OS-HELP
Eligible Commonwealth-supported students who wish to undertake part of their study overseas may be able to apply for OS-HELP (opens in a new window). This loan program is not available to students undertaking their whole course outside Australia.
OS-HELP (opens in a new window) is designed to assist students with the cost of travel and living expenses whilst studying overseas. Official UWS exchange students and students undertaking an independent, tuition fee-paying Study Abroad program may apply for OS-HELP (opens in a new window) as a contribution towards tuition fees and/or living expenses. OS-HELP (opens in a new window) is not available to postgraduate students.
Eligibility for OS-HELP (opens in a new window) for UWS students
In addition to meeting standard eligibility criteria, UWS applicants should note:
- OS-HELP loans are only available to Australian citizens and holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa.
- To be eligible to receive OS-HELP, you must be studying full-time while you are overseas. Study loads vary across institutions, and overseas study is only regarded as full-time if the level of academic engagement is comparable to that required by a student undertaking at least 0.75 EFTSL per year in an equivalent course in Australia.
- Overseas study must be accredited to a minimum of 30 credit points towards your UWS degree program although the norm is generally 40 credit points.
- You must provide evidence of your advanced standing arrangement for your overseas study. If you are travelling abroad as a UWS exchange student, you can obtain this confirmation from your course coordinator via the Exchange Transfer of Credits Application form. Independent Study Abroad students must obtain similar approval via a pre-approved Advanced Standing Application form.
Please note that OS-HELP (opens in a new window) loans will be preferentially awarded to official exchange candidates in the first instance, followed by students engaging in an Independent Study Abroad program, and then allocated on the basis of academic merit if there are more candidates applying than loans available.
Applying for OS-HELP
You must complete an OS-HELP Application form, attach the required documentation and submit the application to the International Office.
Selection is based on academic merit for the UWS Exchange program, followed by academic merit for Independent Study Abroad programs.
Failure to undertake overseas study
If you do not take up your overseas study for any reason, and you have not received your OS-HELP (opens in a new window) assistance payment, then you can withdraw your application.
If however you have already been paid your OS-HELP (opens in a new window) assistance amount, you must repay this debt through the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
There are no grounds for application for remission of OS-HELP (opens in a new window) assistance amounts due to special circumstances.
