What is it?

The QUT Equity Scholarships Scheme is an application-based scheme offered to students who experience financial hardship. It is funded by significant contributions from the Learning Potential Fund. The scholarships and bursaries are offered to commencing or continuing domestic and international students.

You only need to submit one application to be considered for all scholarships and bursaries under the scheme.

Specific financial amounts available

The scholarships and bursaries listed below are awarded in Semester 1 and 2 each year.

Domestic students could receive:

Semester 1:

  • an Equity Scholarship of $4,200 for one year (split into two payments of $2,100 per semester)
  • an Equity Bursary of $1,800 for one year
  • an Equity Computer Bursary. You can only receive an Equity Computer Bursary every third year (i.e. if you received one in 2023 or in 2024, you can't receive one in 2025).

Semester 2:

  • an Equity Scholarship of $2,100 for one semester
  • an Equity Bursary of $1,800 for one semester
  • an Equity Computer Bursary. You can only receive an Equity Computer Bursary every third year (i.e. if you received one in 2023 or in 2024, you can't receive one in 2024).

International students could receive:

Semester 1:

  • an Equity Bursary of $1,800 for one year.
  • an Equity Computer Bursary. You can only receive an Equity Computer Bursary every third year (i.e. if you received one in 2023 or in 2024, you can't receive one in 2025).

Semester 2:

  • an Equity Bursary of $1,800 for one semester.
  • an Equity Computer Bursary. You can only receive an Equity Computer Bursary every third year (i.e. if you received one in 2023 or in 2024, you can't receive one in 2025).

    Named Learning Potential Fund Scholarships

    The Learning Potential Fund provides higher-valued equity scholarships, called 'Named Learning Potential Fund Scholarships', to students identified as being in the most severe financial hardship. Named Learning Potential Fund Scholarships are awarded in Semester 1 each year. In submitting an Equity Scholarships Scheme application, you will automatically be considered for a Named Learning Potential Fund Scholarship. No additional application is required.

    List of Learning Potential Fund Scholarships

    Domestic students could receive:

    • a Named Learning Potential Fund Scholarship of $7,500 per year for up to four years (there are limited scholarships available at this value)
    • a Named Learning Potential Fund Scholarship of $5,000 per year for up to four years (there are limited scholarships available at this value).

    International students could receive:

    Note: If you receive an equity scholarship or bursary, and a Named Learning Potential Fund Scholarship, you will be paid the higher value of the two scholarships. Please refer to the terms and conditions.

    Eligibility criteria

    To be eligible, you must be:

    • a current or future domestic or international student undertaking an undergraduate, postgraduate or research qualification
    • from a low-income household
    • experiencing financial hardship.

    Domestic QUT College students studying a diploma program or the University Preparation Program (UPP) are eligible to apply for the Equity Scholarships Scheme. Contact the Scholarships team at scholarships@qut.edu.au for instructions on how to apply.

    Personal hardship will also be taken into consideration when assessing applications. Examples of these include:

    • personal medical conditions
    • disabilities
    • dependents with special needs.

    This scholarship is not available to:

    • single-unit study students - studying an individual unit at QUT, but not enrolled in a QUT course
    • cross-institutional students - enrolled in a course at another university, but studying specific units at QUT and receiving credit towards your course at the other university
    • international QUT College students
    • students in foundation, undergraduate certificates, or English language courses.

    Existing programs

    • If you're a Smith Family Learning for Life student, you're guaranteed an Equity Scholarship of $4,200 per year (or $2,100 if you start in Semester 2). You will need to submit an application each year.
    • If you're a commencing Q-Step Scheme student, you're guaranteed an Equity Scholarship of $4,200 for one year (or $2,100 if you start in Semester 2). This will be automatically granted - there is no need to submit an application.

    Indigenous Australian students

    Indigenous identifying students may be eligible for the Indigenous Commonwealth Scholarships.

    If you want to be considered for the Indigenous Commonwealth Scholarships, you will need to complete a separate application:

    Complete the Indigenous Commonwealth Scholarships application form

    However, note that if you want to be considered for a Named Learning Potential Fund Scholarship you must continue to complete the Equity Scholarships Scheme application form.

    Students who hold any Indigenous Commonwealth Scholarships cannot concurrently hold a scholarship or bursary offered under the Equity Scholarships Scheme. Similarly, students in receipt of a scholarship or bursary offered under the Equity Scholarships Scheme cannot concurrently hold any Indigenous Commonwealth Scholarships. If you're offered both, you must decide on one or the other.

