ACU International Student Accommodation Scholarship 2025

The ACU International Student Accommodation Scholarship 2025-2026 at Australian Catholic University (ACU) is designed to support international students by reducing the cost of living in ACU-managed student accommodation. This scholarship provides a 20% reduction on accommodation fees for a 12-month rental agreement in ACU properties, encouraging students to engage in a diverse and supportive campus community. ACU, ranked in the top 2% of universities worldwide (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025), enrolls over 30,000 students across campuses in Ballarat, Blacktown, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, North Sydney, Strathfield, and Rome. With a 67–80% acceptance rate and a focus on community engagement, ACU offers programs in Health Sciences, Education, Business, and Theology, fostering a 95% graduate employability rate (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2024). Recipients benefit from academic support, lifelong connections, and access to ACU’s vibrant student life.

To be eligible for the ACU International Student Accommodation Scholarship 2025-2026, applicants must:

• Be an international student (holding a valid Australian student visa, subclass 500) enrolling in any ACU undergraduate or postgraduate coursework program (excluding diploma, pathway, or graduate certificate programs) for Semester 1, 2025.

• Be studying full-time on campus at one of ACU’s Australian campuses (Ballarat, Blacktown, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, North Sydney, or Strathfield).

• Have received a conditional or unconditional offer for an ACU program starting in February 2025.

• Commit to residing in ACU-managed student accommodation for a 12-month rental agreement, including:

  • Sydney: National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) studio apartment.

  • Canberra: Studio apartment in Blackfriars Residence (on-campus).

  • Ballarat: Private room in a Managed Residential house.

• Exclusions:

  • Not available for domestic students (Australian citizens, permanent residents, or New Zealand citizens).

  • Not available for students in non-coursework programs (e.g., research degrees, diplomas, or graduate certificates).

  • Not applicable to non-ACU accommodation (e.g., private rentals or off-campus housing).

  • Not combinable with multiple ACU accommodation scholarships; recipients must choose one if awarded multiple offers.

  • Students under 18 must have welfare arrangements approved by the Australian Department of Home Affairs (ACU does not provide welfare support for under-18 students except in Foundation Studies).

• Value: 20% reduction on ACU student accommodation fees for a 12-month rental agreement (specific value varies by campus and room type, e.g., ~AUD 2,000–3,000 savings based on typical costs of AUD 10,000–15,000/year).

• Disbursement: Applied directly as a discount to accommodation fees for the chosen ACU property, starting in Semester 1, 2025 (February 2025), after enrollment and room allocation confirmation.

• Duration: Valid for one 12-month rental agreement (February 2025–January 2026), subject to room availability. Students may reapply for another accommodation scholarship after the agreement ends.

• Additional Benefits:

  • Recognition as an ACU Accommodation Scholar, enhancing community engagement credentials.

  • Access to ACU’s academic support services, including study skills workshops and career advising.

  • Opportunities to participate in campus activities, fostering connections with a diverse student community.

• Note: The scholarship applies only to ACU-managed accommodation and does not cover tuition fees (AUD 16,000–31,000/year for international students), living expenses (AUD 21,000–27,000/year), or other fees (e.g., Student Services and Amenities Fee, AUD 364/year for full-time students; Overseas Student Health Cover, ~AUD 700/year). Education loans via WeMakeScholars or banks (e.g., SBI, HDFC Credila) are available for additional costs. International students must purchase OSHC by February 1, 2025, for 2025-26 coverage, with Medibank Private as ACU’s preferred provider.

Applicants must apply through the ACU Scholarships Office portal. Follow these steps:

1. Secure Admission:

   • Apply for an ACU undergraduate or postgraduate coursework program via the ACU Applicant Portal (www.acu.edu.au/apply) or UAC (www.uac.edu.au) for Semester 1, 2025.

   • Submit required documents:

     • Academic transcripts (in English or with certified translations).

     • English proficiency test scores (e.g., IELTS 6.5 with no band below 6.0, TOEFL iBT 79, or ACU-approved equivalent).

