Eligibility criteria

You can apply for OS-HELP in the six-month period before the start of your overseas study. Your application needs to be for study that you have not yet completed.

You are eligible to apply if you are a Commonwealth supported student participating in a program where study is for academic credit or is otherwise a mandatory component of your current course at the University. This includes:

• an approved exchange or study abroad program
• an overseas professional placement (clinical, community, industry or internship)
• a fieldwork program.

You also need to meet all of the criteria below.

• You’re an Australian citizen, permanent humanitarian visa holder, eligible former permanent humanitarian visa holder, pacific engagement visa (PEV) holder (PEV holders became eligible from 1 February 2024), or a New Zealand Special Visa (SCV) holder, or eligible former New Zealand SCV holder who meets the long-term residency requirements and who will be resident in Australia at the time of applying.
• You have not received an OS-HELP loan more than once before, and you will not receive a second OS-HELP loan for the same six-month period.
• You are enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place (CSP) and have completed 48 credit points (1.0 Equivalent Full-Time Student Load (EFTSL)) of study in Australia that counts towards your current course in a Commonwealth supported place.
• You will be studying full time overseas and your overseas study will count towards the requirements for the Australian course in which you are enrolled.
• You will have at least 6 credit points (0.125 EFTSL) of your current course left to complete in Australia once you finish your overseas study (usually one unit of study).
• You have a valid tax file number (TFN) at the time of applying.
• You have a Unique Student Identifier (USI).
• You have submitted both the OS-HELP loan application and OS-HELP debt confirmation form through Sydney Student.
• You have read the OS-HELP Statement of terms and conditions booklet.

Eligibility criteria and legislation around OS-HELP can change, so see the Study Assist website for full details.

When you aren't eligible

You are not eligible for OS-HELP if any of the following apply.

• You are receiving FEE-HELP or SA-HELP but are not in a Commonwealth supported place.
• You have received an OS-HELP loan for the same six-month period (counted from the start date of the overseas study for the first loan). For example, if you have received an OS-HELP loan for overseas study starting on 1 January, you cannot then be selected to receive a second OS-HELP loan for overseas study which begins before 2 July of that year.
• You will complete the credit requirements of your course upon completion of your overseas study.
• You have already completed the program for which you would like to apply for OS-HELP.

What you'll need

Make sure you have the following information ready before you complete the online application.

Exchange

• Study period commencing year, commencing semester, duration of study.
• Start date of classes at your host university or a compulsory welcome/orientation program as per your host university acceptance letter or academic calendar.
• Nominated exchange partner university.
• OS-HELP loan amount you are requesting, selected from the amounts available for your destination.

Non-exchange or faculty-led program

• Program name, in-country start date and end date, and host country.
• OS-HELP loan amount you are requesting, selected from the amounts available for your destination.
• Faculty credit approval - Conditional credit approval outcomes from Enrolment Services Mobility, including the University of Sydney unit/s of study you will be credited upon successful completion of your overseas study.
  • If you are participating in a Faculty-led program: a copy of your certificate of current enrolment including your enrolment in the relevant unit of study.
• Confirmation of program acceptance - An acceptance letter or email confirming your participation in the program. This should include your name and the dates of the program. Please note that this must be addressed to you, not just a general description of the program.
• Study program overview - A brief description of the overseas study program. This may be a copy of a brochure or web content regarding the program including the location and dates.

Doctor of Medicine overseas elective placement

• Name of hospital or placement provider, in-country start date and end date, and host country.
• OS-HELP loan amount you are requesting, selected from the amounts available for your destination.
• Faculty credit approval - a letter from the Sydney Medical School, Education Support Office, which must include the following:
  • your full name
  • name of the partner or organisation at which you will be undertaking your overseas elective placement
  • start and end dates of your overseas elective placement
  • confirmation that the placement will be undertaken on a full-time basis, and
  • the University of Sydney unit of study the placement will be credited towards.
• Confirmation of program acceptance - An acceptance letter or email from each hospital or placement provider confirming your overseas elective placement. This should include the dates of the placement. Please note that this must be addressed to you, not just a general description of the program.
• Study program overview - A copy of the Elective Term Overview and Guidelines for the relevant calendar year.