Scholarship & Financial Aid Policy

Policy Number

SCH-001-2025

Effective Date

1 January 2025

Review Date

31 December 2026

Policy Owner

Pro Vice-Chancellor (Students)

Responsible Office

Student Financial Services

Related Policies

Academic Progress Policy · Credit Transfer Policy · Privacy Policy

Jump To Section

1. Purpose & Scope

The objectives of this policy, the guiding principles that underpin it, and who it applies to.

1.1 Purpose

To ensure the fair, transparent, and merit-based distribution of financial awards administered by Tarelium Education.
To support access and participation for students from diverse backgrounds, including those experiencing financial hardship, geographic disadvantage, or disability.
To recognise and reward academic excellence, community leadership, sporting achievement, and research potential.
To comply with Commonwealth legislation governing scholarship and financial assistance programs, including the Higher Education Support Act 2003 (HESA) and the Privacy Act 1988.
To provide a consistent framework for scholarship administration across all Faculties and administrative units.

1.2 Scope

This policy applies to all scholarship, bursary, and financial aid programs administered centrally by the Student Financial Services office.
It covers both domestic and international students, except where specific provisions apply to one group only.
Faculty-administered prizes and small discretionary awards (under $500) are governed by the Faculty Prize and Award Procedure and are not covered by this policy.
External scholarships held by students but administered by third parties are not governed by this policy, although students must declare them under Section 11 (Concurrent Awards).
Commonwealth-administered scholarships (e.g. RTP) are subject to additional Commonwealth guidelines that take precedence where they conflict with this policy.

1.3 Guiding Principles

Equity & Access

Scholarship programs are designed to reduce barriers and promote participation by all eligible students, regardless of background.

Transparency

Selection criteria, award values, and decision-making processes are publicly available and applied consistently.

Natural Justice

All applicants and holders are afforded the right to be heard before adverse decisions are made.

Confidentiality

All financial information and application details are handled in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 and the university's Privacy Policy.

Continuous Improvement

The scholarship program is reviewed biennially to ensure it remains relevant, equitable, and aligned with sector best practice.

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2. Definitions

Precise definitions of key terms as they are used throughout this policy.

Student & Enrolment Terms

Domestic Student: An Australian citizen, Australian Permanent Resident, or New Zealand citizen enrolled at Tarelium Education.
International Student: A student who holds a temporary visa and is not an Australian citizen or Permanent Resident.
Eligible Student: A student who meets all criteria for a specific scholarship as defined in the Scholarship Directory (Section 4).
Scholarship Holder: A student who has accepted and is currently in receipt of a scholarship award.
EFTSL: Equivalent Full-Time Student Load. One EFTSL = a full year of full-time study. One semester of full-time study = 0.5 EFTSL.
Commonwealth-Supported Place (CSP): A subsidised university place where the student pays a reduced student contribution amount and the Commonwealth pays the balance.

Award & Financial Terms

Scholarship: A financial award granted on the basis of merit, need, or specific criteria, which does not require repayment.
Bursary: A one-time or recurring financial award based primarily on financial need, typically smaller than a scholarship.
Stipend: A regular living allowance payment, primarily associated with research (HDR) scholarships.
Tuition Fee Waiver: A reduction in the tuition fees payable by the student, expressed as a percentage of the applicable annual tuition fee.
FEE-HELP: A Commonwealth loan scheme that allows eligible students to defer their tuition fees. The debt is repaid through the ATO once income exceeds the repayment threshold.
HECS-HELP: A Commonwealth loan scheme for CSP students covering the student contribution amount. Repaid via the ATO.

Academic Performance Terms

GPA (Grade Point Average): A weighted average of grades on a 7-point scale, calculated across all completed units. HD = 7, D = 6, CR = 5, P = 4, PC = 3, F = 1, AF = 0.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP): Passing at least 50% of the credit points enrolled in a given semester.
Census Date: The date after which a student is liable for tuition fees and HELP debt for a given study period. Typically the last business day of Week 4 each semester.
Show Cause: A formal process requiring a student to provide reasons why an adverse action (e.g. exclusion, scholarship cancellation) should not proceed.
Academic Probation: A period during which a student must meet defined academic conditions or face exclusion from their program.
HDR: Higher Degree by Research. Includes Master of Research (MRes) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs.

Process Terms

Scholarship Round: A defined application and assessment period during which applications for a specific scholarship are accepted and evaluated.
Offer Letter: A formal written communication notifying the student that they have been selected for a scholarship and setting out the conditions of award.
Acceptance: The student's written (or digital) confirmation that they accept the scholarship and agree to its conditions, typically due within 14 days of the Offer Letter.
Annual Declaration: A statement required from continuing scholarship holders confirming they remain eligible and have not breached any conditions.
Scholarship Review Committee: The internal committee responsible for assessing appeals, reinstatement applications, and complex scholarship cases. Chaired by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Students).
Permanent Cancellation: Termination of the scholarship with no right to reinstatement or re-application for the same award.

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3. Scholarship Categories

Tarelium Education administers seven categories of scholarship and financial aid. Each category has distinct eligibility requirements, selection criteria, and award conditions.

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Merit-Based Scholarships

Awarded on the basis of outstanding academic achievement. Typically require a high ATAR (domestic) or equivalent international qualification. Recipients must maintain a minimum GPA to continue receiving the award.

Includes: VC Excellence, Dean's Award, Academic Achievement Bursary

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Need-Based (Equity) Scholarships

Awarded to students experiencing financial hardship or from disadvantaged backgrounds. Assessment is income-tested and requires a Financial Hardship Declaration. Academic performance conditions are based on Satisfactory Academic Progress rather than GPA.

