About this grant
This grant supports students needing immediate assistance whose financial situation affects their ability to continue their studies. This grant has been made possible through a combination of donations from ACU staff, alumni, and external donors allowing ACU to provide urgent support for our students.
Applications will be assessed based on evidence provided in the application. Applications will remain open until the available funding is exhausted; so, it is recommended that you submit your application as soon as you need assistance.
Grant type
Equity
Value
Grants are valued at between $100 and $1,000, awarded at the discretion of the university.
Student type
Current Students
Eligibility
This grant is open to applicants who meet all the following criteria:
- Citizenship: you must be an Australian citizen, or an international student who is currently enrolled and studying at ACU and currently in Australia
- Course: you can be enrolled in any ACU course.
- Study load: you can be studying part-time or full-time. You must be enrolled past the census date.
- Can demonstrate urgent need for emergency financial support due to exceptional and unforeseen circumstances.
- Previous recipients of this grant are ineligible to apply for it again in the same academic year.
Application process
Applicants will be required to provide the following as part of the application.
- A written statement* of up to 300 words answering:
- What is your urgent and unforeseen circumstance, and what is the impact on you?
- How would this payment contribute to your urgent and unforeseen circumstance?
Evidence which clearly demonstrates that the circumstances you have outlined in your written statement are critical and unforeseen.
- The best way to demonstrate your need is:
- by sharing the bank account transaction history of all your accounts, for the past 60 days;
- Additionally include any other supporting documents such as:
- Centrelink statements;
- Invoices and bills;
- Rent statements, property leases and eviction notices;
- Court orders and apprehended violence orders – for example, if you have experienced family or domestic violence;
- Any other official documentation that supports your application.
Applications without sufficient evidence will be rejected.
*Statements are assessed on content, not language skills. If you access assistance from advisors, tutors or AI technology to complete your personal statement, please ensure that your submission accurately reflects your personal situation with regards to the criteria.
Selection criteria
Applications are assessed on the strength of the following criteria:
- Demonstrated need to cover unexpected, short-term financial costs for essential living and study purposes, such as:
- accommodation;
- food;
- essential study expenses such as digital needs (IT), textbooks, readers and course equipment;
- health and medical expenses;
- utilities such as electricity, gas etc;
- travel expenses; and
- any other expenses deemed by the university to be essential.
- Applications requesting funds to cover the following will not be considered:
- the payment of tuition fees such as the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) and the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF);
- the purchase of vehicles such as bicycles, motorbikes, scooters or cars;
- holiday expenses;
- the payment of fines; or
- any expenses deemed by the university to be non-essential.
If ACU deems that applications have been made fraudulently and/or funds have been used contrary to the permitted uses or otherwise misapplied, the university may take action to recover the funds and may pursue student misconduct proceedings under the Student Conduct Policy and the Managing Student Misconduct Procedure.
Selection process
Recipients will be selected by a panel consisting of rotating members from: ACUNSA, Advancement, Campus Ministry, First Peoples Directorate, Global Engagement, Student Experience and Student Administration.
What's next?
For further information or queries, please contact AskACU.
ACU provides a range of support services for students which can support you during challenging times. This includes the counselling service, student advocacy, access and disability service, and support for students who have experienced sexual assault, sexual harassment, or family and domestic violence.
View our full list of services here.
Urgent Financial Hardship Grant
About this grant
This grant supports students needing immediate assistance whose financial situation affects their ability to continue their studies. This grant has been made possible through a combination of donations from ACU staff, alumni, and external donors allowing ACU to provide urgent support for our students.
Applications will be assessed based on evidence provided in the application. Applications will remain open until the available funding is exhausted; so, it is recommended that you submit your application as soon as you need assistance.
Grant type
Equity
Value
Grants are valued at between $100 and $1,000, awarded at the discretion of the university.
Student type
Current Students
Eligibility
This grant is open to applicants who meet all the following criteria:
- Citizenship: you must be an Australian citizen, or an international student who is currently enrolled and studying at ACU and currently in Australia
- Course: you can be enrolled in any ACU course.
- Study load: you can be studying part-time or full-time. You must be enrolled past the census date.
- Can demonstrate urgent need for emergency financial support due to exceptional and unforeseen circumstances.
- Previous recipients of this grant are ineligible to apply for it again in the same academic year.
Application process
Applicants will be required to provide the following as part of the application.
- A written statement* of up to 300 words answering:
- What is your urgent and unforeseen circumstance, and what is the impact on you?
- How would this payment contribute to your urgent and unforeseen circumstance?
Evidence which clearly demonstrates that the circumstances you have outlined in your written statement are critical and unforeseen.
- The best way to demonstrate your need is:
- by sharing the bank account transaction history of all your accounts, for the past 60 days;
- Additionally include any other supporting documents such as:
- Centrelink statements;
- Invoices and bills;
- Rent statements, property leases and eviction notices;
- Court orders and apprehended violence orders – for example, if you have experienced family or domestic violence;
- Any other official documentation that supports your application.
Applications without sufficient evidence will be rejected.
*Statements are assessed on content, not language skills. If you access assistance from advisors, tutors or AI technology to complete your personal statement, please ensure that your submission accurately reflects your personal situation with regards to the criteria.
Selection criteria
Applications are assessed on the strength of the following criteria:
- Demonstrated need to cover unexpected, short-term financial costs for essential living and study purposes, such as:
- accommodation;
- food;
- essential study expenses such as digital needs (IT), textbooks, readers and course equipment;
- health and medical expenses;
- utilities such as electricity, gas etc;
- travel expenses; and
- any other expenses deemed by the university to be essential.
- Applications requesting funds to cover the following will not be considered:
- the payment of tuition fees such as the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) and the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF);
- the purchase of vehicles such as bicycles, motorbikes, scooters or cars;
- holiday expenses;
- the payment of fines; or
- any expenses deemed by the university to be non-essential.
If ACU deems that applications have been made fraudulently and/or funds have been used contrary to the permitted uses or otherwise misapplied, the university may take action to recover the funds and may pursue student misconduct proceedings under the Student Conduct Policy and the Managing Student Misconduct Procedure.
Selection process
Recipients will be selected by a panel consisting of rotating members from: ACUNSA, Advancement, Campus Ministry, First Peoples Directorate, Global Engagement, Student Experience and Student Administration.
What's next?
For further information or queries, please contact AskACU.
ACU provides a range of support services for students which can support you during challenging times. This includes the counselling service, student advocacy, access and disability service, and support for students who have experienced sexual assault, sexual harassment, or family and domestic violence.
View our full list of services here.