Financial assistance

The University of Sydney provides financial assistance to eligible students in the form of loans, scholarships and bursaries. Loans offered through the University require repayment, although they are interest free. Bursaries and scholarships do not require repayment. 

Assistance for all postgraduate students

Financial support vouchers

Any currently enrolled Usyd student who is located in Australia and experiencing financial hardship can apply for a University Financial support voucher worth $250 for essential expenses. 

Interest-free loans

The University Financial Support Service will provide loans of up to $1000 for full-time local and international students. If necessary, an emergency cash payment of up to $500 can be given on the day of applying. 

Postgraduate coursework scholarships

The University Scholarships Office advertises a limited number of university-wide postgraduate coursework scholarships, for both international and domestic students, including some that are externally funded: 

• postgraduate coursework scholarships for domestic students
• postgraduate coursework scholarships for international students. 

Postgraduate students in some degrees who experience financial hardship may be eligible for equity scholarships. Each scholarship program, especially an external program, is subject to specific terms and conditions, so read them carefully before applying. 

Faculty scholarships

Many faculties advertise scholarships on their websites. The value of these scholarships and their eligibility criteria vary widely. Browse the faculty scholarships for: 

Domestic students

• faculty scholarships for domestic coursework students
• faculty scholarships for domestic research students. 

International students

• faculty scholarships for international coursework students
• faculty scholarships for international research students.

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Doctoral Research Travel Grant Scheme

The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences offers a travel scholarship for PhD students undertaking primary research outside of Sydney. You can apply for a maximum value of $3500.  

Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarships

All domestic students who received an unconditional offer to undertake a Higher Degree by Research course at the University of Sydney will be offered the RTP Fees Offset Scholarship, which covers tuition fees. This scholarship lasts for up to 4 years for PhD students. 

The RTP Stipend Scholarship, is awarded by competitive process, based on application rankings. This scholarship is intended to cover general living expenses, at a rate of $37 207 per year. For PhD students it covers up to 3.5 years. 

RTP Scholarships are also available on a competitive basis for international students. These scholarships provide tuition offset and a stipend. Find out more about RTP Scholarships for international students. 

University of Sydney Postgraduate Awards (UPAs), top-up scholarships, and other awards are also available.   

Find out more about scholarships for HDR students. 

Postgraduate Research Support Scheme (PRSS)

The Postgraduate Research Support Scheme (PRSS) provides funding for participation in conferences or fieldwork, or other research overseas, for research students. The funds are awarded to eligible applicants on a competitive basis by schools or departments within the University.  

NTEU scholarships

The National Tertiary and Education Union (NTEU) offers the Joan Hardy Scholarship for postgraduate nursing research students and the Carolyn Allport Scholarship for research in feminist studies. 

Capstone grants

Capstone Editing provides scholarships and grants for domestic and international postgraduate coursework and research students. Depending on the grant, funds can be used for research, to purchase a laptop, cover study travel costs, or have a thesis professionally edited. Applicants should be able to demonstrate academic merit and financial need. 

Assistance for domestic students

Advertised bursaries

Bursaries are payments awarded to students who are experiencing financial hardship. The University Financial Support Service offers both general bursaries and advertised bursaries. Advertised bursaries are for Australian citizens and permanent residents who are currently living in Australia, and who are experiencing financial difficulty. They are available for undergraduates and postgraduates studying full time. Part-time students living with disabilities may also be eligible to apply for a bursary. Students are not eligible for an emergency cash payment for advertised bursaries. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander scholarships

The University has a number of bursaries and scholarships for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander postgraduate students – find coursework scholarships listed by the University. 

The Aurora Foundation’s Indigenous Pathways Portal lists many different types of scholarships for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. 

Overseas project funding

The University offers a range of exchange scholarships to postgraduate coursework students to cover the cost of program, travel, and incidental costs, for short term study overseas.  

Australian mobility grants offer financial assistance to local postgraduate students to gain experience as a contribution to your degree, in mostly the Indo-Pacific region. 

University of Sydney Travelling Scholarships allow domestic students to pursue postgraduate coursework study or research overseas.  

University of Sydney Grants-in-aid (GIA)

Grants-in-aid are available to domestic research students, with travel grants to support short-term periods of research overseas. All grants are valued in the range of $500–$5000.  

The Pinnacle Foundation for LGBTIQ+ students

The Pinnacle Foundation offers multi-year scholarships for domestic students aged 18–26 years old who identify as LGBTIQ+. They offer financial support and mentoring. 

Centrelink Student Start-up Loans

Students receiving Youth Allowance, Austudy and Abstudy may be eligible to apply for an interest-free loan of $1201. The loan is not automatic and you do need to apply. The loan is repaid in the same way as a HELP debt and is deducted from future salary when you are earning above the relevant HELP income threshold. Eligible student can get the Student Start-up Loans twice a year. 

Centrelink advance payments

If you receive Youth Allowance, Austudy, or Abstudy, you may be able to apply for an advance payment. This payment is paid back from future Centrelink payments. If you are registered for online services, you can apply for the payment online. If you have an outstanding debt, you will need to pay this off before you apply. 

Assistance for international students

International student scholarships

The University scholarships website lists many scholarships for international students: 

• scholarships for international coursework students
• scholarships for international research students. 

General Bursaries

International students can access the University’s general bursaries worth up to $2000 in some circumstances. If you are an international student experiencing homelessness, physical or mental ill-health, or other adverse personal circumstances, you may be eligible for a general bursary. Contact SUPRA for help determining your eligibility.   

Accommodation support

Iglu, a University-associated accommodation provider, has an International Accommodation Scholarship Program, which offers subsidised accommodation for some International University of Sydney students. 

International student loans

Education loan schemes are available for eligible students from the United States, Canada, Sweden, Norway and the United Kingdom. You will need to apply from your home country.

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Written by SUPRA Postgraduate Advocacy Service March 2023