Swinburne offers a range of student scholarships to support you during your study. These range from equity-based scholarships and grants to donor-funded scholarships sponsored by generous benefactors.
Swinburne offers the following types of scholarships:
- university funded merit scholarships – Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence Scholarship (VCES)
- Commonwealth funded scholarships – Indigenous Commonwealth Scholarships
- government and university funded equity scholarships – Access Scholarships, Swinburne Welcome Scholarships
- donor-funded scholarships – provided by university benefactors and industry partners.
Understand your scholarship conditions
All scholarships at Swinburne have specific requirements. These may vary depending on the type of scholarship and how it is funded.
Your offer letter outlines:
- the benefits you will receive
- any eligibility or performance requirements
- how and when your scholarship will be paid.
You should review your scholarship offer letter carefully before accepting your scholarship.
Accepting your scholarship
If you are offered a scholarship, you will receive an offer letter via your student email. This includes:
- details of your scholarship
- a link to these conditions
- instructions on how to accept or decline your offer.
By accepting your scholarship, you agree to comply with all scholarship conditions.
Scholarships cannot be deferred to a later semester or year.
Keeping your scholarship
To continue receiving your scholarship, you must meet all ongoing conditions outlined in your offer letter.
These include maintaining your enrolment and, where applicable, meeting academic performance requirements.
Failure to meet these conditions may result in your scholarship being suspended or cancelled.
You must continue to meet the eligibility requirements of your scholarship. Depending on your scholarship, this may include:
- maintaining your enrolment in an eligible course
- meeting minimum study load requirements
- achieving required academic results.
Refer to your offer letter for the specific requirements that apply to you.
Enrolment (study load) checks
Within four weeks after the census date each semester, we will check that you are meeting the required study load for your scholarship.
If you do not meet the study load requirements, you will be notified via your student email.
Academic progress checks
If your scholarship includes academic requirements, we will review your results after each semester.
These checks are conducted within four weeks of the official results release date.
If you do not meet the required academic standards, you will be notified via your student email.
Changes to your enrolment may affect your scholarship eligibility.
This includes:
- reducing your study load
- withdrawing from units or your course
- taking a leave of absence.
If your study circumstances change, your scholarship may be suspended, cancelled or reassessed.
Before making a change to your enrolment you should check what impact the change may have on your scholarship. Approval is required for scholarship continuation in certain circumstances.
You must notify the Fees and Scholarships team if you:
- transfer to another course within the University
- reduce or change your study load
- wish to take a leave of absence
- cancel/change your travel plans (if receiving a travel scholarships)
- accept a university international exchange.
Scholarships cannot be deferred to a later semester or year.
If you defer or discontinue your studies, your scholarship will not carry over.
If you do not meet your scholarship conditions — including study load or academic requirements — your scholarship may be:
- suspended while your eligibility is reviewed, or
- cancelled.
You will be notified via your student email if any action is taken.
If your scholarship is suspended or cancelled, you may request a review of the decision if there were compassionate or compelling circumstances that affected your ability to study.
These are circumstances outside your control, such as:
- illness or injury
- bereavement of a close family member
- natural disasters.
When you are notified of a scholarship suspension or cancellation, you will also be provided with instructions on how to submit a request for review.
You will need to provide independent supporting documentation for any circumstances submitted.
In addition to meeting study load and academic requirements, you must conduct yourself in a manner that upholds the standards of the University and the scholarship program.
Behaviour that discredits the University or the scholarship program may result in your scholarship being cancelled.
For more information refer to:
Holding more than one scholarship
In most cases, you can hold up to two scholarships at the same time during your course.
Each scholarship must be of a different type, such as:
- one university-funded scholarship and one donor-funded scholarship
- one government or equity scholarship and one donor-funded scholarship.
Some donor-funded scholarships may allow you to hold additional scholarships.
If you are unsure about your eligibility, contact the Fees and Scholarships team.
Restrictions for industry-funded scholarship courses
Students enrolled in certain industry-funded scholarship courses are not eligible to hold a merit or donor-funded scholarship at the same time.
This restriction applies to students who commenced the following courses prior to 2022:
- Bachelor of Accounting and Business Information Technology (Professional)
- Bachelor of Business Information Technology (Professional).