Includes: Equity Access, First-in-Family, Regional & Remote

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Category-Specific Scholarships

Targeted awards for students with specific identities, circumstances, or achievements, including Indigenous Australians, students with disabilities, elite athletes, and community leaders.

Includes: Indigenous Success, Disability Achievement, Sports Excellence, Community Leadership

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Research (HDR) Scholarships

Awarded to students undertaking Higher Degrees by Research (MRes or PhD). Include a full tuition fee waiver and a living allowance stipend. Subject to 6-monthly milestone reviews by the Research Office.

Includes: RTP Scholarship, VC Research Scholarship

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International Student Scholarships

Partial tuition fee waivers for high-achieving international students. Do not include living allowances. Recipients must maintain a higher EFTSL load than domestic scholarship holders.

Includes: International Merit Award

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Government-Administered Programs

Commonwealth programs administered by the university on behalf of the Australian Government, including HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP, and the Research Training Program (RTP). These are subject to additional Commonwealth guidelines that take precedence over this policy.

Includes: HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP, RTP, OS-HELP, SA-HELP

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Emergency Financial Assistance

Non-repayable crisis grants available to currently enrolled students facing unexpected financial hardship. Not classified as scholarships for tax or Centrelink purposes. Assessed and disbursed within 5 business days of application.

Includes: Financial Hardship Emergency Grant, Emergency Accommodation Assistance

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4. Scholarship Directory

Full details of every scholarship administered by Tarelium Education. Click a scholarship name to see its full conditions in the sections below.

4.1 Merit-Based Scholarships

Scholarship Name	Value (per year)	Eligibility	Application Round	Number Awarded	GPA to Continue
Vice-Chancellor's Excellence Scholarship SCH-M01	100% tuition fee waiver Up to 4 yrs UG / 2 yrs PG	ATAR 99+ or equivalent; domestic; commencing students only	Oct 1 – Nov 30 annually	20 per year	6.0 / 7.0 + full-time
Faculty Dean's Excellence Award SCH-M02	50% tuition fee waiver Renewable annually	ATAR 95–98 or equivalent; domestic	Oct 1 – Jan 31 annually	Up to 50 across all Faculties	5.5 / 7.0 + full-time
Academic Achievement Bursary SCH-M03	$5,000 (one-time, Sem 1 Year 1)	ATAR 90–94; domestic; commencing students	Oct 1 – Jan 31 annually	100 per year	N/A (one-time award)
High Achiever Scholarship SCH-M04	$3,000 + mentoring program access Renewable annually	ATAR 85+ (commencing) or GPA ≥ 5.5 (continuing); domestic	Feb 1 – Mar 15 and Jul 1 – Aug 15	200 per year	5.0 / 7.0 + full-time
Women in STEM Scholarship SCH-M05	$6,000 + industry placement support Renewable annually	Female-identifying; enrolled in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics; domestic; GPA ≥ 5.0	Nov 1 – Jan 31 annually	40 per year	5.0 / 7.0 + full-time

4.2 Need-Based (Equity) Scholarships

Scholarship Name	Value (per year)	Eligibility	Application Round	Continuation Requirement
Equity Access Scholarship SCH-N01	Up to $10,000 Income-tested annually	Demonstrated financial hardship; household income < $50,000; domestic; low-SES background	Two rounds: Feb 1–Mar 15 and Jul 1–Aug 15	SAP (pass ≥ 50% of enrolled units); annual income re-declaration
First-in-Family Scholarship SCH-N02	$8,000 + personal tutoring + mentoring Renewable annually	First person in immediate family to attend university; domestic; household income < $70,000	Nov 1 – Jan 15 annually	SAP; attendance at two mentoring sessions per semester
Regional & Remote Access Scholarship SCH-N03	$7,500 + $2,500 relocation grant (Yr 1 only) Renewable annually	From outer regional, remote, or very remote area (ASGS classification); domestic; minimum 0.5 EFTSL per semester	Nov 1 – Jan 31 annually	SAP; minimum 0.5 EFTSL; must remain enrolled on-campus or online full-time equivalent

4.3 Category-Specific Scholarships

Scholarship Name	Value (per year)	Eligibility	Additional Support	Continuation Requirement
Indigenous Australian Success Scholarship SCH-C01	Full tuition waiver + $20,000 living allowance stipend Duration of program	Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage; domestic; commencing in first year	Dedicated Indigenous Student Success Unit support; cultural mentoring; priority housing access	SAP; bi-annual meeting with Indigenous Student Adviser; full-time enrolment preferred
Disability Achievement Scholarship SCH-C02	$5,000 + $1,500 accessibility supplement Renewable annually	Registered with Disability Services office; domestic; full-time or part-time	Reasonable adjustment support; priority scheduling for exams	Remain registered with Disability Services; SAP
Sports Excellence Scholarship SCH-C03	$4,000 + elite training facility access + flexible exam scheduling Renewable annually	Elite or sub-elite athlete (State, national, or international representation); domestic; any program	Elite athlete academic support officer; training schedule accommodation	Active competition representation; SAP; Sport & Studies Agreement signed each semester
Community Leadership Award SCH-C04	$3,500 Renewable annually	Demonstrated community leadership and service; domestic; any program; ATAR/GPA criteria waived	Leadership development program; networking events; alumni mentoring	Evidence of continued community contribution submitted each semester; SAP

4.4 Research (HDR) Scholarships

Scholarship Name	Value	Eligibility	Duration	Continuation
Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship SCH-R01	Full tuition offset + ~$32,500 p.a. living stipend (indexed) Commonwealth-administered	Domestic / PR; commencing MRes or PhD; confirmed supervisory support; strong academic record (First Class Honours or equivalent)	PhD: 3.5 years (+ 6-month extension on grounds); MRes: 2 years	6-monthly milestone reviews; full-time enrolment; satisfactory progress required at every review
Vice-Chancellor's Postgraduate Research Scholarship SCH-R02	$35,500 p.a. stipend (tax-exempt) + $1,500 thesis allowance + relocation grant up to $1,000 University-funded	Domestic; First Class Honours or equivalent GPA ≥ 6.5; confirmed supervisory support; competitive ranking by Faculty Research Committee	PhD: 3.5 years; MRes: 2 years (non-renewable)	6-monthly milestone reviews; full-time enrolment; satisfactory progress; no concurrent employment > 0.2 FTE

4.5 International Student Scholarships

Scholarship Name	Value	Eligibility	Application Round	GPA to Continue
International Merit Award SCH-I01	25% tuition fee waiver per enrolled semester Renewable each semester	International students; equivalent ATAR 95+ or 2-year prior study GPA ≥ 5.5 (on 7-point scale); visa must be valid for duration of study	Sem 1: closes Feb 1 / Sem 2: closes Jul 1	5.0 / 7.0 per semester; full-time load (minimum 1.0 EFTSL per year); no academic integrity breach

4.6 Emergency Financial Assistance

🆘 Financial Hardship Emergency Grant

Value: Up to $2,500 per application; maximum $5,000 per calendar year
Eligibility: Any currently enrolled student facing unexpected and severe financial hardship (e.g. medical emergency, domestic violence, loss of employment, natural disaster)
Application: Available year-round via Student Financial Services; no set rounds
Assessment: Within 5 business days; urgent cases (within 24 hours) flagged by Student Support
Funding source: Student Welfare Reserve Fund
Tax/Centrelink: Not classified as scholarship income; does not affect Centrelink or ATO declarations
Note: Students may receive this grant and hold a scholarship simultaneously

🏠 Emergency Accommodation Assistance

Value: Up to 2 weeks of subsidised on-campus accommodation
Eligibility: Enrolled students who have lost their primary place of residence due to a crisis event
Application: Contact Student Services directly or through the Student Portal
Processing: Within 24 hours for acute cases
Additional support: Referrals to community housing, domestic violence services, and Centrelink available
Food Pantry: Students accessing emergency accommodation are automatically registered for the campus Food Pantry Program

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5. Eligibility & Selection

General eligibility requirements that apply to all scholarship programs, and how applications are assessed and ranked.

5.1 General Eligibility Requirements

Citizenship / Residency: For domestic scholarships, the student must be an Australian citizen, Australian Permanent Resident, or New Zealand citizen at the time of application and throughout the award period.
Enrolment Status: The student must be enrolled, or have received a formal offer of enrolment, in an eligible award program at Tarelium Education.
Good Standing: The student must not be currently excluded from the university or subject to a suspension of enrolment at the time of application.
EFTSL Minimum: Unless otherwise stated in the Scholarship Directory (Section 4), merit-based scholarships require full-time enrolment (1.0 EFTSL per year); need-based scholarships require a minimum of 0.5 EFTSL per semester (half-time load).
Concurrent Awards: The student must not hold, or be about to accept, an award that would breach the Concurrent Awards provisions of Section 11.
Academic Integrity: The student must not have an unresolved academic integrity finding at the time of application. A confirmed breach within the preceding 24 months may result in ineligibility at the discretion of the Scholarship Review Committee.

5.2 Selection & Assessment

Merit-Based Selection: Applications are ranked by academic performance (ATAR, GPA, or equivalent). Where applicants are equal, secondary criteria (personal statement quality, referee reports) are applied.
Need-Based Selection: Applications are assessed against income thresholds, supplementary evidence of hardship (bank statements, Centrelink notices), and personal statements. Where demand exceeds available funds, priority is given to students in more severe financial hardship.
Category-Specific Selection: Assessed by a panel including at least one faculty representative, one member of the relevant student support office, and the Scholarships Manager. Where applicable, an interview may be required.
Research Scholarship Selection: Assessed by the Faculty Research Committee. Academic track record, research proposal quality, and supervisory capacity are the primary criteria.
Conflict of Interest: Any panel member with a relationship to an applicant (family, personal, supervisory) must declare this conflict and recuse themselves from assessment of that application.
Tied Applications: If two applications are identically ranked, the Scholarship Review Committee has the discretion to award an additional scholarship if budget allows, or to prioritise based on the applicant's relative disadvantage.

5.3 Ineligibility Grounds

Incomplete Application

Applications missing required documents will not be assessed. Students will be notified once to provide missing items within 5 business days.

Late Submission

Applications received after the closing date will not be considered, except where a late submission is due to a documented system error on the part of the university.

Current Scholarship Holder

Students who already hold the maximum permitted concurrent scholarship value (see Section 11) are not eligible to apply for additional awards until one is relinquished.

Prior Permanent Cancellation

Students who have had a scholarship permanently cancelled for misconduct (including fraud) are permanently ineligible to apply for any Tarelium Education-administered scholarship.

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6. Application Process

Step-by-step guide to applying for a scholarship, including required documentation and the timeline from application to outcome notification.

6.1 How to Apply

Step 1 — Check Eligibility: Review the Scholarship Directory (Section 4) and confirm you meet all eligibility criteria before applying. Ineligible applications are not assessed.
Step 2 — Prepare Documents: Gather all required supporting documents (see Section 6.2). Incomplete applications are not assessed.
Step 3 — Submit Online: All applications are submitted through the Scholarship Portal, accessible via the Student Portal at portal.tared.edu.au. Paper applications are not accepted.
Step 4 — Acknowledgement: You will receive an automatic email acknowledgement within 1 business day of submitting your application. Retain this for your records.
Step 5 — Assessment: Applications are assessed after the round closes. Do not contact Student Financial Services to enquire about the status of your application during the assessment period.
Step 6 — Notification: All applicants will be notified of the outcome by email within 20 business days of the round closing date.
Step 7 — Acceptance: Successful applicants must accept or decline via the Scholarship Portal within 14 calendar days of the Offer Letter date. Failure to respond is treated as a decline.

6.2 Required Documents

All applicants: Completed online application form; current academic transcript or ATAR/entry score notification; copy of Australian citizenship, Permanent Residency, or NZ citizenship evidence.
Merit-Based: Academic transcript showing GPA (continuing students); personal statement (500 words max); name and contact of one academic referee (will be contacted directly).
Need-Based: Financial Hardship Declaration form (available on the Portal); most recent tax return or Centrelink income statement for all household members; supporting evidence of hardship (e.g. medical certificate, legal document, statutory declaration).
Category-Specific: As above, plus category-specific evidence — e.g. proof of Indigenous heritage (letter from community elder or land council); disability registration confirmation; athlete verification letter from state/national sporting body; community service evidence (letters from organisations, role descriptions).
Research (HDR): Academic transcript; research proposal (2,000 words); supervisor support letter on Faculty letterhead; publications list (if applicable); two academic references.
International: All of the above (where applicable) plus copy of current student visa; English proficiency test results.

6.3 Assessment Timeline (Standard Rounds)

Stage	Semester 1 Round	Semester 2 Round
Applications Open	1 October	1 May
Applications Close	31 January	31 July
Assessment Period	1 February – 28 February	1 August – 31 August
Outcome Notifications	By 15 March	By 15 September
Acceptance Deadline	29 March	29 September
First Payment / Activation	Week 3, Semester 1	Week 3, Semester 2

Referee Contact

Referees for merit scholarships are contacted directly by the university. Ensure your referee is aware and available before you submit.

Portal Deadline

The Scholarship Portal closes at 11:59 PM AEDT on the closing date. Applications submitted after this time are not accepted.

Multiple Applications

You may apply for more than one scholarship in the same round, subject to the Concurrent Awards limits in Section 11.

Unsuccessful Applications

Applicants who are unsuccessful may request written feedback within 10 business days of receiving their outcome notification.

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7. Award Conditions

The obligations of scholarship holders throughout the duration of their award. Failure to meet these conditions may result in suspension or cancellation.

7.1 Academic Performance Requirements

GPA Thresholds (Merit-Based): The required GPA to continue each scholarship is specified in the Scholarship Directory (Section 4). GPA is calculated at the end of each semester across all completed units.
SAP (Need-Based & Category-Specific): Students holding need-based or category-specific scholarships must pass at least 50% of enrolled credit points each semester.
HDR Milestone Reviews: RTP and VC Research Scholarship holders must receive a "satisfactory" or "commendable" outcome at every 6-monthly milestone review. An "unsatisfactory" review triggers a Show Cause process with respect to the scholarship.
Incomplete Units: Units graded as "Incomplete" (INC) are treated as fails for the purposes of scholarship GPA and SAP calculations until a final grade is recorded.
Repeated Units: A failed unit that is re-enrolled and passed does not remove the original failing grade from GPA calculations, but does count toward SAP for the semester in which it is passed.
Withdrawal After Census Date: Withdrawal from a unit after the census date is counted as a fail (0 grade) for scholarship performance purposes, unless the student was granted Special Consideration covering the full semester.

7.2 Enrolment Load Requirements

Full-Time Load (Merit-Based): Scholarship holders must maintain a minimum of 1.0 EFTSL per year (or 0.5 EFTSL per semester) unless a formal load reduction has been approved by Student Financial Services.
Part-Time Exemptions: Approved exemptions for part-time load are granted where the student has a documented medical condition, disability, carer responsibility, or is undertaking an approved industry placement. Applications for load reduction must be submitted before the census date of the affected semester.
Effect of Load Reduction on Payment: Fee waiver scholarships are pro-rated to the actual enrolled load. A student on a 50% tuition waiver who reduces to half-time will receive a 25% tuition waiver for that semester.
Overload Enrolment: Scholarship holders may enrol in overload (more than 1.0 EFTSL per semester) with Faculty approval, but the scholarship does not extend to cover overloaded units unless specified in the Offer Letter.

7.3 Reporting Obligations

Annual Declaration: All continuing scholarship holders must submit an Annual Declaration of Continuing Eligibility by 15 March each year (for Semester 1) and 15 August (for Semester 2). Failure to submit results in payment being suspended until the declaration is received.
Change of Program: Holders must notify Student Financial Services within 10 business days if they change their enrolled program. Scholarships are specific to the program listed in the Offer Letter and may not automatically transfer to a new program.
Change of Load: Holders must notify Student Financial Services before the census date of any semester in which they intend to reduce their load below the scholarship minimum.
Change of Name or Contact Details: Holders must update their personal details in the Student Portal within 5 business days of any change, to ensure scholarship payments and correspondence are not interrupted.
External Scholarships or Awards: Holders must notify Student Financial Services within 10 business days of accepting any external scholarship, bursary, or award, including those from private organisations, industry, or government bodies outside the university.
Academic Integrity Breach: If a holder is notified of a formal academic integrity allegation, they must notify Student Financial Services within 5 business days. Scholarship payments may be suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.

