OS-HELP Murdoch Information Booklet

Transcription

1 OS-HELP Murdoch Information Booklet

2 INTRO AND ELIGIBILITY What is OS-HELP? OS-HELP provides financial assistance to eligible students who are normally based in Australia to undertake part of their course overseas. OS-HELP assistance may be used to cover expenses associated with the overseas study, such as airfares, accommodation and other travel or settling expenses. Who is eligible for OS-HELP? To receive an OS-HELP loan in relation to the six-month period, you must: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) (i) (j) (k) (l) (m) be an Australian citizen (see below) or the holder of a permanent humanitarian visa; have not received an OS-HELP on more than one other occasion; be enrolled in an undergraduate course of study with an Australian higher education provider; have already completed units of study to the value of one EFTSL in Australia that count towards the course of study referred to in (c) and in relation to which you were a Commonwealth supported student; be enrolled in full-time study with an overseas higher education institution or the overseas campus of an Australian higher education provider, and be outside Australia while undertaking that study; have your overseas study count as credit for the course of study that you are enrolled in at Murdoch University and referred to in (c); still have at least 0.5 EFTSL of study yet to complete in the course of study referred to in (c) on return from the overseas study; complete and lodge an OS-HELP debt confirmation form with Murdoch University; complete and lodge an OS-HELP Loan Application and Payment Request form; be selected by Murdoch University to receive an OS-HELP loan in relation to the six month period; not have been granted an OS-HELP loan by another provider for an overlapping six month study period; and have not completed the overseas study before making the application for an OS-HELP loan. meet the tax file number requirements, which are to either: o o notify Murdoch University of your tax file number and for Murdoch University provider to be satisfied that his number is a valid tax file number; or give to Murdoch University a certificate from the Commissioner of Taxation stating that you have applied for a tax file number (and then notify Murdoch University of your tax file number within 21 days of it being issued). Note that OS-HELP assistance is not available to students undertaking their whole course of study overseas. A student may be outside Australia when they apply for an OS-HELP loan. Australian Citizenship Under HESA, students do not meet the Australian citizenship requirements until they have become Australian citizens (that is, they have taken their pledge and are in possession of their certificate of citizenship) [Australian Citizenship Act s15]

3 STUDYING OVERSEAS AND STUDY PERIODS What is a six month study period? Because students who receive OS-HELP are studying with higher education institutions in other countries, your study activities may not necessarily align with Australian study periods and units of study. In order to manage OS-HELP while maximising program flexibility, OS-HELP is built on the idea of a six month study period. Undertaking your first or second discrete six month study period To be satisfied that you meet the eligibility criteria, Murdoch University is required to conduct our selection process as close as possible to the commencement of your proposed six month study period. You will not be selected for OS-HELP more than six months before the commencement of your overseas study. Studying Abroad for a year and its implication for OS-HELP You can apply for the two loans concurrently, that is, before you commence your first six month study period. However Murdoch University may only tentatively select you to receive OS-HELP for the second six month study period. You will be advised on a date which is not more than six weeks before the commencement of the second application period, if you have met the criteria for the second funding round. When does the six months start? For students who receive OS-HELP, a six month study period is taken to commence on the first day that a students commences their study overseas. The six month study period is always taken to end six months after the study period commencement date. Can I receive OS-HELP for a study period that is shorter than six months? Yes. As long as you meet all the eligibility criteria you may receive OS-HELP for overseas study of any length of time. However, OS-HELP loans are always provided in respect of a six month study period, regardless of the actual duration of study. Example; Mangala is selected for OS-HELP for three months of full-time overseas study that starts on 1 December 2011 and finishes on 28 February Although Mangala will only study for three months, the six month study period is defined as commencing on 1 December 2011 and concluding on 31 May This means that she can only be selected for OS-HELP for a second time if her second study period commences on or after 1 June Overseas higher education institutions and overseas campuses of a higher education provider. You must be enrolled with an overseas higher education institution or the overseas campus of a higher education provider to be eligible for OS-HELP assistance. Study undertaken with another higher education provider may include cross-institutional enrolments, in which case the provisions for cross-institutional programs will apply. What is regarded as full-time study under OS-HELP? Murdoch University will regard overseas study as full-time if the level of academic engagement required by the student while studying overseas is broadly equivalent to the level of academic engagement required by a student undertaking at least 75% of a full-time load per year in an equivalent course in Australia.

