Financial services for students

Managing your finances while studying is difficult. If you are finding it difficult to cover all your expenses there are places you can go to get temporary help:

• The Financial Assistance Office
  This University office provides loans and bursaries for help in emergencies and to supplement other income.
• The Students' Representative Council also offers offers emergency loans of $50.
  Phone: +61 2 9660 5222
• Government assistance
  As a full-time student you may be eligible for government assistance. Contact your local Centrelink office for more information:
  Phone: 132490
• Casual Employment Service can help you find part time work which will help manage your finances by providing an income.
• Scholarships are offered by the University. Some are University scholarships, some are offered by the faculty in which you are enrolled, while others go to students who want to study overseas, to Indigenous Australian students or to students of outstanding ability.
  Undergraduate Scholarships
  Postgraduate Scholarships

Payable fees and costs

When enrolling at Sydney University students will be liable for a number of different costs.

• Most full time undergraduate students pay the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS). Fees for HECS are charged according to the number of units taken and calculated according to the HECS band. The Student Centre administers HECS, PELS, Local Full-Fees and RTS payments.
• Information about International student fees and charges can be found on the International Office website.
• Text books, materials and uniforms are also charges that students need to consider. Some courses require expensive equipment and uniforms.
• Accommodation and living costs, gas, power and phone bills, food and travel expenses.

Study and Claim

Study and claim - tax assistance with your self-education expenses

With the end of the financial year almost here the Tax Office is reminding working students they may be eligible to claim a tax deduction for their education expenses. Use the links provided to find out if you qualify and the self-education expenses you may claim.

For all your tax information about your self-education expenses, visit www.ato.gov.au/studyandclaim

Specific products include:

Study and claim - introduction briefly explains the basics you need to know about to claim work-related self-education expenses.

The Self-education eligibility tool will help you work out if you are eligible to claim a deduction for work-related self-education expenses on your tax return.

If you are eligible, the self-education expenses calculator will give you an estimate of the amount of work-related self-education expenses you can claim on your tax return.

Detailed explanations about eligibility and claiming education expenses can also be found in the fact sheet Claiming self-education expenses – specific expenses

Lodging your tax return

One of the best ways to lodge your return is by using e-tax, the official Tax Office online preparation and lodgment software. It’s free, secure and user friendly with most refunds being issued in 14 days or less.

Visit www.ato.gov.au/etax to find out more about e-tax or view the online demonstration.