Fee-Help Loan

If you are an Australian Citizen or a holder of a permanent humanitarian visa you might be eligible for assistance under the Australian Government program called FEE-HELP.

 

FEE-HELP is an interest free loan that helps eligible fee paying students pay their tuition fees. The accumulated debt is indexed according to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). FEE-HELP applies to undergraduate study and postgraduate coursework and research study.

 

·         Australian citizen

·         Permanent humanitarian visa holder living in Australia for the duration of your course

·         Permanent visa holder who is enrolled in bridging study for overseas-trained professionals and living in Australia for the duration of the course.

 

If you have received an offer from Bond University and have your Student Identification Number (SID) you can submit a Fee-Help application on-line using your eStudent account -(https://estudent.bond.edu.au/eStudentProd/login.aspx)

·         locate eStudent via the Bond University homepage

·         use the drop down menu in the top right hand side of the homepage

·          this link will take you directly to eStudent

·          You will need your SID and password (Date of birth – ddmmyyyy) for your initial login

·         Select FEE-HELP form tab

·         Enter details online including your tax file number and submit the form

·         DO NOT print the form as it won’t be accepted

 

Forms must be completed by Friday, Week 2 of the semester of commencement. A new form must be submitted if you change your program of study.

 

Yes in 2011, students will be able to borrow up to a total limit of $86,422 for all programs except Medicine, which will have a $108,029 limit. The limit is indexed according to CPI each year.

 

If you’ve used the scheme before, it’s your responsibility to make sure you have a high enough balance left for your new course.

 

If you are wanting to check your balance you will require your CHESSN number, this can be found in the top right-hand corner of your CAN statement.

 

There is a 25% loan fee for undergraduate study that is charged on each amount deferred at the time of deferral. This 25% loan fee does not count towards the overall loan limit. No loan fee applies to postgraduate study.

You will need to start repaying your Fee-Help loan when your income reaches a certain level. The amount you have to repay is calculated by the Tax Office each year. You should let your employer know you have a Fee-Help debt and they can withhold money from your pay to cover your repayments.

 

Yes. From January 2012 the voluntary repayments bonus for payments over $500 will be reduced from 10% to 5%.

 

Students should submit this form if tuition fees have been deferred through FEE-HELP and the student has withdrawn from the subject after the Census Date due to serious illness or other special circumstances.

·         Student must apply within 12 months after the day of withdrawal from the subject

·         Students must supply a written statement in support of their application

·         Original documents or certified copies must be provided with this application

·         Unsigned applications or those without the necessary supporting documentary evidence will not be processed.

Your application must demonstrate that ‘special circumstances’ applied to your subject cancellation or non-completion or withdrawal from your subject. These follow the guidelines provided by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR). Special circumstances are those that are:

·         Beyond your control, that is, not due to your action or inaction

·         Had their full impact on or after the relevant census date for that subject, including circumstances which occurred before the census date but where the impact worsened or the full effect did not become apparent until after that date

·         Made it impracticable for you to complete the unit during that period.

 

The situation created by the special circumstances must be unusual, uncommon or abnormal. Special circumstances may include:

·         Medical circumstances – a person’s medical condition has arisen or changed to such an extent that he or she is unable to continue studying

·         Family/personal circumstances – Family/personal circumstances beyond your control may arise or become apparent that would make it unreasonable to expect you to undertake study.

·         Employment related circumstances – employment status or arrangements (beyond your control) have changed that make it unreasonable to expect you to undertake study.

·         Program related circumstances – where the provider has changed the subject it had offered so that you are disadvantaged by not being able to complete the subject, or not being given credit towards other programs.

 

The form should be submitted to

                Manager

                Student Administration

                Bond University. Q 4229

You can also submit your application at the Student Administration Office.

 

For more information on FEE-HELP please go online to Study Assist or contact Student Administration (email fee-help@bond.edu.au)