7.4 Payment Schedule & Method

Tuition Fee Waivers: Applied directly to the student's tuition fee account at the beginning of each semester, before the census date. The waiver appears as a credit on the student's account statement.
Cash Awards & Bursaries: Paid by direct bank transfer to the student's nominated Australian bank account in Week 3 of the relevant semester (or as specified in the Offer Letter).
Research Stipends (HDR): Paid fortnightly by direct bank transfer. Payment commences in the first full fortnight after the scholarship acceptance date and enrolment confirmation.
Relocation Grants: Paid as a lump sum within 20 business days of the student providing evidence of relocation costs (receipts for transport, removalist, or temporary accommodation).
Bank Account Requirements: Payments can only be made to an Australian bank account in the student's own name. International bank accounts are not supported. Students must register their bank account in the Student Portal before the first payment is due.
Unclaimed Payments: If a payment fails (e.g. due to incorrect bank details), Student Financial Services will notify the student. Unclaimed payments held for more than 60 days will be returned to the Scholarship Fund.

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8. Government Financial Aid

Commonwealth programs available to eligible students, separate from university-administered scholarships. Administered by Tarelium Education on behalf of the Australian Government under HESA 2003.

8.1 HECS-HELP (Commonwealth-Supported Students)

What it is: A loan scheme for students in Commonwealth-Supported Places (CSPs). The student pays a subsidised "student contribution" amount; the Commonwealth pays the balance of the course fee directly to the university.
Eligibility: Australian citizen, NZ citizen, or Permanent Humanitarian Visa holder enrolled in a CSP at an approved provider.
How to access: Submit a Request for Commonwealth Support and HECS-HELP form via the Student Portal by the census date of your first enrolled semester. Only submit once — it applies for the duration of your program.
Repayment: The debt is reported to the ATO and repaid through the tax system once your income exceeds the minimum repayment threshold (currently $51,550 per year, indexed annually).
Student contribution bands: Contributions vary by program. Band 1 (Humanities, Education, Clinical Psychology) — approximately $4,124/year. Band 2 (Computing, Allied Health, Agriculture, Science, Maths, Statistics) — approximately $5,864/year. Band 3 (Law, Medicine, Dentistry, Engineering, Economics, Accounting) — approximately $13,630/year. (Figures are indicative; refer to the Commonwealth Department of Education for current year amounts.)
Interaction with scholarships: A tuition fee waiver scholarship does not reduce the student contribution payable in a CSP. Fee waivers apply only to the Commonwealth-funded portion of the tuition.

8.2 FEE-HELP (Full-Fee Students)

What it is: A loan scheme for eligible students in fee-paying (non-CSP) places. The loan covers tuition fees up to a lifetime cap (currently $121,844 for most students; $174,998 for medicine, dentistry, and veterinary science).
Eligibility: Australian citizen; Australian Permanent Resident or NZ citizen studying at least one unit of study in Australia; not enrolled in a CSP for that unit.
How to access: Submit a FEE-HELP Application form via the Student Portal by the census date each semester in which you wish to use FEE-HELP.
Loan fee: A loan fee of 20% is added to FEE-HELP debt for most undergraduate units (fee does not apply to postgraduate units or VSL). Check the ATO website for current rates.
Repayment: Same repayment mechanism as HECS-HELP via the ATO once income exceeds the threshold.
Interaction with scholarships: A tuition fee waiver scholarship reduces the tuition fee charged before FEE-HELP is applied. Students with a 50% tuition waiver borrow only 50% of the fee via FEE-HELP, reducing their HELP debt.

8.3 Other HELP Schemes

OS-HELP: A loan of up to $8,948 per 6-month period (indexed) for CSP students studying part of their program overseas. Apply via the OS-HELP Application on the Student Portal at least 12 weeks before the overseas study commences.
SA-HELP: A loan to cover the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). The SSAF is charged each semester (maximum $326 per year, indexed). Students may pay upfront or take an SA-HELP loan via the Student Portal.
VET Student Loans (VSL): Not applicable at Tarelium Education, which is a higher education provider and does not offer VET qualifications.
HELP debt discharge (death/permanent incapacitation): HELP debts may be cancelled in full upon death or permanent incapacitation. Applications are made to the ATO.

8.4 Centrelink Income Support

Youth Allowance (Student): For domestic students under 25 (or with dependants) studying full-time in an approved course. Means-tested. Apply through myGov / Services Australia. Maximum rate approximately $677 per fortnight (current rates; see Services Australia for current amounts).
Austudy: For domestic students 25 years or older studying full-time. Means-tested. Apply through myGov. Maximum rate approximately $677 per fortnight.
Abstudy: For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. More generous than Austudy/Youth Allowance and available for full-time and part-time study. Includes away-from-home conditions. Apply through Services Australia.
Disability Support Pension (DSP) and Study: DSP recipients may study part-time without affecting payments. Full-time study while on DSP is permitted but Centrelink should be notified, as it may affect DSP eligibility. Students should seek independent financial advice.
Scholarship income and Centrelink: University scholarship payments that exceed the exempt threshold ($8,000 per year for living expenses scholarships) are counted as income for Centrelink purposes and may reduce Youth Allowance or Austudy payments. See Section 12 for full tax and Centrelink guidance.

Census Date is Critical

HELP forms must be submitted by the census date. Late submissions are not accepted and the student becomes personally liable for the full fee.

HELP Debt is Indexed

Outstanding HELP debts are indexed to CPI each year on 1 June. Voluntary repayments can be made at any time via the ATO.

