OS-HELP Loans
Overview
Title
OS-HELP Loans
College
Opening date
03-12-2025
Closing date
01-12-2026
Scholarship value
Varies dependent on destination
Scholarship duration
Payment term
One off payment
Enrolment status
Continuing
Student type
Exchange and overseas travel
Level of Study
Undergraduate, Postgrad Coursework
Please note that applications for 2025 are now closed. Applications for 2026 are open; however, they will not be paid until 2026. The loan amounts listed below reflect the 2026 rates.
Description
Benefits
The amount of OS-HELP assistance paid to each selected student will be the amount the student has applied for, but shall not exceed;
- $8,442 (if you will not be studying in Asia); or
- $10,130 if you will be studying in Asia; and
- An additional $1,345 if you will be undertaking an Asian language study, specifically in preparation for study in Asia.
Note that the loan for language studies must be for non-award study, which does not form part of your course/credit of your overseas study or university degree.
OS-HELP loans will not be paid until all supporting documents (Faculty approval of credit towards degree and confirmation of placement or exchange at an overseas institution) have been provided.
Eligibility
To be eligible for consideration for OS-HELP assistance, a student must:
- be an Australian citizen, an Australian Permanent Humanitarian Visa holder or a New Zealand citizen who has been a long-term resident of Australia since childhood and meet certain eligibility criteria (see the Study Assist website for details); and
- be undertaking a course of study as a Commonwealth supported student, leading to a higher education award at Flinders University; and
- have successfully completed at least 36 units of study undertaken in Australia towards the course of study, as a Commonwealth supported student, for which the assistance is being sought; and
- be undertaking full-time study overseas; and
- have their overseas study count as credit towards their course of study; and
- be required to undertake at least 4.5 units of study in order complete their course of study on return from their overseas study
OS-HELP assistance will not be granted to a student who:
- has received OS-HELP on more than one other occasion; or
- has been granted an OS-HELP loan for an overlapping six month study period
- is enrolled in a one-year honours program
Selection Criteria
Applicants who meet the eligibility criteria will be ranked on the basis of academic merit which will be determined by the GPA for the most recent 36 units of study; and the extent to which the applicant's Flinders University studies will benefit from the proposed program of overseas study. Preference will be given to students undertaking an exchange program approved by the Flinders University International Office. Selection will be made by a Selection Committee comprising the Director, Student Administration and Systems or nominee and members of the International Scholarships Committee. Applicants for OS-HELP will be notified in writing of the outcome of the selection process within two months of the application closing date. Successful applicants will receive a letter of offer detailing the conditions of receiving an OS-HELP Loan.
Application information
Application for an OS-HELP loan is a two stage process:
- Applications should be submitted online through the Flinders University Student System. Applicants will need to login and navigate to the My Scholarships tab to submit an application. The application form is called "OS-HELP". Please read the how to apply page and ensure all of your personal details are up-to-date in Student Two before applying as you will be assessed using the information in the Student System, including home and semester address, citizenship etc.
- Once you have submitted your online application, your application will be assessed. If you meet all of the eligibility criteria and your application is approved, you will need to submit an OS-HELP debt confirmation form to Student Finance Services.
For further information about OS-HELP assistance including repayment details please visit the Australian Government Study Assist website or download the 2024 OS-HELP Statement of terms and conditions.
Once an application has been submitted, the assessment process takes approximately three weeks. Payment is generally made around 6 weeks after your initial application, however this will be delayed if any part of your application, documentation or eCAF is incomplete or incorrect. Students who meet the eligibility criteria at the time of application and submit complete applications with all documentation will be given higher priority in the loan assessment process.