    Complete the Equity Scholarships Scheme application form

    Conditions

    Download the Equity Scholarships Scheme terms and conditions (PDF file, 190.0 KB)

      Further information

      Required documentation

      All applicants must supply:

      • individual transaction histories for all bank accounts, covering the last two months. Make sure that your name and current account balance is included. We can't accept Word, Excel or CSV files
      • proof of income
      • proof of the income of parent(s)/caregiver(s) if financially dependent
      • proof of partner's income (if partnered)
      • Centrelink Income Statement for Youth Allowance, Austudy, ABSTUDY or other pension or benefit if you haven't completed the Centrelink consent form
      • Australian Taxation Office Notice of Assessment for the most recent financial year (please provide us with recent payslips covering at least two months if you are unable to provide this document). If you are financially dependent on your family and/or living at home you must also supply family income documentation.

      If you're eligible due to personal hardship, you'll need to indicate on the application form how your personal circumstances, either past or present, have had a negative impact on your life and your capacity to give time and attention to your studies.

      Additional documentation

      You should supply documentation to support your eligibility in any relevant categories.

      Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people

      You must:

      • ensure you have provided your Confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Descent (CATSID)  or other supporting documentation to the Oodgeroo Unit at QUT. If you need help with obtaining your CATSID from a community organisation, contact the Oodgeroo Unit.
      Regional, rural and remote

      You must show evidence of having been from a regional, rural, or remote area, according to the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS), at the time of your admissions application (QTAC or direct application to QUT), or evidence of having attended a school in a regional, rural, or remote area, according to the ASGS, and be a recent school leaver (i.e. have graduated in the last two years and have done no further study since graduating).

      Australian South Sea Islanders

      You must:

      • include a letter of support from a registered Australian South Sea Island community organisation.
      The Smith Family - Learning for Life student

      You must:

      • include a letter of verification (on letterhead) from The Smith Family or your Learning for Life worker, dated within the last 12 months.
      Financial hardship

      You must:

      • show evidence of significant expenses (e.g. rent, mortgage, medical expenses, major debts)
      • show other evidence of financial hardship (e.g. letter from counsellor, housing assistance, access to welfare assistance other than Centrelink).
      Responsibility for others and personal circumstances

      You must provide evidence of the following, if relevant:

      • number and ages of dependents (e.g. Pension Concession Card with names listed)
      • caring for others (e.g. doctor's letter or Carer's Benefit Statement)
      • health and/or disability issues for self or others (e.g. doctor's or relevant professional's letter)
      • personal circumstances (e.g. letter of refugee status, guidance counsellor's report, evidence of disrupted schooling, doctor's letter if not provided elsewhere). The document must explain the duration and the severity of the circumstances experienced.

      Frequently Asked Questions

      Supporting documentation

      Do I have to provide every document on the required and additional documentation list?

      You only need to provide documentation that applies to your personal circumstances.

      All applicants must supply:

      In addition, provide any other documentation that applies to your circumstances e.g. evidence of caring responsibilities, health issues, disabilities, significant expenses, residence in a rural/regional area etc.

      Do I need to provide proof of income for my parent/caregiver/partner?

      This depends on your circumstances.

      • If you are supported financially by your parent(s)/caregiver(s), you will need to provide evidence of their income (as well as your own).
      • If you live with a partner, you will need to provide evidence of their income (as well as your own).
      How do I provide proof of income?

      Evidence of income can be provided in a number of ways – choose the one that is easiest for you. Remember, you need to provide evidence for all your income.

      Options for proof of income:

      • pay slips covering the past two months
      • Australian Taxation Office Notice of Assessment for the most recent financial year
      • a recent Centrelink Income Statement showing the benefit type, date it was granted and payment rate.
        Please note: If you have provided your Centrelink Customer Reference Number in your scholarship application you do not need to provide a Centrelink Income Statement as well. Keep in mind though that we won't be able to access your parent/caregiver/partner's information, so if you need to provide proof of their income, we'll need Centrelink Income Statements for any payments they receive.
      • if we can clearly see your income being deposited into your bank account/s through the individual transaction histories you have provided, we can use this as evidence of income. Do not send transaction histories for other people.
      How do I provide individual transaction histories for all my bank accounts, covering the last two months?

      Follow these instructions to extract them from your Internet banking:

      • go to your online banking and open the list of transaction details (starting from today and going back two months or more)
      • click print and, in the box that appears, you will have the option to select a printer. Select “Adobe PDF”
      • click Ok and save the document
      • you can then upload this PDF document to your scholarship application.

      Remember we require transaction histories for all your bank accounts. If you have accounts that you have not provided, we will email you and ask you to provide them.

      Transaction histories should be provided as a PDF file. We cannot accept other formats such as Word, Excel or CSV.

      What happens next?

      I have submitted my application and all of my supporting documentation. What next?

