From the big exam to the big event, we’ll be in your corner every step of the way. Learn about how the Elite Athlete and Performer Program (EAPP) works at ACU, including applying and enrolling, timetabling, and academic and financial support.

We’re here to help you redefine success

We know it’s difficult to balance university study, training and performing. That’s why our elite athletes and performers have access to a range of support services, academic resources, and funding opportunities.

But how does the Elite Athlete and Performer Program (EAPP) work, exactly? To get the ball rolling, we’ve compiled a list of the key things you need to know.

Applying and enrolling

Learn about EAPP application and enrolment details, including adjustment factors, enrolling, scheduling and timetabling. 

As part of the EAPP, you may be offered up to five adjustment factors to your entry score. 

These points will be added to your ATAR for admission to ACU depending on the performance level achieved and the recognition granted to the sport/performing art and its governing body. 

This is in recognition of competition/performing commitments which may have impacted your high school academic performance and to assist you in gaining entry into your chosen course.

Please note: There is a maximum of 12 adjustment factor points applied across all schemes.

When you receive your offer to study at ACU you need to enrol into your units to finalise your acceptance of your offer.

Learn how to accept and enrol

You can enrol into your units through Student Connect. To get started, visit Student Connect and login. 

Login to Student Connect

If you need help enrolling through Student Connect, visit how to enrol on the ACU Student Portal. Please note that you will need to login with your student details. 

How to enrol, re-enrol or change your enrolment

EAPP members receive priority class allocation, which means you will receive your first preference when completing your class selection. This is available to continuing students, so to maintain this benefit be sure to reapply to the EAPP each year.

Timetable preferencing must be completed in the relevant class selection period to receive priority allocation status.

Timetabling for commencing students

Students starting at ACU will be given an automatically generated timetable for their first semester as soon as they enrol.

Watch the ‘Welcome to your ACU timetable’ video to help you understand your timetable and learn how to navigate Allocate+, ACU's timetabling and class selection tool. You will use Allocate+ in future terms to select your preferred classes.

If your allocated timetable clashes with your training commitments, you can adjust your timetable through Allocate+. If you have any difficulty, contact the EAPP and we will be able to assist you.

Watch the Adjust your timetable video

To learn more about how timetabling works, visit the 'Course timetable' link below.

Course timetable

Timetabling for continuing students

After you have added your units, continuing students will need to submit their class preferences during the timetable preferencing period. To receive EAPP priority class allocation and maximise your timetabling benefits you MUST submit your class preferences in the preferencing window. Timetabling competed outside of this period will not receive EAPP priority allocation benefits, meaning that the EAPP cannot guarantee the outcome of requests made outside of this period.

Timetabling preferencing is completed via Allocate+

Allocate+ via Student Portal

Timetable dates 

Scheduling and Unit Outlines

As an EAPP member we understand you may have commitments from time to time that clash with your attendance or assessments/exams. As an EAPP member, you may be able to negotiate your study schedule and assessments where practical due to your elite sporting or performing commitments.

It’s important at the start of each semester to sit down and plan out your commitments. If you have clashes with your sporting/performing and university commitments, you should contact the EAPP & your course coordinator as early as possible.

To plan your semester be sure to review your timetable, unit outline and training/performing schedule.

View your units and courses

Unit information including current and completed units – can be found on Canvas. Your unit outline will outline learning objectives, what content you will cover, learning resources and assessment items, including due dates. Be sure to put these dates in your planner and cross check against sporting commitments early.

To access Canvas, visit the Student Portal or login to the Canvas website.

Login to Canvas

If you want to withdraw from a unit, you can do so through Student Connect. 

Make sure you’re aware of the census date, which is the last date for changing your enrolment. After census you will incur financial penalties when dropping your unit. Between census and the last day of teaching you can withdraw from a unit without academic penalty.

Before withdrawing from a unit, contact the EAPP staff and your course coordinator. We may be able to assist you with tutoring or flexible options to continue with your unit.

To get started, visit Student Connect and login, or you can learn more about census dates or our withdrawing instructions. 

Login to Student Connect

Learn more about census dates

How to withdraw from a unit

Academic support

Find out about the academic resources available to our EAPP students, including taking a break from study, special consideration, and academic skills.

If you’re a current student and you have received final results for at least one semester in your course, you can apply to take a break from your studies. This is done by submitting an ‘Application for Interruption of Study’ on Student Connect.

Please consult with your course coordinator and EAPP staff before applying for an Interruption of Study, so that we can collectively consider all options available.

To get started, visit Student Connect and login. You can also learn more about taking a break from your studies and returning after an interruption on the ACU Student Portal.

Login to Student Connect

Taking a break from your studies

If you are going to miss class due to your sporting or performing commitments, it’s important to be proactive. Email your lecturer in charge and explain your absence as soon as possible before the absence occurs.

Please attach supporting documentation from your coach or manager, as well as your Proof of EAPP Membership letter, to verify that you will be away for sporting or performance commitments – and copy in the EAPP, elite.athleteprogram@acu.edu.au.

Extended absence

If you’re away for an extended period, such as two weeks or more, you’ll need to apply for special consideration. 

If you know you will miss an extended period of the semester or you have commitments come up due to selection during the semester, talk to the EAPP team who can assist you with applying for special consideration.

You’ll also need to discuss with your lecturer to find out how you can make up the missed assessment or attendance – or consider withdrawing from the unit depending on timing.

If you don't think you can submit your assignment by the due date due to sporting or performing commitments, you can apply for an extension. 

This is done by completing the Application for an Extension of Time for an Assessment Task (EX) form prior to the due date and lodging it with your lecturer in charge.

