Many university students find their financial situation a daily struggle. The Student and Financial Advocacy Officer* (SFAO) is available on campus to provide information and assistance on all things financial and can help you find ways to improve your financial situation, e.g.:

• See if you are eligible for government assistance (Centrelink, Concessions)
• Negotiate repayment arrangements with your creditors
• Explain your options and their consequences, including debt recovery procedures, bankruptcy and other alternatives
• Help you apply for a hardship variation on any loans
• Help you organise your finances and do a budget
• Refer you to other services, for example, a gambling helpline, family support, personal counselling or community legal aid

The SFAO can also help with the following:

• Debts that you are struggling to pay
• Threatening letters or harassment by debt collectors
• Debt recovery through the courts
• House eviction, disconnection of gas, electricity, phone etc
• Uninsured car accidents, taxation debts and unpaid fines

Student Assist provides the following services to students:

• Second Semester Grants, available to students enrolled in second year or above, grant of $500
• Emergency Financial Assistance – supermarket vouchers, food parcels and metro cards
• Interest Free Loans of up to $500

*The SFAO is a full member of the South Australian Financial Counsellors Association (SAFCA)