Shaping Futures Scholarships

Applications open
Amount

$5,000

Number available

20

Closing date

08 February 2026

Scholarship details

Donor

Public

Establishment

The Shaping Futures Scholarship Program was established in 2011 with the aim of helping those students who are most in need and continues to grow each year as one of our largest equity scholarship programs.

Shaping Futures Scholarships will be awarded to students who are managing their academic progress alongside complex personal circumstances such as:

  • Carer responsibilities
  • Financial hardship
  • Long term medical condition/ disability or ongoing effects of abuse
  • Regional or remote disadvantage
  • Sole parent responsibilities
  • Additional attributes such as Indigenous Australian or having Refugee status or an Out of Home Care experience.

It is hoped that the Shaping Futures Scholarships will provide much needed support for students to continue to overcome adversity and maintain their achievements.

These scholarships are funded entirely by generous donations from alumni, donors, staff, businesses and the community, and funds are continually sought via the Shaping Futures Appeal.

In addition to general Shaping Futures Scholarships, donors have established specific 'named' opportunities to support students in areas they are passionate about. You can read more about these here.

For more information on this scholarship, please review the full Terms and Conditions.

Applicable to equity, financial disadvantage, disability, regional and remote.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for this scholarship, you will need to:

  • Be enrolled in any year of an undergraduate degree program at the University of Newcastle.
  • Be intending to study on a full-time basis (minimum 60 units per year).
  • Demonstrate academic progress by the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) or equivalent required for entry for commencing students, or a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 4.0 for continuing students (evidence not required for current UON students).
  • Demonstrate the impact of educational disadvantage such as carer and sole parent responsibilities, financial hardship, long-term medical condition, a disability, the ongoing effects of abuse, and regional/remote disadvantage.
  • Equity scholarships will also consider applicant attributes such as being an Indigenous Australian, having a Refugee background, or placement with an Out-of-Home Care provider.
  • Be an Australian citizen or an Australian permanent resident (including holders of a permanent humanitarian visa and New Zealand citizens with permanent residency).
  • Not be the recipient of another University of Newcastle donor-funded or sponsored scholarship concurrently.

Required Documentation

Required documents will be listed on the ‘Your Documents’ page of your application. The application portal accepts PDF only. A maximum of 3 PDF smaller than 5 MB can be added per document type upload field.

  • A personal statement (approx. 1 A4 page) outlining your academic achievements, career aspirations in the relevant area of study, and how this scholarship would assist you. This statement will cover all scholarships you are submitting for.
  • You may be required to provide documents to support your educational challenges and personal circumstances. These will be identified when you apply based on your individual application responses.

Benefit

The scholarship provides a benefit of $5000 to be paid as a lump sum. Payments are typically made 2-3 weeks after the relevant semester census date.

Selection

Selection will be based on assessment of the scholarship application and any required supporting documents. Applications will be ranked against the criteria and offers made to the applicants who best meet the eligibility criteria.

College

Contact Details

Scholarships
Student and Academic Services
University of Newcastle
University Drive
CALLAGHAN NSW 2308

Phone: +61 2 4921 5000
Email: scholarships@newcastle.edu.au