They bring the potential. You bring the opportunity.

Your gift to a U@Uni Equity Scholarship can help a student change the course of their life. 

Yes, I’ll give a student a fair chance

University of Technology Sydney student Sione Puloka in the library

Watch Sione’s story

(00:03:06)

Watch Sione’s story transcript

I went to a school out in Western Sydney, where hardly anyone went to uni because of the lack of opportunity. 

UTS gave me the opportunity to study. 

My name is Sione Puloka and I'm studying a Bachelor of Communications in Journalism at the University of Technology, Sydney.

I would describe myself as persevering. My year six teacher, he told me that I like to take on challenges through thick or thin.

I'm pretty outgoing. I like talking to people. I love getting to know them. That's why I chose journalism, because I want to get to know that person's story.

I grew up in a single parent household. I have four loving sisters. It was tough growing up with the financial struggles, solely relying on my mum, for my 21 years in life. 

My mum is the greatest person I've ever known. She is my superwoman. She always told me: Do what you need to do to be great. 

My first day on campus - I really liked the feel of it. It felt like home to me personally. 

I've always wanted to be here at uni. I've always wanted to study. I didn't want to end up as a product of my environment. 

It's not just the fees - like other students, I will be paying it off for the rest of my life. The train fare, the laptop, other costs... They all pile up. I just have to make every dollar count to be honest. 

And with my disability, it takes up a lot of time and energy and effort to even get here on time.

It's hard, but I'm determined to do it. 

I could see how this scholarship would change my life. And not only for me, but my mum and sisters too. 

It means we could focus on study and not survival.

As my mum would put it: just go, be great! This scholarship creates an opportunity to do that. 

I can succeed, and other students like me can succeed. 

We have the potential. We just need the opportunity.

Potential isn’t the problem. Opportunity is.

Sione has the spark. He dreams of becoming a sports reporter. But like so many students, he’s juggling casual jobs, supporting his family and managing a disability – all while trying to keep up at uni.

For students like Sione, the cost of study can be the difference between staying the course or giving up on their dreams.

Your gift to a U@Uni Equity Scholarship ignites their spark of potential and gives a student a fair chance to succeed. 

U@Uni is a UTS-led, alternate, non-ATAR entry pathway for high school students. It focuses on 21st century skills, on-campus experiences, and transition support from high school to university. 

Support a scholarship now

University of Technology Sydney student Sione Puloka

“I’ve always wanted to study. I didn’t want to end up as a product of my environment. But it’s not just the fees – the train fare, the laptop, the other costs... They all pile up.”

Sione

UTS student, Bachelor of Communications (Journalism)

100% of your gift will go directly to a scholarship

Every dollar you give becomes opportunity, covering essentials like textbooks, technology, transport, living costs and fees.

Each scholarship provides a student with $10,000 per year for the duration of their degree.

That means:

  • More time to focus on study.
  • Less stress about money.
  • A fairer chance to reach their full potential. 

When you give to a U@Uni Equity Scholarship, you show you are part of a community that believes in fairness, social justice and investing in the next generation.

You’re saying to students like Sione: I see your potential. I believe in you. You deserve the same chance as anyone else.

In 2026, we want to turn potential into possibility by offering as many U@Uni Scholarships as possible. 

Give towards a scholarship today

I could see how this scholarship would change my life, and not only for me, but my mum and sisters too.

Sione, UTS student, Bachelor of Communications (Journalism)

University of Technology Sydney student Sione Puloka on campus with classmates

Donate now before 31 December

Your donation will help us ignite the spark of potential for students who need it most.

As Sione said, “We have the potential. We just need the opportunity.”

Yes, I’ll support a student today