Grants, Loans and Bursaries
Recent research by Universities Australia states that two-thirds of Australian university students are living below the poverty line (Universities Australia, 2020).
The University of Tasmania and TUSA recognize the financial impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on many students.
If you are experiencing financial hardship, take a look at the support available to you below. Don’t forget to check out our other pages in the Support section of the site – there is a lot we can help you with.
If you need assistance with applying for any of these initiatives or just need to talk about your situation, please reach out to our Student Advocates.
Need Financial Assistance?
If you are experiencing unexpected financial difficulties, it is recommended to reach out to a TUSA Student Advocate. They can assist you in accessing emergency funding and other support services, such as Financial Counselling.
TUSA Postgrad Support Scheme
Thank you for your interest in the Postgraduate Support Scheme.
Unfortunately, funding for this scheme has been exhausted for this year. Check back in next year!
Your TUSA aims to support the postgraduate community by offering financial subsidies to alleviate some of the challenges you may face. We have identified key areas where we can provide assistance and are pleased to offer three schemes to ALL currently enrolled postgraduates on a first-come, first-served basis.
The three available schemes are as follows:
Fitness Subsidy
We recognize the importance of health and wellbeing and want to help you maintain a healthy and balanced lifestyle. We are offering a subsidy of up to $60 for any fitness-related membership or activity.
Conference/Workshop Subsidy
Attending conferences and workshops is an integral part of the postgraduate experience, and TUSA wants to support your participation in events that are most relevant to your studies. We are offering a subsidy of up to a maximum of $120 per student.
Childcare Subsidy
This subsidy is specifically designed for postgraduates with families and childcare commitments. If you are ineligible for the Government Child Care Subsidy and facing financial difficulties, we can assist you by offering up to $200 per successful application to help cover childcare costs.
To avail these subsidies, simply download and complete the subsidy form (filling out only sections 1 and 2) and provide proof of payment (such as invoices, receipts, or bank statement screenshots) for expenses incurred in 2021. Upload the completed subsidy form(s) for each type of subsidy you wish to apply for. Please note that if your application for a particular subsidy has already been approved this year (2021), it will not be considered again. You may be asked to provide proof of eligibility based on the information provided in your application.
UTAS Student Financial Hardship Scheme
UTAS is committed to supporting students who are facing financial hardship. This support is not a loan and does not require repayment, but students must meet the eligibility criteria. If you have any questions or need assistance with the application process, TUSA Student Advocates are available to help. To speak to a Student Advocate, click here.
If you are currently experiencing temporary financial hardship, you can apply for funds of up to $1000 to cover essential living expenses, such as grocery vouchers and learning resources like textbooks. Please refer to the Financial Hardship FAQs for detailed eligibility requirements and further information.
To be eligible for assistance, you must meet the following criteria:
- Provide supporting documentation that demonstrates your individual financial situation (refer to the FAQs mentioned above for examples).
- Be currently enrolled at the University of Tasmania.
- Be enrolled in at least 25 credit points.
- Reside in Australia.
UTAS Higher Degree By Research Extreme Hardship Fund
This fund provides a limited number of extensions/payments for living allowances to HDR (Higher Degree by Research) candidates in exceptional cases where they have experienced delays in their candidature or other financial hardships.
To be eligible for this support, candidates must currently or previously have received a scholarship and still be within the maximum candidature period of their degree. Additionally, they must demonstrate that the reasons for their progression delays or financial hardship were beyond their control.
For more detailed information, please reach out to your Primary Supervisor.