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Student Start-up Scholarship

A payment that helps with the up-front costs of items such as textbooks and specialised equipment for students undertaking an approved scholarship course.

ABSTUDY, Austudy and Youth Allowance

ABSTUDY allows Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians to get special help with the costs of studying or undertaking an Australian apprenticeship.

Austudy and Youth Allowance provide financial help for people who are studying full-time or undertaking a full-time Australian apprenticeship. Youth Allowance is also available to people who are training or looking for work.

To find out if you are eligible for any of these services, contact 132 317 (ABSTUDY) or 132 490 (Youth Allowance and Austudy).

If you are a full-time student undertaking an approved scholarship course and are receiving Youth Allowance, Austudy, or ABSTUDY Living Allowance, you will receive the Student Start-up Scholarship in two half yearly payments.

Vocational Education and Training courses at TAFE do not attract a scholarship. If a TAFE is registered as a higher-education provider and it delivers an accredited higher-education course (e.g. an associate degree or bachelor degree), this course will be an approved scholarship course.

You do not need to make a separate claim. When you claim a payment, your eligibility for the Student Start-up Scholarship is assessed at the same time.

You need to know

Eligibility for the Student Start-up Scholarship

Find out whether you are eligible for the Student Start-up Scholarship.

Approved scholarship courses for the Student Start-up Scholarship

An approved scholarship course is an accredited higher-education course that is undertaken at a higher-education institution (e.g. university).

Higher education courses include preparatory courses (e.g. enabling or foundation courses) that are undertaken at a university or another approved higher-education provider.

Payment rates for the Student Start-up Scholarship

In 2013, the Student Start-up Scholarship is $1025 for each six months of eligible study (a total of $2050 in 2013).

Continuing students who qualify for the scholarship will receive it with the first allowance payment they get after 24 February.

The second payment to continuing students who qualify will receive it in their first allowance payment after 24 July.