Scholarships and Bursaries

In 2024, Newman College awarded over $1 million in financial aid to three quarters of its residents. Financial assistance is provided in the form of Scholarships and/or Bursaries, primarily awarded to students enrolled at The University of Melbourne. Students from other institutions; Monash (Pharmacy), and the ACU and RMIT CBD campuses may also be considered, subject to the Provost’s discretion upon application.

Scholarships are awarded based on academic merit, while bursaries are granted based on demonstrated financial need. Both are awarded annually and applied as equal reductions in College fees on a semester basis.

To be eligible for College Scholarships and Bursaries, applicants must list Newman College as their first preference on their intercollegiate application by December 1, 2025. Please note that study abroad and exchange students are ineligible for these awards.

The continuation of Scholarships is contingent upon recipients maintaining strong academic performance, with a minimum Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 75% (H2A, Second Class Honours - Division A) for a full-time study load (100 credit points or equivalent) at the University of Melbourne or other home institution.

Bursary recipients must maintain a minimum Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 65% (H3, Third Class Honours) while enrolled full-time at their tertiary institution to continue receiving support.

Recipients of both awards are also expected to actively contribute to the College community in a respectful manner.

The College also offers a limited number of on-campus College employment opportunities, with expressions of interest accepted on a rolling basis. For more information, please contact Dr. Anne Lee : alee@newman.unimelb.edu.au Director of Facilities & Operations. 

For more information on additional student financial assistance programs, please visit the Intercollegiate page: Scholarships and fees - Colleges University of Melbourne

Scholarships

Undergraduate Scholarships

First-year academic Scholarships are awarded based on an ATAR score of 98.00+ (or equivalent) and applied as equal fee reductions per semester. For new students entering their second or third undergraduate year, Scholarships are based on a demonstrated minimum Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 80%+ (H1, First Class Honours) for a full-time load (100 credit points) over the previous academic year.

Additional Scholarships for 2025 Entry

For new undergraduate residents who completed Year 12 in 2024, the College offers the following set-figure Scholarships:

• $10,000 Dux Scholarship – awarded to the Dux of a Catholic school
• $5,000 Dux Scholarship – awarded to the Dux of a non-Catholic school
• $5,000 Dux Proxime Scholarship – awarded to the Dux Proxime of a Catholic school
• $5,000 Leadership Scholarship – awarded to students who have demonstrated exemplary leadership.

A maximum of five scholarships are available in each category. To be eligible, applicants must designate Newman College as their first preference and indicate their interest in the scholarship on their intercollegiate application by December 1, 2024. Scholarship Conditions

• To be eligible for the above set-figure Scholarships the applicants must have completed their Year 12 studies in 2024
• Scholarships are awarded at the Provost’s discretion, and students may receive only one of the above set-figure awards, i.e. they are not cumulative. Eligible students may also receive the $2,500 per annum Guaranteed Rural Bursary.
• All College Scholarships are annual awards, applied as equal fee reductions per semester.
• To maintain the scholarship, recipients must achieve a minimum WAM of 75% (H2A) while undertaking a full-time load (100 credit points or equivalent) at the University of Melbourne or their home institution. Additionally, scholarship recipients are expected to actively and respectfully contribute to the College community.
• Late Scholarship applications after December 1, 2024, may be considered only at the Provost’s discretion.
• Study abroad and Exchange students are not eligible to apply for any College Scholarships

Please note that all Scholarships are funded by the College and its Benefactors, and no application is required - all eligible students are automatically considered.  

Graduate Scholarships - Rector’s Exhibition

All graduate students enrolled in the College and undertaking taught graduate courses (such as a Master’s, Juris Doctor, Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Doctor of Optometry, Doctor of Physiotherapy, or equivalent) receive a $5,000 per annum Rector’s Exhibition. PhD students receive a $7,000 per annum Rector’s Exhibition to support their doctoral research studies.

These scholarships are awarded annually as equal fee reductions per semester. Continued eligibility requires maintaining a minimum WAM of 75% (H2A, Second Class Honours Division A) for a full-time load (100 credit points or equivalent) at the University of Melbourne or approved home institution.

Choir Scholarships

These Scholarships are awarded to students who are members of the Newman College Choir. Please click here to visit the Choir page for more information.

Victor Fox Foundation Music Scholarships

The College has recently awarded several Victor Fox Foundation Music Scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students studying Music at The University of Melbourne. Up to five Victor Fox Foundation Scholarships, each valued at $2,000 per annum, are awarded annually as equal fee reductions per semester.

