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FEE-HELP Information

FEE-HELP is a loan scheme that assists eligible fee paying domestic students pay all or part of their tuition fees. It cannot be used for additional study costs such as accommodation or text books.

 

Am I eligible for FEE-HELP?

 

Important Information: Changes to Legislation - Higher Education Support Amendment (Student Contribution Amounts and Other Measures) Bill 2012.

 

Recent changes to legislation will impact Australian Citizens who are enrolling for the first time into a new program from 01 January 2013, and who will not be residing in Australia for at least the study period for one unit of study within the program. If you are in this category then you will not be eligible for Commonwealth support and/or HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP loan. You will be charged at the full fee tuition rate as set by the University for your study and will be responsible for the payment of these fees to the University.

 

If you are continuing in your current program you will continue to be eligible for Commonwealth support and HELP loans.

 

If you are a New Zealand citizen, or an Australian permanent resident who will not be located within Australia for the duration of your study, you will not be eligible for Commonwealth assistance.

 

For further information please contact fees@newcastle.edu.au or visit StudyAssist

 

You are eligible for FEE-HELP if you:

  • meet the citizenship and residency requirements:
    • you are an Australian citizen who will be residing in Australia for at least the study period for one unit of study within that program;or
    • a permanent humanitarian visa holder who will be a resident in Australia for the duration of your study within that program; or
    • you are a permanent visa holder who is undertaking bridging study for overseas-trained professionals, and will be resident in Australia for the duration of the study;
  • are enrolled in an eligible unit of study by the census date for that unit;
    have not exceeded the FEE-HELP limit (see below); and
  • have completed a Commonwealth Assistance Form (eCAF) for FEE-HELP as part of your enrolment; and:
  • you must have provided your valid TFN to the University.

How much can I borrow?

 

Eligible students can borrow up to the FEE HELP limit to pay their tuition fees.


For 2012, the FEE HELP limit is $112,134 for students undertaking medicine, dentistry and veterinary science courses (as defined in the Higher Education Support Act 2003), and $89,706 for all other students.


For 2013, the FEE HELP limit is $116,507 for students undertaking medicine, dentistry and veterinary science courses (as defined in the Higher Education Support Act 2003), and $93,204 for all other students.


Note that the higher FEE HELP limit only applies to courses that lead to initial registration to practise in those fields. The lower limit will apply to any further study you undertake once you have gained the requisite level for initial registration.

Is there a loan fee?

 

There is a loan fee of 25% for FEE-HELP loans for undergraduate courses of study only. The loan fee does not count towards your FEE-HELP limit.

 

How do I apply?

 

  • read the Information for FEE-HELP Information booklet; and
  • submit a valid Request for FEE-HELP assistance form (eCAF) by the census date . You can complete your eCAF as part of your enrolment via MyHub.
  • provide your valid TFN to the University

Important Information

 

The submission of an eCAF is related specially to a single program of study. Students must complete a new eCAF upon admission to any new program (including moving from a Graduate Certificate to a Masters).

 

The eCAF must be completed prior to census date in any relevant term. Failure to complete an eCAF will mean that you will be resonsible to pay the tuition fees to the University.

 

Upfront Payments

 

If you choose to pay the tuition fees, you will need to ensure that you have your fees paid by the census date.

 

Up front payments or partial payments do not attract a discount from the University.

Late Payment

The University cannot accept up-front payments after the census date for the semester or trimester. Payments made after the census date will be returned or refunded.  Your enrolment may be placed at risk if you do not pay your fees and have not provided a current eCAF and valid TFN.

 

The amount shown on the Student Bill as Tuition Charges will be deferred to the ATO if you have completed an eCAF and provided a valid TFN, and you are eligible for FEE-HELP.

 

How much do I owe on my HELP loan?

 

HELP debts are managed by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Therefore, for specific information on your HELP debt you will need to contact the ATO on 13 28 61. You can phone the ATO at any time during the year to request a HELP account information statement to get the balance of your account. Be sure to have your tax file number (TFN) handy when you call. The ATO will ask you for it for security purposes before they disclose any personal information to you.


Changing your Degree Program

 

If you change your degree(s) you must complete a new Commonwealth  Assistance Form (CAF). For example, upgrading from a Graduate Certificate to a Graduate Diploma, or Graduate Diploma to a Masters requires a new CAF.

 

Commonwealth Assistance Notice (CAN)

Under the guidelines of the Higher Education Support Act (HESA) 2003, the University must issue a Commonwealth Assistance Notice (CAN) to all Commonwealth Supported (HECS), OS-HELP, SA-HELP and FEE-HELP students after the census date for each term of enrolment. The CAN sets out details of your enrolment, the fees charged, payments received and any amounts deferred to the Australian Taxation Office as a HELP loan.

The CAN is delivered electronically (eCAN) and will be available for viewing on your MyHub page. After the census date in each term of your enrolment you will receive an email from the Student Financials and Scholarships office to advise that your eCAN is available on MyHub. 

You will need to select the View My eCAN link on your MyHub Home Page, located in the My Finances section, to view the details of your CAN.  We recommend that you print a copy of the eCAN for your records. 

Should you not agree with the details of your eCAN you will have 14 days, from the date of issue of your eCAN, in which to appeal the information. You will find a link to the Appeal form on your My Hub page. 

Remission of Debt in Special Circumstances

Students who are unable to continue with their studies due to Special Circumstances, and who withdraw after the Census Date, may be eligible for Remission of Debt in Special Circumstances.

More information can be found in the University's Refund and Student Indebtedness policies and on the Remission in Special Circumstances page.

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