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The February scholarships round is now closed. The next round of scholarships will be for external students and will open in June 2024. The exam will be held on Saturday, 27 July.

Firbank Grammar offers scholarships to exceptional new and current students who demonstrate excellence in areas such as academic, music, choral, sporting, general excellence and citizenship. The types of scholarships are:

  • Academic Scholarships
  • Principal’s Scholarships
  • Music Scholarships
  • Sporting Scholarships
  • St Andrews Choral Scholarships
  • Boarding Scholarships
  • The Firbank Scholarship
  • The Cox Family Scholarships

Most Firbank scholarships cover a proportion of the tuition fees of between 15% and 50%, awarded on a basis of merit and means-testing. The percentage of tuition fees is at the Principal’s discretion.

This year we are delighted to offer The Firbank Scholarship, a community-funded scholarship offering full tuition for a student entering Year 7, 8, 9 or 10 in 2025.

Next round of Scholarships

Limited 2025 Scholarships will be open to external students later this year, and only in certain year levels. The exam is scheduled for Saturday, 27 July 2024 at the Firbank Senior School Campus. Additional information will be provided on this website in early June 2024.

The 2026 Scholarships will be open to current Firbank students and external students, and applications will open at the end of 2024. The exam will be in February 2025 and additional information will be provided on this website in November 2024.

The February round of 2025 Scholarships has now closed. The year levels that were offered in February are listed below:

2025 Year level Year 3* Year 4* Year 5* Year 6* Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10
Academic Scholarship
Principal’s Scholarship
Music Scholarship
Sporting Scholarship
St Andrews Choral Scholarship
Boarding Scholarship
The Firbank Scholarship
The Cox Family Scholarship

*At either Brighton or Sandringham Junior Campuses. Regretfully, we do not currently have any vacancies for new boys at our Sandringham Campus in the year levels that we are offering scholarships.

*Girls’ scholarships are offered until the end of Year 12, whereas boys’ scholarships are offered until the end of Year 6.

For more information on the types of scholarships available and the selection criteria for each type, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions below.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does Firbank have Scholarship Exams and when can we register?

Firbank Grammar generally offers two scholarship rounds per year: with exams in February and in July*. The Scholarship exam dates will be advertised in the Firbank School Newsletter, the Firbank website, on the Firbank socials, and will be emailed to families on our waitlists for eligible years. Registrations are online and generally open 5-6 weeks prior to the exam. Please note that applications will close at least one week prior to the exam and must be fully submitted and paid for by the due date.

*Please note: The Firbank February exam scholarships are open to current Firbank students and non-Firbank students wishing to commence the following year. The July exam scholarships are open only to non-Firbank students wishing to commence the following year.

What are the criteria for being considered for a Firbank Academic Scholarship?

Academic scholarship applicants must be academically outstanding and demonstrate a commitment to achieving excellence. Applicants will be required to provide copies of their most recent school report, NAPLAN results and copies of awards or certificates supporting their application. Academic Scholarships are awarded based on the application and interview, and the results of the scholarship examination.

What are the criteria for being considered for a Firbank Principal's Scholarship?

Applicants must be academically sound and able to demonstrate excellence and achievement in one or more of the following fields:

  • Leadership
  • Community Service
  • The Arts (Music, Performance and/or Visual Arts)
  • Sport (competing at a Representative, State or National level)
  • Environmental Sustainability
  • Contribution to the applicant’s current School Community, and potential for contributing to the Firbank Grammar School Community

Applicants will be required to provide copies of their most recent school report, NAPLAN results and copies of awards or certificates supporting their application. Principal’s Scholarships are awarded based on the application and interview, and the results of the scholarship examination.

What are the criteria for being considered for The Firbank Scholarship (means-tested)?

This FULL scholarship is awarded based on a combination of academic merit and financial need.

Applicants must be academically sound and able to demonstrate excellence and achievement in one or more of the following fields:

  • Leadership
  • Community Service
  • The Arts (Music, Performance and/or Visual Arts)
  • Sport (competing at a Representative, State or National level)
  • Environmental Sustainability
  • Contribution to the applicant’s current School Community, and potential for contributing to the Firbank Grammar School Community

 

Applicants will be required to provide copies of their most recent school report, NAPLAN results and copies of awards or certificates supporting their application. In addition, applicants must provide a statement of up to 300 words outlining how they plan to engage with a Firbank education and also provide a character reference.

