Commonwealth legislation

Commonwealth Scholarships Guidelines (Education) 2010

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This Act has been repealed and is no longer in force. It is retained for historical reference.

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These guidelines govern Commonwealth Scholarships under the Higher Education Support Act 2003, concentrating new awards from 2010 on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students (study, relocation, enabling and start‑up support) while grandfathering scholarships awarded before 31 December 2009 for continuing recipients. They set eligibility (citizenship, study load, low‑socioeconomic need, verified Indigenous status), university administration, concurrency limits, and grounds for suspension or termination. It matters because it both directs funding to boost Indigenous higher‑education access and preserves prior entitlements.

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Direct links to the current provisions in Commonwealth Scholarships Guidelines (Education) 2010.

Part Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION<a id="_Toc234751607"></a><a id="_Toc255297234"></a><a id="_Toc111969791">

1.1

PURPOSE

1.1 PURPOSE</a>The purpose of these Guidelines is to provide additional guidance for Commonwealth Scholarships under section 46‑20 of the Act.These Guidelines do not address matters pertaining to the administration and qualification requirements for the Student Start Up Scholarships or Relocation Scholarships. For information on those Scholarships, providers and students should contact Centrelink.Privacy Act 1988In administering the Act, the Department is bound by the provisions of the Privacy Act 1988.Freedom of InformationAll documents in the possession of the Department including those in relation to the Commonwealth Scholarship program are subject to the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the FOI Act). The FOI Act provides general right to access to documents in possession of the Department, subject to certain exceptions and exemptions necessary for the protection of the essential public interests and the private and business affairs of third parties.<a id="_Toc234751608"></a><a id="_Toc111969792">

1.5

INTERPRETATION

1.5 INTERPRETATION</a>1.5.1 Unless the contrary intention appears, the terms used in these Guidelines have the same meaning as in the Act.1.5.5 In these Guidelines, unless the contrary intention appears:the Act means the Higher Education Support Act 2003the provider is the <a id="OLE_LINK15">higher education provider that is administering the scholarship </a>on behalf of the Commonwealth GovernmentAQF means the Australian Qualifications Framework which is a unified system of national qualifications which includes the higher education sector<a id="OLE_LINK64"></a>ASGC-RA means the Australian Standard Geographic Classification Remoteness Areas, a geographic classification system developed in 2001 by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), as a statistical geography structure which allows quantitative comparisons between 'city' and 'country' Australia. The ASGC-RA classifies data from census Collection Districts (CDs) into broad geographical categories, called Remoteness Areas (RAs). From 2010, this mechanism will be used only for scholarships provided under Part A of these Guidelines.Associate Degree is a two year qualification accredited against higher education requirements and able to be offered by providers meeting the requirements set by the higher education sector in accordance with the (MCEETYA) National Protocols for Higher Education Approval Processes and will be “grandfathered” until entitlement is consumed. From 1 January 2010 new Associate Degrees scholarships will be not be available for offer by higher education providersCAS means a Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarship including the categories of CAS-Ordinary; a CAS-Specialist; a CAS–Associate Degree, Indigenous Enabling-CAS; and a Indigenous Access Scholarship, more fully described in paragraph 2.1.1 and paragraph 2.30.1 of these Guidelines and will be “grandfathered” until entitlement is consumedCECS means a Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarship including the categories of CECS-Ordinary; a CECS-Priority Discipline; a CECS- Associate Degree and a Indigenous Enabling-CECS, more fully described in paragraph 2.1.1 and paragraph 2.30.1 of these Guidelines and will be “grandfathered” until entitlement is consumedcommencing scholarship holder means a student in their first scholarship periodcommencing student <a id="OLE_LINK28"></a><a id="OLE_LINK27">means </a>a student undertaking a course at entry level for the first time with the provider. From 1 January 2010 this will only apply to Indigenous studentsCommonwealth Supported Student has the same meaning given by

