You are here

Financial assistance for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander students

Some financial assistance options from the government:

  • Abstudy: A group of payments for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander students or apprentices. To get this you must be an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Australian, in an approved course, Australian Apprenticeship or traineeship

  • Indigenous Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarship (ICECS): A scholarships to assist with education costs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students enrolled and studying in an approved course of study.
  • To be eligible, you must be an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander student enrolled in a course of study at UOW. You must be from a regional or remote area, and/or be financially disadvantaged.
  • Indigenous Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarship (ICAS): A scholarship to assist with accommodation costs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students enrolled and studying in an approved course of study. 
  • To be eligible, you must be an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander student enrolled in a course of study at UOW. You must be from a regional or remote area, and/or be financially disadvantaged. 

Costs of study and living

Textbooks, subscriptions, technology and equipment - you'll receive details about what you need in each of your subjects and as part of your degree when you start and as you progress through university. These costs can add up so make sure to use the resources below to educate yourself and assess what you'll need. 

 

Textbooks

Consider cost-saving options such as finding your textbooks second hand at the UOW Alumni Bookshop or on the unofficial Facebook page UOW Students Buy and Sell

We could assume that seeing you're already at UOW, you are across your billing options of HECS/HELP loans for tuition and associated costs (including SSAF, accommodation and administrative fees), however just in case you're not, make sure to check out your options:

Learning techniques to save your cash is essential for a uni student on a budget.

Some resources to get you in the right mindset:

Financial counselling

Is your budget not working out like you planned? Struggling to save and not sure how to go about it? That’s okay! There are a range of free and confidential financial counselling services to help you get back on track. There are quite a few because...student life is tough at times and even though you might not realise it, a lot of students go through what you're going through. So reach out and get some support. 

 

Legal support

Maybe your financial stress is related to issues you're having with accommodation costs, employment rights, a car accident or legal charges you are facing? If so, UOW has a legal clinic that provides free, confidential legal advice to current students at UOW. If you need support or advice, get in touch and talk it through with them.

Jobs on and off campus (UOW Careers & Employability)

There are many ways to seek out casual work within UOW and outside of it - you just need to get in with the Careers & Employability (formerly Careers Central) team who can prepare you for the workplace and increase your awareness of current job vacancies. 

They can also help you really focus on what happens after uni - your future career. Chat with the experts about where you want to go.

  • UOW JobBoard - the perfect place to start your search with listings for casual work, internships and vacation work, graduate programs and more. 
  • Book a Career Chat - if you're not sure what job suits you best now or in the future, or simply want to chat about how best to develop your resume and personal brand, why not chat to our experts at Careers & Employability? You can make an appointment and chat online or over the phone.