Equity Scholarships Scheme University of Newcastle (ESSUN) 2025

The University of Newcastle has a proud history of supporting motivated and talented students in gaining university entry and thriving in their field of study, regardless of their background or individual circumstances.

The Equity Scholarships Scheme University of Newcastle (ESSUN) provides scholarships assistance to students who are experiencing financial hardship and may be experiencing other personal circumstances impacting study, including:

1. Carer responsibilities
2. Long term medical condition/disability or ongoing effects of abuse
3. Living in regional or remote Australia
4. Sole parent responsibilities
5. Additional attributes of First Nations person, refugee and humanitarian status, or out-of-home care status.

Eligibility Criteria for Equity Scholarships Scheme University of Newcastle (ESSUN) 2025

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

1. Be enrolled in any year of any enabling or undergraduate program with the University of Newcastle.
2. Be experiencing financial hardship. This may mean that you receive a Centrelink means-tested income support payment, can demonstrate financial challenges, or are a dependent in Year 12 with a parent/guardian in receipt of Family Tax Benefit Part A.
3. You may be experiencing other challenges, including carer or sole parent responsibilities, long-term medical condition/disability, ongoing effects of abuse, living in remote Australia, or attributes of First Nations Person, refugee, or out-of-home care.
4. Be an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident (includes New Zealand permanent residents).
5. You must not hold a concurrent scholarship of equal or higher value with the University of Newcastle; however, you may choose to repay this scholarship to accept a higher value scholarship in the same academic year.
6. You must not have previously completed an undergraduate degree award, except in certain scenarios such as partial completion of a combined degree, honors, and the final year of the Joint Medical Program.

Selection

Selection is based on the assessment of information provided in the application and in accordance with the number of scholarships and funding available in each academic year. Applications are assessed and ranked primarily on the assessment of financial need, with other areas of educational challenge considered if required.

Selection will be made by the scholarship officer in accordance with funding available and with consideration to distribution between new and current University of Newcastle students. Your academic progress and the number of times you have received this scholarship prior to the current offer year may also be considered.

Both successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application. Successful notices will include a formal offer of the scholarship and instructions on how to accept the scholarship.

Meeting the scholarship criteria does not guarantee an offer of the scholarship. If you are unsuccessful, it does not mean that you are not in need; rather, it means that other applicants have been assessed as being in greater need. Your application will stay active for future offer rounds during the current scholarship offer year and you are encouraged to reapply in each year you study.

Benefits of Equity Scholarships Scheme University of Newcastle (ESSUN) 2025

The scholarship provides a benefit of up to $5000 for one year of study.

The scholarship will be paid as:

1. An early payment of $500 after acceptance of your scholarship offer and enrollment in Sem 1 2025 (usually in Jan./Feb.).
2. A semester-based payment of $2250 in April and $2250 in September, following the census dates. This will be adjusted to $1000 for part-time enrollment in 20 units or less.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified? Go to University of Newcastle on applications.newcastle.edu.au to apply

For more details, visit University of Newcastle scholarship webpage

Application Link(s)

• Apply for Equity Scholarships Scheme University of Newcastle (ESSUN) 2025