Coursework scholarship conditions

Your scholarship offer includes the conditions that you must meet to receive the scholarship benefits. The information on this page applies to scholarships that are subject to the University's Coursework Scholarship Terms and Conditions.

View the Coursework Scholarship Terms and Conditions

Commencement

When will my scholarship start?

Your scholarship will be activated shortly after you have enrolled in your course. Payments are usually made after census date.

Can I defer my scholarship?

Most scholarships can be deferred to the following calendar year. If you receive permission to defer your course, your scholarship will be automatically deferred.

If your scholarship offer states that your scholarships can only be deferred if there are compassionate or compelling circumstances that prevented you from starting your course, we will ask you to provide your reasons for seeking a deferral.

If your scholarship cannot be deferred and you do not start your course in the year for which the scholarship was offered, we will withdraw your scholarship.

What happens if I am sponsored?

If you receive a scholarship or sponsorship from a scholarship provider external to the University of Melbourne, your University of Melbourne scholarship will be withdrawn.

Making changes

Can I extend my scholarship?

Scholarships can usually not be extended beyond the maximum duration as stated in your scholarship offer. However, if you are granted leave of absence, the end date of your scholarship will be extended by one or more semesters.

Can I enrol part-time enrolment?

If you are enrolled for part-time study, your scholarship payments will continue for up to the maximum duration of the scholarship. Your scholarship will not be extended as a result of your part-time enrolment.

Please note: if you receive scholarship payments while enrolled part-time, you should declare these as assessable income in your tax return.

Can I take leave of absence?

If you are granted a leave of absence from your course, your scholarship will be automatically suspended until you return from leave. The duration of your scholarship will be extended by the duration of your leave.

While on a leave of absence, you will still be able to receive payment for prizes awarded to you for previous semesters.

What happens if I withdraw from or complete my course?

You must be enrolled in a coursework degree in order to receive scholarship payments. If you complete your course early or withdraw from your course, your scholarship will be completed. You will not be entitled to any remaining payments scheduled for after your completion date.

Can I change to another course?

Most scholarships will continue when you change to another course within the University. However, the duration of the scholarship will not be extended and therefore may not cover the full length of the course you are transferring to.

If your scholarship offer includes a condition that requires you to be enrolled in a specific course, your scholarship will cease when you withdraw from your course.

Your scholarship will also cease if you withdraw from your course and enrol with another education provider.

Concurrent diplomas and single subjects

Some scholarships, such as the Melbourne Chancellor’s Scholarship, Melbourne Access Scholarship or Narrm Scholarship, can be extended by up to one year when you enrol in a concurrent diploma.

Melbourne Chancellor’s Scholars can also receive an exemption of the HECS Student Contribution for single subject enrolments at the University of Melbourne for a maximum of 25 credit points.

If either of these will apply to you, please submit a Scholarships query or contact Stop 1 as early as possible to update your scholarship.

Academic progress

Only some merit-based scholarships require recipients to achieve a minimum average result for each half-year study period. Your scholarship offer will state if your scholarship is subject to academic progress requirements.

If you do not meet these requirements, you will be invited to show cause. If you do not respond or there are no compassionate or compelling reasons for not achieving the minimum average result, your scholarship benefits will be suspended.

Accommodation allowance

My scholarship includes an accommodation allowance. How will this be paid?

The accommodation allowance will be paid directly to the accommodation provider.

Narrm accommodation allowance

I received a Narrm accommodation allowance offer for 2026, can I defer it?

Yes. The accommodation allowance is part of your Narrm Scholarship and can be deferred. However, your Narrm Scholarship and your accommodation offer are separate.

If you wish to defer, you must:

Request to defer your course (your scholarship will be deferred automatically)
Notify your accommodation provider
Provide proof that your course deferral has been approved.

Some providers, such as Little Hall, Lisa Bellear House, Wilam Hall, and International House, will work with you to defer your room booking and security deposit to the next semester or year. Deferral policies vary, so contact the college or provider that made you an offer to confirm their process.

Please note: Ormond College and Trinity College do not allow deferrals for new students offered a residential place for 2026.

If your accommodation provider does not permit deferrals, you will need to reapply and secure a new place with a participating provider for your chosen start date.

I deferred my 2025 offer, am I still eligible for the Narrm accommodation allowance?

Yes. If you secure a place with a participating accommodation provider, you’ll still receive the Narrm accommodation allowance.

If you are residing at University Accommodation (Little Hall, Lisa Bellear House, Wilam Hall, or International House), the allowance is $20,000 per year.

If you are residing at one of the affiliated colleges (Janet Clarke Hall, Newman College, Ormond College, Queen’s College, St Hilda’s College, St Mary’s College, Trinity College, or University College), the allowance is $10,000 per year.

You may also be eligible for additional scholarships offered by individual residential colleges.

I received the Narrm accommodation allowance but did not take up accommodation, can I use it at an approved provider later during my course?

Yes, if you move into University Accommodation (Little Hall, Lisa Bellear House, Wilam Hall, or International House), then your Narrm accommodation allowance will continue for the remaining duration of your scholarship.

If you move into one of the affiliated colleges (Janet Clarke Hall, Newman College, Ormond College, Queen’s College, St Hilda’s College, St Mary’s College, Trinity College, or University College), your Narrm accommodation allowance may be reduced to $10,000, depending on the availability of college scholarships.

What if I cannot get a place?

If you are not able to secure a place at an approved University Student Accommodation provider, you cannot access the accommodation allowance. You will still receive the other benefits of your Narrm Scholarship, living allowance and relocation allowance.

Can my Narrm accommodation allowance be used at another University of Melbourne campus, such as Dookie?

No. All participating accommodation providers are located in Parkville. The only exception is for students who already receive the Narrm accommodation allowance and are completing a semester at Dookie as part of the Bachelor of Agriculture.

If you plan to spend a semester at Dookie as part of your Bachelor of Agriculture, you must inform your Parkville-based accommodation provider so they are aware you will be studying at Dookie.

Can I access the accommodation allowance if I receive the ABSTUDY Residential Cost Option?

No. If you choose to receive the ABSTUDY Residential Cost Option, you cannot access the Narrm accommodation allowance. You will still receive the relocation allowance and living allowance, and you will be considered for Indigenous Commonwealth Scholarships.

At the start of each semester, you will be asked to confirm whether you are receiving the ABSTUDY Residential Cost Option. If the Narrm accommodation allowance has already been applied to your accommodation fees, this will be reversed once it is confirmed that you are an ABSTUDY Residential Cost Option recipient. In this case, ABSTUDY will cover the full cost of your accommodation for the entire duration of your stay.

Queries

If you have any further questions, please submit a Scholarship enquiry