline the nature and timeline of your circumstances, and how they’ve impacted your studies. The more descriptive you are, the stronger your statement will be.
Compare these two statements.
'I lived in a rural area when I studied. My postcode was 3322.'
'I lived in a rural area and this meant that I travelled by bus for a long period of time. I am also prone to motion sickness, which meant I couldn't use this time to study as other students did. I would leave home each morning at 7am to catch the bus and arrive home around 5.30pm at night. This impacted my ability to study and I would often be up late at night completing assignments just because of this situation. I often found I was tired and this affected my ability to concentrate in the classroom.'
The first statement, while factual, doesn't outline the impact the circumstances have had on you. The second statement is much more informative regarding the impact experienced and will give the selection officer a better picture of your circumstances.
Pathways for all students
There are various ways for you to study at Deakin – we have a range of access programs to suit all types of circumstances. We offer guaranteed ATARs, schemes for rural and regional students, and programs for athletes and Indigenous students so everyone can achieve their study dreams.
Find out if you can reduce your costs
Tuition fees at Deakin vary depending on the course you choose and the type of student you are. Find out how to calculate your course fees, as well as how to apply for scholarships and government loans – we're here to help you reach your goals.
Deakin Student Support Scholarship
This scholarship supports students who experience financial or personal hardship, yet display passion, perseverance and commitment to study. You could receive up to $10,000 per year.
Get help with the cost of moving
Services Australia's Tertiary Access Payment is a one-off payment of up to $5000, designed to help you with the cost of moving to study. If you've just completed Year 12 and you're from a regional or remote home location, why not apply for this payment.
Why we're #1 in Victoria for student support
There’s nothing more important than your health. From the moment you enrol, you’ll have access to a huge range of health and wellbeing services that cater for every aspect of your health. From registered psychologists and doctors, to physios and health coaches, you can expect all the services you’d find at a doctor’s surgery and more.
On top of that, Deakin's Disability Resource Centre (DRC) provides services and support for students whose university life is impacted by a disability or medical condition. In partnership with a Disability Liaison Officer, the DRC can identify additional support opportunities that allow Deakin to better meet your study needs.
Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. For more information, visit our University rankings page.
