WELFARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

For students who need immediate support for groceries and other essential items, digital supermarket vouchers are available from $50.

 

Eligibility criteria:

To apply you must:

• be a currently enrolled graduate student through a Monash Australian campus;
• be unable to afford basic groceries;
• be experiencing financial hardship.

 

You will be required to provide:

• a completed MGA welfare application form; and
• proof of course enrolment (a screenshot or PDF of WES enrolment).

 

You may be required to provide:

• evidence of financial hardship (e.g. 30-day bank statements of all your accounts); and
• any other relevant documentation the MGA advocate may require in order to process your application.

The costs of study can be difficult to manage if you are struggling financially. When it comes to choosing to pay your rent or to buy an expensive textbook, we understand that rent has to take priority, and your studies may be impacted as a result. If you are unable to afford essential items for your studies this semester, the MGA may be able to support you with a one off payment to meet essential study costs. You DO NOT have to repay this grant.

 

Grant amount: Up to $200

 

Examples of supported costs:

• Textbooks;
• Technology (software license, webcam, repairs, etc);
• Lab equipment (safety glasses, lab coat, protective equipment, etc);
• Assessment materials (art or design materials);
• Attending your graduation;
• Other essential study materials.

 

Eligibility criteria:

• be a graduate student currently enrolled through a Monash Australian campus;
• be experiencing financial hardship and unable to afford the cost of the study items.

 

Application Process

To apply for the grant, you must provide:

• a completed MGA welfare application form;
• proof of course enrolment (a screenshot or PDF of your WES enrolment);
• evidence of financial hardship (e.g. 30-day bank statements of all your accounts);
• evidence that the item requested is a requirement for your unit or course;
• confirmation of item pricing from a store or website (e.g. a screenshot or link).

An MGA advocate may request more information about your situation or offer you other support and assistance. If needed, you may be asked to provide further supporting documents. The application will be considered in accordance with our Welfare Assistance regulations.

 

Application Assessment Considerations

When making a decision in relation to this grant, the Advocacy Manager will have regard to the following:

• your financial position as disclosed;
• your personal circumstances;
• the importance of the requested items for your course/unit completion;
• previous grants to other students in similar circumstances;
• any previous grants provided to you.

Approved payments will be made by EFT into an Australian bank account only.

The MGA understands that for many graduate students, carer responsibilities have a direct impact on their studies. If you have primary responsibility for the care of children or dependant family members and are struggling to meet the costs of everyday living, the MGA may be able to support you with a one-off payment. You DO NOT have to repay this grant.

 

Grant amount: Up to $400

 

Examples of supported costs:

• Childcare costs;
• Home-aid/carer costs;
• Rent and utility bills.

 

Eligibility criteria:

• be a graduate student currently enrolled through a Monash Australian campus;
• be experiencing financial hardship;
• be the primary carer for children or other dependent family members.

 

Application Process

To apply for the grant, you may be asked to provide any or all of the following:

• a completed MGA welfare application form;
• proof of course enrolment (a screenshot or PDF of your WES enrolment);
• evidence of financial hardship (e.g. 30-day bank statements of all your accounts);
• details of your family situation;
• evidence of Carer status (e.g. Screenshots of Centrelink or MyGov that identify dependent children, or Disability Support Services registration, Carer Card, other Centrelink details).

An MGA advocate may request more information about your situation or offer you other support and assistance. If needed, you may be asked to provide further supporting documents. The application will be considered in accordance with our Welfare Assistance regulations.

 

Application Assessment Considerations

When making a decision in relation to this grant, the Advocacy Manager will have regard to the following:

• your previous and current living conditions;
• previous grants to other students in similar circumstances;
• your financial position as disclosed;
• your personal circumstances;
• the nature of the requested support in relation to the needs of any dependants and your ability to meet your academic requirements; and
• any previous grants provided to you.

Approved payments will be made by EFT into an Australian bank account only.

The MGA understands that students may need to attend placements or internships as a compulsory course requirement. This can mean giving up part-time work or relocating for the duration of the placement or internship. Attending placements or internships can make an already difficult financial position a lot worse. If you are required to complete a mandatory placement or internship as a part of your course, then you may be eligible for the Placement and Internship Grant. This is a one-off payment to help you through your placement or internship. You DO NOT have to repay this grant.

