Commonwealth Learning Scholarships (CLS)

1. What is the Commonwealth Learning Scholarships (CLS) Program?
2. Types of CLS
3. Basic Student Eligibility Requirements
4. Application Process
5. UOW Commonwealth Learning Guidelines
6. Contact Information

1. What is the Commonwealth Learning Scholarships Program?

The objective of the Commonwealth Learning Scholarships (CLS) is to increase higher education participation by students of low socio-economic backgrounds, particularly Indigenous students and students from rural and regional areas.

The University of Wollongong is proud to offer 148 CLS in 2005 as part of the Federal Governments Higher Education Reforms.

2. Types of CLS

Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarships (CECS)
CECS provide full-time undergraduate students with a scholarship of $2,042 per year for up to four years, to assist with general educational expenses.

Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarships (CAS)
CAS provide full-time undergraduate students with a scholarship of $4,084 per year for up to four years to assist them with accommodation expenses where they have to move to undertake higher education.

3. Basic Student Eligibility Requirements

1. A student is not eligible for a CECS if they have already received a CECS for the maximum duration. A student is not eligible for a CAS if they have already received a CAS for the maximum duration, as defined in paragraph 4.3 of the UoW guidelines.
2. To be eligible for a CLS a student must:
   (a) be an Australian citizen or the holder of a permanent humanitarian visa; and
   (b) be undertaking an undergraduate course of study as a Commonwealth supported/HECS liable student; and
   (c) meet the low socio-economic background criteria specified in paragraph 2.2 of the UoW Guidelines; and
   (d) meet the full-time student requirements specified in paragraph 2.3 of the UoW guidelines; and
   (e) not already completed the requirements of a course of study regarded by the University of Wollongong to be equivalent to an Australian bachelor's degree or higher level award, unless such award is a pre-requisite to.

Additional CAS Eligibility Requirements
In addition to basic eligibility requirements, for a student to be eligible for a CAS, the University must be satisfied that:
(a) the student either:
i. has lived in a rural or regional area of Australia for at least three of the previous four years immediately preceding the commencement of their course of study; or
ii. resided at a boarding school in a major city in order to complete their final two years of secondary education and their permanent home address is a rural or regional area of Australia, and
(b) it was necessary for the student to move from the rural or regional area in order to undertake their course of study; and
(c) as result of (b), the student will incur additional accommodation costs; and
(d) the student is enrolled as an internal student.

4. Application Process

You must ensure that you make the correct selections and enter the correct details, the system will allow you to attempt this on-line application ONCE.

BEFORE proceeding with the application process you must have the following information at hand to successfully complete the application process:

• Student number, and
• University of Wollongong email address, and
• A complete copy of your student enrolment record (if you are a re-enrolling student), and
• Financial details for the past 12 months for student, parent (if living with or receiving financial assistance from), and your spouse or partner. This includes employment income, custodial maintenance income and/or Centrelink/ABSTUDY payment's, and
• A written statement with supporting medical and/or counselling reports detailing disability, medical condition or carer responsibilities.

AFTER completing your on-line application you will be prompted to print out a receipt of your application.

This receipt along with supporting documentation (income statements and/or supporting medical/counselling/carer reports) must be handed in at the Student Administration Counter in building 36, no later than Friday 18 February.

NOTE: Applications that do not provide supporting documentation for verification will NOT be processed

On line application: http://edsnet.cedir.uow.edu.au/clsa

5. University of Wollongong Commonwealth Learning Guidelines

• View the University of Wollongong Commonwealth Learning Guidelines

6. Contact Information

Undergraduate Scholarships Officer
Ground Floor, Building 36
Student Administration
University of Wollongong NSW 2522

Contact: Tim Ryan
(Commonwealth Learning Scholarships Officer)
Telephone: (02) 4221 3197
Facsimile: (02) 4221 4322
E-mail: scholarships@uow.edu.au

Contact: Debby Porter.
Scholarships Officer (Monday - Wednesday)
Telephone: (02) 4221 3159
Facsimile: (02) 4221 4322
E-mail: scholarships@uow.edu.au