Financial assistance

Going to Uni

The Australian Government's 'Going to Uni' website provides information about fees, loans and scholarships associated with study at university. It also contains information about higher education reforms that affect students.

HECS-HELP

Since 1 January 2005, Commonwealth-supported places have replaced HECS places. Eligible students have access to HECS-HELP assistance. This allows students to request a HECS-HELP loan and defer payments through the Australian Taxation Office, or to receive a HECS-HELP discount for upfront payments over $500. Information for Commonwealth Supported Students is available online at:

FEE-HELP

FEE-HELP is a loan scheme for eligible full-fee-paying domestic students. Under this scheme students can borrow up to the amount of the tuition fees being charged for units of study. Over a lifetime the FEE-HELP maximum limit is $81,600. Students who access FEE-HELP for a full-fee undergraduate place also incur a 20 per cent loan fee. FEE-HELP Information is available online at:

Commonwealth Higher Education Student Support Number (CHESSN)

All Commonwealth-supported students and FEE-HELP students are issued with a Commonwealth Higher Education Student Support Number (CHESSN). The CHESSN is a unique identifier that tracks an individual's student learning entitlement and use of Commonwealth assistance (including HECS-HELP). As a condition of enrolment, students provide informed consent for the University to share their personal information with the Department of Employment, Science and Training so that the University can comply with legislative requirements. The information provided by students is used to generate the CHESSN. The CHESSN stays with students for their academic life and provides them with a way to track their student learning entitlement and HELP loans. Students can access their CHESSN information online at:

OS-HELP

OS-HELP is a loan scheme that helps eligible Commonwealth-supported students undertake some of their study overseas. The scheme provides up to $5,299 (in 2008) per six-month study period for up to two study periods to help students with a range of expenses such as airfares and accommodation. Further information is available online at:

Commonwealth Scholarships

Commonwealth Scholarships assist Commonwealth-supported students from low socioeconomic backgrounds who are Australian citizens or holders of permanent humanitarian visas with costs associated with higher education. There are two types of scholarships: Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarships ($2,162 per year for up to four years) and Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarships for students from rural and regional areas ($4,324 per year for up to four years). Further information is available online at:

Austudy/Youth Allowance

There are two major Commonwealth Government benefits for tertiary students: Austudy and Youth Allowance. Both are income and assets tested. Austudy is for students aged 25 and over when commencing a course, while Youth Allowance is for students up to 25 years old. Youth Allowance recipients may be eligible for a rent allowance. Details of these and other Centrelink benefits are available online at:

Commonwealth legislation sets strict requirements for Austudy and Youth Allowance over which the University has no control. It is important that students understand these requirements.

Students who receive Austudy or Youth Allowance and decide to drop subjects during the semester must be aware that to remain eligible they must be enrolled in a minimum of 18 credit points, or have a HECS liability for the semester of .375 equivalent full-time student units. Exceptions may be made for some students with disabilities which impact on their studies, students who are single supporting parents or, in exceptional cases, those who have been directed by the University to reduce their study load.

Application forms and information about eligibility for both Austudy and Youth Allowance are available from the Student Services Unit at City and Kuring-gai campuses.

Application forms for both Austudy and Youth Allowance should be lodged as soon as possible with any Centrelink office.

For more information, talk to a Financial Assistance Officer in the Student Services Unit. Call for an appointment on:

Abstudy

Abstudy assists Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tertiary students by providing income support and other assistance. For more information about Abstudy, contact the staff at Jumbunna Indigenous House of Learning: