Badanami Futures Fund

What it is

The Badanami Emergency Grant provides rapid financial support for urgent and unexpected hardship impacting a student’s ability to participate in study.

Purpose

To support students to remain engaged in their studies during short-term crisis situations.

What it can be used for

• Immediate essential costs affecting attendance or placement
• Sudden financial hardship or crisis situations
• Short-term support to prevent disruption to study

Key features

• Up to $500 maximum support
• No evidence required (optional supporting documents may be provided)
• Personal statement only
• Fast assessment process

What it is

The Badanami Futures Grant supports planned, ongoing, or higher-cost expenses that impact your ability to continue and succeed in your studies.

Purpose

To help students manage essential study-related costs across their university journey.

What you can apply for

• Accommodation: Rent, bond, arrears, relocation, temporary housing support - Up to $2,000
• Living Expenses: Groceries, utilities, phone/internet, essential household items - Up to $1,000
• Study Equipment & Technology: Laptops, software, textbooks, printers, internet setup - Up to $1,000
• Placement & Professional Experience: Travel, accommodation, uniforms, WWCC, vaccinations - Up to $1,500
• Transport: Vehicle costs, repairs, fuel, public transport, parking - Up to $1,000
• Academic Participation & Success: Course materials, field trips, conferences, graduation costs - Up to $2,000
• Cultural Participation & Engagement: Cultural events, Sorry Business travel, community participation - Up to $1,000
• Leadership & Career Development: Workshops, leadership programs, memberships, professional development - Up to $2,000
• Other: Any study-related essential cost not listed above - Up to $1,000

Who can apply?

To be eligible, students must:

• Identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person
• Be currently enrolled at Western Sydney University
• Provide Confirmation of Identity (COI) documentation
• Demonstrate financial need or a barrier impacting study participation or success
• Demonstrate how the requested support will contribute to their study, wellbeing or future pathways
• Priority consideration may be given to students experiencing significant hardship, students at key transition points in their studies, or students identified as academically at risk.
• Be engaged with Badanami, or open to building a connection and accessing support to strengthen success throughout their study journey.

Guidelines

• Funding allocations will be determined based on the amount requested by the applicant, subject to applicable category caps and an overall maximum of $2,000 per application.
• Support is subject to available funding and assessed need
• Students are typically eligible to receive one instance of support per session and up to two instances within an 18-month period
• The Fund operates with finite and carefully stewarded resources, with applications assessed based on demonstrated need and alignment with the objectives of the Fund.

How to apply

What You Need To Provide In Your Application:

Badanami Emergency Grant

• Personal statement only
• Valid Confirmation of Identity (COI) documentation
• No evidence required (optional supporting documents may be included)

Badanami Futures Grant

• Personal statement
• Valid Confirmation of Identity (COI) documentation
• Supporting evidence such as: invoices or quotes, bills or statements, rental documents, course requirements, and/or receipts or official correspondence