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OS-HELP Loan Policy

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Section 1 - Summary

(1) This Policy outlines the eligibility requirements for the Overseas Higher Education Loan Program (OS-HELP) at Victoria University that are compliant with the Higher Education Support Act 2003 (Cth).

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Section 2 - HESF/ASQA/ESOS Alignment

(2) HESF: Standard 3.3 Learning Resources and Educational Support; 2.4 Student Grievances and Complaints.

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Section 3 - Scope

(3) This Policy applies to eligible full-time Commonwealth Supported (CSP) higher education students who study at an approved institution overseas.

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Section 4 - Definitions

(4) Student Exchange

(5) Study Abroad

(6) Study Tour

(7) Short Program

(8) OS-HELP

(9) EFTSL

(10) CSP

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Section 5 - Policy Statement

(11) OS-HELP is available to eligible full-time Commonwealth Supported (CSP) higher education students who study at an approved institution overseas via the following programs:

  1. Student Exchange;
  2. Study Abroad;
  3. Study Tour;
  4. Short programs.

(12) Current loan amounts can be found on the Australian Government Study Assist website.

Part A - Eligibility for the OS-HELP Loan

(13) Students are eligible for one loan per six month study period and a maximum of two six month periods.

(14) To be entitled to OS-HELP assistance for a six month study period overseas, students must:

  1. Be an Australian citizen or hold a permanent humanitarian visa;
    1. New Zealand Special Category Visa holders may be eligible to access HELP loans provided they came to Australia as a dependent child and meet the relevant residency criteria.
  2. Not have received an OS-HELP Loan on more than one other occasion;
  3. Be enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place;
  4. Have already completed at least 1.0 equivalent full-time student load (EFTSL) of study that counts towards their course (96 credit points), as a Commonwealth supported student.
  5. Be receiving credit or placement hours for the course of study in which they are enrolled with Victoria University;
  6. Be outside Australia while undertaking the study;
  7. Still have at least 0.125 EFTSL of study to complete in their course (12 credit points), on return from overseas study;
  8. Supply their Tax File Number;
  9. Complete an OS-HELP loan application and an OS-HELP debt confirmation via MyVU;
  10. Be selected by Victoria University to receive an OS-HELP loan.
  11. Not have been granted an OS-HELP loan by another provider for an overlapping six month study period;

(15) Students are eligible for additional funds if studying in Asia, and if undertaking Asian language studies separate to their award course.

(16) To be eligible for OS-HELP assistance for an Asian language related to overseas studies in Asia, students must:

  1. Not receive credit for their Asian language studies (see Clause 14). The language study must be aimed at assisting students in their main overseas course in an Asian country;
  2. Commence the language study prior to the start of their main overseas course;
  3. Be applying for OS-HELP assistance for their main overseas course in addition to the OS-HELP language subsidy;
  4. Not have received an OS-HELP language subsidy on more than one other occasion;
  5. Provide the details of the language they will be studying, course commencement and end date to Victoria University.

Review

(17) Students who are not selected for a loan may seek a review of the decision by the Chief Student Officer. 

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Section 6 - Procedures

(18) OS-HELP Loan Procedure