This marks the third consecutive year of a program designed to help reduce the cost-of-living barriers that often stand between recent school leavers and university education.
The 2027 offer provides significant savings on accommodation for the first two trimesters of a student’s first year at UNE’s residential colleges. Depending on the accommodation option selected, eligible students could pay around $100 per week, making living and studying on campus more affordable.
Vice-Chancellor and CEO, Professor Chris Moran, said the initiative is a direct expression of the University’s new 2026-35 Strategic Plan, which centres on UNE being shaped by the communities it serves.
"UNE is committed to making higher education accessible to our communities. We do that by ensuring that a student’s postcode or financial background does not dictate their capacity to succeed. This accommodation credit is a practical tool that enables people to succeed in ways they might not have been able to otherwise."
The continuation of the college credit program comes as UNE experiences a significant surge in interest from prospective school leavers, with Early Entry applications for 2027 already up by 25 per cent.
"The 25 per cent increase in Early Entry applications tells us that the demand for a secure place at university well before high school is complete is stronger than ever," Professor Moran said.
"By easing the pressure of the cost of living and the stress of finding housing, we allow school leavers to focus on what matters: their studies, their personal growth, and the lifelong connections they build within our college communities."
The credit is specifically targeted at students from low-SES backgrounds, regional and remote areas, and First Nations Australians. It applies to 2025 and 2026 school leavers—and, for the first time, explicitly includes students transitioning from UNE’s TRACKS and Foundation programs into their first degree. The value of the credit is up to $3,200 or $100/week.
"UNE is committed to the on-campus experience in Armidale. Many of our students describe their on-campus experience as one of the highlights of their time at UNE and we want to afford more students this opportunity,” Professor Moran said.
For more information, visit UNE’s First Years' Accommodation Credit Page, contact UNE's Future Students Team on 1800 818 865.
