Emergency Financial Support

If you’re experiencing an urgent and unexpected financial crisis that is affecting your studies, you may be eligible for Student Guild Emergency Financial Support.

The criteria and process for requesting financial assistance is outlined below. 

Who can apply? 

To qualify for student financial support, you must meet the following requirements: 

• currently enrolled as a UniSC student;
• have completed at at least one trimester of full-time equivalent study;
• be able to show that you have a temporary, unexpected financial need that will impact your ability to study successfully or remain enrolled;
• have not recently been awarded another scholarship, bursary, or grant.  

What kind of support is available?

There are two types of Emergency Support available. Students may be eligible for ONE of the following:

• Study Support Bursary
• Emergency Financial Hardship Assistance

The Study Support Bursary is for students who:

• have up to $500 of study-related expenses
• examples include:
  • textbooks
  • lab equipment
  • placement uniforms
  • rural and remote placement expenses
  • printing costs
  • required study-related equipment

Emergency Financial Hardship Assistance requires relevant invoices that, if approved, will be paid directly to the business listed on the invoice. The Student Guild will usually need to make direct contact with the business listed on the invoice to ensure secure payment on your behalf. It is available to students who:

• have up to $1500 of urgent, unexpected and one-off third-party expenses.
• examples include:
  • bond payments
  • utility bills (e.g. electricity, gas, water)
  • private transportation costs where private transport is necessary for your study (e.g. mechanics bills, registration, insurance)
  • medical expenses, including medicine, hospital treatment and specialist appointments (e.g. X-ray, CT scan, emergency dental)
  • relocation costs due to crisis (e.g. fire, domestic violence or unsafe living conditions)
  • unforeseen school and childcare costs

What this doesn’t cover:

You can’t use Student Guild Emergency Financial Support for:

• ongoing, expected costs of living such as groceries or rent
• tuition fees or Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF)
• university or other fines
• holidays or non-essential spending
• credit card repayments
• house repairs
• student visa fees and charges
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OHSC)
• costs or debts you had before you started studying at UniSC
• costs incurred outside of Australia

What do you need to demonstrate? 

Once your application is received a staff member will review the application against the funding criteria.  

• identification: your UniSC student ID number
• proof of income: at least 2 payslips or a current Centrelink Income Statement
• bank statement: current bank account statements
• proof of enrolment: your current transcript or UniSC Central enrolment
• proof of financial need: a quote, invoice or bill for the item you require financial assistance with
• personal statement: a personal statement explaining how your financial need is temporary and unforeseen, and presents an imminent risk of withdrawal from your studies. How will this emergency hardship bursary impact your ability to stay enrolled? What will happen if you do not receive this financial assistance?

Other considerations 

• Centrelink: If you’re receiving support from Centrelink, keep in mind that any financial assistance may be considered as income, which could affect your benefits. It is recommended to reach out to Centrelink directly for clarification on how your entitlements may change. 
• Enrolment Pattern: Pattern of enrolment may also be considered in the approval process of financial assistance.  
• Availability of funds: The approval of financial assistance is subject to availability of funds and there is no guarantee funds will be available or awarded at the time of your application.

In the meantime, financial support is also available: 

• UniSC Scholarships & Bursaries: Equity Scholarships for financial hardship & many more.  
• Student Guild: Frozen meals & food pantry Items available.  

If you need any help completing this form you can reach out to the Student Guild at WelfareStudentGuild@usc.edu.au