Refer to your offer letter or contact the Fees and Scholarships team if you are unsure whether this applies to you.
How payments work
Scholarship payments are made directly into your nominated bank account, unless stated otherwise in your offer letter.
Payment timing
Payments are typically made:
- twice a year (biannual payments)
- within four working weeks after the census date each semester.
Payment start
Payments will begin after you formally accept your scholarship.
If you accept your scholarship after a payment cycle, payments will apply from the next eligible cycle.
Unsure what scholarship is right for you?
Conditions for specific scholarships
Conditions may vary depending on your scholarship. The sections below outline additional requirements for specific scholarships.
Always refer to your scholarship offer letter for full details.
As a recipient of a Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence Scholarship, you must meet the following conditions:
Study commencement
Commence your first year of study at Swinburne in the commencement period outlined in your offer letter.
Study load and academic performance
Maintain a full-time study load of:
- three units (37.5 credit points), or
- four units (50 credit points) per semester
- achieve an average mark of 70% in each semester.
Changes to study
If you withdraw from a unit after the census date, this will affect your academic results and may impact your future eligibility.
If you withdraw from your course after the census date, you will forfeit the scholarship and will not be eligible to apply again if you re-enrol.
If you transfer to a different course, the duration of your scholarship may be adjusted if the new course is shorter.
Leave of absence
You may take up to 12 months of leave.
Scholarship payments will be suspended during your leave.
Additional requirements
You may be invited to participate in University promotional activities or events.
Important
If you do not meet these conditions, Swinburne may revoke or reduce your scholarship.
As a recipient of a Indigenous Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarship (ICECS) or Indigenous Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarship (ICAS), you must meet the following conditions.
Note: These scholarships are administered under the Indigenous Student Success Program (ISSP) and Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program (HEPPP) funding guidelines.
Payment limits
You can receive an Indigenous Commonwealth Scholarship for a maximum of eight payment periods. During this time you may receive:
- an ICECS, and
- if eligible, an ICAS.
These may be received concurrently or separately.
Restrictions on other payments
You must not receive a Commonwealth scholarship from more than one provider at the same time. Payment restrictions include:
- If receiving ICECS, you cannot also receive a Start-up Scholarship or Start-up Loan from Centrelink for the same period.
- If receiving ICAS, you cannot also receive:
- Relocation Scholarship
- ABSTUDY Residential Costs Options
- Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarships from Centrelink.
Transfer restrictions
Your scholarship cannot be transferred to another institution.
Notification requirements
You must notify the Fees and Scholarships team immediately if you:
- transfer to another undergraduate program at Swinburne
- withdraw from your studies
- change your home address
- experience a change in your circumstances.
Academic requirements
You must maintain satisfactory academic performance as outlined in Academic Progress and Reviews*.
Leave of absence
You may take up to 12 months of leave.
Scholarship payments will be suspended during your leave.
Important
If you do not meet these conditions, Swinburne may revoke your scholarship.
As a recipient of an Access Scholarship, you must meet the following conditions:
Academic requirements
Maintain satisfactory academic performance as outlined in Academic Progress and Reviews*.
Eligibility restriction
If you have previously received an ACCESS scholarship, you are not eligible to receive another ACCESS scholarship.
Important
If you do not meet these conditions, Swinburne may revoke your scholarship.
As a recipient of a Swinburne Welcome Scholarship, you must meet the following conditions:
Academic requirements
Maintain satisfactory academic performance as outlined in Academic Progress and Reviews*.
Leave of absence
If you take a leave of absence from your course, you will forfeit your scholarship.
You will not be eligible to re-apply for the scholarship if you recommence study.
Notification requirements
You must notify the Fees and Scholarships team of any changes to:
- your visa status
- your Centrelink benefits.
Important
If you do not meet these conditions, Swinburne may revoke your scholarship.
Your scholarship is funded by a private donor. As a recipient, you must meet the following conditions:
Enrolment requirements
You must remain enrolled full time in the discipline you were enrolled in at the time of offer.
Some scholarships allow part-time enrolment — check your offer or contact the Fees and Scholarships team if unsure.