Residential Colleges Narrm Scholars Offer

In partnership with the University of Melbourne, in 2025, the Residential Colleges are introducing the Residential Colleges Narrm Scholars Offer, supporting regional, rural, and remote Narrm Scholars in their pursuit of higher education while living at a Residential College.

Newman College is dedicated to jointly funding two Residential Colleges Narrm Scholars Offers with the University of Melbourne (UoM) for the 2025 academic year. Each scholarship is valued at $26,500 per year for the duration of the recipient’s residency at the College.

Funding Breakdown

Each selected recipient will receive: 

• $6,500 per annum – UoM Narrm Scholars Living Allowance (available to all Narrm Scholars)
• $10,000 per annum – UoM Narrm Scholars Accommodation Allowance (available to all regional and remote Narrm Scholars) $
• 10,000 per annum – Residential College Narrm Scholars Offer (awarded to the two selected regional and remote Narrm Scholars at Newman College) *

Conditions* 

• Recipients must meet the College eligibility requirements to be selected and maintain the Residential College Narrm Scholars Offer award.
• Narrm Scholars selected for this offer are not eligible for other Newman College Scholarships or Bursaries.

For full eligibility details, visit the Residential Colleges Narrm Scholars Offer - Colleges University of Melbourne

Bursaries

Undergraduate Bursaries

Newman College provides bursaries to support undergraduate students who may otherwise be unable to attend College. These awards are based on demonstrated financial need and require a formal application.

Application Process

Students must submit a letter to the Provost at admissions@newman.unimelb.edu.au outlining their financial circumstances for the academic year, including:

• Family financial situation • Number of family dependents
• Centrelink payments (received or expected)
• Anticipated additional income
• Other scholarships or bursaries (received or expected)
• Any other relevant factors
• Supporting documentation

Applications are reviewed, and students will discuss their request with the Provost or a senior staff member during the entry interview or a follow-up meeting.

Eligibility for Renewal

To retain a Bursary, recipients must maintain a minimum WAM of 65% (H3, Third Class Honours) for a full-time course load at their home institution.

Guaranteed Rural Bursary

For 2025 entry, Newman College will award a Guaranteed Rural Bursary of $2,500 per annum to all eligible rural students.

Eligibility Criteria

Students qualify if they have resided in a rural area for:

• At least five consecutive years, or

A total of ten years cumulatively from birth. A rural or isolated area is defined by the Australian Standard Geographic Classification (ASGC) as RA2, RA3, RA4, or RA5. In Victoria, this generally includes all areas outside Melbourne and Geelong. The Department of Health and Aged Care determines rural classification, and students can verify their eligibility using the Health Workforce Locator. Health Workforce Locator | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care Bursary Conditions

• Guaranteed Rural Bursary recipients may also qualify for College Scholarships if they satisfy the requirements.
• The Guaranteed Rural Bursary does not apply to holders of the Residential Colleges Narrm Scholars Offer, as the award already includes a rural component.
• All Bursary recipients must maintain a minimum (WAM) of 65% (H3, Third Class Honours) while enrolled full-time at their tertiary institution to continue receiving support
• Study abroad and Exchange students are not eligible to apply for any College Bursaries.

Donovan and Faculty Bursaries

Established in 1923 through a benefaction from Sydney lawyer Mr. Thomas Donovan, the Donovan and Faculty Bursaries support student attendance at Newman College.

Originally, Donovan Bursaries were restricted to male Australian Catholic students with a family history of overseas military service in the Australian or British armed forces. Faculty Bursaries had no such requirement. The benefaction mandates that two Donovan Bursaries be awarded for every Faculty Bursary, so applicants are encouraged to explore any military connections in their family.

Over time, the Public Trustee for New South Wales has expanded eligibility, allowing male and female students, Catholic and non-Catholic, Australian and international to apply.

Key Details

• Means-tested – Requires proof of Youth Allowance.
• Awarded annually – Approximately 20 bursaries of $1,000 per annum as fee remissions in Semester 2 only.
• Renewable – Based on satisfying academic progress and conduct.
• May be held in conjunction with other College scholarships and bursaries.
• All other bursaries conditions outlined above apply.

Application Deadline

Applications are open to resident students and close on May 9, 2025. For more information, contact Deputy Provost, Ms. Rebecca Daley : rdaley@newman.unimelb.edu.au