Financial Support

No matter where you live in the Mid Coast region there a lots of ways you can get a uni degree. Listen to our local student success stories to find out how.

Yes, you can get financial assistance for university study.

Read on to learn about some of the grants, loans, and other schemes available from universities, TAFE and government agencies.

Grants - what is offered by our partner universities?

If you have been educationally disadvantaged in some way, and are seeking financial support to help you get into, or complete your degree, equity grants can help you with the cost of professional placements, residential schools, or for unforseen emergencies.

Grants - what is offered by the local Country Education Foundation?

Hastings Education Fund provides non-cash grants to assist students with their transition from school into further training, study or employment. Find out how a grant can help you achieve your dreams. The Foundation was launched in March 2011 with the first grants being offered towards the end of the year. Find out more.

Loans

You can apply for short-term financial assistance at some universities to help continue your studies. Loans are for educational needs, or to provide emergency relief. See Financial Assistance info from:

Government Assistance

To help you pay your way through uni, the Australian government provides scholarships, loans for tuition fees, and living allowance options.

NSW Housing Youth Scholarships 2013 - check your eligibility to receive an educational expense allowance of $2000 if you reside in NSW State Housing or are on the Housing Register - applications close 29 July 2011, so what are you waiting for?

Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations

To help rural and regional students with the costs of university education, check out the Rural Tertiary Hardship Fund

HECS-HELP

To make university affordable, the Australian Government devised HECS-HELP – the HECS Higher Education Loan Program – a loan scheme for Commonwealth-supported students (Australian undergraduate students)

Here’s how it works:

You don’t actually get the loan money – to cover your costs, the government pays the university directly
You register your tax file number with the university which, in turn, records the debt with the Tax Office
Once you start working and your income exceeds a certain level, your HELP loan will be repaid bit by bit through tax
How much you pay each year depends on how much you earn

Are you eligible for a Commonwealth supported place?

You are if you can prove you are either:

an Australian citizen
an Australian Permanent Humanitarian Visa holder
a New Zealand citizen residing in Australia for a degree program
a holder of an Australian permanent visa residing in Australia for a degree program

Click here for more information

Further Government assistance options:

If you’re an Indigenous student or full-time apprentice, this allowance can help you continue with your studies. Depending on your situation, you might also be eligible for extra payments.

North Coast TAFE

Full-time TAFE courses count for Youth Allowance, Austudy and Abstudy for students eligible for these allowances.

TAFE NSW fees range from $414 to $1490 per year. Government benefit recipients pay only $51 per year.

North Coast TAFE’s website has more information on TAFE fees and concessions and financial assistance for students.