Grants, Loans and Bursaries
Research by Universities Australia states that two-thirds of Australian university students are living below the poverty line (Universities Australia, 2020).
The University of Tasmania and TUSA recognise the financial impact that started with the COVID-19 pandemic, which has continued for many students through the Cost of Living crisis.
If you are experiencing financial hardship, take a look at the support available to you below. Don’t forget to check out our other pages in the Support section of the site – there is a lot we can help you with.
If you need assistance with applying for any of these initiatives or just need to talk about your situation, please reach out to our Student Advocates.
Need Financial Assistance?
If you are experiencing unexpected financial difficulties, please reach out to a TUSA Student Advocate. They can assist you in accessing emergency funding and other support services, such as Financial Counselling.
UTAS Student Financial Hardship Scheme
UTAS is committed to supporting students who are facing financial hardship. This support is not a loan and does not require repayment, but students must meet the eligibility criteria. If you have any questions or need assistance with the application process, TUSA Student Advocates are available to help. To speak to a Student Advocate, click here.
If you are currently experiencing temporary financial hardship, you can apply for assistance, namely grocery vouchers, although other arrangements can be made in exceptional circumstances. Please refer to the Financial Hardship FAQs for detailed eligibility requirements and further information.
To be eligible for assistance, you must meet the following criteria:
- Provide supporting documentation that demonstrates your individual financial situation (refer to the FAQs mentioned above for examples).
- Be currently enrolled at the University of Tasmania.
- Be enrolled in at least 25 credit points.
- Reside in Australia.
UTAS Higher Degree By Research Extreme Hardship Fund
This fund provides a limited number of extensions/payments for living allowances to HDR (Higher Degree by Research) candidates in exceptional cases where they have experienced delays in their candidature or other financial hardships.
To be eligible for this support, candidates must currently or previously have received a scholarship and still be within the maximum candidature period of their degree. Additionally, they must demonstrate that the reasons for their progression delays or financial hardship were beyond their control.
For more detailed information, please reach out to your Primary Supervisor.