4 Based on this; the following is a list of the number of credit points you need to receive for overseas study during each of the different teaching periods to be considered full-time: Teaching Period Minimum Credit Points (CP) for full-time study Summer Semester 3 Semester 1 9 Winter Semester 3 Semester 2 9 SELECTION CRITERIA OS-HELP University based criteria will be determined as follows: 1. Academic Achievement determined by the grades achieved by the student in all units completed at Murdoch University. Students will be assessed on a four (4) point Grade Point Average (GPA) scale: Sum of (Credit Points x GPA value of grade) Sum of Credit Points Grade GPA Value High Distinction (HD) 4 Distinction (D) 3 Credit (C) 2 Pass (P) 1 Conceded Pass (CP) 0.8 Fail (N) 0 Note: Conceded Pass results are not in use from the 2005 academic year onwards. A minimum course GPA of is required for OS-HELP assistance to be granted. Applications from students who have a course GPA of less than will be considered only after staff consultation with the relevant Academic Chair. 2. Community Involvement if more than one student has the same GPA, involvement in community both internally (through University clubs and societies) and externally (i.e. Red Cross, Amnesty International, RSPCA) will be an assessable factor. 3. Other relevant considerations eg absence of any proven misconduct, or other problems (i.e. discipline) which have warranted a reprimand, or other penalty. You will need to have an academic status of good standing to be granted OS-HELP assistance. A second application for an additional period of OS-HELP assistance will be assessed in accordance with the provisions of this section. Notification of your OS-HELP application outcome You will be notified of the outcome of your application, in writing, either within six (6) weeks of receiving the application or within six (6) weeks of the study period commencement date, whichever is later. If you are successful in your application and you have been granted the full amount that you have requested, notification may be sent in the form of a Commonwealth Assistance Notice (CAN).

5 Where you have submitted an application for a second allocation, the decision will be determined not more than six (6) weeks before the commencement of the six (6) month period if you meet the provisions for entitlement to OS-HELP assistance. Appeals An appeal will only be considered if: 1. The complaint relates to the procedure which was followed, to consider the application for OS-HELP assistance, and the application for OS-HELP assistance was lodged on time, with all relevant documentation provided to the advertised submission address. 2. A student who wishes to appeal must do so, in writing, within 10 working days of notification of the outcome of the OS-HELP application, to the Director, Student Services stating the reasons for the appeal. 3. On receipt of the appeal, the Director, Murdoch Student Services shall: a. Acknowledge receipt of the appeal within 5 working days; and b. Notify the student, in writing, of the decision within 10 working days after acknowledgement of the appeal. HOW MUCH MONEY IS AVAILABLE? You will be asked on the OS-HELP application form to request an amount of funds under the OS- HELP loan scheme. A single OS-HELP loan cannot be below $1, and cannot exceed the amount set out in section 3.2 of the OS-HELP statement of terms and conditions. The amount of OS-HELP assistance paid to you is determined by Murdoch University in accordance with the OS-HELP policy. Murdoch University can approve the full amount, approve a reduced amount or decline to approve any OS-HELP assistance. You will never be paid an OS-HELP amount that exceeds the amount of assistance for which you have applied. Getting your OS-HELP funds If you are selected to receive OS-HELP you must complete an OS-HELP debt confirmation form before Murdoch University can make an OS-HELP payment to you. How is OS-HELP paid? Murdoch University will pay you your OS-HELP assistance as a single payment by electronic funds transfer (EFT) or via cheque. If you elect to have the funds paid by EFT, they will be remitted to your nominated bank account. It is your responsibility to ensure that the account details you provide are current and correct. If you elect to have the funds paid by cheque you will be required to attend the Murdoch Student Centre and sign for your cheque once it is available for collection. Each student may only receive one payment for each OS-HELP loan. When are OS-HELP payments to be made? Murdoch University will pay OS-HELP assistance to you when the following actions have been completed: 1. You have submitted a fully and correctly completed OS-HELP debt confirmation form; and

