FEE-HELP

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.

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.

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

To apply for FEE-HELP, please:

• Read the Fees Policy,
• Read the Schedule of Tuition Fees (under the “Fees Policy” heading),
• Read and understand the FEE-HELP information booklet, and
• Submit a Request for FEE-HELP Assistance form to the SITCM Administration Office by census date (this form is only available from the Administration Office).

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