Overseas Study Higher Education Loan Program Procedure
| Document Number | 000841 |
|---|---|
| Date Approved | 5 December 2007 |
| Date Last Amended | 18 December 2011 |
Effective from 1 January 2012
1. Context
This procedure supports the implementation of the Overseas Study Higher Education Loan Program Policy and should be read in conjunction with that policy.
2. Definitions
In the context of this document:
EFTSL means an Equivalent Full Time Student Load;
OS-HELP means Overseas Study: Higher Education Loan Program.
3. Application Procedure
3.1. To apply for OS-HELP assistance, students must:
- complete and submit by the due date the OS-HELP Application Form and the OS-HELP Debt Confirmation Form available from the Student Financials and Scholarships Office;
- provide a letter of acceptance from the overseas institution to which they have applied for an exchange program; and
- provide a completed and signed Credit Agreement for Outgoing Student Exchange Program Form available at all HUBS.
3.2. In seeking an OS-HELP loan, students must be aware of the amount nominated by Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) for that year, as the maximum loan amount available to a student for a single period of study.
3.3. Students may submit an application for OS-HELP without the documentation stipulated in 3.1 ii and iii. but must:
- state in writing that the information will be forthcoming; and
- ensure that the documentation is subsequently provided.
The application will not be finalised until the relevant documentation is provided.
3.4. Application closing dates will be 30 April for overseas study in Semester 2 of the current year, and 31 October for overseas study in Semester 1 of the following year.
4. Selection Procedure
4.1. To be considered for an OS-HELP loan, students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 4.0 on a 7 point scale - a pass average.
4.2. Applications for OS-HELP loans will be assessed on the basis of students’ cumulative Grade Point Averages (GPAs); allocations will be made in order of merit.
4.3. Provided all required documents have been supplied by the applicant, the applicant will be notified in writing or via their University of Newcastle student email within two months of the closing date for applications, of the outcome of the OS-HELP application.
4.4. Offers will be made in writing and will remain current until the day prior to the date of the departure overseas.
5. Payments Procedure
5.1. OS-HELP loan payments will be made to the selected students as a single payment via electronic funds transfer within two weeks of the date the successful applicant has accepted in writing the offer of OS-HELP.
5.2. Each OS-HELP loan will be provided in a single payment.
6. Conditions
6.1. Students should consult the DEEWR website: www.studyassist.gov.au or the University’s OS-HELP brochures, for updated details of the conditions for receiving an OS-HELP loan for the year in which they are applying.
6.2. Information relating to the conditions for receiving an OS-HELP loan will be provided to the student at the time that OS-HELP is offered.
7. Essential Supporting Documents
Overseas Study: Higher Education Loan Program Policy 000840
OS-HELP Application Form http://studyassist.gov.au/sites/studyassist/helppayingmyfees/pages/os-help-loans-and-study-overseas
OS-HELP Debt Confirmation Form
8. Related Document
Higher Education Support Act 2004
| Approval Authority | Vice-Chancellor |
|---|---|
| Date Approved | 5 December 2007 |
| Date Last Amended | 18 December 2011 |
| Date for Review | 5 December 2010 |
| Policy Sponsor | Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Services) |
| Policy Owner | Academic Registrar |
| Policy Contact | Manager, Student Financials and Scholarships |
| Amendment History | Minor amendment note was added to indicate the policy was implemented on 1 January 2012 and hyperlink was added in clause 7, The Secretariat, 8 April 2013. Amendments to clause 3.4. to meet with legislative requirements of the Higher Education Support Act 2003 (HESA). Approved by the Vice-Chancellor 18 December 2011. Updated position titles, Department name and studentmail reference, Governance and Policy, 2 September 2010 Approved Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Services) 5 December 2007. |