Jean Barry Scholarship for Women 2026

The Jean Barry Scholarship for Women is made possible by a generous bequest left to Swinburne University in 2017. The late Jean Barry was a Swinburne alum and completed a Bachelor of Arts in 1989.

The scholarship was established to support female Bachelor of Arts students to undertake and/or continue tertiary education and to achieve their full academic potential by reducing the need to work outside of study.

This scholarship is valued at up to $15,000 with $7,500 paid annually for up to two years for full-time students. For part-time students this scholarship is valued at up to $7,500 with $3,750 paid annually for up to two years. 

Bachelor of Arts courses offered by Swinburne University of Technology. Single or double degree courses are eligible.

To be eligible for the Jean Barry Scholarship for Women, applicants must:

1. Meet the following criteria:
   • Identify as female
   • Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or Australian permanent resident with Humanitarian Visa
   • Mature age students are encouraged to apply
2. Meet the following enrolment criteria:
   • be a first year commencing or second year continuing Swinburne student in Semester 1, 2026
   • enrolled full-time or part-time in an eligible course (see courses eligible in section above)
   • studying online or on-campus
3. Submit a personal statement (500 words) addressing the following points:
   • your passion and commitment to study
   • how this scholarship will help you achieve your educational goals

4. Provide evidence of educational disadvantage, which may fall under the categories listed below. To assist you, we’ve included a link to the VTAC website for further guidance on preparing your evidence.

   Personal information and location
   Financial hardship
   Living with a disability or medical condition
   Difficult family and life circumstance

5. Provide a written reference from a teacher, community leader, or employer.
   Note: referees cannot be a family member or friend.

The scholarship is valued as follows:

• Full-time students - $7,500 per annum for up to two years, paid bi-annually
• Part-time students - $3,750 per annum for up to two years, paid bi-annually

Please note retrospective payments do not apply.

Applicants should complete an online application form and submit with all supporting documentation by 15 March 2026.

Incomplete applications will not be considered. For assistance when completing your application, please view the Scholarship Application Help Guide.

Fees and Scholarships Team, Student Administration
scholarship@swin.edu.au