First in the Family Scholarships

The First in the Family Scholarships are awarded to commencing Bachelor of Commerce students who will be the first in their family to attend university and who have experienced disadvantage. Recipients of the scholarship will automatically be admitted into the Abernethy Scholars Program.

The next scholarship will be awarded in 2022. 2023 availability will be confirmed in December 2022.

The impact of scholarships – First in Family Scholarships

Applications open

26 Aug 2021

Applications closed

10 Jan 2022

Application type

Application required
How to apply

Benefit type

Bi-annual payment
Full benefit details

Citizenship requirements

Australian / domestic student

Total value

up to $30,000

Applicable study areas

Commerce, economics and management

Number of scholarships awarded

6

  • Eligibility & selection criteria

    Eligibility

    To be eligible for this scholarship, you must:

    • be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
    • be students who will be the first in their family to attend university
    • not have a previous university qualification
    • apply to commence the Bachelor of Commerce through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC)
    • submit an application for the Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS) via VTAC
    • meet the criteria and be eligible for the Access Melbourne Scheme
    • agree to participate in publicity and events to acknowledge and thank donors to the First in the Family Fund

    Selection criteria

    Selection is based on academic merit as demonstrated by ATAR or equivalent, information provided in your SEAS application and other information about course preferences provided by VTAC at the time of selection.

    The selection committee will not have access to change of course preference information.

  • Application process
    • Candidates must lodge their application for the scholarship with the Faculty
      • Applicants are required to complete a Statutory Declaration which states: "No members of my immediate family (parents, grandparents or siblings) have been awarded a qualification from a university."
      • You can also include a letter of recommendation from your principal or careers adviser to support your Statutory Declaration

    The Statutory Declaration and any letters of support must be uploaded with your application. Applications without a Statutory Declaration will not be considered.

  • When will I know the outcome?

    Successful candidates will be contacted by email.

What are the benefits?

$10,000 annually for the normal duration of studies in Bachelor of Commerce (three years).

Recipients of the scholarship will automatically be admitted into the Abernethy Scholars Program. This program provides unique opportunities such as guaranteed access to the Faculty’s Career Mentoring Program, invitations to a variety of leadership events hosted by the Faculty and an academic mentoring opportunity with Professor Margaret Abernethy, Sir Douglas Copland Chair of Commerce and former Dean of the Faculty of Business and Economics.

Recipients will also be given priority consideration for residency at Ormond College.

Interested in a scholarship? Register now

Get more on scholarships and other information to help you succeed at the University of Melbourne.

or call 13 MELB (13 6352)
International: +61 3 9035 5511

For complete listings of faculty-specific scholarships, please see individual faculty websites.

The information listed here is subject to change without notice. Where we have listed information about jointly run scholarships programs, please also see our partners' websites. Information describing the number and value of scholarships awarded is indicative.