     • Personal statement (300–500 words) outlining study goals and motivation.

     • Copy of passport and visa (if available).

     • Two letters of recommendation (postgraduate applicants).

   • Receive a conditional or unconditional offer by January 2025.

2. Apply for Accommodation:

   • Submit an application for ACU student accommodation via the ACU Accommodation Portal (www.acu.edu.au/accommodation) by December 1, 2024, to secure a room (subject to availability).

   • Specify preferred campus and room type (e.g., Sydney NRAS studio, Canberra Blackfriars studio, Ballarat private room).

3. Apply for Scholarship:

   • Complete the ACU International Student Accommodation Scholarship application form on the ACU scholarship portal (acu.smapply.io) when it opens (expected October 2024).

   • Submit a written statement (300 words) outlining how the scholarship will benefit your studies and experience at ACU, focusing on your commitment to campus life.

4. Evaluation: The ACU Scholarships Office reviews applications based on:

   • Eligibility (international student status, full-time enrollment, accommodation commitment).

   • Quality of the written statement (content, not language skills).

   • Early application (priority for earlier submissions due to limited rooms).

5. Notification: Successful applicants are notified via their ACU email by January 15, 2025. Conditional offers may be made pending room availability.

6. Accept and Enroll:

   • Accept the scholarship and accommodation offer via the ACU portal by the deadline in the offer letter (typically January 31, 2025).

   • Sign a 12-month rental agreement with ACU Student Accommodation.

   • Enroll in the ACU program and be onshore by February 2025 to activate the scholarship.

Note: Only one accommodation scholarship per student is permitted; if multiple are awarded, the Scholarships Office will contact recipients to select one. International students must hold a valid Australian student visa and be onshore by February 2025. Apply for a visa by November 2024 to allow 3–4 months for processing. Contact scholarships@acu.edu.au or accommodation@acu.edu.au for support. Early application is critical due to limited room availability (e.g., 4 scholarships in Ballarat).

• Completed ACU International Student Accommodation Scholarship application form (via acu.smapply.io, expected to open October 2024).

• Written statement (300 words) outlining how the scholarship will benefit your studies and campus experience.

• Proof of ACU program offer (conditional or unconditional) for Semester 1, 2025.

• Proof of ACU accommodation application (via www.acu.edu.au/accommodation).

• Academic transcripts (in English or with certified translations).

• English proficiency test scores (e.g., IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 79).

• Copy of passport (for visa verification).

• Note: Documents must be in English or accompanied by certified translations. Submit via the ACU scholarship and accommodation portals. Incomplete applications or those submitted after December 1, 2024, are ineligible.

• Program Application Deadline: December 1, 2024 (ACU Applicant Portal or UAC for Semester 1, 2025).

• Accommodation Application Deadline: December 1, 2024 (ACU Accommodation Portal).

• Scholarship Application Deadline: December 1, 2024, 11:59 PM (AEDT), or earlier if rooms are fully allocated.

• Notification: By January 15, 2025.

• Acceptance Deadline: Confirm scholarship and accommodation offer, typically January 31, 2025.

• Enrollment Deadline: Register for Semester 1, 2025, by February 2025.

• OSHC Deadline: Purchase Overseas Student Health Cover by February 1, 2025, for 2025-26 coverage.

• Note: Deadlines are based on 2025-26 terms (www.acu.edu.au, acu.smapply.io). Early application by October 2024 is strongly recommended due to limited accommodation availability. Verify with scholarships@acu.edu.au or accommodation@acu.edu.au.

• Email: scholarships@acu.edu.au (Scholarships Office); accommodation@acu.edu.au (Accommodation Services); international.admissions@acu.edu.au (International Office).

• Phone: +61 2 6209 1100 (AskACU Centre, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM AEDT, Monday–Friday).

• Address: Australian Catholic University, AskACU Centre, 223 Antill Street, Watson ACT 2602, Australia.

• Website: www.acu.edu.au