The Firbank Scholarship will be awarded based on the application, results of scholarship examination and interview.  As The Firbank Scholarship is means-tested, shortlisted applicants must complete a financial questionnaire prior to the interview.

What are the criteria for being considered for a Firbank Sporting Scholarship?

Sporting Scholarship applicants must have a sound academic record and demonstrate a commitment to and an achievement of excellence in their chosen sport/s. Sporting Scholarship recipients are required to contribute to a range of School sporting activities and compete in their chosen sport/s for the School for the duration of the scholarship. Sporting Scholarship applications should include evidence of participation at State and/or National level competition in a Firbank Sport (these include athletics, badminton, basketball, cross country, diving, hockey, netball, rowing, snow sports, soccer, surf league, swimming, tennis and volleyball) and evidence of positive role modelling to other students and peers in one or more of the aforementioned sports. Applicants will be required to provide copies of their most recent school report, NAPLAN results and copies of awards or certificates supporting their application. Sporting Scholarships are awarded based on the application and interview, and the results of the scholarship examination.

What are the criteria for being considered for a Firbank Music Scholarship?

Music scholarship applicants must be academically sound and should have attained at least Grade 3 or 4 AMEB level for their chosen instrument, although future potential is also considered. Applicants will be required to provide copies of their most recent school report, NAPLAN results and copies of awards or certificates supporting their application. Music Scholarships are awarded based on the application, audition and interview, and the results of the scholarship examination. Music Scholarship Auditions last for approximately 15 minutes. Candidates will need to perform two or three contrasting pieces depending on length. We would suggest you include one accompanied work and one unaccompanied work. Applicants will also be tested on their ability to sight read and their aural ability – including such things as melodic recognition, intervals and rhythmic work. Candidates will need to provide their own accompanist if required.

What are the criteria for being considered for a Firbank St Andrews Choral Scholarship?

St Andrews Choral scholarship applicants must be academically sound and have previous choral experience, although future potential is also considered. Applicants will be required to provide copies of their most recent school report, NAPLAN results and copies of awards or certificates supporting their application. St Andrews Scholarships are awarded based on the application, audition and interview, and the results of the scholarship examination. St Andrews Scholarship Auditions last for approximately 15 minutes. Scholarship holders will be required to be a Chorister in the Choir of St Andrew’s Brighton and must be able to commit to the rehearsal schedule provided by St Andrews. As a member of the Choir, the scholarship holder will be subject to the directions and requirements of the Director of Music of St Andrew’s Brighton. The scholarship holder will also be expected to attend Wednesday evening rehearsals and Sunday morning services during term time, as well as a rehearsal and evensong each second Sunday of the month. There are extra services at Easter and Christmas, and occasional extra rehearsals and services throughout the year. Students in Years 4–6 also have a Monday after-school rehearsal.

What are the criteria for being considered for the Cox Family Scholarship?

Applicants must be great allrounders who exhibit the qualities of a quintessential Firbank Student.

  • Enthusiastic and positive contributions across curricular and non-curricular aspects of school life
  • Engagement with and contribution to the broader community
  • Demonstrates the Schools values of Compassion, Courage, Curiosity, Respect and Integrity

Applications are invited from new students looking to enter Firbank for Years 10-12.

In addition to providing copies of their most recent school report, NAPLAN results and any awards, applicants must provide a statement of up to 300 words outlining achievements and involvement both at school and in the community. A recent character reference from a person that is not a family member is also required.

Applicants must complete a financial questionnaire prior to the interview if shortlisted.

Does Firbank offer scholarships for rural or regional students?

Noelle Schollenberger (1947) attended Firbank and was a true believer in the transformative power of education. The Noelle Schollenberger Scholarship is awarded to a rural or regional student and can be used to cover a proportion of either boarding or tuition fee, for a student entering in Year 10, 11 or 12. Please note that this scholarship is means-tested scholarship and if a student is invited for interview, the family will be required to complete statement of financial position prior to interview.

The Noelle Schollenberger Scholarship will be next offered in 2027.

Applicants for scholarships must be academically outstanding and demonstrate a commitment to achieving excellence in leadership and/or extra-curricular activities.

