Equity Initiatives

Textbook Loan Scheme

The Textbook Loan Scheme allows students experiencing financial disadvantage to borrow required textbooks for compulsory units, and limited elective units. Given in memory of Walter Reid, a student and a graduate of the Faculties of Arts and Law in the University of Sydney, students are required to pay a $40 bond per textbook which will be returned after their loan period. Please read the Textbook Loan Policy for information on eligibility criteria and loan conditions.

If any students require assistance with the payment of the bond, please email the Equity Officer, Carol.

Eligibility Criteria

If you would like to apply for the textbook loan scheme, you must meet the Eligibility Criteria:

  • Be a member of SULS;

  • Read and agree to the terms and conditions of the SULS Textbook Loan Policy, found in Part 6 of the SULS Bylaws;

  • Have no outstanding textbooks from prior loans;

  • You - 

    • are receiving Centrelink benefits, OR

    • identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person, OR

    • recently moved from another city, interstate or oversea, OR 

    • are currently seeking employment, OR

    • recently experienced a family tragedy or other major setback of a personal nature which affects your immediate access to funds, OR

    • have been found eligible for a textbook subsidy by an SRC caseworker in relation to the SRC Textbook Subsidy scheme; OR 

    • other relevant situations.

  • Have evidence to support your case, including but not limited to: 

    • A copy of Centerlink benefits letters,

    • written declaration, 

    • Sydney Law School/other University scholarships, 

    • Screenshot of most recent bank statement,

    • Others. 

Statute of Limitation

Each semester the Equity Office will open the link for application for the scheme 1 week (7 ordinary days) before the first day of the semester.

The Equity Officer will close the application after 2 weeks (14 ordinary days) after the first day of the semester.  

Apply

Once you have confirmed your eligibility, and attained all relevant evidence, please apply here. 

All questions or concerns regarding the scheme should be directed to the Equity Officer, at equity@suls.org.au.

Financial Grants Scheme

If you would like to apply for the financial grant scheme, you must meet the following eligibility requirements. 

  • Be a member of SULS;

  • Read and agree to the terms and conditions of the SULS Financial Grants Policy, found in Part 5 of the SULS Bylaws;

  • You - 

    • are receiving Centrelink benefits, OR

    • identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person, OR

    • recently moved from another city, interstate or oversea, OR 

    • are currently seeking employment, OR

    • recently experienced a family tragedy or other major setback of a personal nature which affects your immediate access to funds, OR

    • has been found eligible for a textbook subsidy by an SRC caseworker in relation to the SRC Textbook Subsidy scheme; OR 

    • other relevant situations.

      • are suffering financial hardship;

      • have recently moved from another city, interstate or overseas, and is currently seeking employment;

      • have experienced a recent family tragedy or other major setback of a personal nature which affects their immediate access to funds;

      • are receiving Centrelink benefits;

      • have been found eligible by the University of Sydney for a bursary on the basis of financial need; or

      • you identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person.

This list does not provide an exhaustive list of the criteria to justify the awarding of financial grant. The Equity Officer has discretion to evaluate and award reimbursements to any anomaly situation. 

Apply

Applications are open all year round on a rolling basis.Once you have confirmed your eligibility, and attained all relevant evidence, please apply here. 

All questions or concerns regarding the scheme should be directed to the Equity Officer, at equity@suls.org.au.

Feedback, Complaints and Support

Feedback

SULS welcomes feedback on all initiatives, equity schemes, and programs run across the society. Students are also encouraged to provide feedback on the work of other SULS portfolios and on broader university experiences that affect equity, or wellbeing. All feedback is valued and helps us improve the support and services offered to the SULS community.

Students can submit feedback through the Equity Officer at equity@suls.org.au or by approaching any member of the SULS Executive Team.

Complaints

The Equity Officer has the authority to open, investigate, and close confidential enquiries and investigations relating to the SULS community. This includes matters concerning students, competition judges, mentors, external recruits, and members of the SULS Executive. All enquiries are handled independently, carefully, and with strict confidentiality.

Students may submit a confidential enquiry by contacting the Equity Officer directly at equity@suls.org.au.

Support

Law school can be difficult, and SULS aims to support students throughout any challenges they may face. We encourage students to reach out if they have encountered any issues, been in a situation where they felt uncomfortable, or require any general wellbeing support.

Students are welcome to contact the Equity Officer at equity@suls.org.au, or any other member of the SULS Executive Team, if they would like to discuss any concerns. Any complaints raised with the Equity Officer will be handled with care and respect.

Office Hours during Semester One 2026

The Equity Officer also holds weekly office hours every Monday from 2 pm to 4 pm in the SULS Office. Students are welcome to attend for a confidential conversation, to see a familiar face, or to enquire about further support services that may be available.