Chapter 2 – Student and general information

Financial assistance

This information is current as at January 2008.

Going to Uni

The Australian Government's Going to Uni provides information about fees, loans and scholarships associated with study at university. It also contains information about higher education reforms.

HECS-HELP

Since 1 January 2005, Commonwealth-supported places have replaced HECS places. Eligible students (Australian citizens and permanent humanitarian visa holders only) have access to HECS-HELP assistance. This allows students to request a HECS-HELP loan and defer payments through the Australian Taxation Office or to receive a HECS-HELP discount for upfront payments over $500.

FEE-HELP

FEE-HELP is a loan scheme for eligible full-fee-paying domestic students. Under this scheme, students can borrow up to the amount of the tuition fees being charged for units of study. Over a lifetime, the FEE-HELP maximum limit is $81,600 (in 2008). Students who access FEE-HELP for a full-fee undergraduate place also incur a 20 per cent loan fee.

Commonwealth Higher Education Student Support Number

All Commonwealth-supported students and FEE-HELP students are issued with a Commonwealth Higher Education Student Support Number (CHESSN). The CHESSN is a unique identifier that tracks an individual's student learning entitlement and use of Commonwealth assistance (including HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP). As a condition of enrolment, students provide informed consent for the University to share their personal information with the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations so that the University can comply with legislative requirements. The information provided by students is used to generate the CHESSN. Students can access their entitlement balance from Going to Uni.

OS-HELP

OS-HELP is a loan scheme that helps eligible Commonwealth-supported students undertake some of their study overseas. The scheme provides up to $5,299 (in 2008) per six-month study period (for up to two study periods) to help students with a range of expenses such as airfares and accommodation.

Commonwealth Scholarships

Commonwealth Scholarships assist Commonwealth-supported students from low socioeconomic backgrounds who are Australian citizens or holders of permanent humanitarian visas with costs associated with higher education. There are two types of scholarships: Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarships ($2,162 per year for up to four years) and Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarships for students from rural and regional areas ($4,324 per year for up to four years).

Austudy and Youth Allowance

There are two major Commonwealth Government benefits for tertiary students: Austudy and Youth Allowance. Both are income and assets tested. Austudy is for students aged 25 and over when commencing a course, while Youth Allowance is for students up to 25 years old. Youth Allowance recipients may be eligible for a rent allowance.

Commonwealth legislation sets strict requirements for Austudy and Youth Allowance over which the University has no control. It is important that students understand these requirements.

Students who receive Austudy or Youth Allowance and decide to drop subjects during the semester must be aware that to remain eligible they must be enrolled in a minimum of 18 credit points, or have a HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP liability for the semester of .375 equivalent full-time student units. Exceptions may be made for some students with disabilities which impact on their studies, students who are single supporting parents or, in exceptional cases, those who have been directed by the University to reduce their study load.

Application forms and information about eligibility for both Austudy and Youth Allowance are available from the Student Services Unit at City and Kuring-gai campuses.

Application forms for both Austudy and Youth Allowance should be lodged as soon as possible with any Centrelink office.

Inquiries

City campus

Student Services Unit
telephone +61 2 9514 1177

Kuring-gai campus

Student Services Unit
telephone +61 2 9514 5342

Abstudy

Abstudy assists Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tertiary students by providing income support and other assistance.

Inquiries

Jumbunna Indigenous House of Learning
CB01.17, City campus
telephone +61 2 9514 1902
or tollfree 1800 064 312
fax +61 2 9514 1894
http://www.jumbunna.uts.edu.au

Student Loans and Grants Scheme

Student Loans provides interest-free loans to students enrolled at UTS. Students who have financial needs which they cannot meet from any other source may apply for a Student Loan. To receive a loan, applicants must demonstrate a genuine need to borrow money to further their academic program. Normally the maximum amount applicants may borrow is $500 but in exceptional circumstances a greater amount may be borrowed.

The University does not lend money for course-related fees (enrolment charges, course fees or HECS). Loans are not usually available for computer or vehicle purchases. All Student Loan applications are confidential.

Students who are on low incomes and who have a particular need to access UTS resources from home because of a disability or illness, or because of carer responsibilities or remoteness from Sydney, may be eligible to borrow from the Computer Loan Fund.

Grants Scheme

In special circumstances, students may be provided with a non-repayable grant of $500–$1,000 to assist them to further their academic program.

Inquiries

City campus

Student Services Unit
telephone +61 2 9514 1177

Kuring-gai campus

Student Services Unit
telephone +61 2 9514 5342

Postgraduate research assistance

Information on postgraduate research scholarships is available in Chapter 6 and from the University Graduate School.

Scholarships

Information about scholarships is available in Chapter 6 and from the Student Services Unit.

Back to Chapter 2 index