Student Housing Grants

The Student Housing Grants are available in Trimester 1 to eligible students enrolled for the current academic year. Students must apply providing details of enrolment, financial situation and demonstrate that they have a genuine need for financial support from the University.

Value

The Grant is a fortnightly payment of $70 to help successful applicants pay their accommodation costs for the current year.

The first payment is backdated to the beginning of the Trimester 1, 2013.  The final payment is on 18th October 2013.

The total value of each grant is $1120.

Duration

2013

Number per year

up to 310 grants

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for the Student Housing Grant you must:

• be enrolled (at either undergraduate or postgraduate study level) in an award course at Deakin University; and
• be a student who can prove financial hardship due to circumstances beyond your control or you are a Centrelink payment recipient (such as Youth Allowance, ABSTUDY or Austudy); and
• you pay rent and you can provide proof of your lease agreement or certified proof of rental arrangement for the current year; or
• you have a housing loan for your principle place of residence; and
• you can provide proof of housing loan.

Selection criteria

Your application will be assessed and ranked based on the information you provide in your application and the supporting documentation you supply.

How to apply

Applicants can apply directly to Deakin University via the Deakin Applicant Portal.

In the on-line application you will be required to answer questions about your financial circumstances and submit a budget plan for the year.

Read the Frequently Asked Questions (66 KB) on Student Housing Grants

Closing Date

Applications for 2013 have closed. Applicants will be notified by email early May.

Supporting documentation

As part of the application process, you will also be required to provide supporting documentation. You must upload your supporting documentation as part of the on-line application process.

The supporting documentation required includes evidence of:      

• copy of Your Budget for the Year (54 KB)
• bank account statement (current at the time of application)
• proof of ongoing income (Centrelink documents, pay slips and/or scholarship documents)
• copy of the Lease Agreement or certified proof of rental arrangement or
• proof of housing loan for your principle place of residence
• if applicable, copy of parental Tax Notice of Assessment
• if medical or personal grounds, please include a medical certificate or supporting letter from a medical practitioner, registration with DRC, or health professional documentation.

Important information about Centrelink

If your application for the Student Housing Grants is successful, it is your responsibility to declare to Centrelink that you are in receipt of this grant as it may have an impact on your fortnightly Centrelink payment.

You can receive up to $7,310 of equity and merit-based scholarships or grants before your fortnightly Centrelink payment may be affected.

Any amount of the scholarships/grants over $7,310 is still considered personal income and may affect your payment rate. The excess amount is averaged over the remaining fortnights of the period of the scholarship. This means it will have a consistent impact on your fortnightly rate of payment.

The $7,310 applies to the total amount of eligible scholarships that you receive - not to each scholarship.

Contact Centrelink on 13 2490 if you have any questions about your Youth Allowance, ABSTUDY or Austudy fortnightly payments.

Important information about the Australian Taxation Office

Eligible students should check with the ATO if the Student Housing Grant is tax exempt.

The calculator on the Australian Taxation Office website will be able to guide you.

Other support

If you would like to review your accommodation needs, consider contacting the Off-Campus Housing Service at Student Life, who can assist you to find affordable and suitable housing.