FEE-HELP

What is FEE-HELP?

FEE-HELP is a student loan scheme that is funded by the Commonwealth Government to assist eligible students to pay for all or part of their tuition fees. It is available to students studying in the Bachelor of Traditional Chinese Medicine at SITCM.

A 20 per cent FEE-HELP loan fee applies to each unit of study.

For more information, including on the loan fee that is incurred by FEE-HELP loans, please visit the Study Assist website.

Am I eligible for FEE-HELP assistance?

You are eligible for FEE-HELP assistance for a unit of study if you:

  • Are an Australian citizen who will study at least one unit of study in Australia; or
  • Are a New Zealand Special Category Visa (SCV) holder or permanent humanitarian visa holder and meet the long term residency requirements (see below); and
  • Have not already borrowed up to your HELP loan limit; and
  • Have a tax file number (TFN) or supply a Certificate of Application for a TFN; and
  • Have a Unique Student Identifier (USI).

Residency Requirements

New Zealand Citizens

The long-term residency requirements for New Zealand SCV holders are that you:

  • first began to be usually resident in Australia at least 10 years ago,
  • were a child under the age of 18 with no spouse or de facto partner when you first began to be usually resident in Australia, and
  • have been in Australia for at least eight out of the past 10 years, and at least 18 months out of the last two years (from when you apply for the loan).

Permanent Humanitarian Visa Holders

You must reside within Australia during your study. Residing overseas during your study will make you ineligible for a FEE-HELP loan.

What does FEE-HELP cover?

FEE-HELP is a loan that can cover all or part of your tuition fees.

FEE-HELP does not cover textbooks, equipment, travel, tools, accommodation, general living expenses or incidental fees. For more information about incidental fees, please refer to the Fees Policy.

How do I pay back the loan?

You start repaying your accumulated HELP debt through the Australian Taxation Office when your income is above the minimum threshold for compulsory repayment.

How and when do I apply?

To apply for FEE-HELP, please:

If you miss this deadline, your tuition fees cannot be deferred to FEE-HELP.

RELEVANT POLICIES

  • Fees Policy: For more information about SITCM fees, including FEE-HELP, please refer to the Fees Policy.
  • Refund Policy and Procedure: For information about applying for refunds before census date, please refer to the Refund Policy and Procedure.
  • Special Circumstances Refund Policy: Refunds cannot be provided after census date unless special circumstances apply. Please refer to the Special Circumstances Refund Policy for more details.
  • Diversity and Equity Policy and Procedure: SITCM will treat fairly all of its students and persons seeking to enrol with SITCM, in accordance with its Diversity and Equity Policy and Procedure.
  • Privacy Policy: SITCM complies with the Australian Privacy Principles when dealing with personal information collected in relation to FEE-HELP, in accordance with our Privacy Policy.