Scholarships and Bursaries

IMPORTANT UPDATE: 

We regret to announce that VCE Summer School (VCESS) will not be running in January 2024. This website is kept updated with the latest information. If you would like to speak with someone, contact volunteering@union.unimelb.edu.au

The VCE Summer School is passionate about reaching out to students facing educational disadvantage to ensure the program benefits the students who need it most. VCESS’ mission is to ensure that all Victorian students can receive a head start on their VCE studies, regardless of their circumstances or background. 

If you are experiencing financial hardship, we’re here to help. We offer a variety of options for students to reduce or remove the cost of attendance.

If you would like to support students to attend VCESS through a sponsorship arrangement or bursary, please reach out to us at summerschool@union.unimelb.edu.au.

Sponsorships

The VCE Summer School has established arrangements with a number of organisations to support students meeting certain criteria in paying their program fees. In recent years, these have included students from certain schools, Kwong Lee Dow scholars, and Western Chances scholarship recipients. VCESS also sponsors Indigenous students to attend the program.

Students meeting these criteria will receive either partial- or full-sponsorships, depending on their eligibility. There is no additional application process to receive a sponsorship. 

Bursaries

VCESS can also help students contact organisations in their communities to find financial support to attend the program. We can provide advice, contacts and an email template for students to reach out to relevant community groups, such as Rotary and Lions clubs.

The generosity of these community organisations has allowed many VCE students to attend VCESS at a minimal cost. If you are interested in applying for a bursary, please tick ‘Yes’ under the ‘Bursary’ section when applying for the program.

Extended Deadlines and Payment Plans

Spaces on the VCESS program are limited, so offers are sent with a lapse date. After this time, the place may be offered to another student. Students unable to make the full payment by their offer lapse date should email the Program Directors to confirm their place at the program and organise an alternate payment plan.

If you need extra time to make the payment, we can offer extended deadlines for the offer lapse date. This means that the payment can be made later without the student losing their post. If you would prefer multiple instalments to pay the program fees, we can organise a three-instalment payment plan, with the student’s place confirmed when the first payment is made.

Please contact the directors if you would like to propose an alternative payment arrangement. Wherever possible, we seek to make VCESS accessible for your circumstances.