Griffith University currently supports over 300 sponsored students from around the world. Sponsored Students are students who receive financial assistance from a government, organisation or company (not private individuals or relatives) to undertake studies at Griffith University.
The Financial Aid and Sponsorship Office, located in Griffith International, is responsible for providing assistance to sponsored students and to their sponsors.
The Financial Aid and Sponsorship Office provide the following services to registered sponsored students and their sponsors:
- Designated staff members to liaise between sponsor, student and the University
- Assistance to students in fulfilling the requirements of their sponsorship agreements
- Regular contact with students and Faculty staff to monitor academic progress
- Academic results and progress reports at the end of every semester and as requested by sponsors
- Third-party billing for registered sponsors (this process is managed by the University's Finance Office).
The Financial Aid and Sponsorship Office also provide various official statements for students to provide to their sponsor as a requirement of their sponsorship. The following are a list of official statements provided to sponsored students attending Griffith University:
- Student Enrolment Verification
- Request for additional funding for books or resources
- Request for additional funding for travel between campuses
- No Outstanding Fees
- Request to Extend Student's Sponsorship Duration
- Request for additional funding for tutorial support
- Confirmation of Completion - this letter can only be printed after Testamur numbers are placed on the student system. Completion Letters processed before a student has graduated and the Testamur number placed on their official transcript must be processed through Student Administration. There is a minimum of a 10 day processing timeframe for these letters.
Frequently Asked Questions for Sponsored Students
Q: Am I a sponsored student?
A: You are a sponsored student if:
- Your tuition fees are paid by an external government or organisation; and
- Griffith University bills your sponsor directly for your tuition fees
If an organisation/company gives you money to pay for your tuition fees, you are not a sponsored student by Griffith University's definition.
Q: How do I register to be a sponsored student?
A: When accepting your offer, you or your agent need to provide a Financial Guarantee letter from your sponsor to the Griffith International Admissions Team. The International Admissions Team will then review the letter, and if it is approved you will be granted a confirmation of enrolment and be registered as a sponsored student.
Q: What is a Financial Guarantee letter?
A: A financial guarantee letter is an official declaration from your sponsor on their letterhead that they will sponsor you for study at Griffith University. A financial guarantee letter needs to be on sponsoring organisation's letterhead and include:
- Sponsoring Organisation's name and contact details
- Student's name
- University name (ie Griffith University)
- Course name (eg English language courses, Foundation, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Bachelors, Masters, Professional doctorate, PhD)
- Details of sponsorship (ie tuition fees, overseas student health cover single/family)
- Invoicing contact (name, position, address)
- Signed and dated by appropriately authorised representative
Q: How do I accept my offer as a sponsored student?
A: Submit all documents as indicated on the letter of offer and submit a financial guarantee letter.
Q: What is the authority to release information form?
A: The authority to release information form is a document that allows Griffith University to release specific information about your enrolment such as your enrolment status, your fees or your results to a nominated third party, such as your sponsor. You can find the form on this website or obtain from any of the International Office's reception areas.
Q: Do I have to sign a authority to release information form?
A: You don't have to sign a permission to release information form but due to the Australian Privacy Laws, if you don’t fully complete and sign a permission to release information form we are not able to invoice your sponsor or send your results to them.
Q: How do I pay my fees as a sponsored student?
A: Approved sponsors are sent a Griffith University invoice for their sponsored student fees twice a year at the end of April for Semester 1 and the end of September for Semester 2. Sponsors will pay Griffith University directly.
Q: I'm a sponsored student but why haven't I received my Overseas student Health Cover Card?
A: If you accepted your offer just before you arrived, we may not have sent notification to OSHC Worldcare yet. Please visit Griffith International reception, tell them you are a sponsored student and ask if your OSHC has been "disbursed". Then you can apply for your overseas student health cover card online.
Q: How can I send my sponsor my academic results?
A: The Financial Aid and Sponsorship Office will automatically send your sponsor your academic results at the end of each term or semester as long as you have signed a permission to release information form.
Q: Can I change my current Griffith University degree program?
A: You must first obtain permission from your sponsor to change your program. After you have been granted approval to change programs, you should follow one of the processes outlined below:
- Undergraduate students need to complete a Request for an Internal Transfer form with Student Administration and/or
- Postgraduate students need to lodge an application for admissions into the new program with the International Office.
Q: Can the Financial Aid and Sponsorship Office help me contact my sponsor?
A: Yes, if you have already signed and submitted your Authority to Release Information Form.
Q: I have single health cover mentioned in my Financial Guarantee letter but I want to register for family health, can I ask my sponsor to pay for my family's overseas student health cover?
A: You will need to submit a new financial guarantee showing that OSHC is covered for you and your dependents or ask your sponsor to email us at sponsorships@griffith.edu.au giving permission for you to upgrade.
Then, if we have a billing arrangement for your overseas student health cover with your sponsor you can submit a overseas student health cover renewal form at Griffith International and then log on to OSHC Worldcare 2 weeks after this to order your new card.
If your sponsor does not cover overseas student health cover for your dependents, you will have to pay for the upgrade by yourself directly to OSHC Worldcare or your preferred overseas student health cover provider.
Q: I need a letter for my sponsor. Where can I get this letter?
A: Please visit a Griffith International Reception and ask for the "Sponsored Student Official Statement Request" form.
If it is not a letter requested by your sponsor then you will need to submit your request for an official statement form to a Student Administration reception and pay the relevant charge.
Q: My sponsorship is about to end but I haven't finished my course (e.g. I failed a subject and need an extra semester), can I apply for an extension?
A: You will need to submit a new financial guarantee letter from your sponsor for the additional time. Most sponsors will require you to write a letter to them before they give you a new financial guarantee, requesting an extension and stating clear reasons and how long you want to extend. We can help you send this letter if you email us at sponsorships@griffith.edu.au
Q: I submitted my final thesis last week and I am waiting for the correction, but my sponsorship is ended, do I have to pay for the thesis marking period?
A: No, you don't have to pay any extra tuition fee during the thesis marking process but you do need to have a valid student visa. Please contact compliance@griffith.edu.au or the Department of Immigration if you are not sure if your visa is still valid.
Q: I am a sponsored student and I want to cancel my sponsorship (eg if you have been offered another scholarship or you wish to pay your own fees)
A: You may be able to cancel your sponsorship and continue studying but you should check the terms and conditions of your sponsorship carefully before you decide as many sponsors request funds to be repaid if you cancel the sponsorship, particularly if you plan to stay in Australia.
Q: I'd like to become an Australian permanent resident (eg I'm getting married, I'm applying for General Skilled Migration etc), is this permitted by my sponsor?
A: Generally no. Most sponsors do not allow you to change your residence status while you are on a sponsorship. You are usually required to finish your sponsored course and return to your home country as soon as your sponsorship ends. Please check the terms and conditions of your sponsorship carefully.
Q: I've finished my course earlier than expected but my sponsorship end date has one more semester/term to go. Can I stay in Australia?
A: No, you can't stay any longer in Australia if you have finished your course as your visa will expire shortly after you complete your course and both the Depart of Immigration and your sponsor will be notified of your early completion. Please refer to Department of Immigration for details on your visa expiry conditions.