Financial assistance and scholarships

Undertaking tertiary level study can have significant financial implications. To help you with the costs associated with university study the Australian government offers financial assistance to Indigenous Australians through ABSTUDY and scholarships. There are also private scholarships available.

ABTUDY

ABSTUDY offers financial support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are studying. As a tertiary student, you are eligible for ABSTUDY payments if you are studying full-time or part-time, on-campus or by distance education, including if you are enrolled in an enabling program. In addition, you may be eligible for an Incidentals Allowance which is a non-means tested allowance to help you pay for general course expenses.

ABSTUDY payments are made fortnightly and are calculated according to your specific circumstances. You can claim ABSTUDY over the phone by calling 13 23 17 or you can download a claim form online. More information is available at: www.centrelink.gov.au then follow the links to > Individuals > Studying or Training > ABSTUDY.

Degree program fees

As an Australian student enrolled in an undergraduate degree program at an Australian university, your course fees will be subsidised by the government. The course fees that you must contribute are capped at certain rates depending on the degree you are enrolled in. Each university determines the amount that students contribute. It cannot exceed the maximum rate set by the government.

The Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP) allows eligible Australian students to defer paying all or part of their course fees until after they complete their degree program. More information is available at: www.goingtouni.gov.au

Scholarships

To access other financial assistance, an online database of all undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students is available at: www.indigenousscholarships.com.au

Distance education

Distance education is a flexible mode of study that allows you to undertake a degree program without attending regular lectures on campus. Some degree programs studied via distance education will require you to attend residential schools at the university for short, intensive blocks of on-campus study, for example for one week each semester. Some enabling programs may also be available through distance education, check the relevant alternative entry scheme for more information.

Distance education allows you to balance university study with other commitments, such as work and family. You do not have to move to where the university is located. Course work can be completed from home and can generally be submitted online or by post.

If you are considering undertaking university study by distance, you should think about what best suits you. Whether you need face-to-face tuition, what support you think you need to study by distance, and whether the support is available at the university.

More information about distance education is available at: www.goingtouni.gov.au then follow the links to > Getting Started > Distance education & flexible learning delivery.

ITAS

The Indigenous Tutorial Assistance Scheme (ITAS) offers weekly tutoring to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students taking university award level courses and other accredited courses. ITAS tutoring is generally not provided for basic literacy, numeracy, enabling and bridging courses. Refer to the relevant alternative entry scheme to find out if it is available.

Students are eligible to receive up to two hours of ITAS tuition per week for each subject. During examination preparation breaks, students are eligible to receive up to five additional hours per week.

Contact the Indigenous Education Unit at your university to find out more information or to organise ITAS tuition.

More information about ITAS is available at: www.deewr.gov.au/Indigenous then follow the links to > Indigenous Higher Education > Policy and Guidelines > Indigenous Tutorial Assistance Scheme Tertiary.

Tertiary Admissions Centres

Tertiary Admissions Centres process university applications on behalf of universities. For many alternative entry schemes you may be required to apply through a Tertiary Admissions Centre. Refer to the How do I apply section on each alternative entry scheme page.

If you identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander you can submit an application of special consideration with the relevant Tertiary Admissions Centre. Each Tertiary Admissions Centre has a different procedure for special consideration applications.

Indigenous Higher Education Units

Every Australian university has an Indigenous Higher Education Unit (IHEU) to provide support and resources to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and to promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island culture on campus.