Sch Schedule 1

Schedule 1 of the Act (see above)continuing scholarship holder means a student in their second or subsequent scholarship periodcourse of study has the same meaning given by Schedule 1 of the Act (see above)course start date means for students commencing study at a tertiary institution, the start of the orientation period, or if students do not attend the orientation period, the actual day the course starts i.e. the first day of classes (see above)cross-institutional programs A student is enrolled in a cross‑institutional program if all of the following criteria are met: a program of study comprising a unit or a set of units of study is being undertaken with one provider (the host provider) as part of a course of study for which the student is enrolled with another provider (the home provider); and there is an arrangement for recognition between the two providers; and the cost of providing the program of study at the host provider is met by the host provider; and the home provider is not being funded for the program of study through student contributions or tuition fees paid by the student, through the CGS in the case of Commonwealth supported students, or through funding provided by an employer, an Australian Government, State or Territory department or agency, or any other individual or bodyCS means a Commonwealth Scholarship of the various categories specified in paragraphs 2.1.1 and 2.30.1 of these GuidelinesDepartment or DEEWR means the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace RelationsDIAC means the Australian Government Department of Immigration and CitizenshipEFTSL <a id="OLE_LINK36">has the same meaning given by Schedule 1 of </a>the Act<a id="OLE_LINK12"></a><a id="OLE_LINK17"></a>eligible enabling course has the same meaning as “enabling course” as defined in Schedule 1 of the Act; with the additional provisions that it must be the equivalent of at least 10 weeks full-time in duration; provide a pathway into an undergraduate course; and not be a course aimed at fast-tracking an undergraduate degreeeligible graduate or postgraduate a graduate diploma (or equivalent graduate or course postgraduate course of study) in an area of National Priority required for initial registration to practice in the chosen National Priority areafull-time student load in respect of a scholarship, is at least 75% of an EFTSL in the scholarship period for which the scholarship is being paidHEIMS means the Higher Education Information Management SystemIAS Indigenous Access ScholarshipsIndigenous for the purposes of Chapter 2 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 livedIndigenous Access Scholarships is a one-off payment for Indigenous students when undertaking an eligible enabling course, undergraduate course or eligible graduate or post graduate course. This also referred to as an Indigenous Access PaymentIndigenous Education Unit A unit located in a provider dedicated to the support of Indigenous studentsIHEAC means the Indigenous Higher Education Advisory Councilinternal student means a student who, for the majority of units of study in which they are enrolled in the scholarship period, is required to attend, on a regular basis, the campus of the provider or the campus of a host provider approved by the provider through a cross-institutional arrangementISS means an Indigenous Staff Scholarship as outlined in Chapter 3 of these GuidelinesMCTEE means the Ministerial Council for Tertiary Education and Employmentmixed-mode means a course delivered through a combination of distance education and face-to-face teaching (see above)National Accommodation has the same meaning as CAS-Specialist. CASScholarship (NAS) –Specialist and will not be available for new offers from 2010 as specified in paragraph 2.30 and will be “grandfathered” until entitlement is consumed.National Priority has the meaning given by section 30-20 of the ActNational Priority Discipline as defined in Schedule 1 of these GuidelinesNational Priority Scholarship (NPS) has the same meaning as CECS-Priority Discipline and will not be available for new offers from 2010 as specified in paragraph 2.30.1 and will be “grandfathered” until entitlement is consumedNational Priority Student means a Commonwealth supported student undertaking a course of National Priority as defined in section 30-20 of the ActRelocation scholarship means those accommodation scholarships administered by Centrelinkscholarship period in respect of a CS, means a six-month period from either 1 January to 30 June or 1 July to 31 DecemberStart-up scholarship means those education scholarships administered by Centrelinkthe Minister means the Minister for Educationthe Secretary means the Secretary of the Departmentspecialist courses means courses identified by the providers through a competitive bidding process and for which the Department has allocated CAS-Specialist scholarships no change but being “grandfathered”suspension in respect of a scholarship, means a period of time during which a scholarship holder is not receiving scholarship paymentsTable A provider has the same meaning given by Schedule 1 of the Actundergraduate course of study has the same meaning given by Schedule 1 of the Act1.5.10 Any reference to a part, division or section of the Act is a reference to that part, division or section as in force from time to time.1.5.15 Terms used in these Guidelines that are in italics have the meaning stated in paragraph 1.5.5 of these Guidelines.<a id="_Toc255297235"></a><a id="_Toc111969793"></a><a id="_Toc234751609">

