OS-HELP

OS-HELP is a Commonwealth Government loan scheme to assist eligible undergraduate, Commonwealth supported students to undertake part of their course of study overseas. University of Adelaide students can use the scheme to study in an overseas institution, and have that study count towards their University of Adelaide degree. Most, but not all, overseas study is through student exchange.

Eligible students can receive two OS-HELP loans over their lifetime. Each loan relates to a given six month period. You can receive OS-HELP for overseas study periods of less than six months but you cannot receive an OS-HELP loan more than once in a given six month period. Your six month period is taken to commence on the first day that you commence your overseas study and end six months from the commencement date

Loan Amount

OS-HELP can be used for expenses such as airfares, accommodation, and other travel or study expenses.

The maximum OS-HELP loan amount in 2012 is $5,824 rising to $6,051 in 2013.

Loan Repayment

Your OS-HELP debt is added to any accumulated HELP debt with the Australian Taxation Office and can be repaid through:

• the Australian Taxation system when your repayment income exceeds the minimum repayment threshold
• voluntary repayments direct to the Australian Taxation Office.

Further information is available on the Commonwealth Government’s Study Assist website.

Eligibility

Commonwealth Government Requirements

A number of eligibility requirements are strictly specified by the Commonwealth Government.

You may be outside Australia when you apply for an OS HELP loan.

[Source: the Commonwealth Government’s Study Assist website]

University of Adelaide Requirements

In addition to these requirements, students planning to study overseas on a student exchange must meet the University’s criteria for its Adelaide Abroad student exchange program, as set out on the Adelaide Abroad website, and be selected for that program. Students studying overseas under other arrangements will need to meet the entry requirements of the overseas institution.

Selection for a student exchange is based on academic merit, with a minimum credit average required, and an evaluation of your reasons for wanting to participate in the exchange program.

Applying for OS-HELP

The University’s Policy on OS-HELP is set out below. [Compliance requirement, OS-HELP Guidelines, s.2.5]

Application Procedure

For students engaging in a non-exchange program of study overseas

1. Obtain an OS-HELP Debt Confirmation Form and Payment Advice Form from the International Office, level 5, Oliphant Building.
2. Return the completed forms to the International Office, level 5, Oliphant Building, along with your Study Plan Approval Form (if you have not returned it previously).  OS-HELP applications cannot be assessed without a complete Study Plan Approval Form, which can be downloaded from http://adelaide.edu.au/student/study_abroad/apply/forms/.
3. Subject to the availability of loans, if the University determines that you meet all the provisions for entitlement to OS-HELP assistance, it will approve the loan. If the number of OS-HELP applications received by the specified application date exceeds the number of loans available, the University will allocate the loans on the basis of academic merit. (Note: to date, the number of applications has never exceeded the number of loans available.)

If you are selected, the University’s International Office will assist you to obtain the necessary Faculty or School statements that your overseas study will count towards your University of Adelaide academic program, and assist with processing the loan.

Receiving the Loan

Payment

Payment will be made into your nominated bank account as soon as possible after your application has been approved.

 You are deemed to have incurred an OS-HELP debt  on the day that you receive your loan.

The University will not finalise the payment of your loan until it receives confirmation that you have been accepted into the overseas institution.

Withdrawing from the Loan

Before you are Paid

If you no longer meet the eligibility criteria for an OS-HELP loan after your OS-HELP application is approved but before you are paid, the University will withdraw your loan approval. Not meeting the eligibility criteria includes not being accepted into an overseas institution or changing your mind about studying overseas.

If it is determined that you have provided false or misleading information in respect of your OS-HELP application before you are paid, the University will withdraw your loan approval.

After you have been Paid

If you no longer meet the eligibility criteria after your OS-HELP application is approved and after you are paid: the debt has already been incurred and you can only repay this through the Australian Taxation Office. Not meeting the eligibility criteria includes not being accepted into an overseas institution or changing your mind about studying overseas.

If it is determined that you have provided false or misleading information after your OS-HELP application is approved and after you are paid, the University must notify the Department of Education Employment and Workplace Relations immediately.

Commonwealth Assistance Notice (CAN)

Once you have received an OS-HELP loan, your Commonwealth Assistance Notice (CAN) will include information about this loan.  This is available on your Access Adelaide account and you will be notified via your student email account when it is ready for you to view.

Grievances about University OS-HELP decisions

Students may raise grievances about OS-HELP decisions in accord with the Student Grievance Resolution Process.

[This page is compliant with the Commonwealth Government’s OS-HELP Guidelines 2012.]