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When it comes to paying for your course fees, you can:
There is a range of government assistance loans available for different circumstances, including:
| HECS-HELP: | If you have a Commonwealth Supported Place, you may be eligible to access a HECS-HELP loan. |
| FEE-HELP: | If you have a full fee-paying place, you may be eligible to access a FEE-HELP loan. |
| SA-HELP: | If your course requires you to pay the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF), you may be eligible for an SA-HELP loan. |
| OS-HELP: | If you want to study some of your course overseas, you may be eligible for an OS-HELP loan. |
From 1 January 2020, the Australian Government introduced a combined HELP loan limit which caps the amount you can borrow. This loan limit includes any HECS-HELP debt incurred from 2020 onwards, plus any existing and new FEE-HELP, VET FEE-HELP or VET Student Loans.
For more information on the HELP loan limit, visit the Study Assist website.
Explore the different types of HELP Loans outlined below, including the eligibility criteria and how to apply.
If you meet the CSP eligibility criteria, you may be eligible for a HECS-HELP loan. HECS-HELP is a loan scheme that you can use to pay part or all of your student contribution. Alternatively, you may choose to pay your student contribution upfront without government assistance.
HECS-HELP is a government loan which means you defer paying your student contribution until your income is above the compulsory repayment threshold. To check the current compulsory repayment thresholds, visit the Study Assist website. Once your income is above the threshold, you begin repayments through the Australian Tax Office.
To be eligible you must:
You only need to apply for HECS-HELP once for the duration of your course. You'll do this via the Request for Commonwealth support and HECS-HELP form, which can be accessed from your MyCQU student portal. You will need to complete this form before the census date of your first term; otherwise, your enrolment for the term will be cancelled.
If you have provided your TFN and successfully applied for HECS-HELP, any student contribution amount not paid by the census date will be automatically deferred as a HELP debt to be reported to the Commonwealth for repayment through the Australian Taxation Office.
For more information on HECS-HELP, visit the Study Assist website. You can also read more in the HECS-HELP Commonwealth Supported Placements information booklet.
If you are paying full fees for your course, you may be eligible for a FEE-HELP loan. FEE-HELP is a loan scheme that you can use to pay part or all of your tuition fees. Alternatively, you may pay your tuition fees upfront without government assistance.
FEE-HELP is a government loan which means you defer paying your tuition fees until your income is above the compulsory repayment threshold. To check the current compulsory repayment thresholds, visit the Study Assist website. Once your income exceeds the threshold, you begin repayments through the Australian Tax Office.
To be eligible, you must:
You only need to apply for FEE-HELP once for the duration of your course. Your application form will be available after you have enrolled.
For more information on FEE-HELP, visit the Study Assist website.
To apply for FEE-HELP, you'll need to complete the Request for FEE-HELP assistance form available online via your MyCQU Student Portal. Forms must be submitted by the census date of the term you'd like FEE-HELP to come into effect. If you submit your form after the census date, you won't be eligible for FEE-HELP in that term and will be required to pay the full tuition fee for your enrolment.
Generally, you'll need to complete and submit a FEE-HELP form for the course you are studying. The only exceptions are if you are:
The Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) is a compulsory fee charged in addition to tuition fees and student contributions. It is charged each term of study and is used to enhance student services and facilities in accordance with funding guidelines. Whether you are studying online or on campus, SSAF goes towards improving your study experience.
You may be eligible for the SA-HELP loan, which is a scheme that allows you to defer payment of your SSAF. Your SA-HELP loan amount will be added to your accumulated HELP debt. Alternatively, you may choose to pay your SSAF upfront without government assistance.
To access SA-HELP, you must:
You only need to apply for SA-HELP once for the duration of your course. Your application form will be available after you have enrolled.
For more information on SA-HELP, visit the Study Assist website.
To apply for SA-HELP, you'll need to complete the Request for SA-HELP Loan form available online via your MyCQU Student Portal. You'll need to complete and submit the form by the census date of the term you'd like the SA-HELP to come into effect; otherwise, you will not be eligible for SA-HELP in that term and will owe the full Student Services and Amenities Fee to CQU.
If you intend to pay your SSAF upfront, there's no need to apply for SA-HELP. However, if a form is not submitted by the census date and upfront payment is not received, the outstanding fee cannot be deferred as a HELP debt. The outstanding fee will be classed as an unpaid debt and will go through the University Collections process. If this occurs, it may impact your study. Please refer to the Policy website and search for 'Collections Policy' for further details.
