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Current Students

Financial hardship grants

Talk to a Student Support Advisor to get advice on applying for financial support for essential expenses.

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Student Advisor helping student at desk

Who can apply for a financial hardship grant?

You are eligible to apply for financial support if you:

  • are currently enrolled at UNSW,
  • are currently residing in Australia, and 
  • have completed at least one term of study.

What kind of financial support is available?

Grants are available to support eligible students with the following expenses:

  • Essential living costs (groceries, public transport)
  • Study expenses (not tuition fees) 
  • Medical expenses
  • Laptops and technology
  • Phone or utility bills
  • Bonds

See also

How to apply

Follow these steps to be considered for financial support.

Meet with a Student Support Advisor

Meet with a Student Support Advisor to discuss your current financial situation. If you are eligible for a financial hardship grant, the Advisor will provide you with an application form. 

Provide a personal statement

In your application, you will need to demonstrate how you are experiencing financial hardship and cannot meet your daily needs. 

You must include a personal statement in which you:

  • Clearly outline your financial difficulties.
  • Explain any unclear activity in your bank statement.
  • Explain any money you have received into your account that may not be clear in your bank statements (such as payments from family).

If your bank account balance indicates that there is not currently financial hardship, you must clearly outline why you are seeking a financial hardship grant.

Supply bank statements & supporting documents

You must provide the following supporting documents in your application: 

  • Bank account transaction history for the past 90 days of all bank accounts in your name. This includes everyday accounts, saving accounts, investment accounts, offshore accounts, credit card accounts, loan accounts. 
  • Proof of income (employment, family contribution, scholarship, sponsorship, other).
  • Evidence of expenses unable to be met (rental agreement, bond, bills, invoices, quotes).

Your transaction history is a record of all transactions in a given period. This must be submitted in PDF form and include: 

  • the bank logo
  • your full name 
  • a list of all transactions in the past 90 days
  • a running balance.

You can find an example of an acceptable transaction history .

 We're here to help

Student Support offers an individual, holistic, student-centred experience to enhance academic and personal wellbeing. We support students with matters relating to study / life habits and skills, university procedures, financial hardship, accommodation-related concerns, and we can link you into other services.