FAQs

Many of our university partners recognize the financial situation that many students are facing as a result of COVID-19. Here are the latest financial opportunities provided by our universities that we’ve heard about so far:

Flinders University has allotted $12.5 million total to support students during this difficult time. Check out their Student Support Package to see if you are eligible.

University of Melbourne is offering emergency support grants for students facing hardship.

University of Otago students may apply to access the Hardship Fund for a one-off payment of up to $250. The New Zealand government has recently confirmed that international students who are legally entitled to work and who are employed by a New Zealand employer are covered by the wage subsidy. The subsidy covers employees who are working part-time or on a casual or contract basis. The subsidy is paid to employers. It does not cover international students who were not in employment before the outbreak of COVID-19.

Macquarie University offers the MQ COVID-19 Financial Assistance Loan for students who can demonstrate a significant financial need as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Charles Sturt University offers the COVID-19 Grant to meet a short-term financial need and be available to enable students to support their continued study at Charles Sturt University.

Monash University offers COVID-19 Student Compassionate and Hardship package for students who have been adversely affected by COVID-19

University of Newcastle students may apply for the Financial Assistance Fund (FAF). For more information please visit their Student Financial Support page.

University of Queensland students who are experiencing urgent and unexpected financial problems that are affecting their studies may be eligible for an interest-free loan or emergency hardship grant ($2,000 maximum).

University of Sydney is opening their general bursaries to all enrolled students.

Updated: April 8, 2020

The DAT requirement will not be cancelled, but there may be some changes in terms of deadlines to submit your official DAT results, since all the testing centers are closed.

Updated: April 7, 2020

As far as we are aware at this time, the cost of your program will remain the same, regardless of whether the content is delivered online or in person. Any decisions about lowering tuition will be made individually by each university, and students are encouraged to check in with their faculty to see if any fee changes will be made.

Updated: April 3, 2020

Based on information provided to OzTREKK by Austrade, students should not be adversely impacted by COVID-19.

• Students who have returned home and are unable to return to Australia to continue their study must defer; this will not affect their visa status.
• Student visas cannot be extended onshore at this stage (students may need to apply for another visa or a visitor visa if their current visa runs out).

Please note that things are evolving, and this could all change as the curve starts to flatten. In the meantime, please confirm your understanding with the Department of Home Affairs.

Updated April 3, 2020

Based on information provided to OzTREKK by Austrade, students should not be adversely impacted by COVID-19. Students should not apply for a visa at this time, and if you are starting a course online, you will not require a visa until it’s time to come to campus when borders open and flights resume.

At this time, you’d need to be able to satisfy requirements for a student visa application that may be required for assessment (e.g., a panel doctor health check, English language testing, and evidence of financial capacity). We advise that you wait to lodge any visa application until you have more information.

Please confirm this information with the Department of Home Affairs.

Updated April 3, 2020

No. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has stated that international students will not receive financial assistance from the government. The only two profiles of student who will be able to work beyond their visa-allocated part-time hours will be nursing students working in aged care, and those working for major grocery retailers.

For more information on what Prime Minister Morrison stated in a recent press statement, check out this article.

The situation is changing all the time, so please be sure to regularly consult the Australian Government website for updates on financial aid as well as general recommendations and announcements concerning COVID-19.

Updated: April 3, 2020

We’ve been made aware that some Canadian universities are moving to the pass/fail or credit/no credit system. At this time, we do not know how this will affect application assessments; however, we’ve shared the information that we currently know with our partnered universities to see how this will affect assessments. Please note that what we hear back will likely differ by university and program, and your admissions officer will be in touch as soon as there is an update for you.

If you’ve been made aware that your university is moving toward pass/fail or credit/no credit, please notify your admissions officer right away so that we can have a more detailed picture of the situation.

Updated: March 30, 2020

 

We’ve heard from some students whose universities are allowing them to remain in their accommodations, and we suspect this will be common everywhere.  In the instance of needing to self-isolate, some accommodations are offering food delivery and support services. For those who are living off campus, some universities are allowing students to apply to self-isolate on campus. Check in with your university’s student housing department to find out about your options.

Students who are looking to remain on campus for the next semester and are choosing to remain in residence during the semester break should contact their university to see if fees will be waived for the break (we’ve heard some universities are doing this). Students who are not continuing should contact their university’s student housing department to learn when they will be expected to vacate.

• Griffith University
• Bond University
• University of Queensland
• University of Melbourne
• University of Sydney
• University of Western Australia
• Charles Sturt University
• University of Newcastle
• James Cook University
• Macquarie University
• University of Otago
• Deakin University
• Monash University
• Flinders University

Updated: March 27, 2020

The updates from the universities are evolving daily and timelines are still being confirmed for the January –  February 2021 intake. The Australian universities are prioritizing moving their current students onto online learning. It is going to take some time for any changes to be made official, but your medicine admissions officer (Amanda) or dentistry admissions officer (Alexa) will contact you with amended timelines, deadlines, interview plans, and last dates to sit entrance exams as soon as they are available.

In order to stay informed by Amanda or Alexa, you must have an active application. Apply here.

Updated: March 30, 2020

Because we’ve processed so many applications in the last decade or so, we are generally pretty good at predicting interview cut-offs for these programs; however, this year is going to be different. Of that we’re sure.

We estimate there may be a decrease in GPA or admissions test interview cut-offs by our universities. This may be a small ray of hope for students who have fallen just below in previous years. We would strongly recommend those students reapply if they wish to continue this pathway in their lives.

We don’t expect massive decreases in the admissions tests, but we do expect (hope!) to see students with a point or two lower than preview years be given a chance at an interview. For all details about what was competitive in previous years, please contact your admissions officers, Alexa (for dentistry) or Amanda (for medicine).

Updated: March 27, 2020

Unfortunately, you may only hold one MCAT booking at a time. Please check your email and junk folder daily so you’re able to reschedule immediately if your MCAT is cancelled. Please note that there may be limited spots available and you may need to travel.

Updated: March 30, 2020

First, you are not alone. We are regularly speaking with many students in a similar situation.

Unfortunately, most of our universities have not made any firm decisions about the admissions requirements for 2021 at the moment. Canadian students are valued at our universities and the intention is to not prohibit strong applicants from applying. The universities are currently planning what changes they can accommodate without impacting overall enrollment (including for domestics).

We do expect deadlines and requirements to shift a little (how much is unknown), and as soon as we hear any definite information, we will post it on our website and your admissions officer will let students know, if applicable.

In the meantime, please check your email and junk folder daily so that you’re able to reschedule immediately if your entrance exam is cancelled. Please note there may be limited spots available and you may need to travel to a different testing centre.

Visit the examination website for more information and contact your admissions officer to discuss the implications of a new date to your current applications.

Entrance Exam Websites

• ADAT
• CDAT
• MCAT Pearson
• OAT

Updated: March 30th, 2020