Helen Maslen Scholarship 2026 in University of Newcastle

This scholarship was established by Helen Maslen to support students who are survivors of domestic violence, empowering them to achieve their education ambitions and independence.

Helen grew up in Sydney and married young. In the ensuing twenty years she had five children and was the victim of repeated domestic violence at the hands of her husband. With no support, no finances and five children to care for, Helen had nowhere to go in a time when domestic violence was very much swept under the carpet and authorities had no power to intervene.

Helen vowed, should she ever come into money, she would use it to help others who have also been traumatised by domestic violence. Helen hopes that her scholarship will empower survivors by providing opportunity through education – giving domestic violence survivors strength, independence and the ability to achieve their dreams.

The impacts of domestic violence can be felt many years post violence and may affect the survivor’s ability to study. Research data shows that significant recovery can occur when the survivor has access to social, educational or financial support such as this scholarship. Some survivors may describe their experiences as being both negative and positive in terms of the strength and empowerment gained in the survival process. Accessing higher education and support available can contribute to this important positive sense of surviving.

Table of Content

• Summary
• Benefits
• Requirements
• Interview Process
• Application Documents
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineFebruary 8, 2026
• Value$5,000
• Study LevelMasters , Undergraduate
• SponsorUniversity of Newcastle
• City to studyNew South Wales
• School to studyUniversity of Newcastle
• Course to study
• Eligible CountryAll Countries

Benefits

This scholarship provides a benefit of $5,000, paid as $2,500 each semester.

Payments are typically received 2–3 weeks after the semester census date, or 2–3 weeks after you accept your offer if the census date has already passed.

Requirements

To be eligible to apply for this scholarship, you will need to:

• Be enrolled (or enrolling) in any year of an enabling, undergraduate, or postgraduate degree program at the University of Newcastle.
• Be enrolled either full-time or part-time.
• Have accessed higher education as part of a process for surviving domestic violence.
• Demonstrate the impact of educational disadvantage such as carer and sole parent responsibilities, financial hardship, a long-term medical condition or disability, the ongoing effects of abuse, regional/remote disadvantage, or applicant attributes such as being an Indigenous Australian, having a Refugee background, or placement with an Out-of-Home Care provider.
• Demonstrate sound academic performance either by ATAR required for entry to your program or satisfactory progression through your degree and/or enabling subjects.
• Not be the recipient of another University of Newcastle donor-funded or sponsored scholarship concurrently.

Selection Process

Selection is a competitive process and will be based on assessment of the scholarship application and any required supporting documents, with reference to the eligibility criteria.

Selection will be made by the Multi-Faculty Selection Panel which will consist of a minimum of three members chosen by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic.

Application Documents

• A personal statement (approx. 1 A4 page) outlining your academic achievements, career aspirations in the relevant area of study, and how this scholarship would assist you. This statement will cover all scholarships you are submitting for.

• You will be asked the question Are you accessing higher education as part of your process for surviving domestic violence? which requires a yes/no response.

• A Letter of Support completed by a responsible person who can comment on the educational impact of your circumstances and/or condition (see terms and conditions for more detail).

• You may use your Medical and/or Educational Impact Statements if applying for other equity scholarships for ongoing effects of abuse, but you do not have to for this scholarship.

• You may need to provide documents to support financial hardship, although a centrelink reference number may be enough. Additional documents will be identified based on your application responses and listed in the Documents section of the application.

Check also:
2025 Faculty of Engineering International Tuition Fee Research Scholarship at The University of Sydney Australia

Application Deadline

How To Apply

For more information on how to apply for this scholarship kindly visit the University of Newcastle webpage

For more information on this scholarship, please review the full Terms and Conditions.