NSW Aboriginal Housing Office Accommodation Grant

1. Background

a. This grant was established in 2019 to provide assistance Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in housing stress to complete their studies by providing them with support to address the cost of living and accommodation.

b. This grant is funded by the NSW Aboriginal Housing Office.

2. Eligibility

a. The grant is offered subject to the applicant having an unconditional offer of admission or being currently enrolled full-time at the University of Sydney. 

b. Applicants must be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent as defined in the University of Sydney’s Confirmation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Identity Policy 2015.

c. Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they are in housing stress.

3. Selection Criteria

a. The grant will be awarded on the basis of:

I. evidence of housing stress, and
II. a personal statement demonstrating need.

b. The grant will be awarded by a selection committee consisting of the following members: 

I. the Deputy Vice-Chancellor - Indigenous Strategy and Services (DVC-ISS) (Chair) or their nominated delegate,
II. at least one Associate Dean of Indigenous Strategy and Services (AS-ISS),
III. the Director of the Gadigal Centre, and
IV. a Gadigal Centre Advancement Officer. 

d. At least half the members of the selection committee must be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent as defined in the University of Sydney’s Confirmation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Identity Policy 2015.

4. Value

a. The grant is valued at up to $10,000. The exact value of the grant will be determined by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Strategy and Services) and outlined in the recipient’s grant offer letter.

b. The payment schedule of the grant will be determined by the  Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Strategy and Services) and outlined in the recipient’s grant offer letter.

c. Deferral and/or suspension of the grant is not permitted. 

d. The grant will be offered subject to the availability of funds.

e. No other amount is payable.

5. Termination

a. The grant will be terminated if the recipient:

I. withdraws from an eligible course or fails to enrol,
II. commences part-time study, or
III. is determined by the University to be guilty of serious misconduct, including, but not limited to, having provided false or misleading information as part of their grant application. 

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

c. Where a student is found guilty of serious misconduct or the grant is terminated under any instance in the Termination Clause of these terms and conditions, the University reserves the right to request that any grant funds paid to the grant recipient be reimbursed.