|
Frequently Asked Questions
|
|
|
Western Chances is a not for profit organisation that provides scholarships, programs and ongoing support for motivated young people across Melbourne's western suburbs with an identified talent or pathway who lack the finances, networks and opportunities to pursue their education and career goals.
|
What are Western Chances Scholarships?
|
All Western Chances Scholarships are merit based. Each Western Chances Scholarship is unique and is shaped to fit the needs of the recipient for the next 12 months.
|
How do I apply for a scholarship?
|
Each applicant must be nominated by a professional who knows them well. This person is known as the nominator and is usually their School Principal, a teacher, a school welfare coordinator or career guidance counselor. It can also be a music/dance/drama instructor or a professional from a welfare or community organisation.
|
Who can nominate applicants?
|
A nominator is a professional who knows the applicant well in a professional capacity. This person is usually a School Principal, teacher, school welfare coordinator or school career guidance counselor. A nominator can also be a university or TAFE lecturer or tutor, a music/dance/drama instructor or a professional from a welfare or community organisation.
|
Who cannot nominate an applicant?
|
Parents, guardians, friends, family and individuals DO NOT qualify as a nominator for the Western Chances Scholarship Program.
Applicants cannot nominate themselves unless they are a tertiary general renewing applicant who has been given permission to apply without a nominator by their previous nominator in conjunction with Western Chances.
Anyone who will benefit financially from a successful scholarship application cannot act as a nominator, such as the director of a dance or drama school. Such a person can act as a referee.
|
How do I submit an application?
|
The nominator, in collaboration with the young person, must complete the appropriate Western Chances Application Form. Western Chances has adopted an online application system. All application forms can be found in the scholarship's section of the Western Chances website.
|
Who must sign the signature page?
|
The application must be signed by:
1. the nominator
2. the applicant
3. the applicant’s School Principal (if the applicant is still at school)
4. the applicant’s parent or guardian (this is not required if the applicant is 18 years old or over or if they are living independently from their family).
|
How do I obtain a scholarship application form?
|
Online scholarship application forms are on the Western Chances website at www.westernchances.org.au/scholarships. If you are unsure which application form to use, please contact Western Chances.
|
Click here for online scholarship application forms
|
Once I get a Western Chances scholarship, can I get another one?
|
General scholarship recipients can apply to renew their scholarship each year should their need and their interest or talent continue. This process can continue until the general scholarship recipient completes their studies or training.
SKILLS recipients can apply for support for each year of their VET and VCAL study so long as they continue to meet the SKILLS scholarship criteria.
You can only get one Western Chances scholarship in any one calendar year.
|
Are there different kinds of Western Chances Scholarships?
|
Yes, there are five different types of scholarships offered by Western Chances. They are:
General New Scholarships: for motivated and talented young people who have never received a Western Chances scholarship before.
General Renewal scholarships: for recipients who have received a general new scholarship and are eligible to renew their general scholarship because their need and their interest or talent continues and they still meet the eligibility for general scholarships.
SKILLS Scholarships for VET and/or VCAL support students studying VET subject(s) and/or undertaking a VCAL certificate.
Western Chances Victoria University Access Scholarships: for current Western Chances General or SKILLS scholarship recipients who gain a place in a TAFE or Higher Education course at Victoria University. These Access Scholarships are $1,000 for every year of study at Victoria University and are automatically renewed (subject to satisfactory academic progress) for a period of up to four years (Higher Education) or two years (TAFE). There are up to 35 of these scholarships available per year.
Western Chances/William Angliss Scholarships: available to young people identified by Western Chances as having an identified talent and pathway in the areas of food, tourism or hospitality. Two scholarships per year in the amount of $3,000 each are available to study at the William Angliss Institute.
|
Who is eligible for a Western Chances Scholarship?
|
All applicants must live in one of the local government areas of: Brimbank,
Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong, Melton, Moonee Valley or Wyndham
New applicants must also be between the ages of 12-25 and be studying at a State Secondary School or tertiary institution.
The only exception to the above criteria is for renewing general scholarship applicants who have had to move out of the western suburbs to pursue further study. This is a rare exception and is at the discretion of the Selection Committee.
General scholarships applicants must also:
Be able to demonstrate a strong talent or ability and motivation to achieve that given the opportunity could develop further
Be from an economically disadvantaged background (demonstrated by eligibility for Education Maintenance Allowance, Youth Allowance, AB Study, Parent Health Care Card or other evidence of financial need).
SKILLS scholarships applicants must also:
Be able to demonstrate a strong vocational pathway via VET and/or VCAL study
Be from a socially or economically disadvantaged background (demonstrated by eligibility for Education Maintenance Allowance, Youth Allowance, AB Study, Parent Health Care Card or other evidence of financial need)
Be 25 years old or under be attending a State School or Tertiary Institution.
|
How much are Western Chances Scholarships?
|
General scholarships for new and renewal recipients currently average around $700 annually.
SKILLS Scholarships for VET and/or VCAL study vary from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. They can be for any amount so long as it is for items directly related to the applicant’s mandatory VET and VCAL needs.
Western Chances Victoria University Access Scholarships are for $1,000 per year for up to two year (TAFE) and four years (Higher Education).
|
What kind of talents and pathways do Western Chances scholarships support?
|
General scholarships (both new and renewal) can support a wide variety of talents or interests and SKILLS scholarships provide support for VET and VCAL study for recipients with a strong vocational pathway.
Talents for general scholarships tend to be in the areas of:
Academic (mathematics, English, languages, science, engineering, IT etc …)
The Performing Arts (drama, music, dance etc …)
The Fine Arts (photography, painting, sculpture, graphics etc …) Computers (design, multimedia, programming etc …)
Pathways for SKILLS scholarships can be any career pursued through VET and/or VCAL study. This can include industries such as building, automotive, hospitality, hair and beauty, childcare, community service, dance, music etc
|
What are the additional benefits of having a Western Chances Scholarship?
|
Being a Western Chances scholarship recipient enables children and young people in the West to take part in other Western Chances programs to foster leadership and personal advancement. Another opportunity we offer our recipients is the Western Chances LINKS Program which provides paid vacation employment support for our recipients who are over 18.
Being a Western Chances scholarship recipient gives access to a network of support and opportunities to enhance recipients’ skills and career prospects.
|
What can money from a Western Chances scholarship support?
|
General scholarships:
Western Chances General scholarships can support a variety of areas including text books, lecture notes, private music or dance lessons, public transport expenses and specialist equipment.
SKILLS Scholarships:
Western Chances SKILLS scholarships only support mandatory items directly related to a recipient’s VET and/or VCAL study such as VET fees, VCAL levies, textbooks, public transport travel and specialist uniform or equipment for VET subjects.
|
Are there things that Western Chances scholarship money cannot support?
|
Western Chances scholarships do not provide money for living costs, school fees or upfront university fees. They can support TAFE fees and VET and VCAL fees.
|
How is the money for scholarships paid?
|
All scholarship monies are paid to the nominator’s organisation and is then either used directly by that organisation to cover the items in the scholarship, or paid to the recipient on presentation of invoices or purchase orders for the items in the scholarship. To receive the scholarship money the nominating organisation must submit a GST-free invoice to Western Chances.
|
Do Western Chances scholarships expire?
|
Yes. Each scholarship is to support the recipient for the next 12 months. As such scholarships expire 12 months after the letter of offer is sent to the nominator. If the nominating organisation fails to submit an invoice to Western Chances in the 12 months after the scholarship letter of offer, Western Chances will not release any funds for the scholarship. As there is one year to submit this invoice, there are no exceptional circumstances considered for late invoices.
|
When can I apply for a Western Chances scholarship?
|
New general scholarship applications can be submitted all year round. The closing date is in Term 3 of the State School Term and announcements about successful scholarships are made at the end of Term 3. The online application form is at www.westernchances.org.au/scholarships
Renewal general scholarship applications can be submitted all year round. The closing date is in Term 1 of the State School Term and announcements about successful scholarships are made in term 2. The online application form is at www.westernchances.org.au/scholarships
SKILLS Scholarships applications can be submitted all year round. The closing date is in Term 4 of the State School Term and announcements about successful scholarships are made at the end of Term 4. The online application form is at www.westernchances.org.au/scholarships
The Western Chances Victoria University Access round opens and close in Term 4 of the State School Term.
|
Click here for more scholarship information
|
Do you accept applications outside of the normal application rounds?
|
Western Chances may accept applications these times known as exceptional circumstances applicaitons. These applications must meet the following criteria:
The opportunity for which the scholarship is sought would be lost if the applicant waited until the next round in which they were eligible to apply
The referring professional provides supporting documentation to verify that the application meets the above criteria.
Prior to making an exceptional circumstances application, the nominating professional should discuss the situation with the Western Chances
Scholarships and Programs Manager, Sarah Vincent, on 8345 1889 or email sarah.vincent@wh.org.au
|
Who decides if my application is successful?
|
Scholarships are awarded at the discretion of the Western Chances Selection Committee to applicants who best meet the criteria and demonstrate their motivation to develop their talent, passion or pathway. The Selection Committee reserves the right to seek additional information in respect of the application if it deems this to be necessary.
|
When will I hear if my application has been successful?
|
Your nominator will be notified in writing of the outcome of your application before the end of the State School Term in which the application was submitted.
|
Do I receive a certificate for my scholarship?
|
All new general scholarships, new exceptional circumstances scholarships, SKILLS scholarships and Western Chances Victoria University Success scholarships are awarded at a public ceremony to which all eligible recipients, school representatives and their families are invited. At these ceremonies a certificate is presented to each scholarship recipient and the recipients and their families have an opportunity to meet with Western Chances representatives and supporters.
Please note that certificates are not awarded for renewal scholarships.
|
Who do you contact if you have any questions?
|
If you have any queries about your application please contact sarah.vincent@wh.org.au or on (03) 8345 1850
|