Academic requirements
You must maintain satisfactory academic performance as outlined in Academic Progress and Reviews*.
Some scholarships may have additional academic requirements — check your offer if unsure.
Annual donor report (mandatory)
You must submit an annual scholarship report (written or video) to your donor. This report should outline:
- your academic experience
- the impact of the scholarship.
You will be contacted by the Fees and Scholarships team with:
- a report template
- a due date.
Failure to submit this report may result in cancellation of your scholarship.
Data sharing
Your academic results (e.g. grades or GPA) may be shared with donors or scholarship committees.
Engagement requirements
You may be invited to participate in University or donor promotional activities or events.
Changes to study
Funds for your scholarship are provided through a generous gift from a private benefactor who takes great interest in your progress. If you change or discontinue your studies and are no longer eligible, you must:
- notify the Fees and Scholarships team
- provide a reason so this can be communicated to the donor.
As a recipient of the Indigenous Accommodation Scholarship, you must meet the following conditions:
General conditions
All scholarships offered by Swinburne are governed by a set of conditions as set out on this page.
Eligibility restrictions
This scholarship is not available if you are receiving:
- Indigenous Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarship (ICAS), or
- Indigenous Relocation Scholarship.
Enrolment requirements
You must remain actively enrolled full-time for the duration of your scholarship.
Leave of absence
You cannot hold this scholarship while on a leave of absence.
You may re-apply for the scholarship when you return from leave. Reinstatement is not automatic and is subject to approval and available funding.
Accommodation requirements
A $500 bond, paid by you, is required to secure your place in Swinburne Residential Accommodation.
Academic requirements
You must maintain satisfactory academic progress each semester.
Your enrolment and academic results will be reviewed regularly.
If you do not maintain satisfactory academic progress, your scholarship may be suspended or cancelled.
The Moondani Toombadool Centre encourages you to engage with Indigenous Student Advisors and the Indigenous Academic Success Program to support your academic progress.
Conduct and compliance
The Moondani Toombadool Centre may rescind your scholarship if you:
- cease to meet eligibility criteria or conditions
- commit serious academic misconduct or general misconduct
- breach the Swinburne Residences Code of Conduct.
As a recipient of the Indigenous RISE Scholarship (HE), you must meet the following conditions:
General conditions
All scholarships offered by Swinburne are governed by a set of conditions as set out on this page.
Eligibility restrictions
This scholarship is not available if you are receiving:
- Indigenous Commonwealth Scholarships (ICECS or ICAS)
- Indigenous Accommodation Scholarship
- Indigenous Relocation Scholarship.
Enrolment requirements
You must remain actively enrolled full-time for the duration of your scholarship.
Leave of absence
If you take a leave of absence, your scholarship payments will be paused.
Continuation of payments after returning from leave is subject to assessment that you continue to meet all conditions.
Academic requirements
You must maintain satisfactory academic progress each semester.
If you do not maintain satisfactory academic progress, your scholarship may be suspended or cancelled.
The Moondani Toombadool Centre encourages you to engage with Indigenous Student Advisors and the Indigenous Academic Success Program to support your academic progress.
Conduct and compliance
The Moondani Toombadool Centre may rescind your scholarship if you:
- cease to meet eligibility criteria or ongoing requirements
- do not resume study after a leave of absence, or do not meet university requirements on return
- commit serious academic misconduct or general misconduct.
*Student progress definition: A student’s progress has been unsatisfactory if—a. in the case of a student enrolled with a full-time load or an onshore international student in Australia enrolled with a part time load – if the student fails, or does not demonstrate competency in, 50% or more of the student’s enrolled units, credit points or scheduled hours, for two consecutive progress review periods;b. in the case of a domestic student enrolled with less than a full-time load – if the student fails, or does not demonstrate competency in, more than 50% of the student’s enrolled units, credit points or scheduled hours for two consecutive progress review periods;c. if the student fails an enrolled unit of study for a third time; or (d) if the student fails to meet a condition which has been imposed as part of the progress review process.
As defined in the Academic Courses Regulations.
Need additional assistance?
Our friendly Fees and Scholarships team can help answer any questions you have about scholarships.