Payment overview

You will receive:

• an initial payment of up to $1,000, once enrolment past the census date is confirmed through the completion of a SmartyGrants form
• instalments of milestone payments, milestones are reached when you have completed a certain number of units within your degree.

Your individual payment amounts will be worked out based on the information you provide to the department. These amounts are calculated at the date the Minister endorsed the award of your scholarship. This date may vary, as scholarships have been endorsed throughout 2021. Any units completed prior to the date of the endorsement of the award of your scholarship are not part of the scholarship and do not attract a payment. Please note, the Department will have contacted you in regards to the date of the endorsement of the award and this information can be found in your Deed of Agreement.

Three examples are below:

1. A scholar who has not started a degree, and has no Recognised Prior Learning

Tuyet is a scholar who has not started their degree, and has no Recognised Prior Learning (RPL). Tuyet will receive;

• an initial payment of $1,000, upon proof of enrolment past the census date
• eight lots of 12.5% milestone payment adding up to $19,000.

2. A scholar who has not started a degree, and has some Recognised Prior Learning

Kamal is a scholar who has completed 30% of their degree through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) before the semester starting after the award of their scholarship. Kamal will receive:

• an initial payment of $1,000, upon proof of enrolment into subjects past the census date
• 7.5% of payment 4 (37.5% minus 30% = 7.5% remaining in milestone 4) - the scholar is not eligible for milestone payments 2 and 3
• the remaining five lots of 12.5% milestone payments.

3. A scholar who has started a degree, completed some units, and also has some Recognised Prior Learning

Maya is a scholar who has completed 45% of their degree before the semester starting after the awarding of the scholarship begins, 25% through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and completion of 20% of their degree prior to the semester following the start of her award. Maya will receive:

• an initial payment of $1,000, upon proof of enrolment into subjects past the census date
• 5% of payment 5 (50% minus 45% = 5% remaining in milestone 5) - the scholar is not eligible for milestone payments 2, 3 and 4
• the remaining 4 lots of 12.5% milestone payments.

Receiving your payment

To receive your initial payment, you will need to send the department:

• your completed and signed deed of agreement
• a completed Electronic Funds Transfer Form (EFT form)
• proof of enrolment past the census date for the current semester through the SmartyGrants portal.

Once the department has received the above information, the current completion of your degree will be calculated to determine your milestone payments.

To receive milestone payments, you will need to send the department proof that you have completed the required number of credits before each 12.5% milestone payment is made. To calculate your milestone payments:

1. Check the total number of credit points required to complete your degree (including Recognised Prior Learning and Transfer of Credits).
2. Divide this by 8.
3. This number is how many credit points you are required to complete before each 12.5% payment milestone.
4. Check subjects that were completed, through recognised prior learning or as part of the degree, before the start of the scholar's award, as these will not attract a payment.

When payments are made

Initial payment

If a scholar submits their SmartyGrants form by the due date provided by the department, with their documents showing enrolment past the census date, please allow approximately 4 weeks after the due date to receive your payment. Information provided after the due date may result in a delayed payment.

Milestone payments

All of the correct documents must be submitted by the end of February, July and November each year. After submitting the correct documentation, you can expect to receive your payment about one month from each of these dates.

A scholar who submits the correct documentation after February, July or November, will receive their payment in the following payment period.

If a scholar submits the wrong documentation, and is unable to correct this before the payment period ends, this may result in a delayed payment, or payment may be made in the following period.

Census date

The census date is the last day students are able to withdraw from subjects and courses without paying tuition fees. Census dates vary depending on where you are studying, so ensure you check your university or education provider’s website for the correct date.

Examples are provided below:

Documentation needed for payment

You will need to provide your unofficial/online academic transcript through SmartyGrants to prove your enrolment and completion of credits. You can access this online or in person from your university or education provider.

You can access the following unofficial transcripts through your university portals, for example:

University of New England (Unit Results)

The UNE website should support you to access this information.

Charles Sturt University (Online Record of Results)

To get access, click here and scroll down to view your online transcript and click the box “View your online transcript”.

SmartyGrants

The SmartyGrants form will be structured in line with the payment structure. The form will be open ended and will prompt what documentation is required in line with the payment milestone. You will need to submit the form, with the correct documentation before a payment can be generated.

Uploading documents to SmartyGrants

To receive payments the following documentation will be required to be uploaded to SmartyGrants:

Contact us

If you have any questions please get in touch:

Email: ecec.scholarships@det.nsw.edu.au

Phone: 1800 619 113.