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What is a statement of support?

A statement of support is required for some questions in the equity schemes and scholarships applications and must be provided by a 'responsible person'.

The statement of support form is available to download from our website and from your VTAC account once you have submitted an equity schemes and scholarships applications. From your VTAC account, you can send your 'responsible person' a one time login to submit the statement of support electronically or you can upload a copy of the completed form.

A fact sheet is available for you to send to your 'responsible person' to assist them complete the statement of support.

 

What not to supply as a statement of support

Past applicants have had their applications for Equity schemes and scholarships rejected because they supplied other documentation in place of a statement of support. These documents have included learning disability assessments, referrals between doctors, lab or pathology reports, specialised test reports. Please be aware documents such as these are not accepted as equivalent to a statement of support.

Who is a responsible person?

Ensure a responsible person is completing the statement of support

A responsible person must meet ALL of the following criteria:

  • over 21 years of age
  • aware of the circumstances you have claimed in your application
  • is not related to you by birth, marriage, de facto relationship or other personal relationship
  • does not live with you.

For the Disability and medical condition category, and any questions related to medical conditions on the scholarship application, a responsible person is defined as a health practitioner who also meets the criteria outlined above.

Health practitioners

You need an official diagnosis from a specialist. This includes, but is not limited to, physiotherapists, psychologists and counsellors. A diagnosis from a general practitioner is acceptable, where a specialist is unavailable. You can include a statement of support from a school nurse to verify  the impact on your education.

How to choose the right responsible person

Ensure the responsible person is aware of your circumstances. Choose a responsible person who:

  • can comment knowledgeably about your situation 
  • has read or is familiar with what you have included on your impact statement, and
  • meets the criteria of a responsible person.

What goes in a statement of support

A statement of support should briefly describe what the disadvantage is and how it has affected the applicant's education.

A good statement of support:

  • is personalised and specific to the applicant's situation
  • briefly names and describes the condition or circumstance
  • provides a timeline of the disadvantage
  • provides current information on how the condition or circumstance have disadvantaged the applicant, and
  • details the impact the disadvantage has had on their education (the Disability and medical condition and Difficult circumstances categories 3) or daily life (Financial hardship category).

If you have been asked to supply a statement of support, this fact sheet has been designed to assist you.

How to submit a statement of support

Online secure login

If your 'responsible person' has been given an online secure login, they can type their statement of support directly into the application before the equity schemes and scholarships closing date. See dates and fees.

To provide your responsible person with an online login:

1. Click on 'Providing evidence' in your VTAC portal.

2. Click on the 'Upload document' button for the relevant category.

3. On the pop-up Upload evidence screen, under Request online statement of support, select Yes.

4. Enter the email address of your responsible person in the provided field. To enter multiple emails, separate them with a semicolon.

5. Select one or more relevant categories from the drop-down list. One statement of support can be used as evidence across multiple categories.

6. Click 'Submit' at the bottom of the Upload evidence screen to send the online request.

Uploaded scan 

You can download a blank statement of support form and provide it to your 'responsible person' to complete. Then upload a high-quality colour scan of the completed statement of support through your VTAC account.  Do not include a coversheet.

To upload a completed statement of support form:

1. Click on 'Providing evidence' in your VTAC portal.

2. Click on the 'Upload document' button for the relevant category.

3. On the pop-up Upload evidence screen, under Upload document, click 'Add files'.

4. Click choose files and select the completed form from your device. After you have selected the file from your device, click 'Add files'.

  • Make sure your copies are clear and easy to read. 
  • If you use your phone, make sure it is with a scanner app - askew or poorly focussed photographs may be rejected.
  • Supply documentation in PDF or JPEG file formats

5. You will then see the file you have added appear under Upload document. And then you can click 'Submit' at the bottom of the screen.