Charles Sturt Kickstart Scholarship

Frequently Asked Questions

Having trouble applying?

If you're experiencing issues with your application, try these troubleshooting steps:

• Use Google Chrome as your browser (or switch to another browser if you're already using Chrome).
• Clear your Chrome cache.
• Ensure you only have one scholarship application open at a time.
• Try using a different device.
• If there's heavy traffic, wait a few hours and try again—errors can occur if many students are applying simultaneously.
• If the problem persists, feel free to contact Student Central for further assistance.

What supporting documents are required with my application?

Examples of acceptable documentation include, but are not limited to:

• Centrelink Income Statement (instructions for obtaining this document)
• Health Care Card; OR
• Financial declaration; AND EITHER

• The 3 most recent payslips (including year-to-date earnings), OR
• For both the student and partner/parents (if applicable):
  • The 2 most recent ATO Notices of Assessment

• Any other relevant documentation that supports your application.

How much time do I have to submit additional documents or information if requested by the Scholarship Office?

If your application is marked as incomplete and additional information or documents are requested, you have 48 hours from the time you receive the notification to provide the required materials.

Can I submit my application after the deadline?

Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

Can I save my application and complete it later?

Yes, you can save your application and return to complete it later, if you log back in and submit it before the closing date.

What should I do if I didn’t receive the email confirmation?

Your email receipt may take up to 24 hours to arrive.

• Have you checked your spam or junk mail folder?
• Did you enter the correct email address?

If you still haven't received the receipt after 24 hours, please email ask@csu.edu.au with your application number, name, and student ID.

Can I apply for a scholarship while on leave?

Scholarships cannot be deferred. If you defer your studies or take a Leave of Absence, your scholarship will be withdrawn, and it will not be paid. You may apply again in a future session if you still meet the eligibility criteria.

What if I already have another scholarship or grant?

If you are receiving another scholarship or grant for the same purpose, you may not be eligible for this scholarship.

How can I determine if I'm in financial need?

You are in financial need if you receive an eligible means-tested Centrelink benefit or are experiencing financial hardship. Supporting documentation will be required to demonstrate financial need.

When will I be notified of the outcome of my application?

An email notification will be sent to you by the outcome notice date, as advertised on the website.

If I’m successful, when and how will I receive my payment?

Payments will be made by EFT to your nominated bank account within 14 days after the census date for successful recipients who meet the eligibility criteria.

How do I register my bank details with Charles Sturt University?

You can register your bank details with Charles Sturt University through the online administration portal.

What should I do if my circumstances change after submitting my application?

If your circumstances change, it may impact your scholarship payments. Please notify us as soon as possible by emailing ask@csu.edu.au with any updates that could affect your original scholarship application.

If I meet all the eligibility criteria, am I guaranteed to receive a scholarship or grant?

Meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee a scholarship or grant offer. The Scholarship Office receives many applications, and scholarships are limited, so not all eligible applicants will receive a scholarship.

Do I need to inform Centrelink or the Australian Tax Office about my scholarship?

Scholarship recipients should be aware that payments may be considered income by Centrelink or the ATO. It is your responsibility to seek independent advice regarding any implications from receiving this scholarship.

What happens to my scholarship if I take a Leave of Absence?

You may take up to two sessions of approved Leave of Absence over the duration of the scholarship.

If you take a Leave of Absence, you will need to accept your ongoing scholarship offer, but payments will not be made during the Leave of Absence.

If I don't meet the eligibility criteria for one session, will my scholarship be terminated for future?

You will need to submit a Special Circumstances Form explaining why you did not meet the eligibility criteria. This will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Definitions