The scholarship will be tenable until the student has completed Year 12, subject to satisfactory performance. It will be awarded on the basis of an interview, application and the results of the Scholarship examination.

Does Firbank have Boarding Scholarships?

Since 1909, the Firbank Boarding House has been an integral part of our school. Boarding Scholarship applicants must be academically sound and demonstrate a commitment to achieving excellence in leadership and/or extra-curricular activities. Applicants will be required to provide copies of their most recent school report, NAPLAN results and copies of awards or certificates supporting their application. If English is the student’s second language, then we will require the results of an AEAS test. Boarding Scholarships are awarded based on the application and interview, and the results of the scholarship examination. Overseas, interstate, or regional students who are based more than three hours’ drive away, may be able to sit the scholarship exam remotely (select Remote and Overseas option when registering).  Please note that remote applicants application deadline is usually one week earlier than students sitting the exam at Firbank.

Can I defer my child’s scholarship if it is offered?

No, Firbank scholarships recipients must commence as per their letter of offer and this cannot be deferred.

Are current Firbank Students eligible to apply for a Firbank Scholarship?

Firbank Grammar generally offers two scholarship rounds per year: with exams in February and in August. The Firbank February exam scholarships are open to current Firbank students and non-Firbank students wishing to commence the following year. The August exam scholarships are open only to non-Firbank students wishing to commence the following year.

What remission is provided to scholarship recipients?

Firbank scholarships offer a percentage remission of tuition fees, ranging from 15–50%, except the means-tested Firbank Scholarship which provides up to 100% of tuition fees. The School reserves the right to determine the percentage remission to be awarded to an outstanding student. Scholarships are tenable until Year 12 for girls, and until Year 6 for boys.

Recipients of music scholarships also receive 15 lessons of music tuition per semester until the completion of Year 12. These lessons must be taken on site and given by Firbank Music Department staff. Music scholarships do not cover private music lessons outside of Firbank.

Boarding scholarship recipients receive a discount off their boarding fees, and exceptional candidates may also be considered for a remission of tuition fees.

When will we know if we are successful?

The first round of interviews will be conducted within 4-5 weeks of the scholarship exams, and it is expected that the scholarship process will be concluded within 9-10 weeks of the exam.

If my child is offered a scholarship for less than 50%, can they apply to top up their scholarship in the future?

The maximum scholarship offered by Firbank Grammar is 50%, except the means-tested Firbank Scholarship which may provide up to 100% of tuition fees. Firbank will not enter into negotiations to increase a scholarship offer at the time of offer. Students holding a scholarship for less than 50% may apply to increase the remission to a maximum of 50%, but can only do so in future scholarship rounds.

Will parents and families be able to tour the school whilst the students are sitting the exam?

Scholarship exams are done on the weekend so we recommend that families attend one of our Open Mornings to experience the vibrance of Firbank Grammar in action.

To book for an Open Morning tour, please click here.

My child is not available to sit the exam on this date, is there an alternative time that they can sit the exam?

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer alternate exam dates in most cases. Sporting Scholarship applicants who are competing at a state-level event, rowers competing in regattas, or Music Scholarship applicants with a significant performance clash should contact the school directly to discuss.

Do girls who receive a scholarship at the Sandringham or Brighton Junior Campuses continue their scholarship when they go to the Senior Campus?

Subject to an ongoing high standard of achievement and demonstration of the School’s values, Firbank scholarships for girls are tenable until the student has completed Year 12.

How should my child prepare for the scholarship exam?

The best preparation is to have you child arrive relaxed and refreshed on the testing day. Special preparation or coaching is not likely to improve your child’s results. Academic Assessment Services, AAS (our scholarship testing provider) does not provide practice exams. Further information regarding what to bring to the exam will be communicated by AAS prior to the exam.

We do not live in Melbourne, is my child able to sit the scholarship exam remotely?

Students who reside overseas or live more than three hours’ drive from Firbank Grammar can register to sit the Firbank Scholarship exam remotely by selecting the Remote and Overseas option when completing the scholarship application.

What will my child need to prepare if they are given a music audition?

Auditions last for approximately 20 minutes. Candidates will need to perform two or three contrasting pieces depending on length. If a candidate plays two or more instruments, then two pieces should be played using the major instrument with the third piece on the minor instrument. Some sight reading will also be given. Candidates will need to provide their own accompanist if required.