The number of Year 12 students in NSW claiming disadvantage or hardship ahead of their university entrance exams has doubled over the past three years, University Admissions Centre data reveals.
UAC’s Educational Access Schemes provides 'bonus points' for students who have experienced long-term educational disadvantage beyond their control for at least six months during Years 11 and/or 12.
These hardships can include financial hardship, English language difficulty, refugee status, home or school environment, disrupted schooling and illness.
According to News Corporation, UAC data revealed that the number of EAS applicants has doubled since 2011, going from 10,813 applicants to more than 20,000 annually.
A spokeswoman for UAC said: “We are not sure why EAS applications continue to grow strongly. But our community liaison program grows each year so we believe we are doing a better job of promoting the existence of this scheme and in turn so are schools.”
She added that Educational Access Schemes "aim to redress the statistical under-representation of particular groups in the student population."
"This year we have had 5660 applications which is a 20 per cent rise on last year but they only opened on August 6. Applications do not close until July 17 next year so they will be open almost all year round to give people the chance," she said.
UAC states on their website that bonus points do not affect a student’s ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) which is based on their HSC exams. Instead bonus points influence selection rankings for preferred courses.
"The schemes are more accessible, people are taking advantage of them and there is more awareness."
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