Apply for and receive a scholarship
Learn how to update your eligibility profile, find and apply for scholarships and receive payments if you're chosen to be a recipient.
Every Federation scholarship has its own eligibility criteria, application steps and due date, so it’s important to check the details before you apply. Want to save time? Update your eligibility profile to see scholarships that match your situation.
You can apply for as many scholarships as you like, but keep in mind that receiving one could affect your eligibility for others. If you applied last year and didn’t receive a scholarship, you’re welcome to apply again (as long as you still meet the criteria).
How to apply for a scholarship
You can search for internal and external scholarships on our website, or you can access a personalised list (of internal scholarships only) by updating your eligibility profile in our scholarships portal.
- Log in to the Federation scholarships portal with your student ID and password.
- Select your name (top right) and select 'My Account'.
- Select 'Eligibility' from the left-hand menu.
- Select 'Update your eligibility profile'.
- Complete the short survey.
- Select 'Save my profile'.
Found a Federation scholarship in our scholarships portal? Select 'Apply' to start your application. You may need to provide a written response, an eligibility form or a letter of recommendation.
Applying for an external scholarship? Follow the instructions on the organisation’s website. This could include completing a form, uploading a personal statement or providing supporting documents.
If you’re an international student, our International Admissions team will automatically assess you for a few different scholarships when you apply to study at Federation (but there are others you will need to submit applications for).
What is a letter of recommendation?
If you're applying for a Foundation scholarship, you'll need to include at least one letter of recommendation (also known as a personal reference).
This should be written by someone who:
- is at least 18 years old
- has known you for at least a year
- isn't a close family member
- doesn't live with you
- can speak about your situation without needing it explained to them.
It needs to be current, so we'll only accept letters that were written within the last 12 months.
You could ask a supervisor, co-worker, client, teacher or professor to write it. Make the process easier by sending them a copy of the template below.
[Use letterhead if possible]
[Date]
To whom it may concern,
I'm writing to express my support for [applicant's name] in their application for a scholarship from the Federation University Australia Foundation.
[Write 1–2 paragraphs that address some or all of the following points]:
- How do you know the applicant?
- How long have you known them for?
- How would you describe the applicant’s strengths and personality traits (such as leadership skills, work ethic, academic abilities, education and career goals)?
- How would you describe the applicant’s potential for future success?
- What obstacles or hardships has the applicant faced or overcome?
Kind regards,
[Your full name]
[Position, if applicable]
[Company, if applicable]
[Contact details]
Payments
If your scholarship has semester instalments, your payments will be processed within ten business days of each census date. Other scholarships and grants are processed on Tuesdays and paid the following Friday.
To receive scholarship payments, you'll need to create a refund profile in my Student Centre. This just means adding your bank BSB and account number to the system so the money can be transferred directly.
To view your scholarship payment details, log into my Student Centre, select the 'Campus Finances' tile and choose 'View details'. The 'Payments received / HELP deferrals' section will include any scholarship instalments.
Receiving a scholarship could affect your Centrelink payments. Visit Services Australia to find out whether you need to report this income.
If you take leave from your studies, you forfeit your scholarship or grant and won't get any future payments.
Write a thank you letter
A thank you letter is a simple message to let the scholarship donor know what a difference the payment will or has made to you. You don’t need to write too much. Your letter can be as simple as a couple of paragraphs saying thank you.
If you're not sure what to write, use the thank you letter template below to get started.
[Date]
Dear [Donor - for example Collier Charitable Fund, or if a memorial scholarship, ‘Dear [Family name] family’]
I am writing to sincerely thank you for awarding me the [name of scholarship] scholarship.
I am currently studying [your course] at [your campus or location], and I am in my [first/second/third/final] year. I chose this area of study because [briefly explain your motivation or interest]. My goal is to [share your future plans or career goals].
Receiving this scholarship will make a real difference to me. [Add anything you might like to share including obstacles or hardships, personal or family circumstances].
It will help me by [explain how the scholarship will support you, for example, covering study costs, reducing financial stress, or allowing you to focus more on your studies]. I plan to use the scholarship funds for [list specific uses, such as textbooks, equipment, travel, or living expenses].
Thank you again for your generosity and support.
With thanks
[Your full name]