MySydney Scholarship

The purpose of the MySydney Scheme and the MySydney Scholarship is to address the educational disadvantage experienced by people living in areas affected by socio-economic disadvantage, by facilitating and supporting their participation in University of Sydney courses. 

1. Eligibility criteria

Applicant who:

a. is a domestic applicant for an eligible undergraduate degree or diploma at the University of Sydney as defined in the Coursework Policy 2021. 

b. has applied for admission to an eligible undergraduate degree or diploma through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) or as a current student through internal transfer.

c. resides in an area listed in the bottom 25 percent of the Australian Bureau of Statistics Socio-Economic Index for Areas (SEIFA) Index of Education and Occupation (IEO), based on the address they provide in their current or previous UAC application.

d. does not hold a current enrolment in an undergraduate degree or diploma at the University of Sydney.

e. was not enrolled in an undergraduate degree at the University of Sydney in the preceding year of their current admission application via UAC.

f. if applying while at high school or in the following 12 months, is completing, or has completed year 12 studies at a school in Australia.

2. Selection criteria

The scholarship is offered to students who meet the eligibility criteria and receive an unconditional admission offer to the University of Sydney through UAC. A separate scholarship application is not required. 

3. Value

a. The scholarship provides a cash payment of AUD$8,500 per year and is tenable for the published full-time duration of the recipient’s undergraduate (single or combined) degree or diploma up to a maximum total duration of 5 years full-time study or part-time equivalent. Recipients undertaking a diploma who progress directly onto an undergraduate degree of the University of Sydney will retain their scholarship for the published full-time duration of both the diploma and the undergraduate degree up to a maximum total duration of 5 years full-time study or part-time equivalent. 

b. If you commence your studies in Semester 1 for your first year, the annual amount will be paid in three instalments each year:

i. an initial instalment of $1,000 will be paid within two weeks before commencement of Semester 1; 

ii. a second instalment of $3,250 will be paid within 30 days after census date of Semester 1;

iii. a third instalment of $4,250 will be paid within 30 days after census date of Semester 2. 

c. If you commence your studies in Semester 2 for your first year, the annual amount will be paid in three instalments each year:

i. an initial instalment of $1,000 will be paid within two weeks before commencement of Semester 2; 

ii. a second instalment of $3,250 will be paid within 30 days after census date of Semester 2;

iii. a third instalment of $4,250 will be paid within 30 days after census date of Semester 1 in the following calendar year.

d. The scholarship does not cover appended Honours degrees.

e. The scholarship does not cover any postgraduate studies, such as a Master of Nursing or Doctor of Medicine or postgraduate diplomas, even if taken as part of a vertically integrated combined degree.

4. Ongoing eligibility 

To continue receipt of the scholarship, the recipient must: 

a. continue to meet the progression requirements for their course in each relevant teaching period;   

b. remain enrolled in an undergraduate degree or diploma at the University of Sydney after relevant census dates in each relevant teaching period; and

c. if undertaking an exchange program during the tenure of the Scholarship, achieve a ‘Satisfied Requirements’ (SR) grade.

5. Part-time study

a. The scholarship can be held whilst studying part time, subject to meeting ongoing requirements of the recipient’s course.

b. Recipients will receive 50% of the full-time payment of the scholarship if they enrol part-time (less than 18 credit points) in a semester.

6. Deferral and suspension

a. Deferral of the scholarship is permitted for up to two semesters provided the recipient obtains approval from the University to defer their degree.

b. Suspension of the scholarship is permitted for up to two semesters provided the recipient is permitted to, or obtains approval to, suspend their degree.

c. Requests for deferral or suspension of the scholarship for more than two semesters will be considered, and if appropriate approved, on a case-by-case basis by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) or their nominee.

d. The recipient must contact the Scholarships Office at least two months before the end of their deferral or suspension period to request reinstatement of the scholarship. Failing to do so may result in the scholarship being terminated. 

7. Transfer of degree

a. The scholarship is transferable to another undergraduate degree at the University of Sydney, for eligible offers through internal transfer.

b. The duration of the scholarship is limited to the full time published duration of the new degree minus any time the student has already held the scholarship up to a maximum duration of 5 years. 

8. Privacy

a. Personal information about recipients collected by the University will be managed in accordance with the University’s privacy obligations. See our student privacy statement for more information.

b. As part of your scholarship, your name, SID and University email address will be shared with University of Sydney Union (USU) and Sydney University Sport & Fitness (SUSF) to provide you with opportunities at a free or discounted rate, should you choose to activate this.

c. To monitor your academic progress and support your success, metrics about you will be collected, linked and used throughout your association with the University. This information will also be used to help improve the MySydney program delivery. Your information will be used to help the University make better decisions regarding your learning experience and outcomes and to help improve student services and academic excellence. Analytics may also be used to offer you personalised services and support. MySydney scholarship recipients who do not meet or are identified as being at risk of not meeting academic progression requirements may be contacted by the University to offer academic and other student support services.

9. Termination

a. The scholarship may be terminated if a recipient:

i. withdraws from an eligible award course or fails to enrol;

ii. does not meet the eligibility or ongoing eligibility criteria for the scholarship;

iii. unless approval is granted by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor or their nominee, is a holder of an alternative scholarship administered by the University valued at $8,500 or more per year, excluding accommodation, tuition fee offset or exchange scholarships; 

iv. fails to enrol at the end of permitted or approved deferral or suspension; 

v. exceeds the maximum total duration of study supported by the Scholarship; or

vi. is found guilty of misconduct.

b. Once the scholarship has been terminated, it will not be reinstated unless due to administrative error.  

10. Special Consideration

a. The University has the right to take actions or make allowances that fall outside the listed terms and conditions in special circumstances with relevant authorised approval.