About the opportunity
The Queensland Commitment Scholarship, formerly known as the UQ Link Scholarship, was established to provide financial assistance to students who have experienced educational disadvantage due to financial hardship and are undertaking tertiary studies for the first time. Part of UQ’s long-term initiative to increase educational access for students from regional, remote, and low socio-economic backgrounds, the scholarship provides $7,000 per year to help cover living costs while studying full-time. Recipients also benefit from automatic entry rank adjustments and access to comprehensive university support services.
Funding and benefits
- $7,000 per year for the minimum full-time duration of the program.
- $3,000 upfront payment in the first week of study during the first year to help offset start-up costs.
- Remaining annual balance paid in two equal semester instalments after the semester census date.
- 5 entry rank adjustments applied automatically through the Educational Access Scheme (EAS) Financial Hardship category.
- Potential eligibility for additional financial support through the Aspire Scholarship scheme.
Who can apply?
- Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident (including humanitarian visas), or a New Zealand citizen.
- Intend to enrol as a commencing student in any undergraduate program (or eligible professional-accreditation postgraduate program undertaken immediately after a bachelor's) in the year of the award, or after an approved deferral of up to 2 years.
- Have not previously studied at a university at a bachelor's level or higher.
- Have not previously been awarded the scholarship and had it terminated.
- Have demonstrated significant financial disadvantage by receiving the maximum 5 adjustment points in the Financial Hardship category of QTAC's Educational Access Scheme (EAS).
When to apply
- Effective from Semester 1, 2027.
- Applications are processed through QTAC and the Educational Access Scheme (EAS) according to standard admission cycles.
How to apply
- Apply for your program through the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC).
- Apply for the Educational Access Scheme (EAS) through QTAC and select the Financial Hardship category.
- No separate scholarship application is required.
Additional information
- Replaced the former UQ Link Scholarship.
- Recipients must maintain enrolment in a minimum of 4 units per semester and maintain satisfactory academic progress.
- The scholarship can be deferred for a maximum of one year with approval, or up to two semesters in exceptional circumstances.
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Domestic undergraduate students in Australia experiencing significant financial hardship.
- First-time university students who have not previously completed a bachelor's level degree.
- Students who have already qualified for the Educational Access Scheme (EAS) Financial Hardship category.
What should you think carefully about?
- Recipients must maintain full-time enrollment and satisfactory academic progress to keep the scholarship.
- The scholarship is tied to the minimum completion time of the program, so students should plan their academic trajectory carefully.
- The scholarship is specifically for students who have demonstrated financial disadvantage through the QTAC process; verify your eligibility status early.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This scholarship is designed to remove financial barriers to higher education. It is a great fit for students who need consistent financial support to focus on their studies without the pressure of external financial strain, allowing them to complete their degree successfully.
Our take
This is a vital resource for eligible students at the University of Queensland who need financial assistance to pursue their first undergraduate degree. It is not suitable for those who have already completed a bachelor's degree or those who do not meet the specific residency and financial hardship criteria.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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