Student Accommodation Allowance for Senior Secondary Students (SAA)

Purpose

The Students Accommodation Allowance for Senior Secondary Students (SAA) provides financial support to students who must live away from their usual home, located in the State of Tasmania, in order to commence or continue their education at an approved senior secondary school or college. The allowance is limited to a maximum period of two years (e.g. year 11 and 12), unless special circumstances exist. The Allowance is non-taxable and not subject to a means test. A new application form is required each year.

Eligibility

An accommodation allowance is payable to students enrolled on a full-time basis (i.e. enrolled at least 600 contact hours) who, because of the distance between their normal residence in Tasmania and the closest senior secondary establishment in Tasmania (special provisions apply for students from Bass Strait Islands) offering their chosen course of study, are required to utilise closer alternative accommodation. The distance used in determining eligibility is 40 kilometres. Students who are living at or near their normal home are not eligible for the allowance. This allowance is only payable to students whose parents/guardians are permanent residents of Tasmania. Other conditions apply and these are included in the Guidelines for the scheme which are attached to the application form.

Recipient(s)

1. Parents or legal guardians of students under 18 years of age.

2. Students 18 years of age or over may apply in writing to receive the allowance in their own name.

Benefits

An allowance of $1,050 a year is payable to students who study for the full year. Pro-rata grants apply for students who do not study for the full year and also for applicants who lodge their application form after 28 April 2006.

Means Test

Not applicable.

Payment Frequency

Four times a year - 29 March, 11 May, 10 August and 28 September.

Closing Date

28 April 2006. For applications submitted after the closing date pro-rata entitlements apply from the date the application is received by the Department.

Further Information

Please see the application form for the Accommodation Allowance for Senior Secondary Students (SAA) Scheme which includes the ‘Eligibility Conditions’ for the the scheme.

Application forms are available from all senior secondary schools and colleges, the Department of Education, Service Tasmania shops and Centrelink Offices within Tasmania.

Enquiries

For further enquiries contact:

Financial Assistance Unit

Department of Education

GPO Box 169

HOBART 7001

Telephone: (03) 6233 7041

Facsimile: (03) 6233 7720

Email: central.office.reception@education.tas.gov.au