Financial aid for students | Education aid

From scholarships to emergency grants, your studies are supported.

Discover the range of ways that UNSW, our generous donors and the Australian government can ease the pressure of financial matters and keep you focused on your studies instead of your bank balance. Whether it's rewarding your academic performance with a scholarship or helping you make ends meet in times of need, explore the financial support options available to you at UNSW.

Domestic students
International students

Financial support for domestic students

If you're an Australian or New Zealand citizen, or if you hold an Australian permanent residency or permanent humanitarian visa, then you're a domestic student. If you’re from another nation, please refer to the information for international students.

Earn recognition for your potential

We're proud to offer a range of scholarships that help you achieve your full potential. We don’t just reward academic performance; we also recognise motivation and achievement in the face of limited opportunities in life. To search and apply for awards you’re eligible for, visit UNSW Scholarships, opens in a new window.
Study now, pay later

Domestic students can usually study an undergraduate degree without paying upfront. After uni, when you start earning enough at work, the cost of your contribution to the degree gradually comes out of your pay. While this is a typical situation there are exceptions, so to learn more about what’s relevant to you and your degree, visit Commonwealth Support and HECS-HELP, opens in a new window.
Get paid to study

Centrelink offers financial support to help you focus on your studies, but there are certain criteria you have to meet to be eligible. While this support is mostly relevant for undergraduate students, Centrelink also recognise some master’s degrees, opens in a new window. To find out if you could be eligible for Abstudy, Austudy, the Youth Allowance or the Pensioner Education Supplement, visit Centrelink payments, opens in a new window.
Assistance in times of need

We don’t want to see anything get in the way of your education, but life happens. At some point during your studies, you might need a little help to cover costs. We offer student loans that charge no interest to pay back, and we offer support grants for essential living costs which you don’t have to pay back at all. Hopefully, you’ll never need either of these financial aids, but you can rest assured that they are there if you do. Find out about the eligibility criteria for UNSW Student loans, opens in a new window and UNSW Student support grants, opens in a new window.
No car? No worries.

Get half-price travel on Sydney buses, light rail, trains, and ferries with a Concession Opal Card. For more information visit travel concessions with Opal card, opens in a new window.
Making your degree accessible

If you’re living with a disability, you could be eligible for support from the National Disability Insurance Scheme. The NDIS provides funding to access the support you need to participate in everyday activities at UNSW. Find more information about accessing the NDIS, opens in a new window.
Get the skills to manage your bills

Money on your mind? Get practical financial advice and money management skills that are relevant to being a uni student. You’ll be able to book appointments with student support advisers to discover how to get the most bang for your buck while you study. For more information check out financial management and support, opens in a new window.
Not all degrees offer Commonwealth assistance

If you’re planning to study a postgraduate degree, it may not be subsidised as a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP). In this case you’ll need to cover your own tuition fees. It’s wise to make sure you can afford the studies before you start but if you experience unexpected financial hardship, we can agree upon a fee payment plan with you. For more information, visit fee payment plan, opens in a new window.

Financial support for international students

If you're not an Australian or New Zealand citizen, and if you don’t hold an Australian permanent residency or permanent humanitarian visa, then you're an international student.

If you’re a citizen of Denmark, India, Norway, Sweden, or the United Kingdom, we can help you access your loan program, and we can assist with documentation and enrolment certification.

If you’re a Canadian citizen, we can help you extend funding from your Canada or Provincial Student Loan for our programs. We can also assist with enrolment confirmation forms after you have applied to study with us.

If you’re a citizen of the United States of America, we can help you fund your UNSW degree with a US Private Loan or through the Veteran Affairs program. For detailed information view the Financial Aid for U.S. students below.

For more information, please email the UNSW Financial Aid office, opens in a new window or call +61 29385 1078.

