Introduction
VET FEE-HELP is a student loan scheme for the VET (Vocational Education and Training) sector that is part of the Commonwealth Government’s Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
VET FEE-HELP assists eligible students undertaking approved VET Diploma and above level courses. It allows them to borrow funds up to what is termed their FEE-HELP limit (see below) to help pay for all or part of their VET tuition fees. Fees are charged for each unit of study which comprise the course. Students who access VET FEE-HELP assistance will have a loan with the Commonwealth Government who will, on the student’s behalf, pay their VET tuition fees to their approved VET provider (in this case, the Australian National Memorial Theatre.)
To be eligible for VET FEE-HELP assistance, you must be undertaking study at an approved VET provider (such as the ANMT) and:
- be an Australian citizen OR the holder of a permanent humanitarian visa who will be resident in Australia for the duration of the VET unit of study for which you are seeking VET FEE-HELP assistance;
- be undertaking study as a full fee-paying student OR be undertaking study as an eligible subsidized student in a Reform State or Territory;
- be enrolled on or before the census date (which is set at no less than 20% of the duration of the eligible VET unit of study) and remain enrolled in the unit at the end of the census date;
- have completed, signed and submitted a valid Request for VET FEE-HELP assistance form on or before the census date for the VET course of study of which the unit forms a part;
- meet the tax file number requirements; and
- not have exceeded the FEE- HELP limit.
Full details can be obtained from the VET FEE-HELP Information booklet that is available from the School or can be downloaded at www.deewr.gov.au/vetfeehelp
VET FEE-HELP loans can only be accessed through approved VET providers. As an approved provider we will advise you if you are eligible for VET FEE-HELP assistance and give you the VET FEE-HELP Information booklet and the Request for VET FEE-HELP assistance form. You must read the booklet before you complete the form.
If you are eligible for VET FEE-HELP assistance you can borrow funds up to your lifetime FEE- HELP limit to help pay for all or part of you VET tuition fees. In 2011 the FEE-HELP loan limit is $86,422 for courses such as the Advanced Diploma of Acting. This amount is indexed each year.
A loan fee of 20% applies to full fee-paying students undertaking VET FEE-HELP loans but the FEE-HELP limit does not include the loan fee.
VET FEE-HELP debts become part of your accumulated HELP debt. The debt is indexed each year by movements in the CPI (Consumer Price Index) to maintain its real value. The debt is paid through the tax system once your income is above the minimum repayment threshold for compulsory repayment; for the 2010-2011 income year this is $44,911. You can make voluntary repayments to reduce your HELP debt at any time; some voluntary repayments attract a bonus. Further details are available at www.ato.gov.au
For more information, including frequently asked questions, about VET FEE-HELP call the VET FEE-HELP enquiry line on 13 3873 or visit www.deewr.gov.au/vetfeehelp
VET FEE-HELP policies and procedures
The following section covers the VET FEE-HELP policies and procedures that demonstrate the ANMT’s compliance with the requirements concerning:
- VET Tuition Assurance (which protects students in the event that the ANMT ceases to provide the course of study in which a student is enrolled.)
- Fair Treatment and Equal Opportunity (including selection policies and procedures and treatment of students.)
- Privacy Procedures (including the collection and storage of personal information, use and disclosure of personal information and access to personal information.)
- Fees Policy (focusing on student review procedures and FEE-HELP balances.)
- Student Grievance Procedures – Academic and Non-academic ( including definitions, stages in the complaints procedures, record-keeping requirements and contacts)
All other aspects of Drama School Policy and Procedures are detailed in the Drama School Handbook, which is available from the School Administrator.