Hansen Scholarship Program
Source: https://study.unimelb.edu.au/study-with-us/hansen-scholarship-program Parent: https://study.unimelb.edu.au/
In Year 12? Apply by 30 March 2026
Register for an upcoming information session
What is the Hansen Scholarship Program?
Valued at over $100,000, this scholarship goes beyond generous financial support, offering on campus accommodation and access to a bespoke mentoring program to support you truly succeed at university.
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Applications are open to Year 12 students who are an Australian citizen, permanent resident or refugee starting their undergraduate studies in 2027
As a Hansen Scholar, you'll join a program that nurtures potential and provides a place where your ambition can grow, offering you access to a high-quality university education that might otherwise feel out of reach. With fully-funded accommodation at Little Hall, you'll live and study alongside the tight-knit Hansen Scholar community, forming friendships which support and empower you.
High-achieving high school students who are planning on studying an undergraduate degree at Melbourne are encouraged to learn more about this rewarding scholarship program.
Online information session
Join us for an online information session to learn more about the experiences of our current Hansen Scholars and how to submit a competitive application.
March information session
Thursday 19 March 2026, 7-8pm (AEDT)
What are the benefits of being a Hansen Scholar?
As well as financial support to help you focus on your studies, the true impact of the Hansen Scholarship Program is access to exclusive opportunities and connections tailored to your future goals.
Fully-funded accommodation at Little Hall
You'll benefit from the guarantee of accommodation at Little Hall for your three-year undergraduate degree. Located between the heart of Melbourne city and our Parkville campus, you'll find your place in Little Hall's community – a place to call home.
Generous financial support
You'll receive a living allowance of $4200, so you can fully focus on your university experience. In addition to your accommodation and living allowance, you'll have access to a one-time grant of up to $4000 for an approved development activity such as an international exchange or internship.
Join a supportive community
Hansen Scholars are from diverse backgrounds across Australia. We celebrate the diversity and unique talents of every student. You'll form lifelong bonds with other scholars and you'll become a member of the program's alumni network for life.
Support for your personal growth
A development program will aid you in learning about your strengths and interests to make informed study and career choices. We will connect you with the best of Melbourne’s cultural life and broaden your horizons, while in later years you can take the opportunity to mentor other Hansen Scholars and build leadership skills.
Make powerful industry connections
A comprehensive and bespoke mentoring program will connect you to leaders in your chosen field, while program patron Jane Hansen AO will offer sponsorship and support. Take your next steps with confidence, with funding of up to $10,000 for a career-related activity once you complete your undergraduate degree.
Guaranteed pathway to graduate study
You'll secure a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) in your chosen graduate course if you secure a Graduate Degree Package or achieve the requirements of the Melbourne Chancellor's Scholarship, meet subject prerequisites and maintain the required weighted average mark (WAM) throughout your undergraduate studies. Learn more in the application guide below.
Check your eligibility and how to apply
Submit a SmartyGrants application by 30 March 2026 to be considered. Late applications will not be accepted.
Eligibility and selection criteria
The Hansen Scholarship recognises students from around Australia who have demonstrated resilience to adversity, and a commitment to supporting others.
Eligibility
To be considered for this scholarship, you must:
- Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, and be enrolled in an Australian Year 12 or the International Baccalaureate in Australia; or
- Have applied for or be the holder of an Australian temporary or permanent protection visa, and be enrolled in an Australian Year 12 or the International Baccalaureate in Australia; or
- Be an Australian citizen and be enrolled in an Australian Year 12 or the International Baccalaureate outside Australia
- Be aged between 16 and 20 years of age in the year of application
- Be on track to achieve a minimum Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) of at least 90 (or the IB equivalent)
- Experience financial circumstances that present a challenge to attending the University of Melbourne (you or your family receive Centrelink benefits).
Selection criteria
Applications are assessed against the following criteria. Keep these criteria in mind when preparing your application:
- Track record of academic excellence and a commitment to academic success in university studies
- Demonstrated ability to achieve success in the face of adversity and overcome obstacles
- Demonstrated ability to apply skills and strengths towards activities which benefit others
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team and lead those around you
- Likelihood of thriving as a Hansen Scholar and actively contributing to the Hansen Scholarship Program.
Applicants will undergo a preliminary screening stage which may involve written materials, references, video or other creative products, and such other methods to produce a short-list of suitable applicants. The final selection process will involve face-to-face interviews with short-listed candidates.
Conditions
This scholarship is subject to the Coursework Scholarship Conditions and can be deferred to the following year if there are compassionate or compelling reasons that prevent you from commencing your course in the year for which the scholarship was offered.
In addition, you must:
- Receive an offer from the University of Melbourne for commencement of your undergraduate course in the year following completion of Australian Year 12 or IB
- Achieve an indicative ATAR of at least 90.00
- Not have completed subjects undertaken as part of a tertiary course (excluding Extension Program subjects) before commencing your course at the University of Melbourne
- Reside at Little Hall for the duration of the undergraduate degree, and commit to participation in a program of scholarship and enrichment activities as determined by the scholar and the Director of the Hansen Scholarship
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress by achieving a minimum average result of 60 in each semester of enrolment
- Not hold a Melbourne Chancellor's Scholarship or Narrm Scholarship at the same time as the Hansen Scholarship.
Application process
The application process consists of three stages - application and academic reference, video interview and an in-person interview.
Application guide
Download the 2027 application guide
The application process aims to help us gather a more holistic understanding of who you are and your academic potential.
