Application deadlines

• You can apply for OS-HELP in the six-month period before the start of your overseas study.
• You should not submit a loan application until you have received confirmation of your acceptance from the host university, program provider, faculty (faculty-led units of study) or clinical placement (hospital or organisation).
• The start date entered in your OS-HELP loan application and debt confirmation form must match the start date of classes or a mandatory orientation session for semester exchange programs and the program start date in the host country for other program types.
• Your application needs to be for study that you have not yet completed. OS-HELP loan applications are assessed on a continuous basis in the order they are submitted. You should not submit a loan application until you have received confirmation of your acceptance from the host university or program provider.

Application dates

Submit your application by:

• 30 May for study commencing in the winter break
• 31 July for study commencing in Semester 2 and Semester 2 intensive units of study
• 31 October for study commencing in the summer break or Semester 1 of the following year.

The OS-HELP loan application is closed from 1 December each year. The application will re-open on 17 January for students completing overseas study commencing from January onwards.

The intention is to pay students prior to departure where they have submitted their application by the relevant deadline. However, due to the high volume of applications this cannot be guaranteed.

You may submit an application after these deadlines. However, your OS-HELP loan may not be processed before the commencement of your overseas studies. If you submit your loan application in November, you may be required to reapply once the application reopens the following January.

Applying for a second OS-HELP loan

If you're applying for a second OS-HELP loan, you must submit your application a maximum of 4 weeks before the end date of your first loan.

If the end date of your first loan is early in the new year, you must submit your application for the second loan in the same calendar year.

For example, if you have received an OS-HELP loan for overseas study for the six-month period 15 August–14 February, you must apply for the second loan after the application reopens in January.

You cannot be selected to receive a second OS-HELP loan for overseas study where the program start date is before the end date of your first loan with the exception of continuous study in the same program (i.e. a year-long exchange program).

If you're on a year-long exchange program, you should apply for the second OS-HELP loan with a start date six months plus one day after the start date of your first loan.

Payment for an approved second loan will be made after the end date of the first loan.

Steps to apply

You'll need to complete both the OS-HELP loan application and the OS-HELP debt confirmation form prior to your application being assessed.

OS-HELP loan applications without the OS-HELP debt confirmation form that remain incomplete for 4 weeks will be withdrawn and the you will be required to reapply. The new application will be assessed in order based on the new submission date.

Make sure to check that you have the information that you need.

Step 1: Apply in Sydney Student

Complete the OS-HELP loan application through Sydney Student > My finance > Scholarship, prizes, bursaries and loans > Apply for OS-HELP loan for overseas study.

The application link will only appear if you meet the citizenship/residency requirement and are currently enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place (CSP).

Step 2: Submit OS-HELP debt confirmation form

After completing the OS-HELP loan application, it is recommended that you continue directly from the confirmation page to submit your OS-HELP debt confirmation form.

You can return and complete your debt confirmation form at a later time. However, your OS-HELP loan application will not be assessed until the form has been submitted through Sydney Student > My finance > Your finances > Government forms.

Once you submit your form, you'll be emailed a receipt. A pdf copy of your submitted form will also be available in Sydney Student, also in the 'Government forms' screen.