 

Grant amount: Up to $250

 

Examples of supported costs:

• Travel to/from the placement or internship where:
  • the placement or internship is not located at your usual place of study; and
  • where it is outside the metropolitan area or a significant distance from your home.
• Temporary accommodation at or near the placement or internship location;
• Travel to/from rural placements or internships;
• Urgent living expenses incurred as a result of the placement or internship.

 

Eligibility criteria:

• be a graduate student currently enrolled through a Monash Australian campus;
• be experiencing financial hardship;
• be enrolled in a placement unit that is a mandatory component of your course or an internship which is a mandatory component of your degree - this grant cannot be used to reimburse previous placement expenses.

 

Application Process

To apply for the grant, you may be asked to provide any or all of the following:

• a completed MGA welfare application form;
• proof of course enrolment (a screenshot or PDF of your WES enrolment);
• evidence of financial hardship (e.g. 30-day bank statements of all your accounts);
• evidence of loss of income (if applicable);
• confirmation of placement or internship dates and location.

An MGA advocate may request more information about your situation or offer you other support and assistance. If needed, you may be asked to provide further supporting documents. The application will be considered in accordance with our Welfare Assistance regulations.

 

Application Assessment Considerations

When making a decision in relation to this grant, the Advocacy Manager will have regard to the following:

• your financial position as disclosed;
• your personal circumstances;
• the distance of placement or internship business from your home and from your ordinary campus or place of study;
• the location of the placement or internship in relation to your place of residence;
• your mode of travel;
• the duration of the placement or internship;
• previous grants to other students in similar circumstances;
• any previous grants provided to you.

Approved payments will be made by EFT into an Australian bank account only.

The MGA is committed to protecting and promoting the safety of all Monash graduate students. If you are experiencing, or have experienced domestic or family violence, an unsafe home environment, or are in a situation where you are in fear of harm, the MGA may be able to offer you a one-off payment. You DO NOT have to repay this grant.

 

Grant amount: Up to $500

 

Examples of supported costs:

• Groceries;
• Essential household items;
• Rent and bills;
• Transport and relocation costs;
• Replacement of essential household items such as clothing, toiletries, furniture, or appliances.

 

Eligibility criteria:

• be a graduate student currently enrolled through a Monash Australian campus;
• be able to show financial hardship and unable to afford essential costs (e.g. accommodation, medication/therapy, groceries, essential clothing and household items).

 

Application Process

To apply for the grant, you must provide:

• a completed MGA welfare application form;
• proof of course enrolment (a screenshot or PDF of your WES enrolment);
• evidence of financial hardship (e.g. 30-day bank statements of all your accounts).

An MGA advocate may request more information about your situation or offer you other support and assistance. If needed, you may be asked to provide further supporting documents. The application will be considered in accordance with our Welfare Assistance regulations.

 

Application Assessment Considerations

When making a decision in relation to this grant, the Advocacy Manager will have regard to the following:

• your financial position as disclosed;
• your personal circumstances;
• any immediate or short-term threat you face;
• your previous and current living conditions;
• the purpose of the assistance required in relation to your needs; and
• previous grants to other students in similar circumstances.

Approved payments will be made by EFT into an Australian bank account only.

The MGA recognises that sometimes life can bring unexpected challenges, and emergencies can be all the more difficult to navigate when you're struggling financially. If you have been unexpectedly affected by an event in the past 30 days that has placed you in financial hardship, and you are struggling to pay essential costs, the MGA may be able to provide a one-off grant to help you ease your financial burden. You DO NOT have to repay the emergency grant.

 

Grant amount: Up to $500

 

Examples of supported costs:

• Paying utility bills;
• Repairing your vehicle or paying travel costs;
• Replacing essential appliances (e.g. fridge);
• Costs associated with an emergency;
• Accommodation costs due to unexpected change to existing arrangements (e.g. dispute with landlord, fire, flood, building damage).

 

Eligibility criteria:

• be a graduate student currently enrolled through a Monash Australian campus;
• have encountered a financial emergency as a result of an unexpected event (e.g. illness, accident, family emergency) within the past 30 days of the application date.

