The chance to study or work abroad as part of your degree is a fantastic opportunity that more and more students choose to take each year. There are endless advantages to gain from living abroad as a student, such as enhancing your personal development with cultural experiences and improving your foreign language skills. A programme of study or work abroad can also improve your employability; it is a great addition to your CV which should help you stand out against other graduates. As a result, initiatives such as 'OS-HELP' have been set up to ensure that financial constraints are not a deterrent to students who would otherwise benefit from foreign travel.
OS-HELP is an Australian Government loans and overseas study scheme which aims to provide financial support for students who wish to study or work abroad as part of their degree. HELP loans are not available for an Australian student who is enrolled at an overseas institution completing a qualification that will be awarded by the overseas institution.
OS‑HELP is a loan available to eligible students enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place who want to undertake some of their study overseas. OS‑HELP can be used for a range of expenses such as airfares, accommodation, and other travel or study expenses. Students may receive one loan per six-month study period and can access a total of two OS‑HELP loans over their lifetime.
If you are enrolled in a course of study with an approved Australian higher education provider (provider) and you wish to undertake part of your study overseas, you may be eligible to access a HELP loan for the portion of your overseas exchange. HECS‑HELP and FEE‑HELP loans are only available in this capacity if the overseas portion of your study is covered by a formal exchange agreement between the Australian provider and the overseas provider. OS‑HELP loans are available to Commonwealth supported students who want to undertake study overseas, whether this study is covered by a formal exchange agreement or not. You should contact the student administration area of your provider for more information.
Most Australian universities support the OS-HELP scheme, and it is in fact open to students of any degree discipline, not just to students of foreign languages. Individual course requirements do tend to differ, and some degree programmes do not permit students to undertake a period of residence abroad, and so it is worth checking with your university or college before you apply for the course.
Provided that you will be studying or working in an OS-HELP approved country and you meet the eligiblity requirements, you will be entitled to a HELP Loan which will be repayable once you have completed your course or study and/or are earning above the compulsory repayment threshold. The amount which you will receive depends upon the country you are travelling to, and how long you will be spending in that country. Depending on the requirements of your university or college your tuition fees may also be waived whilst you are abroad.
Scholarships and grants may be available from your university or from external organisations, offering funding for students who wish to study outside Australia.
You can apply for the OS-HELP scheme via your University or Tertiary Institution provider: ask your personal tutor, or a member of the careers service, for more details.
For further information on options available to Australians studing overseas, see:
