Narrm Scholarship

The Narrm Scholarship at the University of Melbourne is for new undergraduates who have encountered obstacles in their education or personal life. It's designed to make university study more accessible, especially if your schooling was affected by financial hardship, difficult family circumstances, or other challenges. The university funds this award as part of efforts to support students from a broad mix of backgrounds, including those who might be first in their family to attend university or come from rural or Indigenous communities.

Who the Narrm Scholarship Suits

If you've had to work during school, deal with health issues, family responsibilities, or moved through the care system, this scholarship could help. It acknowledges that students arrive at university with widely differing experiences and tries to level the playing field. Some recipients have come via school recommendation programs or through special entry pathways such as Access Melbourne.

What the Scholarship Supports

The Narrm Scholarship helps with living costs as well as study support in your first year of an undergraduate degree at the University of Melbourne. You'll usually receive both financial assistance and access to mentoring, academic skill-building, and wellbeing services. Scholarship holders often find these extra supports are just as valuable as the funding itself, especially when settling into university for the first time or adjusting to new expectations.

This award is an important piece of your transition: along with applying to your degree, confirming your enrolment, and organizing your student visa (subclass 500, for international students), access to support can make a real difference. Recipients often stay connected to student services throughout their studies, using advice about accommodation, social activities, and workload management when needed.

• Domestic undergraduate student starting a program at the University of Melbourne
• Have experienced educational disadvantage, such as financial hardship, disability, carer responsibilities, refugee status, rural or remote location, or Indigenous background
• Meet course entry requirements through VTAC, Access Melbourne, or other recognized university entry pathway
• Plan to undertake full-time study, unless there are special circumstances
• Willingness to participate in university support and mentoring programs
• May need to demonstrate need through written statements or documentation (such as Centrelink income evidence, references, or school recommendation)

• Ongoing payments to help with living and study expenses (exact amount varies, check official page)
• Access to tailored academic and wellbeing support services in your first year
• Priority access to mentoring and peer networks for new students
• Opportunities to participate in orientation activities, workshops, and events
• Connection with student advisors for personalised guidance on study and life at Melbourne
• Some recipients may be eligible for continued support in later years if circumstances require

• Check your eligibility based on personal circumstances and course entry requirements
• Apply for your chosen undergraduate degree at the University of Melbourne, usually through VTAC
• When submitting your university application, complete any scholarship or Access Melbourne sections that relate to disadvantage or personal circumstances
• Gather supporting documentation (such as financial evidence, statements from referees, or proof of personal hardship) for submission with your application
• Pay attention to scholarship instructions in your application portal and make sure all required materials are uploaded
• Wait for notification of offer from the university, you may be contacted for further information or invited to an interview in some cases
• If offered the scholarship, follow instructions to accept and enrol, and connect with student support offices before classes start
• Keep records of your application and correspondence for future reference