MyGadigal Scholarship
An undergraduate scholarship
Highlights
| Value | Eligibility | Open date | Close date |
|---|---|---|---|
| $8,500 p.a. (Full-time study) |
|
30 July 2026 |
How to apply
Any student who meets the eligibility criteria and has satisfied the University's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identification requirements will be offered the MyGadigal Scholarship. No additional application is required.
For more information, please contact dvciss.scholarships@sydney.edu.au or the Scholarships Office.
Benefits
The MyGadigal Scholarship provides a cash stipend valued at AUD $8,500 per annum for the duration of the undergraduate degree, for up to five years.
The Scholarship is administered by the Scholarships Office in collaboration with the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Indigenous Strategy and Services. Selection decisions are made in accordance with University scholarship administration policies.
In addition, recipients will have:
Eligibility to apply for additional accommodation scholarships;
Access to the following support through the Gadigal Centre:
Gadigal Centre services and community programs;
Indigenous Tutorial Assistance Scheme; and
Mentoring Our Brothers and Sisters Program.
Who's eligible
You must:
identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person, or both in accordance with the University's Confirmation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Identity Policy
be a domestic student enrolled in an eligible undergraduate degree at the University of Sydney
not be receiving another single-year or multi-year living allowance or stipend scholarship valued at $8,500 or more per annum, excluding accommodation scholarships paid directly to the accommodation provider.
Background
Since our founding as Australia's first university, we have been committed to education for all, and to supporting students from every background to achieve their potential. As part of the University's ongoing commitment to equity and diversity, and to expanding opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, we have made significant investment to ensure all students have the opportunity to succeed. The MyGadigal Scholarship celebrates the achievements and aspirations of eligible undergraduate students who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, providing financial support so they can pursue their goals and thrive throughout their studies.
1. Background
a. The purpose of the MyGadigal Scholarship (Scholarship) is to increase the access, participation and success of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at the University of Sydney (University), by providing financial support to eligible Indigenous undergraduate coursework students.
b. The Scholarship is an equity initiative developed in partnership between the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Indigenous Strategy and Services (DVC ISS) and the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Education and Students (DVC ES), building on the principles of the MySydney Scheme, and endorsed by the Needs Based Funding Steering Committee for pilot delivery from 2026 to 2029.
2. Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Scholarship, an applicant must:
a. Identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person, or both, as defined in the Confirmation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Identity Policy 2026 (as amended or replaced);
b. Be a domestic student enrolled in an undergraduate degree (as defined in the Coursework Policy, as amended or replaced) at the University of Sydney, including the Diploma of Music;
c. Not be in receipt of another single-year or multi-year living allowance and/or stipend scholarship with an annual value of $8,500 or more, excluding any accommodation scholarship paid directly to the accommodation provider.
3. Selection Criteria
The Scholarship will be offered to applicants who meet the eligibility criteria in clause 2, on the basis of
a. Eligibility under the University’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identification requirements, as set out in the Confirmation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Identity Policy 2026 (as amended or replaced); and
b. Students enrolled in an undergraduate degree.
4. Value
a. Full-time study
i. The Scholarship provides a total cash payment of AUD $8,500 per year for up to five years, subject to ongoing eligibility.
ii. In the 2026 calendar year, the Scholarship will be paid in full following the Semester 2 census date.
iii. In 2027 and every year after, the Scholarship will be paid in two equal instalments of $4,250 each, following the Semester census dates.
b. Part-time study
i. Recipients who are enrolled in part-time study (less than 18 credit points in a semester) will receive Scholarship benefits at the rate of 50% of the full-time benefit for the period of part-time study.
c. The Scholarship is a cash payment only and does not cover tuition fees directly but can be used by the student for tuition fees.
d. The Scholarship will be offered subject to the availability of funds.
e. No extension is possible.
f. No other amount is payable.
5. Ongoing Eligibility
To continue receipt of the Scholarship, the recipient must:
a. Remain enrolled in an eligible undergraduate degree at the University of Sydney;
b. Maintain satisfactory academic progress (pass), consistent with the University’s academic progression requirements;
c. Engage with the Gadigal Centre as required; and
d. Not have accepted an alternative scholarship of higher annual value, excluding the any accommodation scholarships paid directly to the accommodation provider.
e. Continue to meet the ongoing eligibility requirements for this Scholarship in each relevant teaching period.
6. Deferral and Suspension
a. Deferral of the Scholarship is permitted for up to two semesters provided that the recipient has received approval under the Coursework Policy (as amended or replaced) to defer or suspend their course. If the recipient’s deferral or suspension is approved, payment of the Scholarship will be paused for the period of the deferral/suspension and will resume when they return to studies.
b. Suspension of the Scholarship is permitted for up to two semesters provided the recipient is permitted to, or obtains approval to, suspend their degree.
c. The recipient must contact the Scholarships Office at least two months before the end of their deferral or suspension period to request reinstatement of the scholarship. Failing to do so may result in the scholarship being terminated.
7. Transfer of degree
a. The Scholarship is transferable to another undergraduate degree at the University of Sydney, for eligible offers through internal transfer under the Coursework Policy (as amended or replaced).
b. The duration of the Scholarship is limited to the full-time published duration of the new degree minus any time the recipient has already held the scholarship up to a maximum duration of five years.
8. Termination
a. The Scholarship will be terminated if the recipient:
i. No longer meet the Eligibility Criteria, or any other requirement set out in the Scholarship Details or Terms and Conditions;
ii. Breaches any Terms and Conditions;
iii. Withdraws from their enrolled degree or fails to re-enrol at the end of permitted or approved deferral or suspension;
iv. Does not maintain satisfactory academic progress (pass), consistent with the University’s academic progression requirements;
v. Exceeds the maximum total duration of study supported by the Scholarship;
vi. Is determined by the University to be guilty of misconduct, as specified in the University of Sydney Student Discipline Rule (as amended or replaced), including having provided false or misleading information as part of their Scholarship application;
vii. The recipient was awarded in error; or
viii. The funds are reduced or cease to be available.
b. Once terminated, the Scholarship will not be reinstated unless due to University error.
c. Where a student is found guilty of misconduct, the University reserves the right to request reimbursement of any Scholarship funds paid.
9. Privacy
a. The University collects and uses recipients’ personal information for the purpose of administering and maintaining the Scholarship, the University’s scholarship processes and for making Scholarship payments to the recipient, in accordance with the University’s business requirements and legal obligations. Further information about the collection and use of personal information is outlined in the University’s Scholarships Privacy Collection Notice (as amended or replaced).