The University of Adelaide has currently granted over $1.5 million worth of scholarships to more than 130 new students of their undergraduate programs.

The objective of this range of scholarships is to support the state's best students, including the ones from rural areas or disadvantaged backgrounds. It is one of the University's ways to demonstrate their continuous commitment in educating students based on their abilities, regardless of their backgrounds.

The University's Vice Chancellor and President, Professor James McWha, said that they believe scholarships change lives. Through scholarship awards, students are given the best possible chance of gaining an excellent eduactional experience.

Scholarships, added McWha, also help to ease students' financial burden, such as paying for the cost of living, buying the essentials of their learning (e.g. textbooks, a new computer), and even covering the cost of relocation from rural areas to the city. In some ways, scholarships also act as a motivation for students to strive for excellence in their studies. At the end of the day, it is expected that the scholarships will help students to focus on their education.

A special scholarships presentation ceremony for new students was held by the University on February 26, during which the following scholarships were being provided:

  • Adelaide Undergraduate Scholarships - worth $10,000 per year for a maximum of four years,offered to all new students who receive a TER score of 99.95 (with no bonuses). 24 new students are to be given this type of scholarship this year, with a total commitment from the University of $960,000 over the next four years.
  • Andy Thomas Scholarship - worth $6000 per year for a maximum of four years, plus the cost of all Commonwealth contributions (i.e., HECS fees) to a maximum of four years. This scholarship is offered each year to an outstanding student studying Aerospace, Mechanical or Mechatronic engineering. The total value of this scholarship is about $55,000 over four years.
  • Principals' Scholarships - worth $5000, aimed to assist with education/living costs for the first year of a student's program. These scholarships are available for students who have made a significant contribution to their school and to the wider community. To be eligible, nomination from the school principal is required besides a TER score of 80 or greater (including bonus points). 109 Principals' Scholarships are being awarded this year, with a total commitment from the University of $545,000.

Other two major scholarship schemes, namely Adelaide Access Scholarships and the Start-Up Scholarships, are yet to be awarded this year. The two schemes are aimed at encouraging access to university education for students who suffer from some forms of disadvantage.