1. Active Student:  A student who is enrolled in subject/s in the current/commencing session. This excludes students on approved Leave of Absence.
2. Carer: For Charles Sturt University’s purposes, a carer is defined as a person of any age, who without being paid (excluding Centrelink), cares for another person who needs ongoing support because of a long-term medical condition, a mental illness, a disability, frailty or the need for palliative care. A carer may or may not be a family member and may or may not live with the person. Volunteers under the auspices of a voluntary organisation are not included. Scholarship recipients may be in receipt of a Centrelink Carer Allowance or Carer Payment.
3. Census Date: The date at which you can withdraw from a subject or course without financial penalty.
4. Commencing Student: A student enrolled in and undertaking subjects in their first session of study.
5. Commonwealth Supported Place:  A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is a subsidised higher education enrolment. The Australian Government subsidises a CSP by paying part of the fees for the place directly to the University.
6. Commonwealth Supported Student:  A student enrolled in a CSP is referred to as a ‘Commonwealth supported student’. Students only pay the ‘student contribution’ amount, set by the university, for their units of study. (As defined in the Higher Education Support Act 2003).
7. Conditional Offer: An offer of a scholarship which is made based on you continuing to meet the eligibility requirements as at session Census Date.
8. Continuing Student: A student enrolled in, and undertaking, subjects in their second and subsequent sessions of study.
9. Domestic Student (Student): Means a student with a permanent home address in Australia who is:
   1. An Australian citizen
   2. A New Zealand citizen
   3. A diplomatic or consular representative of New Zealand, a member of the staff of such a representative or the spouse or dependent relative of such a representative; or
   4. A student with an Australian permanent visa.
10. Financial Need: A person is considered to be in financial need if they are in receipt of an eligible means-tested Centrelink benefit or in financial hardship. Refer to Eligible benefits in these guidelines.
11. Financial Hardship: A person is considered to be in financial hardship when they find it difficult to provide for themselves, their family or dependents basic necessities such as food, accommodation, clothing, medical treatment and education.
12. Full Fee paying: If you're a domestic student in a full-fee-paying place, it means your place receives no financial contribution from the government and you are required to pay the full cost of the course.
13. Full-time: A full-time student is one who is enrolled to undertake an amount of study of at least three quarters (or 75%) of an equivalent full-time study load (EFTSL). At Charles Sturt University, this equates to being enrolled in three or more (8 point) subjects, or 24 subject points or more per session.
14. Grade Point Average: A grade point is the numerical value assigned to a final grade to allow calculation of a Grade Point Average (GPA). GPA is the average of all final grades obtained by a student for courses within an academic program.
15. Indigenous: for the purposes of these Guidelines, means a person who is of Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent; identifies as an Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander; and is accepted as an Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander in the community in which he/she lives or has lived.
16. Integrated Program: Students are co-enrolled and study at both TAFE and Charles Sturt University.  Under this type of arrangement, specific courses are identified and a formal agreement is signed.
17. Internal Student:  An internal student is a student that is studying the majority of subjects for any given session of the course as an on campus student.  For example, if a student is enrolled in four subjects for a session, then three or more subjects must be studied internally (on campus).  If a student is enrolled in three subjects for a session, then two or more subjects must be studied internally (on campus). The status as an internal student can change for each session of study.
18. Leave of Absence: Official approval to be absent from your study, whilst still maintaining the status of enrolled student.
19. Online Student:  A student enrolled in 75% or more of subjects in a given session studying online.
20. Part-time:  A part-time student is one who is enrolled in one or two (8 point) subjects per session, which equates to 8 or 16 subject points per session.
21. Postgraduate: A person who has obtained a degree from a university and is pursuing studies for a more advanced qualification.
22. Pro Rata: a proportional distribution of the total amount to ensure equal allocation.
23. Regional, Remote or Very Remote Area:The Australian Standard Geographical Classification – Remoteness Areas (ASGC-RA) is a geographical system developed by the Australian Bureau of Statistics to classify different living zones in Australia.  Classifications are postcode based and are identified as ‘Remote’, ‘Very Remote’, ‘Major Cities’, ‘Inner Regional’ and ‘Outer Regional’. To find your classification, you can view the following map.
24. Special Circumstances: Circumstances which are beyond the student’s control and which a reasonable person would consider is not due to the student’s action or inaction, either direct or indirect, and for which the student is not responsible. This situation must be unusual, uncommon or abnormal.
25. Undergraduate: Undergraduate students who are enrolled and are studying for approved undergraduate qualifications at eligible higher education providers. Approved undergraduate qualifications include Bachelor Degree, Associate Degree, Advanced Diploma and Diploma courses of study. Enabling courses do not qualify.