Most universities try to assist students who are facing financial difficulties. A university’s financial aid service will provide advice about how to budget, what student loans and bursaries are available and how government schemes such as Austudy, Youth Allowance and Abstudy work.
Rent assistance is available to students on Youth Allowance or Abstudy who live away from home, and some universities offer rent assistance bursaries. Students on low incomes may be able to borrow their bond money from the Office of Housing, under the Bond Loan Scheme.
Scholarships
A variety of scholarships is available, with a range of benefits including tuition payments and living expenses.
Most universities have specific scholarships for students who come from rural or other backgrounds which may have affected their education, and scholarships are often connected to access programs.
Encourage your child to apply for as many scholarships as possible. Entry forms may be available directly from the universities concerned or be completed through VTAC: http://www.vtac.edu.au/seas/scholarships.html
Is part-time work a good idea?
Most students find that part-time work is a great way to earn some cash to help with the cost of living while at uni. It can also provide valuable work experience and form an important part of the student’s resume.
Most universities recommend that students shouldn’t work more than 8-10 hours per week if they’re in a full-time course, as working longer hours can interfere with study and being involved in university life. Part-time and casual jobs are often advertised on noticeboards in student services and student union buildings or on their websites.