Academic and Financial Advocacy

Overview

The Student Advocacy service is a free, independent, and confidential service available to all enrolled students at Finders University. Our primary role is to provide students with academic and financial advocacy and financial welfare, we do this by providing information, advice, and support.

We work in the best interests of students, whether individuals or groups by ensuring that students are fairly represented, both with University staff and external services. We do this by providing relevant information, referrals, advice and acting as an advocate on matters relating to University Policy and Procedures and with external services where students require financial advocacy.

Case management

The number of student cases increased in 2019 to 756, up from 622 in 2018 (21% increase). Each student case involves one or more ‘issues’, which are broadly classified as Academic, Financial or Welfare in nature. It should be noted that a case may have multiple issues, including both academic and financial.

The 2019 caseload generated 861 issues. This consisted of 478 Academic issues represented 55% of the total caseload, 378 Financial issues representing 44% of the total caseload and 5 Welfare issues making up 1% of casework.

Academic advocacy

Advocacy for individual students Of the 478 academic issues, the six most common academic issues were –

• Review of final grade (116|24%) • Remission of fees (80|17%) • Complaint re academic matters (topic/teaching/extension etc) (63|13%) • Placement issues (63|13%) • Remark/Resubmission (41|8%) • Complaint re administration issues (enrolment/resourcing etc) (30|6%)

Financial advocacy

Of the 378 financial issues, the 5 most common financial issues were –

• Emergency financial assistance (142|37%) • Financial Counselling (71|19%) • Financial Hardship Grants (65|19%) • Student Loans (59|16%) • Tuition Fee by Instalments (23|7%)

Financial Counselling

The number of students attending FUSA for Financial Counselling remained steady in 2019 with 71 students being assisted.

Loans

Demand for $500 interest-free student loans increased in 2019, with 59 applications (50 in 2018).

Emergency Financial Assistance (EFA)

Student Assist provide financial assistance to students who are experiencing short term financial difficulty. Our assistance consists of food parcels, supermarket and Foodbank vouchers, Metrocards, petrol and chemist vouchers. Assistance was provided to students on 350 occasions. This was an increase from 238 occasions in 2018 or 47%. Vouchers to the value of $21,606 were distributed to students.

Grants

In 2019 68 students applied for a Financial Hardship Grant worth $500. Student Assist awarded grants to 65 students who met the eligibility criteria. These grants are designed to provide assistance to students who are enrolled in their second year or later and are experiencing financial hardship.

Exam Survival Campaign

During semesters One and Two exam period we ran an “Exam Survival campaign”, we had easy to prepare lunches and snacks available from the FUSA reception area that students could access while studying on campus during the SwotVac and two week exam period. All items provided could be prepared in the on-campus student kitchens. This was popular with students and a budget of $7640 was allocated over two semesters.

Quotes/testimonials

“I can’t thank you enough for advocating for me through the process, I would not be here today without your help”

“Thank you so much for your guidance, support and advocacy. I can’t begin to number the amounts of times I have sung your praises to family and friends and I hope that if I am ever in the same position I will be able to emulate your professionalism and compassion”

“Thanks for providing me the financial assistance and advice, it will help me a lot. Looking forward to next year and the academic/financial opportunities that will bring for me”

“Thank you so much for your time, the letter and your support. It will make a significant difference to my life in years to come. I really appreciate it!”

Highlights for 2019

• Joint FUSA and Student Council presentations to commencing students during O’Week • Financial Capability Workshops in conjunction with OASIS. • Continuing presence at OASIS

Community market, raising awareness of our services

• Collaboration with FUSA Project

Officer regarding Financial

Capability Project and design and delivery of workshops to students • Collaboration with Student

Council and University staff regarding University Policy

Redesign project.