FEE-HELP loan fee exemption under the Higher Education Relief Package

On 12 April 2020, the Department of Education, Skills and Employment announced a Higher Education Relief Package in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This package introduces a number of measures to support new and continuing students at this difficult time.

Of most significance to the Campion community is the announcement that there will be a six-month exemption from the loan fees associated with FEE-HELP.

What is FEE-HELP?

FEE-HELP is the government loan scheme available to Campion students. For those familiar with the HECS-HELP loan scheme, FEE-HELP operates in a similar manner; students repay the deferred tuition fees through the tax system only after their income reaches a stated threshold.

Under current arrangements, higher education students who access FEE‑HELP to defer their tuition fees are subject to a loan fee of 25 per cent.

What is the loan fee exemption?

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government is helping students who utilise FEE-HELP by providing a six‑month exemption from loan fees.

The loan fee exemption will help undergraduate students who are accessing FEE‑HELP over the period from 1 April to 30 September 2020.

This measure is subject to the passage of legislation.

What does this mean for me?

If you are a continuing student undertaking our Winter Intensive unit or enrolling in units for Semester 2 2020 and you utilise FEE-HELP, these units will not be subject to a loan fee of 25 per cent (subject to the passage of legislation).

If you are a commencing student enrolling in units for Semester 2 2020 and you utilise FEE-HELP, these units will not be subject to a loan fee of 25 per cent (subject to the passage of legislation).

Do I need to apply for the exemption?

The loan fee exemption will be automatically applied when your loan is submitted by your education provider to the Department of Education, Skills and Employment (subject to the passage of legislation).

Where can I find more information?

https://ministers.dese.gov.au/tehan/higher-education-relief-package

https://www.dese.gov.au/covid-19/higher-education/higher-education-faq