First Nations Continuing Student Accommodation Scholarship

Am I Eligible?

To be eligible for this scholarship you must be:

1. are identified as a First Nations student at Charles Sturt University;
2. an active student studying in enabling, undergraduate, honours or postgraduate awards;
3. enrolled in a Charles Sturt course as a Commonwealth supported student in a Commonwealth supported place;
4. a continuing student. Continuing students must have a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 4.0 or higher (pass grade average);
5. enrolled as an internal or mixed mode student;
6. full time or part-time;
7. applicants must not be receiving or have received a payment from any other source for the same purpose of relocation or accommodation costs, including the Centrelink Relocation Scholarship or Centrelink Residential Cost Option.
8. in financial need:
   • in receipt of an eligible means tested Centrelink Benefit or
   • able to demonstrate financial hardship.

Please note: Priority will be awarded to First Nations students from remote or regional areas.

Guidelines

1. Charles Sturt University First Nations Continuing Student Accommodation Scholarships are awarded to students to assist with the cost of accommodation.
2. This scholarship is valued at up to $6,000. Payments of the scholarship vary according to full-time or part-time enrolment. The scholarship is payable on the condition that the recipient continues to meet the eligibility criteria after the HECS-HELP census date.
3. Continuing full time students will receive a payment of $6,000 and $3,000 for part time students.
4. The scholarship is payable by EFT to the personal bank account that you have registered with Charles Sturt University. Payment is made within 14 days after the HECS-HELP census date.
5. The University reserves the right to recoup scholarship payments if your circumstances change and you no longer meet the eligibility criteria.
6. The Scholarships and Financial Support Services Office will be responsible for the assessment, allocation and administration of this scholarship.
7. The University receives a high volume of applications for scholarships, meeting the eligibility criteria  may not guarantee applicants a scholarship offer.
8. Scholarships are not intended to be your sole source of income support.
9. To be eligible for this scholarship, applicants must have met all of the eligibility criteria  by the closing date. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

Terms and Conditions

By accepting the scholarship offer you agree to:

1. fulfil all requirements as set out in these guidelines;
2. consent to Charles Sturt University accessing your student records for the purposes of assessing and administering the scholarship;
3. provide any change of individual circumstances in writing to the Scholarships Office scholarships@csu.edu.au
4. provide information and participate in surveys for promotional purposes and review of this scholarship;
5. accept the terms and conditions of this scholarship.

The University reserves the right to undertake audits of individual student’s records to ensure adherence to these guidelines.

Policy

A scholarship recipient should be aware that payments may be regarded as income by Centrelink and/or ATO it is the responsibility of the recipient to seek independent advice with respect to implications resulting from receiving this scholarship.

1. Full-time students – scholarships are considered to be tax-exempt income for students who are studying full time at university.
2. Part-time students – generally, scholarship funding provided to part-time students, regardless of their employment status, is not considered to be tax-exempt income. However, as long as the scholarship funding is used for non-tax-deductible expenses it may be classified as exempt income.

Please seek independent taxation advice regarding your personal circumstance where required or visit Is your scholarship taxable?

Charles Sturt University will treat any information provided by the applicant within the terms of relevant privacy legislation. See Charles Sturt University’s privacy policy for further information

Due to privacy laws, any discussion of a scholarship application or recipient will only take place with the scholarship applicant/recipient.

The information collected will be used by authorised University staff to assess eligibility and administer the scholarship program. The information may also be used for assessment purposes for other scholarships, grants and equity programs across the University. Recipient names and email addresses may be made available to departments within the University for marketing and research purposes. No details will be used externally for any reason without the recipient’s consent. Students should be aware that they provide information of their own free will.

Personal and health information provided by the applicant will not be made available to any person within the University or external organisation for any other purpose without the applicant’s consent, except where it may be a legal requirement of the University to provide information.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to provide further documents/information if the Scholarship Office contact me and request it?

If your application has been made incomplete and you have been requested to provide additional information or documents you have 48 hours from the date you receive the notification to provide the requested information.

What if I have another scholarship/grant?

If you are receiving any other scholarship or grant for the same purpose of relocating or accommodation you may not be eligible for this scholarship.

Can I submit a late application?

Applications received after the closing date will not be considered

How do I know if I'm in financial need?

A person is considered to be in financial need if they are in receipt of an eligible means-tested Centrelink benefit (directions to obtain Centrelink Income Statement can be found here.) or are in financial hardship. Supporting documentation will be required to demonstrate financial need.

Can I save my application and then finish it at a later date?

Yes you can, as long as you log back in and submit your application before the closing date.

When will I find out if I was successful?

An email notification will be sent by the outcome notice date, as advertised on the website.

If I am successful when and how do I get paid?

Payments will be made by EFT to your nominated bank account within 14 days after census date to successful recipients meeting the eligibility criteria.

How do I register my bank details with Charles Sturt University?

Register your bank details with Charles Sturt University via online administration.

What if my circumstances have changed from what I put on my application form?

You must notify the Charles Sturt University Scholarship Office immediately by emailing scholarships@csu.edu.au. Upon receipt of details regarding a change in circumstances, Charles Sturt University may reassess your eligibility.

Will I receive a scholarship/grant if I meet all of the eligibility criteria?

Charles Sturt University receives a high volume of applications for scholarships and grants, meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee applicants a scholarship offer.

Can I apply for this scholarship when I’m on a Leave of Absence?

Scholarships cannot be deferred. Scholarship recipients who defer their studies or take a Leave of absence will have their scholarship withdrawn and the scholarship will not be paid. These students are eligible to apply in a future session providing they still meet the eligibility criteria.

Charles Sturt University will terminate your scholarship offer if:

• you cease to meet the eligibility criteria;
• you are guilty of academic misconduct;
• the scholarship was awarded on the basis of false or misleading information.

Do I have to tell Centrelink or the Australian Tax Office about my scholarship?

A scholarship recipient should be aware that payments may be regarded as income by Centrelink or ATO it is the responsibility of the recipient to seek independent advice with respect to implications resulting from receiving this scholarship.

What happens to my scholarship if I take a Leave of Absence?

• You are entitled to take a maximum of two sessions of Approval Leave of Absence over the duration of the scholarship.
• If you do take an Approval Leave of Absence you will need to accept your ongoing scholarship offer. Payment will not be made whilst on Leave of Absence.

If I do not achieve the eligibility for one session does that automatically terminate by scholarship for future sessions?

You will need to submit a Special Circumstances Form outline the reason why you have not met the eligibility criteria. This will be reviewed on a case by case basis.

How to Apply

Forms and Documents

Download and save any forms you require for your application.

• Charles Sturt University Special Circumstances Form
• Supporting Financial Declaration
• Statutory Declaration

Application

• Complete an online application form.
• Applications will be assessed in accordance with the eligibility criteria and supporting documentation.
• Applications with incorrect or no supporting documentation will be deemed ineligible.
• You may be assessed as eligible but not receive an offer due to quota restrictions.
• There are no interviews required.

Outcome

• All applicants will be informed in writing of the outcome of their application.

Acceptance

• Successful applicants are required to accept their scholarship offer.
• Offers not accepted by the offer expiry date will be withdrawn.