No Interest

HELP is not an interest-bearing loan. Only CPI indexation is applied annually. There is no penalty for taking longer to repay.

Centrelink Notification

Students must notify Centrelink of any scholarship income exceeding $8,000 per year. The university provides annual scholarship payment summaries by 31 July each year.

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9. Suspension & Cancellation

The grounds on which a scholarship may be suspended or cancelled, the processes that apply, and the consequences for the student.

9.1 Automatic Suspension Triggers

GPA below threshold: At the conclusion of any semester in which the student's cumulative GPA falls below the minimum required by their scholarship (see Section 4), the scholarship is automatically suspended effective the following semester.
Failure to meet SAP: For need-based and category-specific scholarships, failure to pass at least 50% of enrolled credit points in any semester results in automatic suspension for the following semester.
Enrolment load drop: If the student's enrolled load falls below the scholarship minimum (without a prior-approved load reduction), the scholarship is suspended from the census date of the affected semester.
Approved Leave of Absence: Scholarship payments are automatically suspended for the duration of any approved leave of absence. This suspension is not treated as a strike for academic performance purposes if the leave was approved on compassionate or medical grounds.
Academic integrity investigation: Upon notification of a formal academic integrity allegation, scholarship payments are suspended pending investigation outcome.
Failure to submit Annual Declaration: If the Annual Declaration of Continuing Eligibility is not submitted by the due date, scholarship payments are suspended until the declaration is received and approved.

9.2 Suspension Process & Student Rights

Written notice: The student is notified in writing (email to their university email address) within 5 business days of the trigger event being identified.
Show Cause period: The student has 10 business days from the date of the suspension notice to provide written grounds as to why the suspension should not proceed or should be lifted.
Grounds accepted for non-suspension: Medical emergency, bereavement, domestic violence, natural disaster, or other circumstances beyond the student's control, supported by independent evidence.
Decision: The Scholarships Manager makes a decision within 10 business days of receiving the student's Show Cause response. The decision is communicated in writing.
During suspension: The student remains enrolled and their academic progress is not otherwise affected. They may still access Student Support services and emergency financial assistance.
Duration of suspension: Suspension applies for a minimum of one full semester. At the end of the suspended semester, the student's performance is re-assessed against the scholarship conditions.

9.3 Grounds for Cancellation

Two consecutive semesters of unsatisfactory performance: If a student fails to meet the scholarship's performance threshold for two consecutive semesters while on active scholarship status (i.e. not suspended for an approved reason), the scholarship is permanently cancelled.
Confirmed academic integrity breach: A confirmed finding of academic misconduct (plagiarism, contract cheating, exam fraud) results in permanent cancellation for all university-administered scholarships held at the time of the finding.
Fraudulent application: Providing false or misleading information in a scholarship application results in permanent cancellation of all scholarships and permanent ineligibility for future university scholarships. The matter is referred to the Academic Integrity Officer for further investigation.
Permanent withdrawal from program: If a student withdraws from their program of study, all associated scholarships are automatically cancelled on the effective date of withdrawal.
Failure to respond to Show Cause: If a student does not respond to a suspension Show Cause notice within the 10-business-day period, the scholarship proceeds to cancellation without further notice.
Loss of eligibility criterion: If a student permanently loses a criterion on which the scholarship was based (e.g. change of citizenship, removal from Disability Services register without valid reason), the scholarship is cancelled after a Show Cause process.

9.4 Repayment of Scholarship Funds

General rule: Students are not required to repay scholarship funds already received, unless the scholarship was obtained through fraud or misrepresentation.
Fraud / misrepresentation: The university will seek recovery of all scholarship payments made on the basis of fraudulent information. Recovery may be pursued through the student's fee account or civil action.
Over-payment: Where a scholarship payment was made in error (e.g. after the cancellation date), the over-paid amount will be recovered from the student's fee account or future payments. Students will be notified before recovery.
Fee waivers already applied: Tuition fee waivers that have already been applied to a semester's fees are not reversed after the census date of that semester, even if the scholarship is subsequently cancelled, unless the cancellation is due to fraud.
Advance payments: Where stipends or cash awards are paid in advance (e.g. at the start of a semester), and the scholarship is subsequently cancelled mid-semester, a pro-rata amount may be recovered. The calculation method will be specified in the cancellation notice.

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10. Reinstatement & Appeals

How students may seek reinstatement of a suspended scholarship, and how to formally appeal a scholarship decision.

10.1 Reinstatement of a Suspended Scholarship

Eligibility for reinstatement: A student whose scholarship has been suspended (not cancelled) may apply for reinstatement once they have demonstrated they now meet the applicable performance threshold.
Limit: A student may receive at most one reinstatement per scholarship per program. A second suspension of the same scholarship after reinstatement is treated as a cancellation.
Application: Submit a Scholarship Reinstatement Request via the Scholarship Portal, including: current academic transcript, a personal statement explaining the circumstances that caused the suspension, and evidence of how those circumstances have been resolved.
Assessment: Reviewed by the Scholarship Review Committee within 15 business days of receiving a complete application.
Outcome: The Committee may uphold the reinstatement in full, uphold at a reduced scholarship value, or decline reinstatement. The student is notified in writing.
Timing: If reinstatement is approved, it takes effect from the start of the next semester (tuition waivers) or the next fortnightly pay cycle (stipends). Reinstatement is not applied retrospectively to the suspended period.

