The University of Newcastle is pleased to announce the opening of the Equity Scholarships Scheme (ESSUN), providing vital financial assistance of up to $5,000 to disadvantaged students.

To be eligible, applicants must be enrolled in an enabling or undergraduate program at the University of Newcastle and facing financial hardship or regional/remote disadvantage, with additional consideration for personal challenges such as caring duties, disability, or diverse backgrounds.

The University of Newcastle is a leading Australian institution known for its strong commitment to equity, innovation, and world-class education. With campuses across New South Wales, it offers high-quality teaching, cutting-edge research, and a supportive learning environment for students from diverse backgrounds.

Application Deadline: 08 February 2026

Brief Description

• University or Organization: University of Newcastle
• Department: NA
• Course Level: Enabling or Undergraduate programs (including diploma and honours)
• Award: $5,000
• Access Mode: Online
• Number of Awards: 150
• Nationality: Australian citizens and permanent residents (including humanitarian visa holders and NZ citizens with PR)
• The Award Can Be Taken In: Australia

Eligibility

• Eligible Countries: Australia
• Acceptable Course or Subjects: The scholarship will be awarded for any enabling or undergraduate program offered by the University of Newcastle.
• Admissible Criteria: To be eligible, applicants must:
  • Be enrolled in any year of an enabling or undergraduate program (including diploma and honours) at the University of Newcastle.
  • Be experiencing financial challenges and/or regional or remote disadvantage.
  • May also be experiencing additional difficulties such as carer/sole parent responsibilities, long-term medical condition or disability, effects of abuse, First Nations background, refugee background, or Out-of-Home Care placement.
  • Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, permanent humanitarian visa holder, or New Zealand citizen with permanent residency.
  • Not have previously completed an undergraduate degree award (with specific exceptions such as partial completion of combined degrees, honours, or final year of the Joint Medical Program).

How to Apply

• Applications must be submitted via the University of Newcastle scholarship application portal.
• Required documents will be listed on the “Your Documents” page of the portal.
• Applicants must upload a personal statement (approx. 1 A4 page) outlining academic achievements, career goals, and how the scholarship will assist them.
• Additional documents may be required based on individual responses (evidence of financial hardship, medical condition, personal circumstances, etc.).
• Only PDF files are accepted (maximum of 3 PDFs per document type, each below 5 MB).
• Early offers may be made throughout the application period, so early submission is encouraged.

Benefits

• Total value: Up to $5,000 for one year of study.
• Early payment of $500 after acceptance and enrolment in Semester 1, 2026.
• $2,250 per semester for full-time students (or $1,000 per semester for part-time enrolment in 20 units or less).
• Payments are usually made 2–3 weeks after the semester census date.
• Scholarship is tenable for one year; students may reapply each year of their program.
• Students may receive the scholarship once for Enabling study and multiple times for undergraduate study (subject to reapplication and availability).

Apply Now