You’ll also need to attach a supporting letter (on official letterhead) from your coach or manager as well as your Proof of EAPP Membership letter and copy in the EAPP via elite.athleteprogram@acu.edu.au.

If it’s after the due date, you’ll need to check if you can apply for special consideration.

Apply for an extension by downloading, filling out and returning the Application for an Extension of Time for an Assessment Task (EX) form. The form can be found on Student Connect under ‘all forms’.

You may be eligible for special consideration if you experience one of the following circumstances during a study period:

  • a temporary or permanent disability 
  • an illness or other unforeseen or exceptional circumstance
  • extended absence from your sporting or performing commitments (three to four weeks).

Apply for special consideration by downloading, filling out and returning the Application for Special Consideration (SC) form. The form can be found on Student Connect under ‘all forms’.

You can defer one or more exams – including school-based or mid-semester exams – if your absence will be due to sporting or performing commitments such as a competition/performance, event or training camp.

It’s important that you be proactive; the sooner you inform your lecturer about the absence, the more time there will be to put a plan in place.

For school based and mid semester exams:

Read your unit outline to see the schools’ rules on applying for and submitting a deferred exam request. The unit outline will tell you who you need to submit the required documentation to. I.e., your lecturer in charge, school admin or course coordinator.

To apply to defer your exams you will need to:

  • Complete an Application for Special Consideration (SC) form
  • Attached a support letter from your sporting or performing organisation (on official letterhead) verifying that you’ll be away on exam day due to your commitments
  • Submit to your schools preferred contact (refer to unit outline)
  • Copy in the elite athlete program to your request

For end of semester central exams:

You can apply to defer an exam at the deferred exams section of the Student Portal. Please note: You will need to login with your student details.

You will be required to upload support letter from your sporting or performing organisation (on official letterhead) verifying that you’ll be away on exam day due to your commitments. Applications without support documentation will not be approved.

Deferred exams (Student Portal)

Don’t hesitate to contact the EAPP if you need further support with this process. Get in touch by emailing elite.athleteprogram@acu.edu.au

The Academic Skills Unit offers resources for building the skills and strategies you need to realise your academic potential. We provide support and opportunities to develop your skills in maths and numeracy as well as academic language and learning at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. All services are fully online.

Academic Skills Advisors are available Monday to Friday. Please contact the Academic Skills Unit at academicskills@acu.edu.au to discuss the options available to you. All students can also access 24/7 online study support including Writing Feedback and Connect Live.

A range of online resources and information about the services are available at Academic Skills Unit on Canvas.

Services are confidential and offered free of charge to all enrolled ACU students.

Academic Skills Advisors often work with your lecturers and tutors to tailor learning resources to particular disciplines. You may find online ASU resources in the Canvas units for your subjects.

Academic Skills Unit (ASU)

Financial support

We offer financial scholarships and travel subsidies to eligible elite athletes and performers on an annual basis.

2023 EAPP Scholarship Information

ACU offers financial support to eligible elite athletes and performers. All members of the EAPP (approved annually via application and receipt of acceptance letter) are eligible to apply for Scholarships and Travel Subsidies.

EAPP Scholarships are a financial assistance grant designed to support you with expenses related to your sporting or performing and academic career.  

Annual EAPP Scholarship grants are valued between $1,000-$5,000 depending on your level of representation. Scholarship values are awarded at the discretion of the Australian Catholic University with the endorsement of the Elite Athlete and Performer Program Advisory Committee.

Full Scholarships are paid in two equal instalments after census each semester.

EAPP Accommodation Scholarships

The EAPP Accommodation Scholarships are designed to support athletes and performers who require accommodation during their studies. This scholarship is open to current and commencing students.

Scholarship value: the scholarship will match the EAPP award amount and be credited against any two-semester or 12-month rental agreement at any of ACU’s student accommodation in SydneyCanberra or Ballarat.

Obligations of Scholarship recipients for 2023:

Scholarship recipients will be required to fulfil the following commitments to receive their financial contribution: 

Academic Requirements
  • Maintain a minimum academic standing (GPA 4)
  • Remain enrolled at ACU for both Semesters – Scholarships are paid post census date biannually 
  • Remain enrolled in one semester for half scholarships, payment is made post census date.
Athletic Requirements
  • Represent ACU at UniSport Nationals or UniSport International endorsed event as an athlete, coach or mentor unless elite sporting commitment prevents this 
  • The recipient needs to meet EAPP eligibility requirements
  • Attendance at a minimum of one (1) EAPP specific event
Promotional Requirements
  • Volunteer at a minimum of one (1) EAPP or ACUSPORT related events (e.g. Open Day, Market day or Orientation) and/or community engagement or ACU appearances.
  • Provide a student athlete profile and photo for web and print media
  • Commit to a minimum of three (3) social media posts across Instagram or Facebook at sport events or university events tagging in @ACUSPORT including hashtags #ACUSport and #ACUEAPP
  • Understand and adhere to the ACU Social Media Policy
 Agreement

 

You’re also able to apply for additional funding of up to $1,000 annually to assist with travel and accommodation when competing/performing at events. This financial assistance will be given at the discretion of the university upon application with supporting documentation of approaching competition. Applications must be lodged within 30 days of returning from the event, are assessed in 3 rounds per year and can be made by current EAPP members on ACULife from the start of semester one.

Apply for an EAPP travel subsidy

If you represent ACU at national and/or international events endorsed by Uni Sport, you may be entitled to subsidised fees.

To find out more, get in touch with the EAPP.

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