Scholarships & Bursaries
Academic, music and all-rounder scholarships for Year 7 and Year 10 entry at St Mary's College, plus means-tested bursaries: eligibility, value, exam and audition dates, and how to apply.
St Mary's offers a small number of merit scholarships each year and a larger program of confidential, means-tested bursaries. The two are deliberately kept separate: scholarships recognise exceptional ability and are competitive; bursaries recognise that a Catholic education should be available to families who could not otherwise afford it, and are assessed on need alone. Many recipients hold both.
Scholarships at a glance
| Scholarship | Entry point | Value | How assessed | Key 2027 dates (for 2028 entry) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Scholarship | Year 7 (up to 4 awarded) | 50% tuition remission, Years 7–12 | External scholarship examination + interview | Exam Saturday 20 February 2027, 9:00am–12:00pm, Mary MacKillop Hall. Register by Friday 5 February 2027. Fee $110. |
| Music Scholarship | Year 7 and Year 9 (up to 3 awarded) | 25–50% tuition remission plus free instrument hire and one 30-minute lesson per week | Audition (two contrasting pieces, sight-reading, aural test) + interview | Auditions Saturday 27 February 2027, Trinity Performing Arts Centre, 9:00am–1:00pm. Register by Friday 12 February 2027. No fee. |
| All-Rounder Scholarship | Year 10 (up to 2 awarded) | 25% tuition remission, Years 10–12 | Application portfolio, school reports, references, interview | Applications close Friday 14 May 2027; interviews week of Monday 31 May 2027 |
| Josephite Service Award | Year 11 (1 awarded, current students) | $2,000 credited to Year 12 fees | Nomination by staff for outstanding service | Announced at the Year 11 final assembly each December |
Academic Scholarship — details
- Open to students entering Year 7 in 2028 who have applied for enrolment (the $100 application fee applies; the scholarship registration fee is separate).
- The examination is set and marked by an external provider and covers reading comprehension, mathematics, written expression and abstract reasoning. It takes about two and a half hours with a break. Bring pencils, an eraser and a drink bottle; calculators are not permitted.
- Results are released to families by Friday 19 March 2027; shortlisted students are interviewed by the Principal and Deputy Principal – Learning & Teaching in the week of Monday 22 March 2027 and offers are made by Friday 2 April 2027.
- Scholarships are held for the full six years subject to satisfactory effort, behaviour and attendance, reviewed each year by the Head of Senior School.
- Current St Mary's Year 6 students are eligible and sit the same examination.
Music Scholarship — details
- Open to students entering Year 7 or Year 9 in 2028 on any orchestral or band instrument, piano, guitar, drums or voice. Minimum standard is roughly AMEB Grade 3 (Year 7) or Grade 5 (Year 9), though we are more interested in musicality and commitment than certificates.
- Scholars are expected to participate in at least two ensembles (for example Concert Band on Thursdays at 7:30am and Senior Chamber Choir on Wednesdays 3:30–4:45pm) and perform at college events including the Spring Concert.
- Register by emailing music@stmaryswc.vic.edu.au with your child's instrument, repertoire and a short music CV; an accompanist is provided on request.
- Contact: Ms Grace Whitlam, Director of Music.
Bursaries
Bursaries are assessed by the Business Manager and the Principal only. Teachers and other students are never told who holds a bursary.
| Bursary | Who it is for | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Mary MacKillop Bursary | Families whose combined income is below the Health Care Card threshold, or who face sudden hardship (illness, separation, job loss). Around 40 families hold one each year. | 25–75% remission of tuition fees; capital levy waived in cases of severe hardship |
| Sisters of St Joseph Bursary | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, and students from refugee backgrounds | Up to 100% tuition, uniform grant of $500 and full camp/excursion support |
| Parish Bursary | Recommended by Fr Michael Dwyer for families active in St Mary of the Cross Parish who need help with fees | Up to 50% remission, funded by the parish |
How to apply for a bursary
- Contact Mrs Annette Kowalski, Business Manager, on (03) 9555 0150 or accounts@stmaryswc.vic.edu.au. You can also ask the Registrar to arrange a call when you enrol.
- Complete the confidential Bursary Application (available from the Business Manager or in the Parent Portal › Documents). It asks for household income, Centrelink statements or your most recent tax assessment, and a brief statement of circumstances.
- Meet with the Business Manager (20–30 minutes, in person or by phone).
- Decisions are made within three weeks and confirmed in writing. Bursaries are reviewed each October for the following year.
Applications for 2027 bursaries open Monday 5 October 2026 and close Friday 13 November 2026. Applications for sudden hardship are accepted at any time during the year. Holding a Health Care Card also entitles you to CSEF ($154 primary / $256 secondary) — see Fees & Payments.
Frequently asked questions
Can we apply for both a scholarship and a bursary? Yes. A scholarship is awarded on merit; a bursary is then assessed on the remaining fee.
Does a scholarship cover the capital levy, laptop or uniform? Academic and All-Rounder scholarships cover tuition only. Music Scholarships also cover instrument hire and one weekly lesson. The Sisters of St Joseph Bursary includes a uniform grant.
Can a scholarship be withdrawn? Only if a student's effort, attendance or behaviour falls persistently below expectations, and only after a meeting with parents. This is rare.
We are not Catholic — can we apply? Yes. Scholarships and the Mary MacKillop and Sisters of St Joseph Bursaries are open to any enrolled or applying family. Enrolment priority criteria still apply to the place itself — see How to Enrol.
Contact
Scholarships — Mrs Kate O'Brien, Registrar · enrol@stmaryswc.vic.edu.au · (03) 9555 0120 Music Scholarships — Ms Grace Whitlam, Director of Music · music@stmaryswc.vic.edu.au Bursaries (confidential) — Mrs Annette Kowalski, Business Manager · accounts@stmaryswc.vic.edu.au · (03) 9555 0150