Student Living Community Scholarship

Applications open
Amount

$17,000

Number available

12

Closing date

30 April 2026

Apply for this scholarship

Scholarship details

Establishment

This scholarship has been established to support new students in to on-campus accommodation with Student Living, removing barriers to starting study experienced by those with financial hardship, relocating from regional and remote areas, and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

By establishing this scholarship, Student Living seeks to attract and support residents that are positive members of our community and contribute to a positive experience of those around them.

Apply Now! This scholarship is currently open to students who joined Student Living and the University of Newcastle in 2026. It will reopen for 2027 admissions from September this year.

For more information about this scholarship, please review the Terms and Conditions.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for this scholarship, you will need to:

  • Be enrolled or enrolling in your first year of an undergraduate degree with University of Newcastle in the year of scholarship award.
  • Be intending to study on a full-time basis (minimum 60 units per year).
  • Have a current Student Living Student Occupancy License Agreement for a Standard Stay or Long Stay contract term.
  • Demonstrate relocation from regional/remote Australia, and/or financial challenges, and/or Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander status as outlined on Wollotuka Institute’s study with us page.
  • Demonstrate how you will create positivity within the community and reflect the values of excellence, equity, engagement and sustainability held by the University..
  • Pay your accommodation fees yourself (or with support from a parent/caregiver), and not have your fees paid by a third party (e.g. employer or external organisation). Students receiving Centrelink or other income support are eligible to apply.
  • Be an Australian citizen or an Australian permanent resident (including holders of a permanent humanitarian visa and New Zealand citizens with permanent residency).
  • Not be the recipient of another University of Newcastle donor-funded or sponsored scholarship concurrently.

Required Documentation

Required documents will be listed on the ‘Your Documents’ page of your application. The application portal accepts PDF only. A maximum of 3 PDF smaller than 5 MB can be added per document type upload field.

  • A personal statement (approx. 1 A4 page) outlining your academic achievements, career aspirations in the relevant area of study, and how this scholarship would assist you. This statement will cover all scholarships you are submitting for.
  • You may be required to provide documents to support your educational challenges and personal circumstances. These will be identified when you apply based on your individual application responses.
  • Option to provide up to 3 documents which show your commitment to leadership within your community, such as a reference, proof of volunteering and community activities, leadership panel or club membership, articles or publication.

The application will have a free text question (1000 characters): “As a Student Living resident and student, how will you create positivity within the community and reflect the values of excellence, equity, engagement and sustainability held by UON?".

Benefit

The scholarship provides $12,000 to be applied to your Student Living room fee account, paid as a lump sum after the relevant Semester census date.

The scholarship will also provide a one-time payment of $5000 paid following the semester 1 census date to assist with your other study costs.

For students receiving this in 2026, your account may be in credit as a result of this scholarship. The University will work with you to refund any credit to you if required.

Selection

Selection is a competitive process and will be based on assessment of the scholarship application and the required supporting documents, with reference to the eligibility criteria. The selection panel may consider:

  • Applicants who are experiencing more than one area of disadvantage, for example Geographic and Financial,
  • Applicants who best demonstrate community involvement and positive citizenship.
  • Academic merit (usually ATAR or equivalent) may be considered.

College

Contact Details

Scholarships
Student and Academic Services
University of Newcastle
University Drive
CALLAGHAN NSW 2308

Phone: +61 2 4921 5000
Email: scholarships@newcastle.edu.au