Print versionOS-HELP provides financial assistance to eligible Commonwealth supported students to undertake part of their course of study overseas. OS-HELP may be used to cover expenses associated with the overseas study, such as airfares, accommodation, and other travel or settling expenses.
Before applying for a loan, you must first read:
- the Government terms and conditions (http://studyassist.gov.au/sites/studyassist/helppayingmyfees/pages/os-help-loans-and-study-overseas#AmIEligible)
- UQ’s OS-HELP Guidelines (http://www.uq.edu.au/uqabroad/docs/OSHELP-guidelines.pdf)
- the information provided on this webpage
To be eligible for an OS-HELP loan, you must
- be an Australian citizen or the holder of a permanent humanitarian visa;
- be enrolled as a Commonwealth supported student in an undergraduate degree program at The University of Queensland. Students undertaking courses overseas towards a diploma or a graduate degree are not eligible for an OS-HELP loan. DIISRTE considers concurrent diplomas to be separate to a single 3-year degree program or a dual degree program;
- have completed the equivalent of at least two full-time standard semesters of study (16 units) in Australia that count towards your current degree program at the University of Queensland. Diploma credits cannot be included when calculating the completed 16 units;
- have at least 8 units remaining upon your return to complete in your degree program (not including your overseas study). Diploma credits cannot be included when calculating the 8 units required to be completed.
- have not received an OS-HELP loan on more than one other occasion or been granted OS-HELP assistance by another university for an overlapping six month period;
- have that overseas study count as credit towards your current degree program. Diploma credits cannot be included.
- be enrolled full-time (or full-time pro rata*) with an approved overseas higher education institution and will be undertaking that study outside Australia.
* Full-time Pro-rata calculation is studying overseas for less than a standard semester
|
Credit for overseas study |
Is greater than or equal to |
Duration of overseas study in weeks divided by 16 weeks |
Multiplied by |
Minimum credit that you would normally receive in a standard academic semester (6 units) |
Example 1
Tim will receive 2 units for a 4-week short term program in China. Tim meets the full time eligibility criteria for an OS-HELP loan:
4 (divided by) 16 x 6 = 1.5; 2 is greater than 1.5 so Tim meets the full time criteria.
Example 2
Susan will receive 2 units for an 8-week language program in New Caledonia. Susan does not meet the full time requirement.
8 (divided by) 16 x 6 = 3 (2 (credit for overseas study) is less than 3; therefore, Susan is not eligible to receive OS-HELP)
Additional proof of full time requirement
If your overseas study does not meet the full time requirement based on the above credit calculation alone, and you believe that your overseas studies are full-time, you must submit written documentation regarding the number of contact hours and/or amount of assessment with your OS-HELP application. Your loan application will be assessed on the information provided at time of application.
Deadlines
OS-Help loan applications must be received by the deadlines outlined below:
- March 31 – for students going overseas in Semester 2 of the same year (July –December)
- August 31 - for students going overseas in Semester 1 of the following year (January-June)
Please be advised that it may take up to 6 weeks after the deadline to process your application and notify you of the outcome.
Whilst applications may be accepted outside of these deadlines, students are encouraged to complete applications as early as possible and adhere to the deadlines listed. Applications submitted less than 8 weeks prior to the start of overseas study will not be accepted.
Loan application
The OS-HELP application form can be downloaded here.
To apply for an OS-HELP loan, please submit the following documents:
- A completed OS-HELP loan application
- Letter of acceptance from host institution (if you are not participating in an official semester-long exchange program)
- Proof of full time study (if studying overseas for less than a standard semester). This information may include the number of course contact hours and/or amount of assessment.
The application may be lodged electronically by sending the completed application and accompanying documents to oshelp@admin.uq.edu.au.
Loan amount
- The maximum amount for 2012 is $5,824.00
- Loan amounts will be awarded in increments of $1000 (up to $5000) with the minimum loan being $1000 and the maximum loan $5824.00 (2012).
- The University will determine the amount of the loan to be awarded to each eligible applicant and does not guarantee to award the maximum allowed to all applicants selected to receive a loan.
Timeline
- Once your application has been reviewed and your eligibility determined, you will be notified by email.
- You will be mailed an offer letter and the OS-HELP Loan Debt Confirmation form. This form cannot be emailed to you because it contains carbon copies. Make sure your mailing address in SI-NET is current. UQ is not responsible if delays occur in the process due to undelivered mail.
Payment of Loan
Payment of your loan can only be made once you have completed and submitted:
- your OS-HELP Loan Debt Confirmation form
- your bank account details on the spread sheet provided
- the travel spread sheet provided
- an acceptance letter from your host university (not required if you are participating on a standard semester exchange)
- an approved study plan (not required if you are participating on a standard semester exchange)
OS-HELP payments to students will be made by the University electronically into the bank account designated by the student.
Power of Attorney
- You may wish to organise a Power of Attorney before you leave for your overseas studies as the Debt Confirmation form cannot be emailed or faxed and mail services can be unreliable in some countries.
- To accept the loan on your behalf your Power of Attorney must enclose a certified copy of the signed Power of Attorney statement with the OS-HELP Debt Confirmation form.
- For more information on appointing a Power of Attorney please visit http://www.justice.qld.gov.au/justice-services/guardianship/power-of-attorney
If you would like to discuss the OS-HELP loan or the application process further, please contact us at the following email address: oshelp@admin.uq.edu.au