For Higher Education Providers

What is the grandfathered group?

Any student who was awarded a Commonwealth Scholarship prior to 31 December 2009, falls into the “grandfathered” group. These students will continue to receive funding for their scholarship, provided they maintain their eligibility, until they have consumed their scholarship entitlements. Part B of the Guidelines provides administrative guidance for this group.

What are the categories of Commonwealth scholarships?

The categories of Commonwealth Scholarships are detailed in the table below:

How do I report Commonwealth Scholarship offers?

Commonwealth scholarships offers to students for first half year 2012 will be reported to DEEWR through HEIMS. The due date for the submission of offers is 15 January 2012. The data reported on offers of new Commonwealth Scholarships is for Centrelink purposes. To ensure the appropriate information can be reported to Centrelink within the required timeframes students who are offered a Commonwealth Scholarship must be reported to DEEWR for each half year. Second half year offers must be reported by 22 June 2012.

The reporting of Commonwealth Scholarship offers through HEIMS Administration System follows the same process as the reporting of all other Commonwealth scholarship records. The new code 7 – Student has been offered a Commonwealth Scholarship has been added to Element 526 to identify offers records. The HEIMSHELP website has a User Guide to assist in reporting Commonwealth scholarship offers.

When and what information do I report or provide to the Department?

The table below provides useful dates for scholarship officers.

Will students offered a Commonwealth Scholarship and reported to DEEWR by 15 January and 22 June receive a Centrelink Scholarship?

No, if the data in the report is accurate, complete and submitted by the due date. Centrelink will be able to block scholarship payments to students in time and the student will be recorded as ineligible for a Centrelink scholarship, preventing future payment. Scholarship officers do not need to check the scholarship status of these students.

What about students offered a Commonwealth Scholarship and reported to DEEWR after the above dates?

Students contained in reports that are submitted every day past the due date are increasingly likely to have been paid a Centrelink scholarship. Scholarship officers will need to check the scholarship status of these students including eligibility. This can be done by a scholarships officer:

• calling Centrelink on 13 24 90 with the student present to give the attending officer permission to obtain a verbal confirmation that a Centrelink scholarship has not been received; or
  
• faxing Centrelink on 1300 074 608. A confirmation phone call/email will be received from Centrelink.
  

Assuming Centrelink confirms that no scholarship has been paid the university scholarships office can then offer or pay the student a CS. Centrelink will record the action on their customer record (this makes the student ineligible for a Centrelink scholarship and future payment does not occur). If, however, a Centrelink scholarship has been paid, then the scholarships office cannot offer a CS until the student specifically requests that Centrelink recover the Centrelink scholarship payment.

 DEEWR will put a student on an offer report.

What if HEIMS rejects a commencing student?

Scholarships officers may send a query to the DEEWR Scholarship Unit via email at scholarships@deewr.gov.au and advise the details of the student so that a manual report can be kept. The HEIMS HELP desk is another avenue to assist scholarships officers via email at:
heims.datacollections@deewr.gov.au or by phoning the HEIMS helpline on (02)6240 7487.

Can a student be asked to repay an IAS scholarship if they do not continue on with their studies?

The primary aim of the Indigenous Access Scholarship is to improve higher education access for Indigenous people, particularly those who need to relocate from regional and remote areas, through a one-off payment to take up a higher education undergraduate or eligible enabling course.

Under 2.20 (11) of the Guidelines, if you determine that a student has legitimate and genuine reason/s as to why they no longer meet the eligibility criteria for the IAS, they may not be required to repay the first payment (the student may indeed have legitimate reasons for withdrawing such as family responsibilities or circumstances, illness or bereavement or their partner may have moved for work for example)  - the guidelines are flexible enough for you to make determinations on similar grounds.

What Commonwealth Scholarships types can be converted?

• A provider may convert un-awarded Indigenous-CECS to Indigenous-CAS or vice versa to better match student demand.
  
• A provider may convert un-awarded Indigenous Enabling-CECS to Indigenous Enabling-CAS or vice versa to better match student demand.
  
• Such conversions must be approved in writing by the Department before they can be effected. Please email the Scholarships Unit at: scholarships@deewr.gov.au
  
• Indigenous-CECS cannot be converted into Indigenous-Enabling CECS or vice versa, and
• Indigenous CAS cannot be converted into Indigenous-Enabling CAS or vice versa.
  
• IAS cannot be converted.
  

For any queries about conversions, please contact the Scholarships Unit via email at scholarships@deewr.gov.au

For Students

What is the difference between a Commonwealth Scholarship and scholarships issued by Centrelink?

A Commonwealth Scholarship is a payment made to eligible students and paid through your university. The Relocation and Student Start-Up Scholarships are paid through Centrelink. You cannot hold a Commonwealth Scholarship and a Relocation or Student Start-Up scholarship at the same time otherwise Centrelink will ask you to repay amounts paid for the Relocation or Student Start-Up scholarships back to them.

What Commonwealth Scholarships are available in 2012?

Commonwealth Scholarships are available in 2012 to eligible commencing Indigenous students. The values of the scholarships in 2012 are: Indigenous Access Scholarship (IAS) $4,485; Indigenous Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarship (ICECS) $2,377; Indigenous Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarship (ICAS) $4,754.