Earn recognition for your potential

We're proud to offer a range of scholarships that help you achieve your full potential. We don’t just reward academic performance; we also recognise motivation and achievement in the face of limited opportunities in life. To search and apply for awards you’re eligible for, visit UNSW Scholarships, opens in a new window.
Assistance in times of need

We don’t want to see anything get in the way of your education, but life happens. At some point during your studies, you might need a little help to cover costs. We offer student loans that charge no interest to pay back, and we offer support grants for essential living costs which you don’t have to pay back at all. Hopefully, you’ll never need either of these financial aids, but you can rest assured that they are there if you do. Find out about the eligibility criteria for UNSW Student loans, opens in a new window and UNSW Student support grants, opens in a new window.
Get the skills to manage your bills

Money on your mind? Get practical financial advice and money management skills that are relevant to being a uni student in Australia. You’ll be able to book appointments with student support advisers and discover how to make your dollar go further while you study. For more information visit financial management and support, opens in a new window.
Unexpected financial hardship? We’ve got you.

If you’re not on a scholarship, you’ll need cover your own tuition fees with us. It’s wise to make sure you can afford your studies before you start but if you experience unexpected financial hardship, we can agree upon a fee payment plan with you. For more information, visit fee payment plan, opens in a new window.
Sydney buses, light rail, trains, and ferries

If you’re coming to Australia on an Endeavour Scholarship, an Australian Awards Scholarship, or an International Postgraduate Research Scholarship, you’re eligible for half-price travel on Sydney public transport. For more information visit travel concessions with Opal card, opens in a new window.

The University of New South Wales is currently not participating in the Federal Student Aid (FSA) program administered by the United States Department of Education. Therefore, we are unable to accept Financial Aid Direct Loan applications or process in-school deferment requests at this time.

Private education loans are available from non-government lenders and approval is based on credit history. It is recommended that you apply with a co-signer who is a U.S. citizen.

U.S. students can use private education loans to borrow the difference between the maximum Cost of Attendance (COA) and any Federal (Direct) Loan.

Private education loans are also available to those students enrolled in the MBBS program and all non-degree programs such as certificate, graduate and postgraduate diploma programs which are ineligible for Federal funding.

They can also be used when a student is otherwise ineligible for Federal loans, e.g. when they are enrolled less than half-time or studying on exchange with an institution which is ineligible for Federal funding.

Presently Sallie Mae Student Loans is the only lender offering private education loans to students studying outside of the US. Please refer to their website for specific details about eligibility, how to apply, loan amounts and other terms and conditions.

UNSW strongly recommends that students first apply for Federal loans (where eligible) and then apply for additional funds through a private education loan, if required. Federal loans are more favourable due to the generally lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options.

For further information please contact the Financial Aid Office.

UNSW is an approved institution for the administration of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs funding under the Montgomery GI Bill and Post 9/11 GI Bill program.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will pay eligible student education benefits for pursuit of an approved program of study.

Due to the large volume of course approvals with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, applications for course approval can only be requested if the student can provide a Certificate of Eligibility from Veterans Affairs and is enrolled at UNSW.

You can check whether your degree is approved here by entering the following details:

Institution: University of New South Wales

Program Type: Institution of Higher Learning

Country: Australia

If your course is not yet approved, contact the Financial Aid Office at financialaid@unsw.edu.au so that course approval can be requested.

Eligibility for VA benefits can be extended to veterans, members of the Selected Reserves or National Guard; and children or spouses of service-connected deceased or totally and permanently disabled veterans. Each U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) education program has distinct eligibility requirements under specific chapters of Title 10 and 38, U.S. Code (USC). All students who feel they may be eligible for education benefits should submit an application. Even if a student appears to be ineligible, the DVA will review the application and officially grant or deny benefits.

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Financial aid​

From scholarships to emergency grants, your studies are supported.

Financial support for domestic students

Earn recognition for your potential

Study now, pay later

Get paid to study

Assistance in times of need

No car? No worries.

Making your degree accessible

Get the skills to manage your bills

Not all degrees offer Commonwealth assistance

Financial support for international students

Earn recognition for your potential

Assistance in times of need

Get the skills to manage your bills

Unexpected financial hardship? We’ve got you.

Sydney buses, light rail, trains, and ferries

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Financial aid