10.2 Formal Appeals

Right of appeal: Any student may appeal a scholarship decision — including rejection of an application, suspension, cancellation, or refusal of reinstatement — on the following grounds: (a) administrative error; (b) failure to consider relevant circumstances; (c) breach of natural justice; or (d) decision not consistent with this policy.
Appeal is not a re-assessment: An appeal is not an opportunity to re-run the original assessment with new merit-based evidence. It must be based on grounds listed above.
How to lodge: Submit a written appeal to the Scholarship Appeals Officer (scholarshipappeals@tared.edu.au) within 20 business days of receiving the decision being appealed. Late appeals are accepted only where the delay was due to circumstances beyond the student's control.
What to include: Student ID; the decision being appealed; the specific ground(s) for the appeal; supporting evidence; and the outcome you are seeking.
Assessment: Appeals are assessed by the Scholarship Review Committee, which must not include any member involved in the original decision. The Committee has 20 business days to provide a written determination.
Outcomes: The Committee may: (a) uphold the original decision; (b) vary the decision; or (c) overturn the decision and direct the original decision-maker to remake it in accordance with the Committee's findings.
External review: If the internal appeal is unsuccessful, students may seek further review through the NSW Ombudsman or the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA). Contact details are provided in the appeal outcome letter.

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11. Concurrent Awards

Rules governing the holding of multiple scholarships or combining university scholarships with external awards.

11.1 Multiple University Scholarships

Maximum number: A student may not hold more than two Tarelium Education-administered scholarships simultaneously.
Maximum value: The combined value of all university-administered scholarships held concurrently must not exceed 100% of the student's tuition fee liability in any given semester. Cash-value awards (bursaries, stipends) are excluded from this calculation.
Complementary awards: Certain combinations are explicitly permitted and encouraged — for example, a student holding the First-in-Family Scholarship (need-based) may also receive the High Achiever Scholarship (merit-based), provided the combined value does not exceed the tuition liability cap.
Incompatible awards: The Vice-Chancellor's Excellence Scholarship cannot be held concurrently with the Faculty Dean's Excellence Award or any other merit-based tuition waiver. The RTP Scholarship cannot be held concurrently with the VC Postgraduate Research Scholarship or any other university stipend.
Emergency grants: Emergency Financial Assistance grants are excluded from this calculation and may be received by any student regardless of their scholarship status.

11.2 External Scholarships & Awards

Declaration required: Students must declare any external scholarship, bursary, prize, or award exceeding $500 per year within 10 business days of accepting it, via the Scholarship Portal.
Effect on university scholarships: Receipt of an external award does not automatically affect a university scholarship. However, if the combined value of the external award and the university scholarship exceeds 100% of tuition fees, the university scholarship value may be pro-rated downward.
Employer-sponsored study: Students whose employers are paying all or part of their tuition fees must declare this. Employer contributions are treated as external awards for the purpose of the concurrent value cap.
International scholarships: International students who hold home-country government scholarships (e.g. DAAD, CSC, MEXT) must declare these. Most international government scholarships are compatible with the International Merit Award, provided the combined value does not exceed 100% of tuition.
Failure to declare: Failure to declare an external award is treated as a breach of scholarship conditions and may result in suspension or cancellation of the university scholarship.

11.3 Quick Reference — Compatible and Incompatible Combinations

Scholarship A	Scholarship B	Compatible?	Notes
VC Excellence (SCH-M01)	Any other tuition waiver	Incompatible	VC Excellence is a standalone award
First-in-Family (SCH-N02)	High Achiever (SCH-M04)	Compatible	Combined value capped at 100% tuition
Equity Access (SCH-N01)	Academic Achievement Bursary (SCH-M03)	Compatible	Bursary is one-time; no ongoing conflict
RTP Scholarship (SCH-R01)	VC Research Scholarship (SCH-R02)	Incompatible	Cannot hold two research stipends
Disability Achievement (SCH-C02)	Equity Access (SCH-N01)	Compatible	Different categories; subject to value cap
Sports Excellence (SCH-C03)	Faculty Dean's Award (SCH-M02)	Case-by-case	Refer to Scholarship Review Committee
Any university scholarship	Financial Hardship Emergency Grant	Compatible	Emergency grants are excluded from the cap
International Merit Award (SCH-I01)	Home-country government scholarship	Declare & assess	Combined value must not exceed 100% tuition

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12. Tax & Centrelink Considerations

The tax treatment of scholarship income in Australia and the interaction between scholarship payments and Centrelink income support. This section provides general information only and does not constitute financial advice. Students should seek independent advice from the ATO or a registered tax agent.

12.1 Tax Treatment of Scholarships

General exemption: Under section 51-10 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997, scholarship income received by a full-time student for the purpose of enabling them to undertake education is generally exempt from income tax.
Exempt amounts: For full-time students: all scholarship amounts that are not in lieu of salary or wages are typically exempt. This includes tuition waivers, living allowance stipends (e.g. RTP, VC Research Scholarship), and need-based bursaries.
Taxable scenarios: A scholarship payment is taxable if: (a) it is paid in lieu of salary or wages; (b) the student is not full-time; (c) the payment is for work performed rather than study support; or (d) the scholarship requires the student to provide services (e.g. tutoring, research assistance) — in which case the service component is taxable.
Part-time students: Scholarships received by part-time students are generally taxable. A part-time student is defined for tax purposes as undertaking less than 75% of the full-time study load (i.e. less than 0.75 EFTSL per year).
Annual payment summary: Tarelium Education issues all scholarship holders with an annual Scholarship Payment Summary by 31 July each year, listing all scholarship payments received in the preceding financial year (1 July – 30 June). Students should retain this for their tax return.
Withholding tax: The university does not withhold tax from exempt scholarship payments. If you are unsure whether your scholarship is taxable, contact the ATO at 13 28 61 or visit ato.gov.au.

