Equity Scholarships for Current Students

Please note that there have been changes to the Commonwealth Scholarships program following the 2009 federal budget, so information on this page is subject to change.

To be eligible for Equity Scholarships, you must be an Australian Citizen or the holder of a permanent humanitarian visa.

University of Sydney selection process for equity scholarships

Equity scholarship applications are assessed by the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC), which provides a scored list of applicants to the University of Sydney. This scoring reflects the applicant's degree of disadvantage as assessed by the UAC based on the information provided in the application process.

The University of Sydney awards the scholarships according to eligibility and scoring information provided by the UAC. Eligibility will be determined according to the current Ministerial Guidelines for Commonwealth Scholarships, pursuant to the Higher Education Support Act (2003).

If applicants on the same equity ranking need to be distinguished, this may be done by either academic merit or by duration of receipt of eligible means-tested Commonwealth benefits, as determined by the University of Sydney. The same criteria will apply to all applicants in any one round.

Special consideration will be given to Indigenous students applying directly for a Commonwealth Scholarship, who are not awarded a CAS-Indigenous Payment, to ensure a fair proportion of the Commonwealth Scholarships are awarded to Indigenous students.

Applicants must meet all eligibility criteria as at the HECS census date for the first scholarship period following offer of scholarship. If a student is not eligible at this point, or if the student is not awarded a scholarship in that round, he or she may re-apply in any subsequent application round throughout the course of their eligible degree.

Further assistance can also be found through Social Inclusion and Equity Support.

Commonwealth Scholarships Programme

Apart from the Commonwealth Indigenous Access Scholarships, the Commonwealth Scholarships will be replaced by two new scholarships in 2010.

Most students will not need to apply for these scjholarships. Students who already have a Commonwealth Scholarship will continue to receive that scholarship according to the current criteria.

• Student Start-up Scholarship
  For: All university students receiving Youth Allowance, AUSTUDY or ABSTUDY and those assisted under veterans' schemes.
  How much: $2,254 in 2010 and indexed.
  How to apply: No application is needed. This will be paid directly to eligible students through Centrelink.
• Commonwealth Relocation Scholarships
  For: Students receiving Youth Allowance, AUSTUDY, ABSTUDY who are dependents who have to live away from the family home for study and independent students who are disadvantaged by personal and relationship circumstances.
  How much: $4,000 for students in their first year at university and $1,000 in each following year.
  How to apply: No application is needed. This will be paid directly to eligible students through Centrelink.
• Indigenous Access Scholarships (IAS)
  For: Indigenous students in financial need commencing their first year of their first degree.
  How much: These payments are indexed and will change on an annual basis. In 2009 the payment was $4,166.
  How to apply: Application forms are available on the UAC Website and will be processed by UAC. Apply using the Equity Scholarships form.

Please note that some of these scholarships are indexed and will change on an annual basis.

Social Inclusion and Equity Support

Social Inclusion and Equity Support, located within Student Administration and Services, brings together a number of student support services that provide practical assistance and information to support students in meeting their academic and personal goals while at University.

These Services include the Accommodation Service, Casual Employment Service, Childcare Information Officer, Disability Services and Financial Assistance Office.

For more information please see the Social Inclusion and Equity Support website.