Administrative Charges, HECS, Tuition Fees 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
Examination Charges (eg administration fee, supervision, room hire, postage, courier etc)
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 at the census date. 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 confirming subject enrolment and the fee for each subject.
The University also provides a statement electronically to all students after census date advising them of how much is owed for the semester.
| · First Semester: | 31 March |
| · Second Semester: | 31 August. |
| · Full Year Subjects: | 50% at each of Semester 1 and Semester 2 census dates |
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· Block Mode Subjects: (ie subjects of less than six weeks in length) |
First day of teaching of the block subject |
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· Subjects, taught outside of the standard teaching semester, of six weeks or more in length: |
14 days after the first day of teaching of the subject |
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 (Townsville students) or Student Administration (Cairns students) 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 Options Declaration Form that is provided by the University. If you do not fill in this form and return it to the University, you will not be enrolled.
You must choose one of the following methods:
Paying all of your HECS up front (before the census date) and receiving a discount. You pay 75 percent of your HECS contribution directly to your institution and ask the Commonwealth to pay the remaining 25 percent for you.
If you choose either of the last two methods, you must provide your Tax File Number (TFN) when you complete your HECS Payment Options Declaration Form. If you have not provided your TFN by the census date, your enrolment will be cancelled.
Some New Zealand citizens and Australian permanent residents are required to pay HECS up front, without the 25 percent 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:
Student Administration of the University who can advise you on what to do when you enrol in a subject or a course of study;
the Student Finance Officer of the University who can advise you on how your HECS for each semester is calculated;
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.
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.
Students who are eligible for Youth Allowance may also be eligible for:
Full-time Courses approved for Youth Allowance
To be defined as a full-time student the individual must be undertaking an approved course at least 75 percent of the normal full-time study workload in each semester. Continuing students will need to show they intend to enrol in such a course. Certificate courses and Masters and Doctorate courses are generally not considered approved courses for Austudy and Youth Allowance purposes.
For more information about Youth Allowance phone Centrelink on 13 2490 or visit Centrelink's Youth Allowance website at: http://www.youthallowance.centrelink.gov.au.
AUSTUDY PAYMENT
(for students aged 25 and over)
Austudy Payment 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.
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 Courses approved for Austudy
Generally, graduate courses (excluding most Masters and all Doctorate), undergraduate courses, associate diplomas and diplomas will be approved for Austudy. James Cook University's certificate courses are generally not considered an Austudy approved course.
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
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 may also be 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
PENSIONER EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT (PES)
Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) aims to provide assistance towards the ongoing costs associated with study for recipients of some Centrelink and Veterans' Affairs income support payments. PES is available to full-time students and in certain circumstances those approved to undertake part-time study of at least 25% of a full study load.
For more information about PES phone Centrelink on 13 2490 or visit the Centrelink website at http://www.centrelink.gov.au.
CENTRELINK OBLIGATIONS
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 fortnightly. 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 penalties.
There are penalties 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.
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 then referred to our collection agents.
A guarantor is required for all loans to first year students and all other loans of $500 and over. Proof of income is required for all loans.
Student Loans Offices are located:
Student Association Emergency Loan
Short term loan available for `emergency situations' only. Maximum loan of $200. Availability of loans is dependent upon the availability of loan funds, which in turn is dependent upon borrowers repaying loans over a short term. All enquiries are to be directed to: