Student Loan process

You apply for the Student Loan. The easiest way to apply is online.

• If you can’t apply online, contact us.
• You need to apply at least 21 days before your course starts, or you may not get paid on time. 
• You can apply for your Student Loan before you enrol for study but you will need to be fully enrolled before we can pay you.
• Make sure you give us all the details we need - this speeds things up.
  

We will process your application and check the information you give us.

• We will send you a letter asking for more information if we need it.
• We will also send you a letter if you don’t qualify for a Student Loan.
  

We will send you a contract.

• You need to check it, sign it and return it quickly with any documents we ask for.
• We will send you a letter telling you whether we’ve got everything we need.
• You can then apply for your course-related costs.  The easiest way to apply is by using a MyStudyLink account.
• From November 2009 you will also be able to sign up to view your mail online at MyStudyLink.
  

We will check your details with your education provider closer to the time your course starts.  We check:

- the dates of your course
- if you’re full-time or part-time
- how much your fees are (if you want them paid by your loan)

• Make sure you’re fully enrolled or your education provider won’t be able to confirm your details and you may not get paid on time.

We will assess your Student Loan.

• If your application is approved we will send you a Loan Entitlement Advice letter telling you what you qualify for.
• If your application is declined we will send you a letter explaining why.
  

Your payments can start.

• The earliest your compulsory fees can be paid to your education provider is two weeks before your course starts.
• The earliest your course-related costs can be paid is two weeks before your course starts.
• The earliest your weekly living cost payments can start is the second week of your course.
• You can use MyStudyLink to check on when your payments start.
• If you don’t apply on time or don’t give us all the information we need, we can’t pay you on time.