Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarships (CECS)

From April 2010 new grants of the Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarship (CECS) were replaced by a new payment called the Student Start-up Scholarship available through Centrelink.

For more details visit Centrelink or call 132 490.

Any student enrolled at Deakin and currently holding a CECS, will continue to have their payments administered by the Deakin Scholarships Office. Existing scholarship holders must continue to meet eligibility to continue to receive this scholarship.

Eligibility

To maintain eligibility, you must be:

• an Australian citizen, or holder of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa
• undertaking an undergraduate course of study in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
• enrolled full time unless there are exceptional circumstances preventing full time study
• in receipt of a Centrelink benefit or can demonstrate that they have a personal or family taxable income below the HECS repayment threshold, depending on independence status
• not holding a bachelor degree or higher-level award unless such award is a prerequisite of their current undergraduate course of study

Selection criteria

Academic merit based on WAM, ENTER or grade point average based on previous higher education studies will be considered in the allocation of CECS to eligible students.

Value

Cash payment of $2,290 per annum in 2011 (indexed).

This scholarship is payable in two instalments - Trimester 1 and Trimester 2. No payment occurs in Trimester 3 for this scholarship.

Duration

Up to 4 years provided eligibility is maintained.

Current holders of a CECS will be paid up to the end of their course, a maximum of 8 payments or Trimester 2 2012 (inclusive) whichever occurs first.

Number per year

No new CECS will be offered from 2010.

Special conditions

After your first trimester of studies you may defer your CECS entitlement for up to twelve months, but on resumption of your studies you must demonstrate that you have maintained their eligibility to receive the scholarship.

How to apply

No new CECS will be offered from 2010.