Learn how to apply for equity scholarships at The University of Queensland. Discover how The Queensland Commitment Scholarship can help you overcome financial barriers to pursue your dream degree.
At UQ, we think everyone should have fair and equal opportunity to pursue higher learning. But, sadly, not all students in Australia enjoy the same level of access to education.
If you’re a Year 12 student or non-school leaver (and haven't undertaken prior study at a bachelor level or higher) who has experienced financial hardship resulting in educational disadvantage, consider applying for an access and equity scholarship. These help ensure all our students can study without unnecessary stress and fully embrace all the opportunities university brings – regardless of financial circumstances.
- Overview of The Queensland Commitment Scholarship.
- Eligibility for The Queensland Commitment Scholarship.
- How to apply for the Queensland Commitment Scholarship.
- Overview of the Law School LEAD Scholarship.
Equity scholarships: The Queensland Commitment
The main equity scholarships available at UQ come in the form of our Queensland Commitment Scholarship. These are available to new domestic undergraduates in all study areas.
The Queensland Commitment Scholarship provides 5 entry rank adjustments to help you secure your offer at UQ and $7,000 per year for the standard duration of your studies to ease living costs, making it easier for you to say yes to university and yes to your potential.
The scholarship begins with an upfront payment of $1,400 in your first week of study to help cover initial costs. The remainder is paid in instalments over the following semesters.
Connor Brackin received a UQ Link Scholarship (now called The Queensland Commitment Scholarship) alongside a Law School LEAD Scholarship. This gave him the support to study without worrying about living costs. Read his story.
Are you eligible for The Queensland Commitment Scholarship?
The criteria for receiving this UQ equity scholarship include:
- You must be a domestic student (a citizen of Australia or New Zealand, or permanent resident of Australia).
- You need to enrol in your program the same year as your scholarship is rewarded or within 2 years if you have an approved deferral.
- You must not have studied prior at a tertiary level (bachelor’s degree or higher).
- You must demonstrate significant financial disadvantage through QTAC's Educational Access Scheme – Financial Hardship category, which may include providing documentation to show that your gross household income is approximately $100,000 (subject to change) or that yourself or your parent/guardian receives the maximum rate of a Centrelink payment*.
*There may be other ways you can demonstrate financial hardship through this scheme. Please read the detailed eligibility criteria for QTAC's Educational Access Scheme – Financial Hardship category.
Appolonia Smith-Laffin received a UQ Link Scholarship (now called The Queensland Commitment Scholarship) alongside being part of the UQ Young Achievers Program. This gave her the support to be the first in her family to attend university. Read her story.
How to apply for equity scholarships at UQ
You can apply for The Queensland Commitment Scholarship when you submit your QTAC application. All you need to do is complete the Financial Hardship category within the Educational Access Scheme section and then place a UQ program in your preference list.
Find out more about QTAC's Educational Access Scheme – Financial Hardship category, including how to provide evidence of your financial situation.
If you supply all the necessary documents and info to demonstrate financial hardship and QTAC assesses that you've achieved maximum points in the EAS – Financial Hardship category, you’ll automatically get approved for The Queensland Commitment Scholarship if you’re eligible. This means the 5 entry rank adjustments will be applied to your UQ preferences by QTAC. And the scholarship amount will become available to you if you proceed to enrol with us.
Approved applicants receive a notification when they’ve been deemed eligible for The Queensland Commitment Scholarship, so you won’t be left guessing.
How to apply for The Queensland Commitment Scholarship after you've submitted your QTAC application
If you've already submitted your QTAC application and you didn’t indicate that you wanted to be assessed for the EAS – Financial Hardship category, you are still able to apply, but the process is slightly different. You will need to:
- Read the detailed eligibility criteria for The Queensland Commitment Scholarship and the EAS – Financial Hardship category and determine if you meet it.
- Download the Financial Hardship coversheet.
- Fill it out and send it to QTAC via their Documentation Upload online form, along with any supporting documents required as evidence of your financial situation.
Application support
If you need help understanding the process for applying for the EAS – Financial Hardship category, you can reach out to:
- Your school’s Guidance Officer.
- QTAC.
If you have questions about UQ’s The Queensland Commitment Scholarship, get in contact with UQ’s Scholarships Office:
- Ph: 07 3365 7113
- Email: scholarships@uq.edu.au
Other access and equity scholarships at UQ
Some UQ schools offer equity scholarships for specific study areas. Plus, The Queensland Commitment Scholarship can be stacked on top of other scholarships. For example, you can receive an academic scholarship, a rural scholarship, a sporting scholarship or an Indigenous scholarship and still be eligible for The Queensland Commitment Scholarship as well. So, it’s worth exploring all the options available to you.
A great example of UQ subject-specific access and equity scholarships is our Law School LEAD Scholarship. This awards $8,000 per year (up to 5 years) to law students who have experienced educational, social and/or financial disadvantage.
To be eligible for the UQ Law LEAD scholarship, you need to have completed senior schooling in Australia within 2 years of application or be completing senior schooling in Australia in the year of application. Other eligibility requirements apply.
Discover how this scholarship has changed the lives of Sam Skinner (above left), Lucas Steger (above right), Michelle O’Grady (feature photo) and Michaela Gyasi-Agyei, 4 recipients in the graduating class of 2022.
