ABSTUDY is the Aboriginal Study Assistance Scheme. Abstudy helps Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who want to stay at school or go on to further studies.

You may apply for ABSTUDY to assist you study at Wodonga TAFE if you are registered in a full time or part time course after leaving school.  If you are studying for a Masters or Doctorate course, there are extra entitlements if you are studying full time.

ABSTUDY may be able to help students with money for

• living expenses (even if you live in a remote area)
• accommodation expenses (rent, boarding fees, residential costs)
• education expenses (school fees, books and equipment, incidentals, thesis costs)
• fares (to travel to study each term or semester if you need to study away from home)
• prescription medicines

The amount you may be eligible for from ABSTUDY can depend on what course you are studying, your age, whether you need to live away from home, whether ABSTUDY considers you to be dependent on your parents or guardians or independent and how much you and your partner, or your parents or guardians earn and own.

To qualify for ABSTUDY you must be an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. For ABSTUDY, an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander is someone who

• is of Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent
• identifies as an Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
• is accepted as such by the community in which you live or have lived.

If your Aboriginality is questioned you will be asked to provide evidence to prove you meet all three parts of this definition.  You must also be an Australian citizen and studying an approved course.

More information about studying at Wodonga TAFE and applying for Abstudy is available by phoning Learner Services on (02) 6055 6606 or email ls@wodonga.tafe.edu.au