 

Application Process

To apply for the grant, you must provide:

• a completed MGA welfare application form;
• proof of course enrolment (a screenshot or PDF of your WES enrolment);
• evidence of financial hardship (e.g. 30-day bank statements of all your accounts).
• information about the emergency you experienced;
• payment invoice relating to the emergency (if applicable).

An MGA advocate may request more information about your situation or offer you other support and assistance. If needed, you may be asked to provide further supporting documents. The application will be considered in accordance with our Welfare Assistance regulations.

 

Application Assessment Considerations

When making a decision in relation to this grant, the Advocacy Manager will have regard to the following:

• any immediate or short-term threat you face;
• previous grants to other students in similar circumstances.
• your financial position as disclosed;
• your personal circumstances;
• your previous and current living conditions;
• your point in your candidature (if applicable); and
• any previous grants provided to you.

Approved payments will be made by EFT into an Australian bank account only.

There are times when a pre-existing health condition flares up, or times after an accident or illness when more medical help is needed. Affording these costs can be difficult when you’re struggling financially. If you have been unexpectedly affected by an event that has placed you in financial hardship, and you are struggling to pay for medical care, the MGA may be able to provide a one-off grant to help. This grant is not intended to cover any costs associated with medical insurance cover, compulsory or not. You DO NOT have to repay the Medical Grant.

 

Grant amount: Up to $300 per semester

 

Examples of supported costs:

• Medically x-rays, scans, ultrasounds;
• Emergency dentist treatments.

 

Eligibility criteria:

• be a graduate student currently enrolled through a Monash Australian campus;
• be experiencing financial hardship;
• have encountered financial costs as a result of an ongoing medical issue or due to illness or injury as a result of an accident, which has not resolved.

 

Application Process

To apply for the grant, you must provide:

• a completed MGA welfare application form;
• proof of course enrolment (a screenshot or PDF of your WES enrolment);
• evidence of financial hardship (e.g. 30-day bank statements of all your accounts).
• evidence of the amount of your expense covered by insurance or Medicare, or evidence that it is not covered by either;
• payment invoice relating to the emergency (if applicable).

An MGA advocate may request more information about your situation or offer you other support and assistance. If needed, you may be asked to provide further supporting documents. The application will be considered in accordance with our Welfare Assistance regulations.

 

Application Assessment Considerations

When making a decision in relation to this grant, the Advocacy Manager will have regard to the following:

• any immediate risks/dangers faced by you;
• previous grants to other students in similar circumstances.
• your financial position as disclosed;
• your previous and current living conditions;
• your point in your candidature (if applicable); and
• any previous grants provided to you.

Approved payments will be made by EFT into an Australian bank account only.

The MGA recognises that costs of necessary living expenses can place unmanageable financial stress on students. If you are facing financial hardship and are unable to pay for essential living expenses, the MGA may be able to help with a one-off payment. You DO NOT have to repay this grant.

Grant amount: Up to $300 per semester

Examples of supported costs:

• Utility bills;
• Short-term living expenses;
• Essential household needs.

Eligibility criteria:

• be a graduate student currently enrolled through a Monash Australian campus;
• be experiencing financial hardship;
• be unable to cover the costs of essential needs such as food or utilities;
• agree to the terms of the grant.



Application Process

To apply for the grant, you must provide:

• a completed MGA welfare application form;
• proof of course enrolment (a screenshot or PDF of your WES enrolment);
• evidence of financial hardship (e.g. 30-day bank statements of all your accounts).
• payment invoice relating to the emergency (if applicable).

An MGA advocate may request more information about your situation or offer you other support and assistance. If needed, you may be asked to provide further supporting documents. The application will be considered in accordance with our Welfare Assistance regulations.




Application Assessment Considerations

When making a decision in relation to this grant, the Advocacy Manager will have regard to the following:

• any immediate risks/dangers faced by you;
• previous grants to other students in similar circumstances.
• your financial position as disclosed;
• your previous and current living conditions;
• your point in your candidature (if applicable);
• any other grants you are eligible for; and
• any previous grants provided to you.

Approved payments will be made by EFT into an Australian bank account only.