Illawarra & Liverpool
Community Enrolment
Scholarship

Supporting students to study, stay local, and thrive.

Starting university is a major milestone, and the University of Wollongong is committed to helping students begin with confidence. The Illawarra & Liverpool Community Enrolment Scholarship has been created to support 50 local undergraduate students commencing their studies in 2026, helping them study, stay local, and thrive while investing in the future of these regions.

To help ease cost-of-living pressures during the transition to university, successful applicants will receive $8,500 in financial support, paid as two $4,250 instalments. This support can be used towards essential study-related costs such as textbooks, technology, travel, or other everyday expenses, allowing students to focus on their studies from day one.

Eligible students must enrol at UOW by 2 February 2026 and complete a scholarship application, including a short response to the question: “Tell us how this scholarship will help you succeed at the University of Wollongong.” Students are encouraged to apply and take advantage of this opportunity to reduce financial pressure while starting university life.

FAQs

What is the Community Enrolment Scholarship?
How much is the scholarship?
Who is eligible?
How do I apply?
When do applications close?
What can the scholarship be used for?
When will I know if I’ve been selected?
Does this affect HECS-HELP?
Will this affect any scholarship/s I have been offered at UOW?

The UOW Illawarra Community Enrolment Scholarship and the UOW Liverpool Community Enrolment Scholarships are designed to support commencing domestic undergraduate students from UOW’s immediate local government areas (Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama and Canterbury-Bankstown, Fairfield, Liverpool, and Campbelltown) as they transition to university study. The scholarship provides financial assistance to help alleviate cost-of-living pressures.

Each selected student receives $8,500, paid in two instalments.

$4,250 disbursed at Session One Census, 2026;
$4,250 disbursed at Session Two Census, 2026.

To be eligible, applicants must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or hold a humanitarian visa, and have received a validated offer to commence a UOW bachelor’s degree at an Australian UOW campus in Autumn 2026.

Applicants must reside in one of the following Local Government Areas: Wollongong, Kiama, Shellharbour, Canterbury-Bankstown, Fairfield, Liverpool, or Campbelltown, and completely enrol (including enrolment in subjects) as a full time student in their first UOW bachelor’s degree by 2 February 2026.

Successful applicants must commence full-time study in first session (Autumn 2026) and remain enrolled full-time through the Autumn and Spring 2026 census dates.

Eligible students can apply here:

Illawarra Community Enrolment Scholarship Application

Liverpool Community Enrolment Scholarship Application

You'll be asked to complete a scholarship application by answering the following question: “Tell us how this scholarship will help you succeed at University of Wollongong?”.

Applications close 2 February 2026. To be eligible for the scholarship, students will been to complete their enrolment (including enrolment into subjects) by this date as well.

Anything that supports your transition to university: tuition, textbooks, equipment, technology, travel, uniforms, or living/study costs.

Applicants will be notified of the scholarship outcome from 16th February 2026.

No. This payment does not impact tuition fees or loan arrangements.

No. This scholarship can be held alongside other UOW scholarships. Students are encouraged to apply for all scholarships they may be eligible for, as well as the Tertiary Access Payments.