Application deadlines

You can apply for OS-HELP in the six-month period before the start of your overseas study. Your application needs to be for study that you have not yet completed. OS-HELP loan applications are assessed on a continuous basis in the order they are submitted. You should not submit a loan application until you have received confirmation of your acceptance from the host university or program provider.

The OS-HELP loan application is closed from 1 December each year. The application will re-open on 17 January for students completing overseas study commencing from January onwards.

Submit your application:

• by 31 October for study commencing in the summer break or Semester 1 of the following year
• by 30 May for study commencing in the winter break or Semester 2 of the same year.

You may submit an application after these deadlines; however, your loan may not be processed before the commencement of your overseas studies. If you submit your loan application in November, you may be required to reapply once the application reopens the following January.

If you're applying for a second OS-HELP loan, you must submit your application a maximum of 4 weeks before the end date of your first loan. If the end date of your first loan is early in the new year, you must submit your application for the second loan in the same calendar year. For example, if you have received an OS-HELP loan for overseas study for the six-month period 15 August – 14 February, you must apply for the second loan after the application reopens on 17 January. You cannot be selected to receive a second OS-HELP loan for overseas study where the start date is before the end date of your first loan with the exception of a year-long exchange program.

What you will need

Make sure you have the following information ready before you complete the online application.

Exchange

• Study period commencing year, commencing semester, duration of study.
• Start date of classes at your host university or a compulsory welcome/orientation program as per your host university acceptance letter or academic calendar.
• Nominated exchange partner university.
• OS-HELP loan amount you are requesting, selected from the amounts available for your destination.

Non-Exchange or Faculty-led program

• Program name, in-country start date, end date, and host country.
• OS-HELP loan amount you are requesting, selected from the amounts available for your destination.
• Faculty credit approval - Conditional credit approval outcomes from Faculty Services Mobility including the University of Sydney unit/s of study you will be credited upon successful completion of your overseas study.
  • If you are participating in a Faculty-led program: a copy of your certificate of current enrolment including your enrolment in the relevant unit of study.
• Confirmation of program acceptance - an acceptance letter or email confirming your participation in the program. This should include your name and the dates of the program. Please note that this must be addressed to you, not just a general description of the program.
• Study program overview - A brief description of the overseas study program. This may be a copy of a brochure or web content regarding the program including the location and dates.

Doctor of Medicine Overseas Elective Placement

• Name of hospital or placement provider, in-country start date, end date, and host country.
• OS-HELP loan amount you are requesting, selected from the amounts available for your destination.
• Faculty credit approval - a letter from the Sydney Medical School, Education Support Office, which must include the following:  
  •  your full name 
  •  name of the partner or organisation at which you will be undertaking your overseas elective placement 
  •  start and end dates of your overseas elective placement 
  •  confirmation that the placement will be undertaken on a full-time basis, and  
  • the University of Sydney unit of study the placement will be credited towards. 
• Confirmation of program acceptance - An acceptance letter or email from each hospital or placement provider confirming your overseas elective placement. This should include the dates of the placement. Please note that this must be addressed to you, not just a general description of the program. 
• Study program overview - A copy of the Elective Term Overview and Guidelines for the relevant calendar year.