Scholarships for School Leavers

The following scholarships are listed in order of closing date. Please note that this does not necessarily include the scholarships offered by Faculties. For more details, select your Faculty from the following list of Faculties.

Applicants should regularly check this webpage for any updated information regarding the application process.

We are pleased to announce that the values have increased from $5,000 to $6,000 p.a. in 2009.

The Undergraduate Scholarships for School Leavers information booklet provides information about the scholarships that are available in 2009. Please click here to download a copy.

For information about the scholarships on offer including HINTS AND TIPS on how to fill in the application form click here.

If you have any further questions after reading the information on this website, please contact the Scholarships & Prizes Office Tel: 9351 2717 Email:

In 2008, the University of Sydney offered 100 Entry Scholarships at $5,000 p.a. for one year and 50 Merit Scholarships at $5,000 for the duration of degree.

Closing Date:CLOSED for 2009

Please note, the Scholarships & Prizes Office will not accept any applications or other documentation after the closing date.

For: Students with a good academic record who have been disadvantaged financially or have a disability or have relocated from a rural area*
Value: $6,000 p.a. in 2009
Duration: Length of degree
Application Due: End September
How to Apply: Application forms are available from the UAC Website from the end of July in each scholarship round. Apply on the Equity Scholarships form (same as for the CS)

Access Scholarships assist students who have been disadvantaged in some way. They are available to students who have a competitive UAI and current or predicted financial disadvantage. Assessment may also be made on other types of disadvantage, such as disability or long term medical condition or having to relocate from a rural/remote area.

You should definitely consider applying for one of these scholarships if you will be (or think you will be) receiving a Centrelink payment of some sort when you commence university.

There are 140 Access scholarships available in 2009.

For: Students from outside of NSW and the ACT who have received a University of Sydney Outstanding Achievement Scholarship, University of Sydney Scholarship (Merit or Entry) or a University of Sydney Access Scholarship
Value: $5000 p.a. in 2009 on top of the value of your principal scholarship
Duration: The same duration as your principal scholarship
How to Apply: You do not need to apply for these scholarships although you must have been awarded one of the scholasrhips listed above to be eligible.

These scholarships are designed to support students who are applying to the University of Sydney through UAC from outside of NSW and ACT to help cover the extra living costs involved in moving to a different state to attend uni.

Interstate students who are awarded a University of Sydney Scholarship (Access, Entry, Merit or Outstanding Achievement) will automatically receive a National Scholarship. No application is necessary.

For: Students from low socio-economic backgrounds, particularly indigenous students and students from rural and regional areas
Value: $2,207 p.a. or $4,415 p.a. in 2009
Duration: 1 to 4 years
Application Due: Extended to Friday 28th November 2008
How to Apply: Application forms are available from the UAC Website from the end of July in each scholarship round. Apply on the Equity Scholarships form.

The Commonwealth Scholarships Programme is a Commonwealth funded scheme open to new and continuing undergraduate students at the University of Sydney (including Honours students). The scheme is aimed at students from low socio-economic backgrounds, particularly Indigenous students and students from rural and regional areas.

There are three types of Commonwealth Scholarships:

1. Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarships (CECS), which help with general education costs ($2,207* in 2009), and

2. Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarships (CAS) to help students from rural and remote areas with accommodation costs ($4,415* in 2009).

3. Indigenous Access Scholarships (IAS) to help Indigenous students with education costs ($4,166 in 2009)

* CLS payments are indexed and will change on an annual basis

In 2008 the University awarded over 300 Commonwealth Scholarships.

Applications are available from the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) website