red7

Hi all,

I'm a PR and a Uni student. I got a CSP for Uni but not HECS-HELP, as I am not a Citizen. The problem I'm having is that I can't be in 2 places at once - at the Uni and at a job, to pay the Uni fees 😅 I can manage part-time study for a while but I can't do the entire degree part-time (it's a Science degree, which needs to be completed sooner than most other degrees). So, unless I can get HECS-HELP, I will have to drop out of my Uni course. My questions...

1. How long after getting Citizenship can I get HECS-HELP? Is there a delay period (like the 2yr NARWP when you become a PR)?

2. Looking at the current processing times for the Citizenship, there's different timeframes. Would I have to wait until after the ceremony to apply for HECS-HELP (25 months)? Or just the decision (17 months)?😃






Thanks for any guidance on this 😃

old.sparkles

It's perfectly possible to work FT and study FT, you just have to juggle and not have a life Just finished an honours degree in 4 1/2 years, and worked FT afternoon / night shifts at the same time so paid uni fees upfront so no debt.

I also just got approved for citizenship - applied mid October 2020, test was 6th Feb and approved same day so just waiting on ceremony if that helps. There are no delays on being able to apply for HECS once you've had a ceremony but you are not Australian until after the ceremony.

Also, don't forget to apply for scholarships - someone has to get them.

red7

OK, so now I'm jealous. If I tried to do that, I would literally be dead. Or at best, flunk Uni and get fired for sleeping on the job! I'm one of those annoying people that can't function on less than 8hrs sleep (and I don't think it annoys anyone as much as it annoys me!). I envy you superhumans

That's great news, congrats! But now I'm annoyed with myself again because I was eligible to apply nearly a year ago but delayed it because of the cost. Urgh. Oh well, better late than never. At least there's no waiting periods/delays.

That's true and I did look at them but they're not available to part time students.

old.sparkles

Not sure where you are studying but you can try talking to the program director to best arrange classes to suit any job you have.

Also, most lectures are available online so you don't have to be on campus for those - and for some courses you can also do tutorials online too. I had one course that I couldn't make any class, but I could make the consultation time so I spoke to the course coordinator and did the course when I could, and did catch up with any questions during consultation. They really are very helpful if you make them aware of your situation