UQ-link Access Program

 

Helping disadvantaged students connect to higher education

Applications for the 2012 UQ-Link Access Program have now closed.

What is the UQ-Link Access Program?

The UQ-Link Access Program is a special admissions scheme aimed at assisting current and recent Year 12 school leavers who have experienced educational disadvantage, caused by financial hardship, to gain entry to UQ for the first time.

What are the benefits of the UQ-Link Access Program?

  • All approved applicants receive five bonus points* towards their admission to study undergraduate programs at UQ. The number of bonus points that a student can receive under any scheme (including the UQ Bonus Rank Scheme) is capped at five.
  • Once enrolled, UQ-Link Access students will also receive a $500 Start-Up Bursary to help fund up-front education costs (such as text books).
  • Access to a range of support services including transition programs and ongoing support from Student Services.
  • Opportunity to be considered for one of a limited number of UQ-Link Access Scholarships, valued at $3,000 per year for up to four years.

*Note: Queensland school leavers should note that bonus points are not OPs rather they are ranks.

Who is eligible?

To be eligible for the UQ-Link Access Program, applicants must:

  • be Australian Citizens or Australian Permanent Residents (including holders of Australian Permanent Humanitarian Visas); and
  • be completing (or have completed) one of the following in 2011 (or 2010): 

         – Year 12 (or seeking entry using combined mode); or
         – full-time Senior External Examinations or
         – full-time Certificate IV in Adult Tertiary Preparation 
     
  • have a current (2012) QTAC tertiary study application submitted. Applicants must satisfy all program prerequisite requirements; and
  • be intending to commence study at UQ in 2012 or in 2013 after an approved year of deferral; and
  • have not undertaken/commenced any previous tertiary study other than that undertaken as part of Year 11-12 studies (eg. Enhanced Studies Program); and
  • be able to demonstrate and provide documentary evidence of financial hardship (see below) which has led to educational disadvantage.

Financial hardship
In order to determine whether you are eligible for consideration for the UQ-Link Access Program, you must be able to demonstrate financial hardship. Your application will not be considered without appropriate documentary evidence of your and/or your family’s financial circumstances. The information and evidence provided should be sufficient to enable the University to comprehensively assess your financial situation. Financial documentation should include but is not limited to:

  • copies of current Centrelink statements – Please provide if you (and/or your parents) are in receipt of a means-tested Commonwealth-income support payment such as Youth Allowance, Austudy, ABSTUDY, Disability Support Pension, FTB Part A or other support payments (Please note: a Low Income Health Care Card on its own does not demonstrate financial hardship - additional evidence must be provided).
  • Australian Tax Office assessment notice(s) for the 2010/2011 financial year – You must provide ATO assessment notices for the 2010/2011 financial year for your parent(s), caregiver(s), partner and yourself (if applicable).

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