Financial Assistance
Full scholarships are available for First Nations students
Ormond College and the University of Melbourne both have generous scholarship programs available to First Nations students. Student’s attending the College may be eligible for ABSTUDY Residential Cost Option which would cover full fees to the College. The College offers scholarships over and above this to cover additional costs while at university.
For further information, contact our Admissions Team on admissions@ormond.unimelb.edu.au or 61 3 9344 1107.
ABSTUDY Residential Costs Option
Indigenous students living at Ormond College may be eligible for ABSTUDY Residential Costs Option (RCO), managed by Centrelink.
ABSTUDY RCO will cover all accommodation and meal costs in full for eligible Indigenous students, as well as provide a reduced fortnightly payment – whether undergraduate or graduate.
There are College related expenses that are not covered by ABSTUDY (for example, social events organised by the Ormond College Students Club) and students can apply for an additional scholarship from the College to cover general living expenses.
ABSTUDY RCO is an award under the ABSTUDY scheme which requires a separate application form than the one completed for ABSTUDY Living Allowance. To apply for ABSTUDY RCO you will need a Tax File Number, Centrelink Number and Proof of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent, amongst other documents. We recommend compiling these documents and beginning your ABSTUDY RCO claim well before 30 November 2022 (see next subheading for more information on this deadline). Contact Centrelink at 1800 132 317 to start this process.
University of Melbourne’s Indigenous Accommodation Grant
The University of Melbourne can assist Indigenous students who are not eligible for ABSTUDY RCO to pay for their College fees. Indigenous students are welcome to submit an Indigenous Accommodation Grant – there are 20 grants available for 2023. This scholarship provides a contribution of $10,000 if you live at Ormond College for a full year. The scholarship will be paid directly to Ormond College, but other accommodation providers and colleges are also part of this arrangement.
In order to apply for the Indigenous Accommodation Grant, you will need proof that you have recently applied for ABSTUDY RCO and that your application was deemed unsuccessful by Centrelink. We encourage you to apply for ABSTUDY RCO well before the Indigenous Accommodation Grant deadline (dates to be advised). You will be able to submit proof after the Grant deadline in case there are delays with Centrelink, but you must ensure you submit your application form by that date as no extensions will be granted by the University.
Ormond College Financial Assistance
Furthermore, Indigenous students who are not eligible for ABSTUDY RCO may be eligible to receive Financial Assistance support from Ormond College by taking into account the student’s possible contribution towards accommodation fees. Applicants will be assessed on financial need by filling out the relevant Financial Assistance Application Form on the links below:
Students who are eligible for the ABSTUDY RCO can apply for a scholarship from Ormond to cover general living expenses while at College.