Murdoch has established an $8.5 million Student Support Package to help students impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications for the Student Assistance Fund, a key component of the Student Support Package, opened Tuesday 14 April. Applications for the Technology Bursary and food vouchers will be available soon.

Please see below for a list of FAQ’s about the Student Assistance Fund.

Who is eligible to apply?

To be eligible to apply for the Student Assistance Fund, you must:

• Be able to provide evidence that you are experiencing financial hardship as a direct result of COVID-19.
• 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.
• Not be eligible for Centrelink assistance
• Not have received funds from scholarships that cover ongoing living expenses (other than the International Welcome Scholarship) or sponsorships from Australian and overseas governments.

What can I apply for?

If you meet the above criteria, you may be eligible for Study Support and Extraordinary Support.

The Study Support Fund offers up to $1,000 payment for students studying full-time or a $500 payment for students studying part-time or through the On-Track and K-Track programs.

If you’re facing more difficult circumstances than most, you can apply for the Extraordinary Support Fund which provides additional support on a case by case basis.

Can postgraduate and higher degree by research (HDR) students apply for the Student Assistance Fund?

Yes, students who are currently enrolled in a honours or postgraduate degree at Murdoch University and attended face-to-face teaching (including supervision for HDR students) before the move to online teaching, are eligible to apply.

How do I apply for the Student Assistance Fund?

If you meet the above criteria, you can apply for the Student Assistance Fund by completing the online form here.

A list of the questions you will be asked can be found here.

How long will it take to review my application?

Applications will be assessed based on need and where the criteria are met, you can expect to receive funds within five working days of your application being lodged.

Each application will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, and funding will be allocated to those most in need.

Please provide all required documentation when completing the online form to avoid delays.

What do students need when they apply?

You will be required to provide the following information to support your application:

• Current fortnightly total income (including family support)
• How much less fortnightly income you’re earning as a direct result of COVID-19
• Total fortnightly living expenses (combined cost of accommodation, food, groceries, utilities, transport, health care)
• The current value of your total cash savings (including term deposits), and a copy of your recent bank statement

If you are applying for Extraordinary Support, you will be required to provide a personal statement outlining your need for further funding and provide evidence supporting your request.

It is important to note you may only apply for the Student Assistance Fund once.

For queries relating to the Student Assistance Fund, please email studentassistfund@murdoch.edu.au.

For all other queries, you can contact myMurdoch Advice at advice@murdoch.edu.au.