Part Chapter 2

COMMONWEALTH SCHOLARSHIPS

CHAPTER 2 COMMONWEALTH SCHOLARSHIPS</a>These Guidelines consist of two parts. Part A provides guidance for administrators and recipients of new Indigenous Commonwealth Scholarships from 1 January 2010. Part B provides guidance for administrators and recipients (including Indigenous recipients) on the arrangements to meet the commitment for Commonwealth Scholarships awarded prior to 31 December 2009, until the scholarship is consumed.<a id="_Toc234751610"></a><a id="_Toc255297236">2.1 PROGRAM OBJECTIVES – PART A</a>The objectives of the Commonwealth Scholarships (CS) Program are to facilitate choice in higher education and to increase higher education participation for Indigenous students.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. The Indigenous Access Scholarship is targeted at eligible commencing students.<a id="_Toc255297237"></a><a id="_Toc111969797"></a><a id="_Toc234751612">2.1.1 Description of Scholarships</a>(1) Commonwealth Scholarships, which are standard scholarships, for the purposes of paragraph 46-10 (aa) of the Act are of two main types:(a) Indigenous Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarships (Indigenous-CECS) which are generally to assist with education costs; and(b) Indigenous Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarships (Indigenous-CAS) which are generally to assist with accommodation costs.(2) The Indigenous-CECS comprise two categories:(a) Indigenous-CECS with funding for up to eight scholarship periods to assist Indigenous students enrolled in undergraduate courses <a id="OLE_LINK60"></a><a id="OLE_LINK59">(not limited to areas of National Priority)</a> or a graduate diploma (or equivalent post graduate course of study) in an area of National Priority required for initial registration to practice in the chosen National Priority;(b) Indigenous Enabling-CECS, with funding for up to two scholarship periods, to assist Indigenous students to undertake an eligible enabling course.(3) The Indigenous-CAS comprises three categories:(a) Indigenous-CAS with funding for up to eight scholarship periods to assist Indigenous students with accommodation costs to undertake an undergraduate course (not limited to areas of National Priority) or a graduate diploma (or equivalent post graduate course of study) in an area of National Priority required for initial registration to practice in the chosen National Priority;(b) Indigenous Enabling-CAS, with funding for up to two scholarship periods, to assist Indigenous students with accommodation costs to undertake an eligible enabling course;(c) Indigenous Access Scholarship (IAS) which is a one-off scholarship payment, to assist Indigenous students to undertake an eligible enabling course, <a id="OLE_LINK18">undergraduate course or graduate diploma (or equivalent post graduate course of study) in an area of National Priority required for initial registration to practice in the chosen National Priority field.</a><a id="_Toc234751613">2.1.2 Class of Commonwealth Scholarship</a>A CS specified under these Guidelines is an indirectly-paid standard scholarship under paragraph 46-10 (aa) of the Act.<a id="_Toc255297238"></a><a id="_Toc234751614">2.5 </a>GRANTS<a id="_Toc234751615"></a><a id="_Toc255297239"></a><a id="_Toc111969799">2.5.1 How Grant Amounts are to be Determined</a>The maximum amount of CS grant to be paid to a provider under section 46-15 of the Act for a year will equal the sum of the CECS grant amount. Grant amounts are calculated for each CS category specified in paragraph 2.1.1 of these Guidelines as follows:<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="margin-bottom:0pt; border-collapse:collapse"><tbody><tr><td style="width:77.75pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top">Grant Amount</td><td style="width:26.05pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top">=</td><td style="width:169.2pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top">Number of CS in the category allocated to the provider, as determined under paragraphs 2.5.5(1) to, 2.5.5(3) of these Guidelines</td><td style="width:38pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top">x</td><td style="width:77.8pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top">Value of the CS for each category</td></tr></tbody></table><a id="_Toc255297240"></a><a id="_Toc234751616">2.5.5 How the Allocation of CS to a Provider will be Determined</a>Allocation of Indigenous-CECS, Indigenous Enabling-CECS, Indigenous-CAS and Indigenous Enabling-CAS to individual providers in a given year will be determined by the number of IAS allocated to the provider in that year, the cap on each scholarship type and the commitment that the provider must meet based on previous years’ awarding of scholarships.The Department will undertake a competitive bidding process prior to 31 October of the calendar year for allocation in the following calendar year.Indigenous Access Scholarship (IAS)(1) The number of IAS allocated to a provider in a given year will be determined as follows:(a) IAS will be allocated to eligible providers that offer eligible