Struggling to Make Ends Meet? Financial Help is Available on Campus

Written by Fergus Wall. Graphics by Luc Mattiske.

With persistent rent increases, ongoing inflation and alleged supermarket price gouging, more and more students are experiencing financial hardship.

According to the 2023 Australian Youth Barometer report, 90 per cent of surveyed young people experienced financial difficulties in the last 12 months.

At ANU, rents in residential halls have continued to increase and are exempt from ACT rent increase caps.

Meanwhile, Canberrans are experiencing the highest inflation since 2011, excluding pandemic highs. The items becoming disproportionately more expensive are often those we can’t choose to forego, such as housing, energy, food, transport and fuel. 

Observer has compiled some of the financial support available on campus. Eligibility criteria often apply, so we recommend speaking to the providers to see whether you qualify.

ANUSA

The ANU Student Association’s Student Assistance Team is experienced in helping students in financial hardship and is a good first port of call. They can assess eligibility for ANUSA-provided grants, assist in applying for others and provide referrals to other helpful services. They can be contacted online, by phone on (02) 6125 2444, or in-person through the Brian Kenyon Student Space (BKSS) or the ANUSA Office in the Di Riddell Building in Kambri.

ANUSA provides some grants for enrolled ANU students experiencing financial hardship, including:

• Up to 20 Transport Canberra vouchers per semester
• Up to $50 in Coles Grocery Vouchers per semester 
• Up to $500 in Assistance Grants per year
• Up to $300 in Medical Grants per semester 
• A one-off Carer’s Grant of up to $1000 
• Assistance with graduation ceremony regalia hire 
• Short-term emergency accommodation
• 50% reimbursement of the cost of birth control, with the ANU Women’s* Department. 

ANUSA details the eligibility conditions and application process for these grants on their website. They typically require proof of enrolment and in some cases, bank statements.

ANUSA’s Free Services

In addition to grants, ANUSA provides several free services to students. This includes free legal advice, up to 5 free Food Co-op lunch vouchers per year, and free and confidential advice regarding academic issues, misconduct allegations, health and financial wellbeing.

The BKSS provides free breakfasts and has a limited free lunch every Monday to Friday at 1pm. They also provide free groceries, some contraception, menstruation products and a mutual aid shelf for students to donate and collect donations of household goods.

All ANU-affiliated clubs must provide free tickets for low-income students to be eligible for ANUSA event funding. Eligibility is self-identified, meaning the club will not ask for any supporting documentation. ANUSA covers any foregone ticket revenue with an inclusive events grant.

Elected ANUSA members also run programs to make studying more affordable, such as the ANUSA College of Law Representatives’ textbook swap earlier this year. To keep up to date with college specific events, follow your relevant ANUSA College.

ANU and Residential Halls

The ANU provides several bursaries and scholarships for students experiencing financial assistance which can be found on the scholarship portal. Some of these are college-specific, while others are university-wide. The best way to find and apply for these grants is to first consult with ANUSA.

Some examples include

• The ANU Book Bursary jointly assessed by ANU and ANUSA 
• The Student Urgent Relief Bursary (SURF under this policy) of up to $2000
• The Emergency Accommodation Bursary of up to 52 weeks of rental assistance
• The School of Art and Design (SoAD) Hardship Bursary of up to $3000 for SoAD students.

The ANU also runs Community Connect to help students in financial need. This includes the Food Relief Pantry for students, which now requires students to apply through an online form. There are also free period packs in five Dignity Vending Machines around campus. Community Connect can also provide the following to eligible domestic undergraduates through this form: 

• Access to the Food Relief pantry 
• A surface parking permit 
• A $200 once-off Financial Support Grant
• A Textbook Grant of $100 per semester
• A 12 months’ ANU Sport membership
• A 12 months’ Griffin Hall membership.

Additionally, many residential halls offer internal bursaries and rent assistance, which are best found by contacting your halls’ reception.

Other Services

Volunteering ACT’s Community Info Hub can refer you to support services in the Canberra region and is your best first contact. They can be reached at (02) 6248 7988 or in-person. They have several extensive guides of support services, including for food relief, homelessness, crisis support, op shops and legal services.

The ACT Government’s Rent Relief Program can provide up to 4 weeks’ rent for ACT tenants and occupants if you have an income less than $54,643 and you either:

• Pay more than 30% of your income on rent and you have less than $5000 in liquid assets; or
• Have less than $3000 in liquid assets.

For eligibility criteria, contact Care Financial Counselling, who administer the program, or visit their website.

While these resources do not solve the cost of living crisis, they may ease the financial challenges of student life.

Disclaimer

While Observer endeavours to represent the available resources and their criteria as accurately as possible, please refer to the service providers for individualised advice and referral as these resources may be incomplete, subject to funding limits or outdated at time of reading.

Support Services and Contacts

Access and Inclusion: 02 6125 5036 or [email protected]

ANU Counselling: 02 6125 2211or 02 6178 0455 or [email protected]

ANU Student and Wellbeing: 02 6125 2211 or [email protected] or visit the Health and Wellbeing Centre

ANU Health: 02 6125 3598 or 02 6178 0400

ANU 24/7 Crisis Support Line: Call 1300 05 0327 or Text 0488 884 170

Access Mental Health (ACT): 1800 629 354

Lifeline: 13 11 14

*Women is not an exclusive term and includes individuals with a uterus.

Graphics by Luc Mattiske.