12.2 Centrelink Interaction

Exempt scholarship income threshold: Centrelink does not count scholarship income as ordinary income up to $8,000 per year for living expenses (2024-25 threshold; updated annually). Amounts above this threshold are counted as income and may reduce Youth Allowance or Austudy payments.
Tuition waivers: Tuition fee waivers are not counted as income by Centrelink, as they do not result in the student receiving cash. Only cash payments (bursaries, stipends, grants) are counted.
Emergency grants: Financial Hardship Emergency Grants are not considered scholarship income by Centrelink and do not affect income-tested payments.
Reporting obligation: Students in receipt of Youth Allowance, Austudy, or Abstudy must report any scholarship cash payments to Centrelink within 14 days of receipt. The university's Annual Scholarship Payment Summary is accepted by Services Australia for this purpose.
RTP / VC Research Stipend and Centrelink: The RTP and VC Research Scholarship stipends are paid to full-time HDR students and are typically exempt from both income tax and Centrelink income testing, as they meet the full-time education scholarship exemption criteria. However, students should confirm their individual circumstances with Services Australia.
Changes in enrolment load: If a scholarship holder reduces to part-time load, both their tax position and Centrelink entitlements may change. Students are encouraged to contact both the ATO and Services Australia before reducing their load.

ATO Helpline

For tax questions about your scholarship, contact the ATO at 13 28 61 or visit ato.gov.au. Quote your TFN when calling.

Services Australia

For Centrelink questions, contact Services Australia at 13 24 90 (Students) or visit servicesaustralia.gov.au.

Financial Counselling

Free, confidential financial counselling is available through Student Services. Book via the Student Portal — no referral needed.

TFN on File

All scholarship cash payments require a Tax File Number (TFN) on file. Register your TFN in the Student Portal before your first payment is due.

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13. Contact & Administration

Who to contact for scholarship enquiries, how this policy is administered, and where to find further information.

Student Financial Services

📍 Level 2, Student Services Building, 1 University Drive, Sydney NSW 2000
📞 +61 2 9000 2000
✉️ scholarships@tared.edu.au
🕐 Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM AEST
Walk-in consultations available Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM. No appointment required.
Appointment bookings for complex queries: via the Student Portal.

Specialist Contacts

🔬 Research scholarships (RTP, VCRPS): Research Office — research@tared.edu.au
🌿 Indigenous Success Scholarship: Indigenous Student Success Unit — indigenous.success@tared.edu.au
♿ Disability Achievement Scholarship: Disability Services — disability@tared.edu.au
🏅 Sports Excellence Scholarship: Sport & Wellbeing Centre — sport@tared.edu.au
⚖️ Scholarship appeals: Scholarship Appeals Officer — scholarshipappeals@tared.edu.au
🆘 Emergency financial assistance: Student Crisis & Welfare Team — welfare@tared.edu.au or call +61 2 9000 2100 (24/7 crisis line)

Policy Queries

Questions about this policy should be directed to Student Financial Services. Staff cannot make exceptions to this policy outside the formal appeal process.

Policy Review

This policy is reviewed every two years, or earlier if required by legislative change. Amendments take effect from the date published on the university website.

Document Accessibility

This policy is available in alternate formats (large print, audio) on request from Student Services. Contact access@tared.edu.au.

Language Assistance

The Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) is available for students who require assistance understanding this policy. Call 13 14 50 (free for CALD community members).

Scholarship & Financial Aid Policy

Policy Number

Effective Date

Review Date

Policy Owner

Responsible Office

Related Policies

Table of Contents

Purpose & Scope

Definitions

Scholarship Categories

Scholarship Directory

Eligibility & Selection

Application Process

Award Conditions

Government Financial Aid

Suspension & Cancellation

Reinstatement & Appeals

Concurrent Awards

Tax & Centrelink

1. Purpose & Scope

1.1 Purpose

1.2 Scope

1.3 Guiding Principles

Equity & Access

Transparency

Natural Justice

Confidentiality

Continuous Improvement

2. Definitions

Student & Enrolment Terms

Award & Financial Terms

Academic Performance Terms

Process Terms

3. Scholarship Categories

Merit-Based Scholarships

Need-Based (Equity) Scholarships

Category-Specific Scholarships

Research (HDR) Scholarships

International Student Scholarships

Government-Administered Programs

Emergency Financial Assistance

4. Scholarship Directory

4.1 Merit-Based Scholarships

4.2 Need-Based (Equity) Scholarships

4.3 Category-Specific Scholarships

4.4 Research (HDR) Scholarships

4.5 International Student Scholarships

4.6 Emergency Financial Assistance

🆘 Financial Hardship Emergency Grant

🏠 Emergency Accommodation Assistance

5. Eligibility & Selection

5.1 General Eligibility Requirements

5.2 Selection & Assessment

5.3 Ineligibility Grounds

Incomplete Application

Late Submission

Current Scholarship Holder

Prior Permanent Cancellation

6. Application Process

6.1 How to Apply

6.2 Required Documents

6.3 Assessment Timeline (Standard Rounds)

Referee Contact

Portal Deadline

Multiple Applications

Unsuccessful Applications

7. Award Conditions

7.1 Academic Performance Requirements

7.2 Enrolment Load Requirements

7.3 Reporting Obligations

7.4 Payment Schedule & Method

8. Government Financial Aid

8.1 HECS-HELP (Commonwealth-Supported Students)

8.2 FEE-HELP (Full-Fee Students)

8.3 Other HELP Schemes

8.4 Centrelink Income Support

Census Date is Critical

HELP Debt is Indexed

No Interest