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Financial Assistance

Who can get it

If you are studying towards one of the following professions:

• Early Childhood Teacher
• Primary School Teacher
• Secondary School Teacher
• Nurse
• Midwife
• Doctor
• Veterinarian.

And are receiving one of the following benefits:

• Domestic Purposes Benefit
• Widow’s Benefit
• Emergency Maintenance Allowance
• Invalid's Benefit.

The Assistance for Study Costs is not available to people who:

• are studying towards postgraduate diplomas, postgraduate certificates
• are studying for a bachelors with honours, masters or doctorate degrees
• are receiving (or entitled to receive) Training Incentive Allowance
• have not exhausted the Course Related Costs component of their Student Loan if they have entitlement.

How much you could get and what it can cover

The maximum amount you can borrow is $500.00. This is interest and tax free. You can apply more than once in a 52 week period, but you cannot receive more than $500.00 in total. This assistance is available from 1 February 2010 to 31 January 2011.

You can apply for Assistance for Study Costs for expenses such as

• transport to and from your course, including car running costs
• childcare costs (less any Childcare Assistance)
• baby sitting or other child minding costs
• books and stationery
• course equipment and materials
• other costs that we determine are necessary for your study.

Repaying the Assistance for Study Payment

You won’t need to make any repayment until you finish your course or you stop receiving a Domestic Purposes Benefit, Widow’s Benefit, Emergency Maintenance Allowance or Invalid’s Benefit, whichever comes first. You will need to negotiate the amount to be repaid with Work and Income. The minimum amount you must repay is $4.00 a week unless you have exceptional circumstances.

For more information

For a full explanation of Assistance for Study costs, you can go to the Manuals and Procedures (MAP) section of this site

How to apply

You'll need to make an appointment with your case manager on or after 1 February 2010 to apply and you may be asked to provide proof of the costs you are applying for.