Frequently Asked Questions
What types of things can I get assistance with?
The Financial Assistance Office provides assistance for the following:
Essential living expenses such as housing bonds, rent, household bills, emergencies and medical expenses. As well as study expenses such as textbooks and equipment, thesis production, compulsory excursions and clinical placements.
Are there any bursaries for students with disabilities?
Yes. The Bernard Lee Scholarship for blind students was made available for the first time in 2005. These awards are $5000 each. The closing date for applications is in April each year. Please Click here for more information.
Other Scholarships are available through external organisations to assist students with disabilities. Click here for more information
Can I get help to pay my tuition fees or compulsory subscriptions?
No. The Financial Assistance Office does not provide assistance for tuition fees and compulsory subscriptions. Please see above for the things assistance can be provided for.
What is the story with loans?
The Financial Assistance Office provides interest free loans of up to $2000 for local students and $1000 for International students. These loans a generally repayable within a year.
There are other loan funds available to students in specific faculties. Click here for further information.
What is a bursary?
A bursary is an award or a grant, that may be awarded as part of a financial assistance package. To be eligible for a bursary you must be a full-time undergraduate student and, for most bursaries, be performing at credit level or higher.
Bursaries do not have to be repaid. However students who are awarded bursaries are asked to make a donation to University bursary funds when more financially secure, so that the bursary program can continue to assist future students.
Please note: Bursaries are generally only available to full-time undergraduate students.
What are Advertised Bursaries and how do I apply for them?
There are a number of advertised bursaries available to full-time undergraduate students. The application closing date is 30th April each year. Click here for more information.
I am a Postgraduate student, what types of assistance are available to me?
As a Postgraduate you are eligible to apply for an interest free loan of up to $2000 to assist with essential living and study related expenses. If you are travelling overseas on study related matters, we can assist you with a loan to cover these costs.
I am an International Student and would like to know what types of assistance I can apply for?
The Financial Assistance Office can provide on application a loan of up to $1000 to International Students for the following:
Essential living expenses such as housing bonds, rent, household bills, emergencies and medical expenses, study expenses such as textbooks and equipment, thesis production, compulsory excursions and clinical placements. Please note that any loans have to be paid back in 12 months or prior to graduation.
I already have a loan from the Financial Assistance Office and I am struggling to make my repayments. What can I do?
Apply for an extension! If you are struggling to make your repayments the Financial Assistance Office can extend the terms of your loan. A couple of important points about extensions:
You must be up to date with your repayments.
Please contact the Financial Assistance Office prior to the due date of your instalment or lump sum payment.
Please come to us with a plan yourself and we can work out a new repayment plan with you. Click here to download an application for and extension.
What if I am overdue or behind in my loan repayments?
If you are a behind or overdue the Financial Assistance Office cannot extend the terms of your loan. You will need to contact the Loans Collections Officer on 9351 3740.
It can sometimes be hard to call somewhere when you are behind in paying back the money you owe. So it is a good idea to take a few deep breaths and prepare. Sit down and work out how much you can realistically afford to pay and how often you can pay. It might be more realistic to pay small regular amounts rather that commit to a large one-off payment.
I have read the information and would like to apply for Financial Assistance.
The first thing too do is to download the application form. Click here
The second thing is to call the office on 9351 5667 and make a time to come in for an interview.
Are there any other places in the University that I can apply to for financial assistance?
Yes, please read below for further information.
The Scholarships and Prizes Office
The University of Sydney offers a wide variety of scholarships for new and continuing students. Click here for more information.
The Students Representative Council (SRC)
In recognition of the financial difficulties associated with being a student, the SRC established the Bursary & Assistance Fund, which allows the SRC to issue loans to undergraduates of up to but no more than $750.00 interest free - which must be repaid before you graduate. You are only eligible to have one current loan with the SRC regardless of the amount outstanding. Click here for more information.
Faculties
Your faculty may have scholarships available. Click here for further information.
I have some more questions and would like to talk to someone?
If your questions have not been answered from the information on our web-site please call the office on 9351 5667 to speak to one of our staff.
Or you can email Financial Assistance Officer