Why are Commonwealth Scholarships only available to Indigenous students?

Indigenous students from low socio-economic status backgrounds face particular challenges in meeting their education costs. Indigenous students are supported through the Commonwealth Scholarships Program in recognition of the special needs of this group. Indigenous students find the support provided to them through their university Indigenous Education Units helpful in assisting them to access higher education.

Can I have an Indigenous Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarship and a Student Start-Up Scholarship?

Both these scholarships are intended for use in meeting up-front costs of study. Eligible students may only receive either the Indigenous Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarship or the Student Start-Up Scholarship. The value of the ICEC scholarship in 2012 is $2,377.

Can I have an Indigenous Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarship with a Relocation Scholarship?

Both these scholarships are intended to support students who have to move to study. Eligible students may only receive either the Indigenous Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarship or the Relocation Scholarship. The value of the ICAS in 2012 is $4,754.

When my Commonwealth Scholarships expires, can I get a Relocation or Student Start-Up Scholarship?

Students may apply for these through Centrelink only after the expiry of their Commonwealth Scholarship which is equal to eight payments. This also will apply if you move to another university as a Commonwealth Scholarship cannot be transferred with you to your new institution.

If I am a part time student can I get a Commonwealth Scholarship?

A student must, in general, be studying full time in order to receive a Commonwealth Scholarship, unless there are exceptional circumstances which prevent the student from studying full time. A decision that a student cannot study full time due to exceptional circumstances is made by your university. You should contact the Scholarships Unit at your university to find out what assistance is available. 

If I am on a Disability Support Pension can I get a Commonwealth Scholarship, a Relocation or a Student Start-Up Scholarship?

No. Students in receipt of a Disability Support Pension receive other income support, such as the Education Entry Payment and/or the Pensioner Education Supplement, to assist in training or education. Further information is available from Centrelink by phoning 13 24 90.

If I am on a Parenting Payment can I get a Commonwealth Scholarship, a Relocation or a Student Start-Up Scholarship?

No. Students in receipt of a Parenting Payment receive other income support, such as the Education Entry Payment and/or the Pensioner Education Supplement, to assist in training or education. Further information is available from Centrelink by phoning 13 24 90.

How come if I have an Indigenous Access Scholarship (IAS), I haven’t got an Indigenous Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarship (ICECS) or an Indigenous Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarship (ICAS) too?

Universities are only given a certain number of Commonwealth Scholarships within a capped system. If you have not been awarded one type of Commonwealth scholarship, your university will refer you to Centrelink to discuss your entitlement for the Relocation and/or Student Start-Up Scholarship. You may need to take a letter from your university Scholarships Unit to let Centrelink know you are not receiving a Commonwealth Scholarship.

What about my Commonwealth Scholarship before the changes in 2010? Do I still get my payments?

Yes. The Department will continue to provide funding for your scholarship, provided you maintain your eligibility and have not consumed your scholarship entitlement, or transferred to another university. In that case, you should contact Centrelink to discuss your entitlement for a Student Start-Up Scholarship or Relocation Scholarship.

Can I transfer my Commonwealth Scholarship if I transfer to another university?

No. Commonwealth Scholarships cannot be transferred to another university. If you transfer to another university your Commonwealth Scholarship is automatically terminated. You may be entitled to the Relocation and/or Student Start up Scholarship and you should discuss your options with Centrelink by phoning 13 24 90.

How long can I defer my Commonwealth Scholarship for?

A Commonwealth Scholarship may only be deferred for a period of 12 months. This must also be approved by your university in line with their deferral policy.

How do I apply for a Commonwealth Scholarship?

The scholarships office at your university can advise you on how to apply for a Commonwealth Scholarship. Some universities manage this process through the state based tertiary admissions centres (TACs). Please also contact the Indigenous education unit at your university to obtain assistance in completing an application.

Note: New Commonwealth Scholarships are only available to eligible Indigenous students.

How do I apply for a Relocation or Student Start-Up Scholarship?

You do not need to apply for a Relocation or Student Start-Up Scholarship. If you receive income support, you will be automatically receive payments for your Relocation Scholarship or Student Start-Up Scholarship through Centrelink. If you are receiving an Indigenous Commonwealth Scholarship you will need to let Centrelink know as soon as possible so that you are not put in the situation of having to repay the Relocation or Student Start-Up Scholarship to Centrelink.

Note: To qualify for a Relocation Scholarship you must be in receipt of Youth Allowance or ABSTUDY. To qualify for a Student Start-Up Scholarship, you must be in receipt of Youth Allowance, Austudy or ABSTUDY. Further information is available from Centrelink by phoning 13 24 90 or you can visit the Centrelink website.

Can a student be awarded more than one Commonwealth scholarship type at a time?

• A student can be awarded an Indigenous-CAS and an Indigenous-CECS at the same time.
  
• A student can be awarded an IAS and an Indigenous-CECS and an Indigenous CAS at the same time.
  
• As student can be awarded an IAS and Indigenous Enabling CECS and an Indigenous Enabling CAS at the same time.
  
• A student cannot be in receipt of any Commonwealth Scholarships from more than one provider at the same time. If you have transferred to another university, and still maintain your eligibility, you will need to re-apply for the scholarship at your new university.