James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2001

Administrative Charges, HECS and Financial Assistance

ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGES

The University applies a number of administrative charges, as set out below:

Late Charge for submission of enrolment form after due date

New students $30
Continuing and Returning students
after due date
from the first day of semester
$30
$50
Charge for Statement of Academic Record (payable at time of order)
1 copy $ 7
3 copies $10

Examination Charges

The rules for these charges can be found on page 59.

HIGHER EDUCATION CONTRIBUTION SCHEME

It is a requirement of the Commonwealth Government that students make a contribution to the cost of attending university.

HECS for a semester, is calculated on the basis of study load for the subjects you enrol in for the semester. Some subjects carry a greater study load than others.

If you are a full-time student doing a standard program of study in the semester, you will owe the standard HECS amount for the semester. If you are doing more or less than a standard program, your HECS payment will be adjusted to reflect the greater or lesser load. Invoices are mailed to all students prior to the census dates.

The University will send you a written notice advising you of how much you owe for the semester after each census date.

The census dates are:

First Semester: 31 March
Second Semester: 31 August.

If you believe that the notice is incorrect you have the right to have the University check its calculation. You will need to write to the Student Finance Officer stating what the error is and give reasons why you believe it is incorrect. You must do this within 14 days of the date on the notice.

If you decide to withdraw from a subject, it is very important to make sure that you officially withdraw from it by informing your Faculty Office in writing before the census dates otherwise, you will have to pay HECS for that subject for that semester.

Note carefully that the HECS census dates are different from the University’s own dates for withdrawal from subjects without academic penalty.

If you fail a subject, you still have to pay HECS for that subject.

When you enrol you must tell the University how you will pay. You do this by completing the HECS Payment Declaration form which is provided by the University. If you don’t fill in this form and return it to the University, you will not be enrolled.

You must choose one of the following methods:

Some New Zealand citizens and Australian permanent residents are required to pay HECS up front, without the 25% discount. They are not entitled to defer payments.

For more detailed information, refer to the HECS booklet provided in your enrolment package. If you require further information, you can seek assistance from:

You may also want to find out more about the financial assistance available to students. If you are over 16 and a full-time student, financial assistance may be available through the AUSTUDY and ABSTUDY schemes. Refer below.

TUITION FEES

The University charges tuition fees for:

The fees are set out on pages 61-62.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

YOUTH ALLOWANCE

(Students aged under 25 years)

The Youth Allowance is a Federal payment that is available for full-time students under the age of 25 and for unemployed people under the age of 21.

To be eligible for Youth Allowance a person must satisfy an activity test, i.e.:

Students who are eligible for Youth Allowance may also be eligible for:

Rent Assistance;

To be defined as a full-time student the individual must be undertaking an approved course at least 75% of the normal full-time study workload in each semester and undertaking at least 15 hours a week formal coursework. Certificate courses and Masters and Doctorate courses are generally not considered approved courses for Austudy and Youth Allownace purposes.

Student responsibilities relating to reporting to Centrelink will vary depending on each individual’s particular situation. For example students who have a casual job where their hours vary will be expected to report their earnings to Centrelink. Students will need to supply proof of their enrolment status each year and must notify Centrelink of any changes in their circumstances within 14 days to avoid any penalities.

There are penalities if individuals do not meet their responsibilities to Centrelink. Payments may be reduced or suspended. The penalty varies depending on whether this is the first, second or third penalty within two years.

It is important for individuals to:

Student Personal Income

A Personal Income Test will apply and is based on the income earned each week.

Full-time students can earn up to $230 (gross) a fortnight without affecting their Youth Allowance payment. If they earn between $230 and $310 per fortnight, each $1 over $230 will reduce their fortnightly Youth Allowance by 50c in the dollar for every dollar earned over $230. Income above $310 per fortnight will reduce Youth Allowance by 70c in the dollar for every dollar earned over $310. An Income Bank is also available.

Full-time students over 25 cannot receive Youth Allowance unless they started their current course of study before they turned 25. Students over the age of 25 can apply for Austudy.

For more information about Youth Allow-ance phone Centrelink on 13 2490 or visit Centrelink’s Youth allowance website at: http:/www.youthallowance.centrelink.gov.au

AUSTUDY

(for students aged 25 and over)

Austudy provides assistance to students aged 25 years and older. It is paid to students over 25 years of age whose financial circumstances are such that without financial help, full-time study would not be possible.

Austudy applies to students who commence their course on or after their twenty-fifth birthday. Students who commenced a course before their twenty-fifth birthday, but were not eligible for Youth Allowance may be able to get Austudy after they turn 25.

Activity Test

Individuals must be enrolled full-time (some concessions may apply) in an Austudy approved course. Continuing students will need to show they intend to enrol in such a course.

Full-time study means a course which:

Full-time Courses approved for Austudy

Generally, graduate courses (excluding most Masters and all Doctorate), undergraduate courses, associate diplomas and certain diplomas will be approved for Austudy. James Cook University’s certificate courses are generally not considered an Austudy approved course. If a student ceases studies prematurely, they must notify Centrelink within 14 days.

If an individual fails to meet their obligations for payment, including informing Centrelink of changes, they may incur an administrative breach which could affect their payment.

Income and Assets Tests

The Personal Income and Assets Test and the Partner Income Test (if applicable) will apply to all individuals applying for Austudy payment.

Other Payments and Concessions

Students who are receiving the Austudy payment may also be eligible for:

Note: No Rent Assistance is currently available for Austudy recipients.

For more information about Austudy phone Centrelink on 13 2490 or visit the Centrelink website at http://www.centrelink.gov.au

ABSTUDY

(for Indigenous students)

ABSTUDY helps Indigenous people who want to go on to further studies. Those who are studying or who will soon start to study, can apply for ABSTUDY at Centrelink (Youth and Student) offices.

ABSTUDY may be able to help Indigenous students who are undertaking:

A range of allowances is also available to ABSTUDY students to help meet the costs associated with education expenses and travel between home and the place of study.

ABSTUDY application forms and information can be obtained from any Centrelink (Youth and Students) office.

For more information about ABSTUDY phone the National ABSTUDY Hotline on 13 2317 or visit the Centrelink website at http://www.centrelink.gov.au

For additional information, advice and application forms regarding available Centrelink Offices contact:

OTHER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

STUDENT LOANS

Loans are available to students for genuine needs which might jeopardise continued study. The maximum amount that can be borrowed is $1000. A default fee of $20 is added to the loan if two consecutive repayments are missed. If five consecutive payments are missed, the debt is referred to our collection agents.

A guarantor is required for all loans to commencing students and all other loans of $500 or more.

Student Loans Offices are located:

POSTGRADUATE AWARDS

A limited number of competitive postgraduate awards are made available to assist students undertaking full-time higher degree studies by research at Australian universities. These are Australian Postgraduate Awards, for a Masters degree or PhD degree.

The awards are open to Australian citizens or permanent residents who have not already completed a Masters or PhD degree.

Applications for the above awards must be lodged by 31 October, of the year prior to study.

Further information can be obtained from Research Students Office, Kevin Stark Building (Townsville campus).

Phone: (07) 4781 5861