As a Murdoch student, your wellbeing is a key focus for the University – and never more so than at challenging times such as these.

Please be assured we consider all our students important but realise that for those of you away from home this time might be even more challenging. We respect that you each need to do the right thing for you and we will do our best to support you in those decisions.
As Jethro Schoeman, President of the Murdoch Student Guild, and I announced last week, the University has been working hard on a comprehensive support package to help you during COVID-19 when student wellbeing and welfare are a priority.

Thank you for your patience in waiting for further details on these initiatives. Since announcing the package, a team of over 20 staff have been working long hours, including weekends, to work out the best way to make this happen. We are now in a position to provide further detail.

The previously announced $8.5 million Student Support Package has been designed to deliver assistance where it is needed most – to those of you who have lost employment, cannot access other forms of support and are suffering financial hardship.
These measures are also designed to help you continue on your study path with Murdoch University and provide stability at a time of uncertainty.

These measures have been developed – and are being delivered – in close consultation with the Guild. I thank them for working so proactively with the University to ensure the package best meets the needs of vulnerable students.

The Student Support Package is designed to give the most benefit to those most in need. We carefully considered different options to support students, including a reduction in fees, but concluded that bursaries (cash grants) and a $2 million assistance fund would allow students to get quick access to financial support that would be paid directly to the student, and would allow for different circumstances, were therefore of greater benefit to students.

During this time, the requirement to enrol as a full-time student has been relaxed by the regulatory body. So, if you are struggling with payment of fees you may consider reducing your load for this semester. Your Academic Chairs and the MyMurdoch Advice team are available to discuss if you feel this is something you need to consider.

The Student Support Package consists of a variety of elements:

• $2 million Student Assistance Fund to ensure financial support is provided to our students most in need.
• Technology Bursary ($100) for all students to help pay for those tech requirements for online learning.
• IT Equipment Pool so those without a laptop can borrow one.
• Support for the Guild Food Bank.
• Parking refunds.
• Essentials Bursary ($50 per fortnight) to help with groceries and essential items.

Student Assistance Fund support
Who can access the fund?

• You must be able to evidence that you are experiencing financial hardship as a direct result of COVID-19.
• You must be either a domestic or international student who attended face-to-face teaching at the Murdoch, Mandurah or Rockingham campuses before the move to online learning.
• You must not be eligible for Centrelink assistance.
• You must not have received funds from scholarships (other than the International Welcome Scholarship) or sponsorships from Australian and overseas governments.

There are two different funds available:

• The Study Support Fund ($1.5 million) offers up to a $1,000 payment if you are studying full-time, a $500 payment if you are studying part-time or through the OnTrack and K-Track programs.
• The Extraordinary Support Fund ($550,000) provides further financial support for students who can demonstrate the need for further support beyond the Study Support Fund. To access this component of the fund, you will need to submit a personal statement and evidence (see below) to support your application.

How do I apply?

• If you would like to register interest in the Study Support Fund or Extraordinary Fund, please complete the online form.
• Once you have registered your interest, you will receive a link to an online form to formally apply for funding. This will be fully operational by 1pm on Tuesday, 14 April.
• A list of the questions you will be asked to respond to can be found here.
• While you are waiting for the form to go live you should be collecting the information you need to complete the form. This includes: details of fortnightly living expenses (including accommodation, food and groceries, utilities, local transport and health costs, current fortnightly income from all sources); your Centrelink reference number if you have one; current bank statements with balances; evidence of dependants if applicable; and a personal impact statement for funding requests.
• When completing the form, the supporting documentation can be uploaded as a PDF, Word, Excel, PPT, PDF or Image File. All information provided will be treated with the strictest confidence, in line with the University’s privacy policy.

How long will it take?

• Applications will be assessed based on need and where the criteria are met, students can expect to receive funds within five working days of their application being lodged.
• Each application will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, and funding will be allocated to those most in need.

We hope the Student Assistance Fund will provide much-needed, meaningful financial support to those students who need it most.

If you meet the criteria outlined above, I encourage you to apply. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Student Centre via email StudentCentre@murdoch.edu.au or phone 1300 687 3624.

Details about how to access other elements of the Student Support Package, including access to the $100 technology bursary, essentials bursary and support for the Guild Food Bank, are currently being developed. More information will be shared on these additional measures as soon as possible.

To all recipients, it is my sincere hope that the Student Support Package will provide additional financial security to enable you to keep studying at this difficult time.

As a Murdoch student, you are at the heart of everything we do. We will continue to provide support for your health and wellbeing – as well as keeping you on your study path – throughout the challenging period ahead.

Yours in friendship

Romy Lawson

Provost