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FEE-HELP Loan If you are an Australian Citizen or a holder of a permanent humanitarian visa you may be eligible for assistance under the Australian Government program called FEE-HELP. What is 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. Who is eligible? - Australian citizen (as from 1st January 2013 Australian citizens commencing their studies must undertake at least one subject in Australia)
- Permanent humanitarian visa holder living in Australia for the duration of your program
- Permanent visa holder who is enrolled in bridging study for overseas-trained professionals and living in Australia for the duration of the program.
How do I submit an application? - 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 – https://estudent.bond.edu.au/eStudentProd/login.aspx
- You will need your SID and password (Date of birth – ddmmyyyy) for your initial login
- Select FEE-HELP form tab
- Enter details including your tax file number and submit the form online
- DO NOT print the form as it won’t be accepted
When do I need to submit the form? 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. Is there a limit on how much can be borrowed under FEE-HELP? Yes, as an Australian student you have a maximum limit you can borrow. This is only available once in your lifetime. Once you have utilised the maximum amount, you will not be eligible to borrow any more even if you have made repayments to the Tax Office. In 2013 the maximum limit is $93,204 for all programs except Medicine, which will have a limit of $116,507. The limit is indexed according to CPI each year. The following are examples of how the lifetime limit is managed using the 2013 rates: Example 1 Maximum lifetime limit | $93,204.00 | Student completed 8 subjects at Bond College. Amount deferred | -$18760.00 | Student enrols in Bachelor of Business at Bond University. Balance available for Bachelor program (Max limit minus amount deferred at Bond College) | =$74,444.00 |
Example 2 Maximum lifetime limit | $93,204.00 | Student completed some subjects while enrolled in Bachelor of Commerce degree. Amount deferred | -$35,000.00 | Student changes program to Bachelor of Laws, balance available for Law (Max limit minus amount already deferred for Commerce) | =$58,204.00 |
Example 3 Maximum lifetime limit | $93,204.00 | Student completed a Bachelor of Biomedical Science. Amount deferred | $92,784.00 | Student commences Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery program | | Maximum lifetime limit for Medicine | $116, 507.00 | FEE-HELP amount available for Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery program (Max. Limit for Medicine minus amount utilised for Biomedical Science) | =$23,303.00 |
How do I check my balance? Each semester you are sent a Commonwealth Assistance Notice (CAN). This is sent within 28 days of the Census date and you have 14 days to advise of any mistakes. I’ve taken out a FEE-HELP loan before/checking FEE-HELP balance If you’ve used the scheme before, it’s your responsibility to make sure you have enough balance left for your new course. Students will be required to submit a CAN statement outlining all previous tuition fees deferred to FEE-HELP. If you want to check your balance you will require your CHESSN number, which is located in the top right-hand corner of your CAN statement. You can then access your details at the link below: Is a loan fee applied to FEE-HELP? Yes, the government imposes a 25% administrative 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. Repaying your FEE-HELP debt You will need to start repaying your FEE-HELP loan when your repayment income reaches a certain level, which in 2013 is $49,096. 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. Is there an incentive for voluntary repayments? Yes. Voluntary payments over $500 attract a 5% discount. Application to re-credit FEE-HELP 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
- What are Special Circumstances?
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 Industry, Innovation, Science Research and Tertiary Education (DIISRTE). 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.
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