enabling, undergraduate course or graduate diploma (or equivalent post graduate course of study) in an area of National Priority required for initial registration to practice in the chosen National Priority field.Indigenous-CECS and Indigenous Enabling-CECS(2) The number of Indigenous-CECS and Indigenous Enabling-CECS allocated to an eligible scholarship provider in a given year will be determined as follows:(a) Providers will be automatically allocated a number of Indigenous-CECS equal to the amount of previous year(s) Indigenous Enabling-CECS recipients who have indicated they will continue into full-time undergraduate study at the provider in the scholarship year (including those students who undertook their enabling course at a different provider but will enrol in full-time undergraduate study at the provider in question), subject to this information being supplied to DEEWR by the advised deadline.(b) Additional Indigenous-CECS and Indigenous-Enabling CECS will be allocated to eligible providers following a competitive bidding process administered by DEEWR in accordance with identified selection criteria. The total number of Indigenous-CECS and Indigenous-Enabling CECS allocated to a provider in a given year will equal the number of IAS allocated in that year where possible and in accordance with 2.15.5(3) below.Indigenous-CAS and Indigenous Enabling-CAS(3) The number of Indigenous-CAS and Indigenous Enabling-CAS allocated to an eligible provider in a given year will be determined as follows:(a) Providers will be automatically allocated a number of Indigenous-CAS equal to the amount of previous year(s) Indigenous Enabling-CAS recipients who have indicated they will continue into full-time undergraduate study in the scholarship year at the provider (including those students who undertook their enabling course at a different provider but will enrol in full-time undergraduate study at the provider in question), subject to this information being supplied to DEEWR by the advised deadline.(b) Additional Indigenous-CAS and Indigenous Enabling-CAS will be allocated to eligible providers following a competitive bidding process administered by DEEWR in accordance with identified selection criteria. The number of Indigenous-CAS must not exceed the number of Indigenous-CECS, and the number of Indigenous Enabling-CAS must not exceed the number of Indigenous Enabling-CECS allocated to a provider in a given year where possible and in accordance with 2.15.5(4) below.<a id="_Toc255297241"></a><a id="_Toc234751617">2.5.10 Actions for Unawarded CS</a>(1) By 30 April in any given year, a provider should assess the status of unawarded CS for that same year and determine a course of action for each category of CS. Wherever possible, the provider should undertake action so as to award the maximum number of CS within that year.(2) If a provider has insufficient student demand for a particular category of CS initially allocated for that same calendar year, they must consider one of the following courses of action:(a) conversion across CS type in accordance with paragraph 2.5.10(3)-(6)(b) return unspent funds to the Department in accordance with paragraphs 2.5.10(8)-(9).Conversion across CS type(3) A provider may convert unawarded Indigenous-CECS to Indigenous-CAS or vice versa to better match student demand.(4) A provider may convert unawarded Indigenous Enabling-CECS to Indigenous Enabling-CAS or vice versa to better match student demand.(5) Such conversions must be approved in writing by the Department before they can be effected.(6) 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.(7) The provider must seek approval for conversions from the Department by 31 May of the year in which the CS were allocated by the Department.Rollover and offset of funds against allocation(8) By 31 October in any given year, any unawarded Indigenous-CECS, Indigenous-CAS, Indigenous Enabling-CECS, Indigenous Enabling-CAS or Indigenous Access Scholarships will be rolled over pursuant to a determination made by the Secretary or a delegate of the Secretary under section 46-35 of the Act. Providers must report to the Department no later than 10 working days prior to 31 October which scholarships they require to be rolled over.(a) The Department will make the appropriate adjustment in the next year by offsetting the number of unawarded scholarships from the allocations made in accordance with paragraphs 2.5.5(1)-(3) of these Guidelines against the next calendar year’s allocation.(b) the Secretary may determine other conditions that would apply to the unspent grant amount pursuant to paragraph 46-35(2)(b) of the Act.<a id="OLE_LINK58">Return of unawarded CS funds to the Department</a>(9) If a provider does not wish to award or convert unawarded scholarships to another CS category with demonstrated unmet student demand the provider must return unawarded CS funds to the Department by 31 May in that calendar year.(10) The Minister or a delegate of the Minister may reallocate any CS that are returned by providers under paragraph (8) above.<a id="_Toc234751618"></a><a id="_Toc255297242"></a><a id="_Toc111969801">