Studying abroad is a fantastic learning experience to undertake during your studies. Did you know there is government assistance available to help you cover the costs associated with studying abroad?
OS‑HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme that helps eligible students based in Australia and enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) to undertake some of their study overseas. OS-HELP loans can be used for a range of expenses, such as airfares, accommodation and other travel or study costs.
In 2022, the maximum OS-HELP you can borrow for a six-month study period is:
CQU receives a limited number of OS-HELP loans each year from the Australian Government. Once the OS-HELP loans have been fully allocated for the year, we are unable to approve or pay any further OS-HELP. Please note that CQU is responsible for determining the amount of OS-HELP you will be paid, taking into consideration overseas study destination, length of stay, among other things.
To be eligible you must:
Please view the OS-HELP Policy and Procedure for the full CQU OS-HELP eligibility requirements.
For more information on ON-HELP, visit the Study Assist website.
As a student, you can access the OS-Help Application form by emailing our Student Governance team or via your MyCQU student portal.
If you are paying up front, your unit fees will be calculated each term based on your enrolled units. Once you are a student and enrolled in your units, you'll be able to access your fee information and Fee Notices via your student portal. When you pay upfront, you'll need to pay your unit fees no later than the census date of the term you have enrolled. Your Fee Notice for each term will detail specific payment due dates.
You'll be required to pay upfront each term if you are:
If you are required to pay your fees upfront and fail to do so by the payment due date (census date) your enrolment will be cancelled for that term.
If you're a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, learn more about course fees and support available.
The Australian Government passed legislation to allow New Zealand citizens who are Special Category Visa (SCV) holders and long-term residents of Australia to access a HELP loan from 1 January 2016.
To be eligible you must:
You'll also need to meet the long-term residency requirements, including that you:
Please note that if your citizenship and/or residency status change while studying, you must notify the university immediately.
For more information on New Zealand citizens and HELP loans, visit the Study Assist website.
CQU assumes that all current and future students who are New Zealand citizens do not hold a Special Category Visa (SCV) or that they DO NOT meet the other eligibility criteria.
New Zealand citizens in these categories will continue to be offered either:
New Zealand citizens who do not hold an SCV or meet other eligibility criteria are not eligible for SA-HELP or OS-HELP assistance.
If you are a New Zealand citizen and hold a Special Category Visa (SCV) and believe you meet the eligibility criteria for HELP assistance, you will be required to provide evidence to CQU that establishes your eligibility for HELP.
You can lodge a Request for International Movement Record with the Department of Home Affairs and attach this document when you submit your Commonwealth assistance form/s in your MyCQU student portal.
After your Commonwealth assistance forms are submitted (with your International Movements Record) and approved you'll become eligible for HELP.
Forms must be submitted and approved on or before the census date of the term in which they are to take effect. If submitted or approved after the census date, you will not be eligible for a HELP Loan in that term, and you will be required to pay your student contribution or tuition fee, and your Student Services and Amenities Fee upfront in full.
Once the forms are submitted and approved, you can defer payment of the fee/s due if you have provided your Tax File Number. HELP debts incurred by deferring payment are repaid through the Australian Taxation Office.
If you are a New Zealand citizen, eligible for a HELP loan, and you leave Australia, you immediately cease to be eligible for HELP assistance as the Special Category Visa applies only if you are resident in Australia. You must advise CQU if you leave Australia and keep your contact details up to date at all times.
If you are a New Zealand citizen and become a Permanent Resident of Australia, you must notify CQU immediately. A permanent resident does not hold an SCV and is not eligible for HELP assistance.
For more information, including OS-HELP for New Zealand SCV holders, visit the Study Assist website.
As a permanent resident, you can access a Commonwealth Supported Place. You are not eligible to access a HELP loan.
For more information, visit the Study Assist website.
We offer a variety of scholarships that can give you a helping hand with a range of expenses and enhance your employability.
Check out the Study Assist web page to learn about Youth Allowance, Austudy and other payment and support options for eligible students.
As an international student, you will enrol in your course as a full fee-paying student. Tuition fees vary depending on the course and units you study. At CQU, we offer additional support when it comes to tuition fees plus, we have competitive fees.
How do undergraduate and postgraduate uni fees work? Learn about the different types of fees at CQU and what applies to you.
In addition to course fees, you may need to pay for other costs such as travel to residential schools and placements, uniforms, textbooks and more.
CQUniversity acknowledges Traditional Owners and Custodians and pays respect to the Elders of all First Nations peoples of Australia.CQUniversity Australia is a trading name of Central Queensland University
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