      We will assess your application and request further documentation if required. It is important to keep an eye on your email account (the one you provided in your application if you are a prospective student, or your QUT email account if you are a current student) in case we request further documentation. Once we have assessed your application, we will send you an email to let you know the outcome. We will do this by the date advised in the confirmation email that was sent to you when you applied.

      I have received a scholarship or bursary. How do I provide my bank account details in order to be paid?

      Follow these instructions to provide your bank account details:

      • login to QUT Forms on the HiQ website
      • search for 'Receive a payment'
      • select 'Receive a payment (Australian bank account)'
      • follow the prompts to verify or update your bank account details
      • click the 'Save' button.
      Do I have to be enrolled full-time in order to receive my scholarship or bursary?

      No. As long as you meet the other eligibility criteria, you only need to be enrolled in a minimum of one unit at QUT, at degree or higher level, in the semester the payment is due.

      When will I receive my scholarship or bursary payment?

      Your scholarship payment will be made via electronic fund transfer (EFT) to the nominated bank account you have provided to QUT. We will begin assessing your eligibility for your payment after the census date each semester. From there, it can take up to 15 working days for payment to reach your bank account.

      I have received a scholarship or bursary, why haven't I been paid?

      Please check that:

      • you are enrolled in at least one unit at QUT, at degree or higher level, in the semester the payment is due
      • you have provided your correct bank details (see above for instructions)
      • you are aware of the payment timelines (as outlined above).

      If you have checked all of the above and still believe you should have received your payment by now, please contact us and we will follow up your payment.

      If you have provided incorrect bank details, please contact us and we will let you know what to do next.

      Other scholarships and reapplying

      How do I apply for the higher valued scholarships I can see on the Equity Scholarships webpage such as the Tim Fairfax AC Learning Potential Fund Scholarships etc?

      You only need to submit one application to be considered for all of the scholarships that are listed on the QUT Equity Scholarships webpage. Students with the greatest need will receive the highest value scholarships. You may also wish to apply for other scholarships within QUT. Please visit our Scholarships page to see what is on offer. Remember, if a scholarship you are interested in does not appear on the QUT Equity Scholarships webpage you will have to apply for it separately. Follow the instructions on the scholarship webpage.

      I was unsuccessful in Semester 1. Can I reapply for Semester 2?

      If your circumstances have changed you can provide us with updated documentation and we will reassess your application. You do not need to complete the entire application process again. If you do not provide updated documentation you will not be reconsidered in Semester 2.

      I was successful in receiving a scholarship or bursary, do I have to reapply next year?

      Unless otherwise advised in your scholarship offer letter, scholarships and bursaries do not carry over to the next year. If you wish to be considered for a scholarship in the next year you will need to submit a fresh application. This also applies to students who received a QUT Equity Scholarship via the QTAC Educational Access Scheme on commencement at QUT.

      Other support options

      Income support

      All students are encouraged to apply to Centrelink for assistance. Even a part payment of Youth Allowance, ABSTUDY or Austudy may also provide you with a start-up loan or relocation scholarship administered by Centrelink. Refer to Centrelink's payments for students for more information.

      Other scholarships

      For QUT Excellence Scholarships, Dean's Scholars programs and faculty-based scholarships you will need to lodge different application forms. Refer to QUT's scholarships page for further details.

      Some QUT facilities may also offer Equity Faculty Scholarships or Bursaries to students studying within their courses.

      Applications

      Applications for Semester 1, 2025 are now open.

      Applications will close on 23 February 2025.

      Apply now:

      Future students

      Current students

      Review an open application

      What to expect if you have applied

      Your application will be assessed and scored against criteria, such as:

      • income
      • assets and liabilities
      • expenditure
      • personal hardship.

      We will normally get back to you after a month with an outcome once you've submitted all the necessary supporting documentation.

      Scholarships and bursaries are allocated based on financial need. Not everyone in financial need will receive a scholarship or bursary.

      Completing the application form

      You only need to submit one application form to be considered for all scholarships and bursaries under the Equity Scholarships Scheme, including the Indigenous Commonwealth Scholarships.

      Testimonials

      Reach your goals

      Sarah Evans relocated from Townsville and is studying Bachelor of Nursing and a Bachelor of Paramedic Science.

      'I had to move from Townsville to Brisbane to study my course which was a major financial decision and my biggest concern in coming to university.  I did not apply for any equity scholarships in my first semester as I did not think I would be eligible, as a result my studies suffered as I prioritised work. Applying for equity scholarships was one of the best decisions I made, as an Indigenous student who has relocated to study, I have received multiple equity scholarships allowing me to focus on my studies and achieve my goals.'

      Sarah Evans

      Contact

      Get in touch with us to provide feedback on this webpage.

      3138 7624

      Future students

      We ask you to provide some basic details before you start your Equity scholarships application. This is only intended for students not currently enrolled to study at QUT, and who don’t have a student account.