2.10

STUDENT ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

2.10 STUDENT ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS</a>Under paragraph 46-20(2)(c) of the Act, student eligibility requirements may be specified for indirectly-paid CS.(1) Concurrent Scholarships(a) <a id="OLE_LINK47"></a><a id="OLE_LINK16">A student can hold an </a><a id="OLE_LINK33"></a><a id="OLE_LINK32">IAS </a>concurrently with another category of CAS in accordance with paragraph 2.5.5(1) above.(b) A student can hold an IAS concurrently with a Student Start-up scholarship and/or Relocation scholarship.(c) A student may NOT concurrently hold an Indigenous-CECS and an Indigenous Enabling-CECS.(d) A student may NOT concurrently hold an Indigenous-CAS and an Indigenous Enabling-CAS.(e) A student may NOT concurrently hold CS scholarships with different providers even if the CS are of different scholarship types.(f) A student may NOT concurrently hold an Indigenous-CECS or Indigenous Enabling-CECS and a Student Start-up scholarship.(g) A student may NOT concurrently hold an Indigenous-CAS or Indigenous Enabling-CAS and a Relocation scholarship.(2) The maximum duration a student can have access to one or more scholarships described in paragraph 2.1.1 is for a total of eight scholarship periods.(a) <a id="OLE_LINK49"></a><a id="OLE_LINK48">The exception to this provision is where when a student accessing a </a>Indigenous Enabling-CECS or a Indigenous Enabling-CAS scholarship progresses to an undergraduate course. In that case, the student will have access to one or more scholarships described in paragraph 2.5.5 for a total of ten scholarship periods (being two periods of an enabling scholarship and eight periods of another CS type).(3) A scholarship holder who undertakes a program of study:(a) overseas, or(b) with a host provider approved by their provider through a cross institutional arrangement as a Commonwealth supported student,will not be precluded from continuing to access a CS during this period, so long as the program of study is approved by their scholarship provider, and counts toward the requirements for the course of study in which the student is enrolled. All CS student eligibility criteria must be maintained by a recipient during this period with the scholarship provider.<a id="_Toc255297243"></a><a id="_Toc234751619">2.10.1 Basic Eligibility Requirements</a>(1) A student is not eligible for an Indigenous-CECS if they have already received a CECS- Ordinary in previous years for the maximum duration of eight scholarship periods.(2) A student is not eligible for an Indigenous Enabling-CECS if they have already received a scholarship for the same purpose in previous years for the maximum duration of two scholarship periods.(3) A student is not eligible for an Indigenous-CAS if they have already received a CAS-Ordinary in previous years for the maximum duration of eight scholarship periods.(4) A student is not eligible for an Indigenous Enabling-CAS if they have already received a scholarship for the same purpose in previous years for the maximum duration of two scholarship periods.(5) A student is not eligible for an IAS if they have previously received payment, in part or in whole, of an IAS, or part thereof.(6) During the eight scholarship periods, a student may be in receipt of an Indigenous CECS and an Indigenous CAS scholarship concurrently depending upon eligibility for the type of CS.Indigenous-CECS and Indigenous-CAS<a id="OLE_LINK29"></a><a id="OLE_LINK26">(7) To be eligible for an Indigenous-CECS or </a><a id="OLE_LINK35"></a><a id="OLE_LINK34">Indigenous</a>-CAS a student must, by the first census date (as determined in accordance with section 169-25 of the Act) of the scholarship period:(a) be an Australian citizen; and(b) be an Indigenous person:A student’s declaration of their Aboriginality or Torres Strait Islander status during the CS application process should normally be accepted as sufficient evidence of their Indigenous status. However, where this status is unclear or uncertainty exists as to the Aboriginality or Torres Strait Islander status of the student, the provider’s Indigenous Education Unit (if the provider has one) should be consulted where possible. Evidence may be required to establish that he or she is an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person. The following documentation is acceptable in confirming a student’s status as an Indigenous person: an affirmation signed by the student, declaring that he/she identifies as an Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander; and a letter signed by the Chairperson of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander incorporated organisation in a community in which the student lives or has previously lived; and(c) meet the low socio-economic status requirements specified in paragraph 2.10.5 of these Guidelines; and(d) be enrolled in or undertaking a course of study (for the purposes of cross-institutional studies) with an eligible scholarship provider as a Commonwealth supported student<a id="OLE_LINK3"></a><a id="OLE_LINK9"></a><a id="OLE_LINK10"> in an undergraduate course not limited to areas of National Priority) or a graduate diploma (or equivalent post graduate course of study) in an area of National Priority required for initial registration to practice in the chosen </a>National Priority; and(e) meet the full-time student requirements specified in paragraph 2.10.10 of these Guidelines; and(f) not already have completed the requirements of a course of study (with any provider) regarded by the scholarship provider to be equivalent to or higher than an Australian bachelor’s award, unless each such award is a prerequisite to their current undergraduate course of study (Note: CS are intended primarily for students undertaking an initial qualification); and(g) meet other eligibility requirements as specified in paragraphs 2.10.10 of these Guidelines; and(h) in the case of the Indigenous-CAS, meet the additional eligibility requirements as specified in paragraph 2.10.15 of these Guidelines.<a id="OLE_LINK24"></a><a id="OLE_LINK11">I</a>ndigenous Enabling-CECS and Indigenous Enabling-CAS(8) To be eligible for an Indigenous Enabling-CECS or Indigenous Enabling-CAS, a student must:(a) meet the eligibility requirements stated at 7(a) to (h) above; and(b) be enrolled in or undertaking an eligible enabling course with a provider as a Commonwealth supported student, as defined in the Act; and(c) undertake the course on a full-time or part-time basis, noting that:(i) a student who is in receipt of an Indigenous Enabling-CECS scholarship while studying part-time, and who wishes to progress to another form of CS, must meet the full-time eligibility requirements as outlined in paragraph 2.10.10 of these Guidelines for the new CS; and(ii) a student who undertakes an enabling course on a part-time basis will not be eligible to receive an IAS or a Indigenous Enabling-CAS while enrolled in an enabling course; and(d) in the case of Indigenous Enabling-CAS meet the additional CAS eligibility requirements as specified in paragraph 2.10.15 of these Guidelines.IAS(9) To be eligible for an IAS a student must:(a) meet the eligibility requirements stated at 7(a) to (g) above; and(b) be a commencing student who has:(i) accepted the offer of a place; or(ii) been enrolled; or(iii) is undertaking a course;in an undergraduate course or graduate diploma (or equivalent post graduate course of study) in an area of National Priority required for initial registration to practice in the chosen National Priority field as a Commonwealth supported student; and(c) in exceptional circumstances, if a continuing student is required as part of their course to undertake study in a location distant from their previous place of study, providers may give consideration to these students when awarding an IAS.