UniSA
Study and Priority Grants
Formerly UniSA Access and Priority Scholarships
(Scholarships and Grants are subject to change and are awarded based on conditions current at the time of award)
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UniSA Study Grants and UniSA Priority Grants
Since 2005 UniSA has been operating a grants scheme that is on target to provide financial support to over 2000 undergraduate students studying at UniSA.
There are two different types of grants available – UniSA Study Grants and UniSA Priority Grants – both offering financial assistance for the life of a student’s program up to the maximum duration*.
The information below provides details of the UniSA Grants Scheme, including eligibility requirements and administration procedures.
UniSA Study Grants
These grants provide financial assistance to enrolled students studying in an undergraduate program and will be available to students for each year of their program up to the maximum duration*.
- Eligibility Requirements
- Application Process
- Selection Process
- Offer
- Ongoing eligibility requirements
- General information
Eligibility Requirements
Students are eligible to apply for a UniSA Study Grant if they meet all the following criteria:
- are an Australian citizen, a permanent resident or the holder of a permanent humanitarian visa
- can provide evidence of low socio-economic background
- are enrolled in an undergraduate program full-time or part-time with a minimum of 50% load (9 units per half year)
- have not already completed the requirements of a program of study equivalent to an Australian bachelor’s or higher level award.
While low socio-economic status is the primary criterion for UniSA Study Grants, applications will be weighted according to other equity indicators, including, for example, that applicants:
- identify as Indigenous
- are from rural/isolated areas
- are from non-English speaking backgrounds
- have a disability.
Students are not eligible for a UniSA Study Grant if they:
- are in receipt of a Commonwealth Scholarship or any other UniSA-related scholarship or grant of the same or higher value to the UniSA Study or Priority Grants
- are a part-time student with less than 50% study load (9 units per half year).
Students in exceptional circumstances, for example students that have a disability or significant carer responsibilities, will have the opportunity to report and verify their circumstances during application and review periods and may be deemed eligible with less than 50% study load (9 units per half year).
Application Process
2008 Mid-year Online applications will open from 14 July 2008 and
closes 5pm 01 August 2008.
UniSA has a new Scholarships Management System which students can access
by logging into the MyUniSA Student Portal and clicking on my Studies.
This will display a 'my Scholarships' link (on the right hand side of
the page) which will take you to the my Scholarships home page (Please
note the 'my Scholarships' link will be available from the end of
December 2007). You can apply for
scholarships listed on the home page under ‘Scholarship groups I may
apply for’. For more information visit
Frequently Asked
Questions website.
To apply, students must meet the eligibility requirements and be able to provide evidence that they are financially and educationally disadvantaged. One of the ways that you can verify financial disadvantage is by showing that you are in receipt of a means tested Centrelink Benefit (e.g. Youth Allowance, Austudy, Abstudy etc), and/or a Health Care Card. Not all Centrelink benefits are means tested (opens new window).
Specific details of the required supporting documentation will be communicated to each applicant via their student email account, after their application form has been submitted.
Selection Process
- Selection will be made on the basis of financial need and equity considerations.
- Applicants will be ranked according to a total score derived from a set of weighted financial need, equity and educational disadvantage indicators.
- The equity weightings may be adjusted from year to year to ensure that members of the University’s current equity priority areas are represented in the ranking.
- In the case of a tied score, applicants will be separated on the basis of the University’s equity priorities for the current year. Otherwise, applicants will be separated on the basis of academic merit, determined by ranked TER (Tertiary Entrance Rank) scores, GPA (Grade Point Average) or equivalent.
Offer
Successful applicants will receive an Offer of Acceptance of a Scholarship and request for Banking Details via Student Portal - 'myScholarships' detailing the rights and responsibilities of both the student and the University in regard to the scholarships. The student will be required to Accept the scholarship on the Student Portal - 'myScholarships' homepage under ‘my Offered scholarships’ and provide Banking Details before any payment can be made.
Unsuccessful applicants will receive an email informing them that they have not gained a grant.
Ongoing eligibility requirements
In order to maintain ongoing eligibility for a UniSA Study Grant, the grant holder:
- must maintain satisfactory academic progress according to the University’s Assessment Policies and Procedures Manual.
- may transfer to another undergraduate program at the University of South Australia, but must maintain continuous enrolment, except for periods of leave.
- must continue to meet the basic eligibility requirements as detailed in their original application. It is the grant holder’s responsibility to provide information to Student and Academic Services of any changes to their circumstances which would make them ineligible for the grant.
The University will verify the grant holder’s ongoing eligibility for the UniSA Study or Priority Grant each semester.
UniSA Priority Grants
From time to time the University may offer grants to students who enrol in specific programs. In 2008 a number of grants will be offered to students who are new to higher education and enrolling in the double degree Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Education. These grants will be available for each year of a student’s program up to the maximum duration*.
- Eligibility Requirements
- Application and Selection Process
- Offer
- Ongoing eligibility requirements
- General information
Eligibility Requirements
Students are eligible for a UniSA Priority Grant if they meet all the following criteria:
- are an Australian citizen, a permanent resident or the holder of a permanent humanitarian visa
- must be new to higher education
- must be enrolling in the double degree program Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Education in 2008, full-time or part-time with a minimum of 50% study load (9 units per half year)
Students are not eligible for a UniSA Priority Grant if they:
- are in receipt of a Commonwealth Scholarship or any other UniSA-related scholarship of the same or higher value to the UniSA Study or Priority Grants
- are a part-time student with less than 50% study load (9 units per half year).
Students in exceptional circumstances, for example students that have a disability or significant carer responsibilities, will have the opportunity to report and verify their circumstances during application and review periods and may be deemed eligible with less than 50% study load (9 units per half year).
Application and Selection Process
Students will not need to apply. All eligible students enrolled in the double degree program Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Education will be considered on the basis of their TER (Tertiary Entrance Rank) score or equivalent.
Offer
Successful applicants will receive an Offer of Acceptance of a Scholarship and request for Banking Details via Student Portal - 'myScholarships' detailing the rights and responsibilities of both the student and the University in regard to the scholarships. The student will be required to Accept the scholarship on the Student Portal - 'myScholarships' homepage under ‘my Offered scholarships’ and provide Banking Details before any payment can be made.
Unsuccessful applicants will receive an email informing them that they have not gained a grant.
Ongoing eligibility requirements
In order to maintain ongoing eligibility for a UniSA Priority Grant, the grant holder:
- must continue to meet the basic eligibility requirements
- must remain enrolled in the double degree Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Education
- must maintain satisfactory academic progress, according to the University’s Assessment Policies and Procedures Manual
The University will verify the grant holder’s ongoing eligibility for the UniSA Study or Priority Grant each semester.
General Information
- Value of Grants
- Duration of Grants
- Payments
- Leave
- Termination
- Confidentiality
- Grievance procedures
- Scholarship guidelines review
Value of Grants
The value of a UniSA Study or Priority Grant in 2008 is $2,000 a year (based on a full-time load) for each year of a student’s program up to the maximum duration*.
*Duration of Grants
The maximum duration for which students may receive a UniSA Study or Priority Grant is 4 years full-time or part-time equivalent, or the length of the full-time program, whichever is the shorter, excluding any periods of leave.
Payments
The grant is paid twice a year by bank transfer to the grant holder, and is subject to the student satisfying ongoing eligibility requirements for their respective grant for each semester.
The two payment times are:
- by May each year, following the census date for Study Period 2 (31 March), and subsequent processing of eligibility and banking details; and
- by October each year, following the census date for Study Period 5 (31 August), and subsequent processing of eligibility and banking details.
Please note that the maximum payment for each scholarship period is $1,000 (based on a full-time load). Additional load from previous scholarship periods (half years) will not be carried forward. Load is calculated after the nominated study period census dates and will determine payment amounts for each scholarship period (half year).
Payments are calculated according to study load each scholarship period (half year):
- students with full-time study load will receive $1,000 per scholarship period
- students with full-time equivalent study load of 75% (13.5 units or more per half year) will receive $1,000 per scholarship period
- students with part-time study load of 50% (9 units per half year) will receive $500 per scholarship period
- students with less than 50% study load are not eligible (in exceptional circumstances students with less that 50% load may be deemed eligible, for example, students with a disability or significant carer responsibilities)
- students in exceptional circumstances with less than 50% study load, will receive $500 per scholarship period
Leave
The grant holder may take periods of leave in accordance with University's Enrolment Policy (A48). Grant payments will be deferred for such periods of leave.
Termination
The grant holder’s UniSA Study or Priority Grant will be terminated:
- if the grant holder ceases to meet all eligibility requirements, other than during a period in which the grant holder is on approved leave; or
- once the full value of the grant has been paid in respect of the final year of a UniSA Study or Priority Grant; or
- if the grant holder has completed the requirements of a program of study equivalent to an Australian bachelor’s or higher level award; or
- if the grant holder does not resume study at the conclusion of a period of leave; or
- if the grant holder‘s enrolment is cancelled for any reason; or
- if the grant holder is found to have given false or misleading information relating to their eligibility (this is considered a serious offence under the Criminal Code).
Confidentiality
All information provided by applicants will be treated as confidential, according to University Policy A.46, Confidentiality of Students’ Personal Information. Your personal information can only be released in special circumstances, where the law requires, or where you give permission.
Application information for unsuccessful applicants will be destroyed 60 days after the scholarships are awarded for the year.
Grievance procedures
Grievances will be resolved in accordance with University policy C17.2, Policy and Procedures for the Resolution of Student Grievances, and must be made within twenty (20) working days of receiving notification of the outcome of the selection process.
Grant guidelines review
Guidelines relating to UniSA Study and Priority Grants will be reviewed annually and will be available on the UniSA Scholarships website by December of the preceding year.
(Scholarships and Grants are subject to change and are awarded based on conditions current at the time of award)