Frequently Asked Questions

Am I eligible to apply for any of these scholarships or bursaries?

You may be eligible to apply if you are:

·         Female

·         A currently enrolled student at a Victorian university or at a Victorian campus of the Australian Catholic University

·         Normally resident in Victoria while studying

·         An Australian citizen or permanent resident

·         Experiencing or have experienced disadvantage in the pursuit of your studies.

There are scholarships for:

·         Students enrolled in a postgraduate research degree

·         Students enrolled in a postgraduate coursework diploma or degree

·         Students enrolled in a Diploma of Education or equivalent 

·         Students enrolled in the Honours year of an undergraduate degree.  

·         Australian Indigenous students enrolled in an undergraduate degree course.

.            International and New Zealand students enrolled in a postgraduate research degree

How can I get an application form?

Application forms must be downloaded from this web site.  Select the appropriate scholarship and follow the links.   You should download the Information for Applicants.pdf at the same time.

What is the application deadline?

Applications must be submitted by 31 March to the post office box address on the application form. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. Note that couriers will not deliver to post office boxes.  It should be possible to hand deliver to the Post Office (not the Post Office box) but a postage fee may berequested.

What do I need to send with the application?

The items which must accompany your application are described on the front of the application form. See also Information for Applicants.pdf 

What Academic Transcripts do I need to include?

Include transcripts in English of all completed or partially completed studies at university anywhere in the world.

What is a Certified Copy?

Please note that original documents will not be returned. Only one certified copy is required.  Take the photocopy and the original to a Police Station, Chemist or University Administration or other authorised person.  A stamp and signature on every page certifying that the photocopy is a correct copy is required.

What do I need to do about referees’ reports?

Download the Guidelines for Referees for the scholarship you are applying for and give copies to two referees who can comment on your academic work. Referees are asked to provide you with the signed original of the reference and 3 copies. They may choose to give them to you in a sealed envelope or send them separately.  The references normally should be included with the application.  All referee reports must be original or certified and where possible should be on letterhead.  An email copy will not be acceptable.

Do I have to state what the scholarship money will be spent on?

Not directly but the expectation is that the money will be spent to assist you in your studies.

What if I can’t gather some of the material to send to you before applications close?

Occasionally an applicant is unable to provide some of the documentation requested by the due date or a referee report will be unavoidably late.  If this is the case, you must submit the application and all other available documentation by the closing date and include with your application a note listing the missing items and when they are expected to arrive at the Post Office box. These items must be submitted as soon as possible. If the missing material has not been received by the time the applications are sent to the selection committees to decide on the winners, you will not be eligible to win a scholarship or bursary.

Does Graduate Women Victoria offer grants for travel?

Graduate Women Victoria does not offer any grants for travel but there is no reason why a winner could not spend some of the monies received on travel to conferences or field trips.

Does Graduate Women Victoria offer scholarships for undergraduate study?

Two scholarships are offered to undergraduates: one for fourth year Honours students and one for Indigenous students.

How do I decide which postgraduate scholarship I am eligible for?

If you are a postgraduate student and your research component is less than 50% of your course then you should apply for the Postgraduate Coursework Scholarship.

If your research component is 50% or more, then you should apply for the Postgraduate Degree by Research Scholarship.

May I apply for two scholarships?

Yes you may apply for two scholarships in the one year, if you are eligible for both, but you are not permitted to win both.   If you win a scholarship, you may apply for another scholarship in the following year. 

If I have other scholarships or awards may I apply for one of Graduate Women Victoria Scholarships?

Yes, you may apply if you have other awards and/or scholarships.

Is there an Administration Fee?

Applicants are no longer required to pay an administration fee.

How are the winners decided?

Scholarship applications are first screened by the Graduate Women Victoria Scholarship Subcommittee to ensure all the requirements are met, including the disadvantage criterion. Complete applications are then submitted to separate panels of academic examiners who recommend the winners on the basis of academic achievement and potential.

When will I know the outcome of my application?

Successful applicants will be advised by mid May and other applicants by the beginning of June.

Will all scholarships/bursaries advertised be awarded?

All scholarships and bursaries advertised on this site will be awarded except in exceptional circumstances.

Can I request the reason why I was not awarded a scholarship?

No.  All decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into.

How are the scholarships presented to the winners?

Each winner will be presented with a certificate and a cheque at a ceremony held on Scholarship Day normally on the first Saturday in June. Winners must attend and are asked to speak briefly about their studies and careers. 

The audience includes family members and representatives of the Universities where winners study.

Where can I find out about similar scholarships?

Scholarships are also awarded by State and Territory Associations affiliated with the Australian Federation of Graduate Women  – see www.afgw.org.au

For scholarships offered by the International Federation of University Women and other national associations affiliated with the International Federation of University Women see www.ifuw.org

What is Graduate Women Victoria?

Graduate Women Victoria (formerly AFUW Victoria) is part of a national federation of the associations of graduate women in all states and territories of Australia. It is one of 72 member national federations and associations of the International Federation of University Women (IFUW). With more than 180,000 women graduate members, IFUW has representation as a non-government organisation at the United Nations and other related bodies. 

The Federation works for the advancement and equality of opportunity of women worldwide through initiatives in education, friendship and peace. Graduate Women Victoria places priority on providing financial assistance for women to undertake university studies in Victoria.  

For more information about the national federation and the state associations, refer to

www.afgw.org.au

Do I have to be a member of Graduate Women Victoria in order to apply for these scholarships and bursaries?

No, you do not need to be a member of the Graduate Women Victoria or an affiliated association in order to apply for our scholarships and bursaries.  However, you may need to be a member in order to apply for scholarships offered by other state or territory organisations or the national body, Australian Federation of Graduate Women.  For more information about the scholarships offered by these  associations, refer to www.afgw.org.au

How is money raised for the scholarships and bursaries?

Graduate Women Victoria  scholarships and bursaries are funded from generous bequests and donations from members and friends to a fund first established in 1920.  Our funds are held in trust by the Australian Communities Foundation: www.communityfoundation.org.au

 Tax-deductible donations may be made to the Graduate Women Victoria Scholarship Subfund using the downloadable form:  ACF donation form

Who were the most recent winners?

See Scholarship winners 2011  for a list of the most recent winners of bursaries, grants and prizes, including details of their degree and tertiary institution.

My question is not answered here, where can I get assistance?

First, it is essential that you read carefully all the information on this website, including the application form, Information for Applicants, guidelines for referees and these Frequently Asked Questions. 

If you still need assistance, you may email the

For urgent enquiries ONLY you may telephone Irene Axup on 0417 587 839

Please note: Graduate Women Victoria Scholarship program is run by volunteers.

We will answer any queries as quickly as possible.