Print versionThe Commonwealth Government has a loan scheme known as OS-HELP. OS-HELP is a loan which assists eligible Australian students to undertake some of their study overseas while on exchange. In 2012, students may receive up to $5824 per six-month study period for one or two overseas study periods. The purpose of these loans is to help students with a range of expenses such as airfares and accommodation.
To be eligible for OS-HELP, you must:
- be an Australian citizen or the holder of a permanent humanitarian visa;
- have at least 8 units remaining upon your return to complete your degree program (not including your overseas study). Diploma credits cannot be included when calculating the 8 units required to be completed when you return to UQ. DEEWR considers diplomas to be separate to a single 3-year degree program or a dual degree program;
- be enrolled as a Commonwealth supported student in an undergraduate degree program at the University of Queensland. Students undertaking a diploma as their overseas study are not considered eligible for an OS-HELP loan by DEEWR;
- have completed the equivalent of at least two full-time standard semesters of study (16 units) in Australia that counts towards your degree program at the University of Queensland. Diploma credits cannot be included when calculating the completed 16 units;
- 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;
- be enrolled full-time with an approved overseas higher education institution (a UQ partner institution) and will be undertaking that study outside Australia.
- receive credit from the overseas study towards your UQ degree program.
Students cannot receive an OS-HELP loan:
- in their first year of study (must have completed 16 units in their current program), or
- in their last semester of study (must have at least 8 units to take at UQ after the exchange semester)
Downloads
- OS-HELP guidelines (pdf: 52KB) for further information, including eligibility requirements and loan conditions.
- OS-HELP application form (pdf: 29KB)
If you would like to discuss the OS-HELP loan or the application process further, please contact us at the following email address: