A new scholarship launched by the University of Sydney prepares to welcome an additional 1,000 to 1,500 students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The MySydney Entry and Scholarship scheme offers eligible students entrance to an undergraduate degree based on an adjusted ATAR and an $8,500 per annum scholarship for the duration of their selected degree.
The future students are not required to do anything, other than apply. The scholarship is available to any student who lives in a low socio-economic area, as defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Sydney University identifies them through UAC and offers scholarships to eligible students.
“The new MySydney scholarship package will help talented students, who might not otherwise be able to attend university, continue their education and fulfil their immense potential,” said the University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Mark Scott.
Through the main round offers, 18.5 per cent more HSC students from low socio-economic areas have received an offer of a MySydney scholarship package.
Gilbert Diep from Canley Vale High School is one of them. Gilbert plans to study a Bachelor of Applied Science (Diagnostic Radiography) in 2023.
“My decision to select this course is very personal and carries a lot of meaning,” said Gilbert.
“My Year 8 was a hard year for my family, as we found out that my mother had breast cancer. Dealing with this development as well as keeping up with school was difficult. I didn’t know what was going to happen or what was in store for me in the future. Studying became harder and I needed to find a point of interest to take my worries away. My mother made trips to the hospital on the monthly basis, so I joined her every time she went. As the number of visits increased, I became more interested in the technology and science the doctors used to help my mom. Whenever she had an x-ray or CT scan, I would be insistent on knowing what it meant and knowing what it showed,” explains Gilbert.
Another recent school leaver Chi-Ming Chen, also from Canley Vale High School, is likewise eligible for the MySydney scholarship and has enrolled in a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering at the University of Sydney.
“I was initially planning to go to another university but then I saw the help that many of my friends will get through the MySydney scholarship, and I decided to switch uni. My parents don’t make a lot, so the $8,500 every year will help significantly. I’m really looking forward to the university experience, both for the learning and also for the societies and clubs I can join,” said Chi-Ming.
Shane Griffin is Associate Vice-President at the Sydney Future Students. He explains that this is the first year the scholarship is offered.
“It’s the largest scholarship any university in NSW is offering as far as the choice and value. The best measure is that the first preferences for students from these areas are up about 20% and the overall offers that have been made by Sydney University are up 25% than offers made in previous years,” said Griffin.
However, students need more than financial support to succeed. Therefore, the University also offers MySydney undergraduates a range of non-financial assistance, such as a space designed to facilitate making friends and providing advice. The new undergraduates will also have access to mentoring programs to assist them with their studies, find casual employment and with longer-term career planning.
“These scholarships give students the choice of location and open up the option to travel to Sydney University, where this may not have been an option due to financial constraints. For example, law and medicine have had a huge enrolment increase through the scholarships,” Mr Griffin said.
Gilbert recalls the moment when he and his family found out that he has been granted a scholarship.
“My family was overjoyed and overcome with emotions after hearing about my acceptance into tertiary education with the assistance of this scholarship. My parents were unable to hold back their tears of happiness. The value of this scholarship can’t be quantified,” he said.
Sydney University plans to double its scholarship funding over the next ten years for those students who have often been under-represented in higher education, such as Gilbert and Chi-Ming.
“Students across New South Wales are lucky to have a number of great universities to choose from, but that choice shouldn’t be restricted by where they live or their background,” said Professor Scott.
It seems this new scholarship package could be fierce competition for the local universities but proves that students are willing to travel if given the opportunity.