Frequently asked questions
- What courses are available through FEE-HELP?
- How much can I borrow through FEE-HELP?
- How can I find out my FEE-HELP balance?
- Do FEE-HELP loans attract interest?
- When do I start repaying my debt?
- I’m not 18 – can I apply for FEE-HELP?
- When do I need to submit a Request for FEE-HELP Assistance Form?
- How often do I need to submit a Request for FEE-HELP Assistance Form?
- How do I get a tax file number (TFN)?
- What if my tax file number (TFN) is not issued in time for Census Date?
- How do I cancel my Request for FEE-HELP Assistance?
- Can I study Part-time and still access FEE-HELP?
- What does FEE-HELP cover?
- Is Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) available under FEE-HELP?
- What is a Census Date?
- What is an Administration Date?
- What is a Withdrawal Date?
- Do I need to make any payments towards Tuition fees before Census Date?
- Can I make payments to reduce my Tuition Debt prior to Census Date?
- How do I make a payment towards Tuition Fees after Census Date?
- Can I withdraw from my unit/s?
- What happens if Southbank discontinues the program I am enrolled in?
- As an International student am I eligible for FEE-HELP?
- Do I need a Tax File Number TFN?
- What is a CHESSN?
- What is a CAN?
- What do I do if my CAN is incorrect?
- What is EFTSL?
- Where can I get further information?
What courses are available through FEE-HELP?
As a FEE-HELP Provider, Southbank Institute can offer this payment scheme for any Higher Education programs it runs. Our current offering within Higher Education is the Associate Degree in Civil Engineering.
How much can I borrow through FEE-HELP?
The FEE-HELP limit is increased each year according to Consumer Price Index (CPI). The current limit for 2011-2012 is $89, 706.
How can I find out my FEE-HELP balance?
Your FEE-HELP balance is affected by any FEE-HELP and VET FEE-HELP loans. Your current balance is available through the myUniAssist link on www.goingtouni.gov.au. Please contact Southbank Institute if you do not have a record of your CHESSN number to access this information.
Do FEE-HELP loans attract interest?
A FEE-HELP loan is indexed according to CPI (Consumer Price Index) but is otherwise interest-free. A loan fee of 25% will apply to all eligible courses of study. This loan fee is applied to the outstanding tuition fees and resulting FEE-HELP assistance a student receives; however it does not count towards the FEE-HELP limit. For example: A loan of $1,000 will result in a student having to pay back $1,250, but only $1000 will be deducted from the FEE-HELP limit ($89, 706).
When do I start repaying my debt?
You start repaying your FEE-HELP debt when your income is above the minimum repayment threshold for compulsory repayments. The minimum threshold for 2011-2012 is $47, 196, and at this level the repayment rate is 4% of your income. As your income increases so does this percentage.
Also, any Voluntary and compulsory repayments made toward an accumulated FEE-HELP debt are not tax deductible.
I’m not 18 – can I apply for FEE-HELP?
Your age is not a condition of applying for FEE-HELP. If you meet the eligibility criteria as stated you can apply and access this scheme.
When do I need to submit a Request for FEE-HELP Assistance form?
A Request for FEE-HELP Assistance form must be lodged on or before the Census Date, however if the form is lodged after the Administration Date a Late Enrolment Fee will be charged ($50).
How often do I need to submit a Request for FEE-HELP Assistance form?
A Request for FEE-HELP Assistance form only needs to be lodged once for each course of study (program). If you change your course of study, a new Request for FEE-HELP form must be lodged with Southbank Institute.
How do I get a tax file number (TFN)?
If you do not have a TFN, you will need to complete a Tax file number application or enquiry for an individual form, available from the Tax Office website www.ato.gov.au.
It is essential to apply early as this can take up to 28 days to be supplied.
What if my tax file number (TFN) is not issued in time for Census Date?
If you have applied for a TFN but not received it within 10 days of the Census Date you should request a Certificate of application for a tax file number from the Tax Office.
You must then quote your TFN to Southbank Institute within 21 days of receiving your TFN.
How do I cancel my Request for FEE-HELP Assistance?
If you choose to pay your tuition fees upfront there is no need to cancel your Request for FEE-HELP Assistance form.
If you are wishing to cancel your Request for FEE-HELP Assistance for any other reason you may do so by notifying Southbank Institute of Technology at any time up to or on the Census Date.
Can I study Part-time and still access FEE-HELP?
Yes.
What does FEE-HELP cover?
FEE-HELP can cover all or part of your tuition fees, i.e. you can choose to apply it to all or part of your unit of study debt. FEE-HELP provides a loan for tuition fees only, and does not cover additional text books, equipment, travel, tools, accommodation or general living expenses.
Is Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) available under FEE-HELP?
RPL is not available under Higher Education programs.
What is a Census Date?
The Census Date is the closing date by which you must apply for FEE-HELP assistance, and the final date that you can withdraw from a unit of study without incurring financial liability, and as such a debt to the Commonwealth Government.
What is an Administration Date?