<a id="_Toc234751620"></a><a id="_Toc255297244"></a><a id="_Toc111969803">2.10.5 Low Socio-Economic Status Requirements</a>(1) A student is not eligible for an Indigenous CS unless the provider is satisfied that the student is able to demonstrate low socio-economic status either:(a) through being in receipt of a means-tested Commonwealth income support payment (such as Austudy, ABSTUDY, Youth Allowance, etc); or<a id="_Toc111969804"></a>(b) on the basis of an assessment conducted by or on behalf of the eligible scholarship provider.Where a student is unable to demonstrate eligibility under (1) (a) above, the provider must give the student the option of undergoing an assessment of low socio-economic status to determine eligibility.(2) In assessing low socio-economic status to determine eligibility for Indigenous-CECS, Indigenous-CAS, Indigenous Enabling-CECS, Indigenous Enabling-CAS and IAS, providers should consider the range of disadvantages which may affect the immediate financial status of Indigenous students accessing higher education. Such factors may include geographical isolation, stability of financial status, as well as family circumstances, such as illness or bereavement, which may affect the level of family financial support. In making this assessment, providers should consult with the provider’s Indigenous Education Unit where one exists.<a id="_Toc234751621"></a><a id="_Toc255297245">2.10.10 Full-time Student Requirements</a>(1) Generally, a student undertaking or intending to undertake less than a full-time student load is not eligible for a CS unless there are exceptional circumstances which prevent the student from studying full-time.(a) The exception to this requirement is for Indigenous students undertaking or intending to undertake an eligible enabling course - refer paragraph (4) below.(2) The decision that a person cannot study full-time due to exceptional circumstances is to be made by the provider. A provider may take into account factors such as disability, significant family care responsibilities, Indigenous community responsibilities, and course constraints outside a student’s control, in determining a student’s inability to undertake a full-time student load.(3) A student whose course load falls below a full-time student load must have their CS eligibility status reviewed, in accordance with the ongoing eligibility requirements under paragraph 2.25 of these Guidelines, and will be ineligible to retain their CS unless the provider determines that there are exceptional circumstances which prevent the student from continuing to study on a full-time basis.(4) Indigenous students who enrol in an eligible enabling course are eligible to receive an Indigenous Enabling-CECS if they undertake the course on a part-time basis. However, to be eligible for another category of CS upon completion of the enabling course, the students must enrol in the further course of study as a full-time student. Such students are not automatically entitled to the relevant CS on enrolment in full-time course of study as full-time Indigenous Enabling-CECS recipients would be, but are subject to a competitive process as are other eligible commencing students.<a id="_Toc255297246"></a><a id="OLE_LINK43"></a><a id="OLE_LINK44"></a><a id="_Toc234751622">2.10.15 </a><a id="OLE_LINK42"></a><a id="OLE_LINK41">Additional Eligibility Requirements for Indigenous-CAS and Indigenous Enabling</a>-CAS(1) In determining a student’s eligibility for an Indigenous-CAS or an Indigenous Enabling-CAS, the provider must determine whether the student has lived in a regional or remote area consistent with paragraph 2.10.15(2)(a) below.Providers must be guided by the ASGC RA. Providers may use the following link to assist in determining a student’s eligibility: <a href="http://www.doctorconnect.gov.au/" style="text-decoration:none">http://www.doctorconnect.gov.au/</a>. The Remote Areas (RA) classifications are: RA1 - Major Cities of Australia RA2 - Inner Regional Australia RA3 - Outer Regional Australia RA4 - Remote Australia RA5 - Very Remote AustraliaA provider must deem a student ineligible if they come from a locality belonging to the RA1 classification. The remaining classifications would assist providers in assessing students’ eligibility for an Indigenous-CAS or an Indigenous Enabling-CAS.(2) In addition to the eligibility requirements defined in paragraph 2.10 of these Guidelines, the provider must be satisfied that:(a) within the four years immediately preceding the commencement of the current course of study (including study within another program or at another provider, where the student has transferred):(i) the student has lived in a regional or remote area of Australia for a total of at least three years; or(ii) the student completed the final two years of schooling in a high school or college in a regional or remote area; or(iii) it was necessary for the student to live away from their regional or remote home to complete the whole or the majority of their secondary schooling at a high school or college in a major city; or(iv) the student has lived in a regional or remote area of Australia for a total of at least two years, and the student has relocated from the regional or remote area of Australia to undertake vocational education and training (eg TAFE) for a maximum of two years duration immediately preceding the commencement of their undergraduate course; and(b) it was necessary for the student to move from the regional or remote area in order to undertake a higher education course of study; and(c) as a result of paragraph (b), the student will incur additional accommodation costs; and(d) the student is enrolled as an internal student in units of study that form part of the course of study the student is undertaking unless the student can demonstrate the need to move, in accordance with paragraph 2.10.15(2)(b).(3) For the purpose of determining under paragraph 2.10.15(2)(b) the necessity for the student to move, a student should normally be enrolled as an internal student to be deemed eligible for CAS unless the student can demonstrate that there are exceptional circumstances preventing them from doing so, including, but not limited to the following:(a) the need for the student to attend classes or access other study related facilities on the campus at which the student is enrolled with the eligible scholarship provider or a host provider approved by the eligible scholarship provider through a cross-institutional arrangement;(b) the distance between the student’s home and the relevant campus;(c) the availability and quality of transport infrastructure between the student's home and the relevant campus; and(d) limitations on the student’s mobility due to disability and/or carer responsibilities.<a id="_Toc234751623"></a><a id="_Toc255297247"></a><a id="_Toc111969806">

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Source text: opening excerpt

Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation (legislation.gov.au), CC BY 4.0.

1 Commonwealth Scholarships Guidelines (Education) 2010

Commonwealth Scholarships Guidelines (Education) 2010

as amended

made under section 238-10 of the

Higher Education Support Act 2003

This compilation was prepared on 26 September 2013 taking into account amendments up to Amendment No. 1 to the Commonwealth Scholarships Guidelines (Education) 2010 (F2010L01875).

Prepared by the Department of Education.

<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="width:451.3pt; margin-bottom:0pt"><tbody><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-bottom:14pt; text-align:center; line-height:normal; font-size:12pt"><a id="param0"></a><a id="param1"></a><a id="param2"></a><a id="param3"></a><a id="param4"></a><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight:bold">Commonwealth Scholarships Guidelines (Education) 2010</span></p><p style="margin-top:14pt; margin-bottom:14pt; text-align:center; line-height:normal; font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight:bold; font-style:italic">TABLE OF CONTENTS</span></p><p style="margin-top:14pt; margin-bottom:14pt; line-height:normal; font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:10pt; text-decoration:underline">CHAPTER 1</span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif; text-decoration:underline"> </span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:10pt; text-decoration:underline">INTRODUCTION</span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:11pt; text-decoration:underline; display:none">. </span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:11pt; display:none">5</span></p><p style="margin-top:14pt; margin-bottom:14pt; line-height:normal; font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline">1.1</span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif; text-decoration:underline"> </span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline">PURPOSE</span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; text-decoration:underline; display:none">. </span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; display:none">5</span></p><p style="margin-top:14pt; margin-bottom:14pt; line-height:normal; font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:10pt; text-decoration:underline">CHAPTER 2</span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif; text-decoration:underline"> </span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:10pt; text-decoration:underline">COMMONWEALTH SCHOLARSHIPS</span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:11pt; text-decoration:underline; display:none">. </span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:11pt; display:none">9</span></p><p style="margin-top:14pt; margin-bottom:14pt; line-height:normal; font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline">2.1</span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif; text-decoration:underline"> </span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline">PROGRAM OBJECTIVES </span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif; font-size:9.5pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline">–</span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif; font-size:9.5pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline"> </span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline">PART A</span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; text-decoration:underline; display:none">. </span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; display:none">10</span></p><p style="margin-top:14pt; margin-bottom:14pt; line-height:normal; font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; text-decoration:underline">2.1.1</span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif; text-decoration:underline"> </span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; text-decoration:underline">Description of Scholarships</span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; text-decoration:underline; display:none">. </span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; display:none">10</span></p><p style="margin-top:14pt; margin-bottom:14pt; line-height:normal; font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline">2.5</span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif; text-decoration:underline"> </span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline">GRANTS</span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; text-decoration:underline; display:none">. </span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; display:none">11</span></p><p style="margin-top:14pt; margin-bottom:14pt; line-height:normal; font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; text-decoration:underline">2.5.1</span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif; text-decoration:underline"> </span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; text-decoration:underline">How Grant Amounts are to be Determined</span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; text-decoration:underline; display:none">. </span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; display:none">11</span></p><p style="margin-top:14pt; margin-bottom:14pt; line-height:normal; font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; text-decoration:underline">2.5.5</span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif; text-decoration:underline"> </span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; text-decoration:underline">How the Allocation of </span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline">CS</span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; text-decoration:underline"> to a </span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline">Provider</span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; text-decoration:underline"> will be Determined</span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; text-decoration:underline; display:none">. </span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; display:none">11</span></p><p style="margin-top:14pt; margin-bottom:14pt; line-height:normal; font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; text-decoration:underline">2.5.10</span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif; text-decoration:underline"> </span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; text-decoration:underline">Actions for </span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; text-decoration:underline">Unawarded</span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; text-decoration:underline"> CS</span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; text-decoration:underline; display:none">. </span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; display:none">1</span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; display:none">2</span></p><p style="margin-top:14pt; margin-bottom:14pt; line-height:normal; font-size:9.5pt"><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline">2.10 STUDENT ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS</span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; text-decoration:underline; display:none">. </span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; display:none">1</span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; display:none">3</span></p><p style="margin-top:14pt; margin-bottom:14pt; line-height:normal; font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; text-decoration:underline">2.10.1</span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif; text-decoration:underline"> </span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; text-decoration:underline">Basic Eligibility Requirements</span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; text-decoration:underline; display:none">. </span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; display:none">1</span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; display:none">4</span></p><p style="margin-top:14pt; margin-bottom:14pt; line-height:normal; font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; text-decoration:underline">2.10.5</span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif; text-decoration:underline"> </span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; text-decoration:underline">Low Socio-Economic Status Requirements</span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; text-decoration:underline; display:none">. </span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; display:none">1</span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; display:none">6</span></p><p style="margin-top:14pt; margin-bottom:14pt; line-height:normal; font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; text-decoration:underline">2.10.10</span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif; text-decoration:underline"> </span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; text-decoration:underline">Full-time Student Requirements</span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; text-decoration:underline; display:none">. </span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; display:none">1</span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; display:none">6</span></p><p style="margin-top:14pt; margin-bottom:14pt; line-height:normal; font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; text-decoration:underline">2.10.15</span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif; text-decoration:underline"> </span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; text-decoration:underline">Additional Eligibility Requirements for </span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline">Indigenous-CAS </span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; text-decoration:underline">and </span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline">Indigenous</span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; text-decoration:underline"> </span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; font-style:italic; text-decoration:underline">Enabling-CAS</span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; text-decoration:underline; display:none">. </span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; display:none">1</span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; display:none">7</span></p><p style="margin-top:14pt; margin-bottom:14pt; line-height:normal; font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline">2.15</span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif; text-decoration:underline"> </span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline">APPLICATION, SELECTION AND OFFER PROCESSES AND POLICIES</span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; text-decoration:underline; display:none">. </span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; display:none">1</span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; display:none">8</span></p><p style="margin-top:14pt; margin-bottom:14pt; line-height:normal; font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; text-decoration:underline">2.15.1</span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif; text-decoration:underline"> </span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; text-decoration:underline">Applications</span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; text-decoration:underline; display:none">. </span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; display:none">1</span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; display:none">8</span></p><p style="margin-top:14pt; margin-bottom:14pt; line-height:normal; font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; text-decoration:underline">2.15.5</span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif; text-decoration:underline"> </span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; text-decoration:underline">Selection Policy</span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; text-decoration:underline; display:none">. </span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; display:none">1</span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; display:none">8</span></p><p style="margin-top:14pt; margin-bottom:14pt; line-height:normal; font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; text-decoration:underline">2.15.10</span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif; text-decoration:underline"> </span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; text-decoration:underline">Offer Process</span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; text-decoration:underline; display:none">. </span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; display:none">20</span></p><p style="margin-top:14pt; margin-bottom:14pt; line-height:normal; font-size:9.5pt"><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; text-decoration:underline">2.15.15 Collection of personal information</span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; text-decoration:underline; display:none">. </span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; display:none">21</span></p><p style="margin-top:14pt; margin-bottom:14pt; line-height:normal; font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline">2.20</span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif; text-decoration:underline"> </span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; font-weight:bold; text-decoration:underline">PAYMENTS TO STUDENTS</span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; text-decoration:underline; display:none">. </span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; font-size:9.5pt; display:none">22</span></p><p style="margin-top:14pt; margin-bottom:14pt; line-height:normal; font-size:9.5pt"><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; text-decoration:underline">2.20.1 Value of Scholarships and Indexation Arrangements</span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; text-decoration:underline; display:none">. </span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', serif; display:none">23</span></p><p style="margin-top:14pt; margin-bottom:14pt; line-height:normal; font-size:9.5pt"><span style="font-f