• Section 1 - Introduction
• Section 2 - Procedure
• Administration and Management
• Hardship Grant Monies
• Approved Purposes
• Eligibility
• Hardship Grant Conditions
• Exceptional Circumstances
• Delegations
• Review of Hardship Grant Fund

Section 1 - Introduction

(1) This procedure supports the University of Newcastle Scholarships and Student Benefits Scheme which gives practical expression to the University's longstanding commitment to access and equity.

Section 2 - Procedure

Administration and Management

(2) The Student Hardship Grants Scheme is administered by Student Central.

(3) The Student Loans and Grants Advisory Group (SLGAG) oversees and monitors both the Student Hardship Grants Schemes and the Student Loans Scheme.

(4) The SLGAG Group is advisory to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) and Vice President and meets on at least a quarterly basis to:

1. monitor effective management of the Hardship Grants fund;
2. monitor effective use of Hardship Grants; and
3. recommend changes to policies/procedures as required.

Hardship Grant Monies

(5) Hardship Grant monies are accessed from the Student Equity Scholarships fund.

(6) The Advisory Group reviews the Hardship Grants allocation annually and recommends any changes for the following year.

Approved Purposes

(7) Hardship Grants are available to meet urgent needs which:

1. the student, due to financial hardship, is not able to meet themselves and
2. if not met, would place a student's continued study in jeopardy.  

(8) Hardship Grants will be considered in preference to loans in situations where

1. the applicant's studies will be negatively affected because of immediate and pressing financial need and
2. due to ongoing financial hardship, the student is not able to demonstrate a clear capacity to repay or a history of meeting financial obligations.

(9) Hardship Grants may be allocated for such urgent needs as:

1. accommodation costs;
2. basic living costs - which may include medical costs;
3. text books and course materials/equipment;
4. practicum costs if relocating.

(10) In certain circumstances grants may be available for transport expenses (repairs, registration, insurance of vehicles) where the student:

1. is not on a public transport route;
2. is studying a program that requires off-campus travel; or
3. can point to other extenuating circumstances.           

Eligibility

(11) A student must:

1. be enrolled at the University of Newcastle;
2. be a full or part-time student at the undergraduate or postgraduate level;
3. be an Australian Citizen or hold Permanent Residency Status;
4. provide copies of bank statements, Centrelink Benefit payments and/or other evidence of financial disadvantage;
5. provide a supporting statement attesting to the nature/level of the urgent financial need as well as the context of ongoing financial hardship in which this need has arisen.

(12) The student's academic record, attendance and progress in their program will be taken into consideration.

Hardship Grant Conditions

(13) The following conditions apply:

1. hardship grant applications must be made to Student Equity and AccessAbility on the appropriate form;
2. appropriate documentation (see Eligibility, clause 11 and 12)) must be supplied with the application;
3. hardship grants can be granted up to a maximum of $2,000;
4. under exceptional circumstances larger amounts can be considered if recommended by the Associate Director, Student Wellbeing and approved by the Pro Vice-Chancellor Student Experience and Academic Registrar.

Exceptional Circumstances

(14) Exceptional circumstances such as family circumstances, illness or accident may be considered by the Associate Director, Student Wellbeing on recommendation from Student Equity and AccessAbility or Wellbeing Officer, and recommended to the Advisory Group.

(15) In such instances, the Advisory Group may seek approval from the Pro Vice-Chancellor Student Experience and Academic Registrar.  

Delegations

(16) Grant approvals will comply with the Delegations Schedule in the Delegation of Authority.

Review of Hardship Grant Fund

(17) All hardship grants awarded will be monitored at the quarterly meetings of the Advisory Committee. 

(18) In addition, the Manager, Transactional Services will arrange for a financial report to be produced at each month end, detailing amounts awarded as hardship grants.

(19) This report will be given to the Health and Welfare Coordinator and the Commercial Manager, Financial Services.

(20) The Health and Welfare Coordinator and the Wellbeing Advisors will monitor the Hardship Grant Fund on an ongoing basis with the help of the monthly financial reports to ensure that grants are not advanced for more than the annual budgetary allocation.