The Administration Date is set earlier than the Census Date by which time you are required to enrol or lodge your Request for FEE-HELP Assistance, or be charged the Late Enrolment Fee. This is also the date by which time you should make any changes to your enrolment, including withdrawal, or pay the Change Enrolment Fee.
What is a Withdrawal Date?
The Withdrawal Date is 21 days before close of study, and is the final date to withdraw without academic penalty, i.e. a fail grade.
Do I need to make any payments towards tuition fees before Census Date?
No, however all incidental fees (including fines) must be paid on enrolment.
Can I make payments to reduce my tuition debt prior to Census Date?
Yes, you can make payments to Southbank Institute at any time prior to the Census Date. This will reduce the overall balance that will be transferred to the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) and payable via the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). The balance remaining at Census Date attracts the 25% DEEWR Loan Fee.
How do I make a payment towards tuition fees after Census Date?
Repaying your FEE-HELP loan occurs through the taxation system once your income reaches the minimum threshold for compulsory repayments. You can elect to make voluntary repayments of any amount at any time to the ATO. These voluntary repayments are in addition to compulsory repayments. For any voluntary payments over $500 you will receive a 10% discount.
Can I withdraw from my unit/s?
You may at any time during a semester, cancel enrolment for the semester or amend it by withdrawing from one or more units of study.
However, the cancellation of enrolment may be subject to academic penalty and/or financial penalty as follows:
- Withdrawal from unit/s of study or change of enrolment prior to the Administration Date:
- no academic penalty; and
- no financial penalty.
- Withdrawal from unit/s of study or change of enrolment after the Administration Date but before the Census Date:
- no academic penalty
- no financial penalty.
- Withdrawal from unit/s of study or change of enrolment after the Census Date but prior to the Withdrawal Date:
- no academic penalty
- full financial liability to the Commonwealth Government.
- Withdrawal from unit/s of study or change of enrolment after the Census Date and after the Withdrawal Date:
- academic penalty
- full financial liability to the Commonwealth Government.
For further information please view our FEE-HELP Tuition Fee Refund Policy
What happens if Southbank discontinues the course of study I am enrolled in?
Tuition Assurance is an arrangement between Southbank Institute and an external party intended to protect you in the event that Southbank Institute ceases to provide a course of study in which you are enrolled.
Under this arrangement you are offered a choice of enrolling with another provider in a similar course or receiving a refund of upfront payments or re-credit of FEE-HELP balance.
Southbank Institute is committed to protecting students through an arrangement for tuition assurance with TAFE Director’s Australia. For further information please access our tuition assurance statement.
As an International student am I eligible for FEE-HELP?
No, an applicant must be an Australian citizen or permanent humanitarian visa holder who will be a resident in Australia for the duration of the unit of study.
Do I need a Tax File Number (TFN)?
You will need to meet certain Tax File Number (TFN) requirements in order to be eligible for FEE-HELP assistance. This includes the requirement to provide your TFN when completing and signing the Request for FEE-HELP Assistance form. If you choose not to provide your TFN, you will not be entitled to FEE-HELP.
If you do not have a TFN then you should obtain a Certificate of Application for a Tax File Number from the Australian Tax Office (ATO), and provide this to Southbank Institute on or before the Census Date. If you cannot quote your TFN or do not supply a Certificate of Application for a Tax File Number on or before the Census Date, you will not be entitled to FEE-HELP.
The Southbank Institute uses students’ Tas File Numbers to provide advice to the ATO regarding the amount of each student’s FEE-HELP loan.
What is a CHESSN?
The Commonwealth Higher Education Student Support Number (CHESSN) is a unique identifier used to track individual student FEE-HELP balances and the recording of FEE-HELP debt. This is used by Southbank Institute in communications with the Australian Government.
What is a CAN?
Southbank Institute will issue each student who has submitted the Application for FEE-HELP Assistance with a Commonwealth Assistance Notice (CAN). This will outline enrolments and associated FEE-HELP debt for the enrolment period.
Your CAN is your record of what debt has been transferred to the Australian Government by Southbank Institute. You should keep a record of all CANs sent to you, as it is your responsibility to be aware of your FEE-HELP balance.
What do I do if my CAN is incorrect?
If you have identified an error with your Commonwealth Assistance Notice (CAN) you will need to submit in writing for the notice to be corrected. This request must be made within 14 days of the issue date on the original CAN. Once Southbank Institute is satisfied that the information in the notice is not, or has ceased to be, correct, Southbank Institute will issue a further CAN to you setting out the correct information.
What is EFTSL?
Equivalent Full Time Study Load (EFTSL) value for a unit of study represents the study load for that unit. A study load for a unit of study is expressed as a proportion of the standard study load for one full time year of the course of study of which it forms a part. The value for units of study undertaken by a full time student doing a standard study load for one year normally adds up to 1.0. Students doing less or more would have an aggregate EFTSL value reflecting this. E.g. 0.5 or 1.2.
Where can I get further information?
For detailed information, including a ‘FEE-HELP Information booklet’, please refer to the following Australian Government website:
www.goingtouni.gov.au or contact us at Southbank Institute of Technology.
Last updated 11 January, 2012