To apply for the Hansen Scholarship Program you will:
- Complete a SmartyGrants application and nominate an academic referee. Allow yourself enough time to complete all required questions and attach necessary supporting documents. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
- Completed application forms are due by 11:59pm on 30 March 2026 AEDT
- Nominated academic referees will be invited to respond to referee questions via our online portal, due 11:59pm on 28 April 2026 AEST.
- Longlisted applicants will be invited to record a video assessment answering interview style questions in April 2026
- Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a 15 minute in-person interview with the selection panel in mid to late July.
Nominate an academic referee
Once your application form is submitted, your nominated academic referee will be invited to respond to referee questions via our online portal by 11:59pm on 28 April 2026 (AEST).
Your academic referee must be a teacher, careers practitioner, year-level coordinator or principal at your current school.
They should be someone who can provide detailed information about your academic record and ability, and who ideally has known you for at least 12 months.
Application outcomes
At the time of application, you won't yet know your ATAR or have received an offer to study at the University of Melbourne.
That's why if your application is successful, you’ll first receive a conditional offer for the Hansen Scholarship Program in August 2026.
Unconditional offers for the Hansen Scholarship Program are released once applicants satisfy the selection conditions (as above). This typically occurs in December to coincide with the release of ATARs and University of Melbourne course offers through VTAC.
You’ll need to accept both your unconditional offer for the Hansen Scholarship Program and your course offer to study at the University of Melbourne.
Key dates for 2027 applications
Applications open\ 2 February 2026 : Submit a SmartyGrants application and nominate an academic referee.
Applications close\ 30 March 2026 : Panel of assessors will longlist students.
Video assessment\ Mid-April : Longlisted students will be invited to submit a recorded video response.
Academic references due\ 28 April 2026 : Your nominated academic referee will be invited to complete an academic reference by this date.
In-person interview\ Mid-July 2026 : Shortlisted students will be invited to attend an in-person interview with the selection panel.
Meet our current Hansen Scholars
Find out what some of our scholars have gained from their time in the program.
What Lachlan values most about the Hansen Scholarship Program
Lachlan, Hansen Scholar
23s
Why you'll love living at Little Hall
Christine and Monishi, Hansen Scholars
44s
Frequently asked questions
What if I'm waiting for Centrelink to assess my application for a means-tested Commonwealth income support payment?
Please still submit a Hansen Scholarship application before 30 March, 11:59 AEDT.
We accept the following means-tested Commonwealth income support payments as a demonstration of financial need:
- Abstudy
- Austudy
- Carers Payment (not inclusive of Carers Allowance)
- Disability Support Pension
- Family Tax Benefit (FTB) A
- Family Tax Benefit (FTB) A & B
- Jobseeker
- Parenting Payment
- Youth Allowance.
I am not an Australian citizen, can I apply?
To be eligible for this scholarship, you must be one of the following:
- Australian citizen
- Australian permanent resident (including permanent humanitarian visa holders)
- holder of a Temporary Protections Visa (Subclass 785) or Safe Haven Enterprise Visa (Subclass 790)
- holder of a Bridging Visa as the result of an application for an Australian temporary or permanent protection visa
If you have applied for either a permanent or temporary humanitarian visa, you will need to provide a copy of application acknowledgment from the Department of Home Affairs and you will be asked to provide evidence of your Bridging Visa showing that you are permitted to study in Australia.
Applicants with New Zealand citizenship are not eligible for the Hansen Scholarship unless they have obtained Australian permanent resident status. New Zealanders are automatically given a "Special Category Visa" (SCV) when they arrive and are "Temporary Residents".
How are the scholarship applications assessed and when will I find out the outcome of my application?
Applications are assessed using the information included in your application, supporting documents, and interviews.
Outcomes for applications are usually released around August of each year. Final offers will be dependent on ATAR achieved and acceptance into the course of choice at the University of Melbourne.
Can I apply to stay at other residential colleges?
Accommodation at Little Hall is the only residential option covered by the scholarship.
How do I choose my academic referee?
Your academic referee must be a teacher, careers practitioner, year-level coordinator or principal at your current school. They should be someone who can provide detailed information about your academic record and ability, and who ideally has known you for at least 12 months.
If your referee informs you they cannot provide a reference after you submit your initial application, please contact the Hansen Scholarship team with the details of a replacement referee.
Can I defer or suspend my scholarship?
Approval to defer a scholarship will normally only be given where there are exceptional circumstances preventing a student from studying in a semester (evidence will be required). If you have any questions about your circumstances, please contact the Hansen Scholarship team.
Does the Hansen Scholarship offer fee remission?
The Hansen Scholarship does notoffer fee remission for Australian citizens and permanent residents.
The Hansen Scholarship only provides full fee remission for asylum seekers who would otherwise have to pay international fees. Holders of, or applicants to, a temporary humanitarian visa fall into this category, and applicants for a permanent humanitarian visa who would otherwise have to pay international fees.
Permanent humanitarian visa holders are eligible for deferred domestic fees for a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) and will not have their fees covered by the scholarship. This also applies if a Hansen Scholar obtains a permanent visa while enrolled in the Program.
Do I have to pay a deposit or application fee?
No. There is no cost to you to apply for the Hansen Scholarship. Be aware of scams that may target current and prospective students.Find out what to look out for.
A foundation to unleash ambition
Jane Hansen AO and Paul Little AO believe that an individual’s life trajectory should be guided by their determination to achieve their ambitions, regardless of any limiting social or economic barriers.