Title: FEE-HELP

Author: Australian Government

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About

FEE-HELP is a loan scheme provided by the Australian Government to assist eligible higher education students to pay their tuition fees. The scheme allows students to borrow funds up to a specified limit to pay for their tuition fees at participating higher education providers.

The loans do not cover additional expenses such as accommodation, laptops, or textbooks. They're solely for tuition fees.

Key requirements for eligibility include being an Australian citizen, a New Zealand Special Category Visa holder meeting specific conditions, or holding a permanent humanitarian visa. Applicants must also be enrolled in an eligible course with a provider that facilitates the loans and meet academic suitability assessments.

Author

The Australian Government is the author of the FEE-HELP guidance material. As the national authority, it designs and implements policies and programs to govern education, including financial assistance for tertiary education. The government aims to ensure accessible, high-quality education for Australian citizens and eligible residents. It provides detailed information and support.

Key Takeaways

  1. FEE-HELP is a loan scheme to assist with paying tuition fees for eligible higher education students.
  2. Loans cover tuition fees but not additional costs such as accommodation or textbooks.
  3. Eligibility criteria include citizenship status, residency requirements, and enrolment in an eligible course at a participating provider.
  4. Applying requires a tax file number, a Unique Student Identifier, and submission of a Request for FEE-HELP loan form by the census date.
  5. The scheme includes a 20% loan fee for most undergraduate courses.

Loans for Postgraduate Courses

Young woman holding Australian currency in medical office

Postgraduate students are eligible for FEE-HELP loans to cover the cost of their tuition fees. Unlike some undergraduate courses, postgraduate courses are exempt from the 20% loan fee.

Students can defer payment of their tuition fees until their income reaches a certain threshold. The document emphasises the importance of understanding the cost of a course. Providers set their own fees and the cost of a course approved for FEE-HELP does not imply a government-endorsed or limited cost.

For 2023-24, repayments start when a person's income reaches $51,550, with no repayment required for incomes below this threshold. As income increases, the repayment rate escalates progressively from 1.0% for incomes between $51,550 and $59,518, up to 10% for incomes of $151,201 and above.

Related: Study Now, Pay Later for Courses | How Much Does an MBA Cost in Australia?

Difference Compared to HECS-HELP

HECS-HELP is for students in Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs). These places are often associated with undergraduate degrees. The government subsidises these students' tuition fees. Students pay the remainder, known as the student contribution amount.

FEE-HELP serves full fee-paying students. This includes postgraduate programs and non-CSP undergraduate courses. FEE-HELP covers the entire tuition fee without government subsidy. Examples are master's degrees, graduate certificates and graduate diplomas.

HECS-HELP applicants must be enrolled in a CSP. They face a lower financial burden due to the subsidy. Eligibility hinges on meeting specific citizenship or visa requirements.

Related: What Is a Masters Degree?