6 2. You have submitted a fully and correctly completed OS-HELP Loan Application and Payment Request form. 3. Your application for OS-HELP assistance has been approved. Wherever possible, we will endeavour to pay OS-HELP assistance in such a time that allows you to use the funds for your key travel related expenses (such as airfares). A Commonwealth Assistance Notice (CAN) will be provided to you within 28 days of your receipt of the OS-HELP assistance. When is an OS-HELP debt incurred? Your OS-HELP debt is taken to be incurred on the day that the OS-HELP loan amount is paid to you. Your OS-HELP debt is equal to the amount of your OS-HELP loan. For more information refer to s4.1 of the OS-HELP statement of terms and conditions. You are deemed to incur your OS-HELP debt on the day that the OS-HELP loan amount is paid to you. Repaying your OS-HELP debt? Your OS-HELP debt is included in your accumulated HELP debt by the Australian Tax Office (ATO). TAX FILE NUMBER (TFN) Tax File Number (TFN) Procedures Who is required to provide a TFN? All students who wish to obtain an OS-HELP loan are required to provide their TFN on the OS-HELP debt confirmation form. Students who do not have a TFN should apply for one by completing a Certificate of Application for a TFN, available from the ATO. When must a TFN be provided by? Students wishing to obtain an OS-HELP loan must provide their TFN when applying for OS-HELP assistance. Murdoch University cannot make any payment before you provide a TFN or a certificate from the Commissioner of Taxation stating that they have applied for one. How do you provide a TFN? You should provide your TFN in the applicable space on OS-HELP debt confirmation form. What happens if you do not have a TFN? Students who do not have, or cannot remember, their TFN, or who have applied to the ATO but have not yet received a TFN, must contact the ATO to acquire their TFN or to obtain a Certificate of Application for a TFN. What happens if a student fails to provide a TFN? Students seeking OS-HELP assistance cannot be paid their OS-HELP assistance until they have provided their TFN or a Certificate of Application for a TFN. Validation of TFNs Students are eligible for a HELP loan only if they provide a valid TFN. Murdoch University must validate and record TFNs for inclusion in information on students debts in the HELP Due File and for inclusion in the Electronic Commonwealth Assistance Form File (E-CAF File). Contact the ATO On the web: In person: 45 Francis Street, Northbridge, WA 6003 By Mail: GPO Box 9990, Perth WA 6000 By Telephone:

7 CHANGE IN YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES Change in student s circumstances If your circumstances change in such a way that Murdoch University determines that you do not meet the OS-HELP eligibility criteria and you have yet to be paid your OS-HELP assistance, Murdoch University is obliged to withdraw the offer of OS-HELP. If the circumstances change in such a way that Murdoch University determines that you no longer meet the OS-HELP eligibility criteria but you have already been paid your OS-HELP assistance, then Murdoch University is not obliged to do anything unless we have reason to believe that you provided false or misleading information in your OS-HELP application. Providing False of Misleading Information If Murdoch University knows or has reason to believe that a student in receipt of OS-HELP assistance has provided false or misleading information in his or her OS-HELP application, Murdoch University must immediately notify DEST of the suspected offence and provide DEST with a copy of the student s application and any other relevant information or material requested by DEST. What happens if you do not undertake your overseas study? If you have been selected for OS-HELP, but have yet to be paid your OS-HELP assistance, and Murdoch University determines that you will not be undertaking your overseas study, then Murdoch University will withdraw the offer of OS-HELP assistance to you. If you have been paid your OS-HELP assistance and Murdoch University determines that you will not be undertaking your overseas study, you will have already incurred an OS-HELP debt and can only repay this debt through the ATO. Can an OS-HELP debt be remitted? No. An OS-HELP debt must not be remitted under any circumstances. OS-HELP FORMS AND BROCHURES OS-HELP Murdoch Information Booklet (this edition) OS-HELP Loan Application and Payment Request OS-HELP debt confirmation form OS-HELP statement of terms and conditions OS-HELP Brochure (available from OS-HELP debt confirmation (Form 1291) This form must be completed by all students who have been accepted to receive OS-HELP assistance. You are required to complete one form for each OS-HELP loan. The OS-HELP debt confirmation form is only valid for one OS-HELP loan. Who is permitted to sign a form? Generally, only the student receiving the Commonwealth assistance is permitted to sign the form. However, at it s discretion Murdoch University may accept a form that has been signed by a person who is exercising legal power of attorney on behalf of the student. Whether or not a student is a minor does not influence his or her ability to sign the form. The Murdoch University OS-HELP Policy and Procedures document is available on the Overseas Study Opportunities website at