FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE - VET Student Loans
aihe__vsl_informaton_for_students_applying_for_vsl.pdfv3.0_final-vsl_information_booklet_2019__1_.docx The 11129NAT Graduate Diploma in Medical Ultrasound (General Discipline) course qualifies for Commonwealth Student Vet Loans Assistance (HELP) through the Commonwealth funded program for eligible students.
Please read ALL information, including the FAQs before applying. VSL attracts a 20% loan fee which is payable to the government (not AIHE) for this loan.
For Commonwealth updates, see Student Updates Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/StudentUpdate/?ref=br_rs
WHAT IS VSL?
If you feel you cannot pay all the fees yourself, you may apply for a loan from the Commonwealth for part of the fees. This is called a Vet Student Loan, or VSL. Currently, our 11129NAT course is eligible for VSL of $16077. only.
DO I STILL NEED TO PAY ANY OTHER FEES IF I APPLY FOR VSL?
You will still need to pay the remaining fees (ie $43,660 less the $16077.) on a regular basis and organise this ahead of time with AIHE.
(See Fees and Gap Fees below).
AM I ELIGIBLE?
To be eligible for a Vet Student Loan, you MUST show a certified copy of this proof of the following information
1. CITIZENSHIP
Be an Australian or a qualifying New Zealand citizen, or a permanent humanitarian visa holder. You will need to show that you have either
You must have any documents Certified when you apply.
Being a permanent resident of Australia, is not enough for the VSL, you must also be an Australian Citizen.
2. TAX FILE NUMBER
If you do not have a TFN, you will need to apply for one. (debts are recorded against your TFN) https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals/tax-file-number/apply-for-a-tfn/
3. PREVIOUS DEBTS
If you already have a HELP / HECS/ VSL debt (eg you may have already taken a loan for a previous qualification and already have a debt then you must be aware of the fact that you have a limited amount you can have this debt for.
If you apply for a VSL loan, this adds to this debt and you will need to be able to repay all of this loan in addition to any previous ones you hold).
4. CHESSN
A CHESSN is a unique identifying number you will have for your whole student life.If you already have a previous debt, you will have a CHESSN number. You will need to contact your previous university or provide to ask if you don't know it.
If you don' t have a previous CHESSN, you will need to ask AIHE to apply for one.
https://www.studyassist.gov.au/paying-back-your-loan/how-do-i-check-my-help-debt-
You can find this on your Commonwealth Assistance Notice (CAN), given to you by your university or higher education provider or you can ask your previous study provider, or you can log into myGov. https://my.gov.au/LoginServices/main/login?execution=e1s1
If you don't have a myGov account, you can set one up following the instructions on the ATO website or you can call the ATO on 13 28 61.
6. USI
You must also have a Unique Student Identification Number.
Go to https://www.usi.gov.au/ to apply if you dont have one.
7. ACADEMIC SUITABILITY
If you are enrolled in the course and have passed your interview, this shows your academic suitability for a VSL.
HOW DO I APPLY?
Once you know that you want to apply for a VSL and you are an Australian Citizen, you will need to follow the following process.
GAP FEES
The VSL ($16,077) is paid directly to AIHE on your behalf if you are approved.
HOWEVER - This amount does not make up the whole of your student fees and you will need to pay the GAP fee yourself through an agreed payment plan with AIHE.
Speak to our accounts team in regards to paying gap fees
NOTES BEFORE APPLYING
· You must understand that the VSL attracts 20% interest on this loan.
FAQS
What is a census date?
A census date is that by which enrolment may be cancelled without incurring tuition fees for the course or a part of the course. The census date for the Graduate Diploma is listed on our website.
What if I want to withdraw from the course?
A student may cancel their enrolment in the course or part of the course as per the guidelines in this document before the census date.
If a student withdraws before the census day for the term or any part of the term, the student will not incur a VET student loan debt for the course or part of the course and will receive a refund for any tuition fees already paid for the course or part of the course, less administrative fees and minus any fees for units they have completed.
If the student has completed part of the course (eg three terms) they must pay the gap fee for these three terms and the loan amount for these three terms.
Scenario examples
Distribution of tuition fees for students eligible for VET Student Loans
The VSL is paid to AIHE once the student has been deemed as eligible.
It means that students who are on VSL only pay the gap fee per term.
Do I have to pay it back?
All VSL must be paid back to the Commonwealth government.
There is a fee for the loan of 20% of the VSL fee which is payable to the Commonwealth Government, so you need to be aware of this.
You may choose to find your own loan though another provider such as a bank or similar. Make sure you are aware of this loan fee.
What if I have a complaint?-Student grievances
Please contact AIHE if you have any complaints. You can complete a complaint form on our website under policies at the bottom of each page.
Collection of your information - Privacy & Confidentiality Policy
Information we may collect for VSL is used only to support your application to the Commonwealth. All information is only used by AIHE and the Commonwealth for VSL application purposes and not used for any other reason. No third parties are involved apart from the VSL Commonwealth
Please read ALL information, including the FAQs before applying. VSL attracts a 20% loan fee which is payable to the government (not AIHE) for this loan.
For Commonwealth updates, see Student Updates Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/StudentUpdate/?ref=br_rs
WHAT IS VSL?
If you feel you cannot pay all the fees yourself, you may apply for a loan from the Commonwealth for part of the fees. This is called a Vet Student Loan, or VSL. Currently, our 11129NAT course is eligible for VSL of $16077. only.
DO I STILL NEED TO PAY ANY OTHER FEES IF I APPLY FOR VSL?
You will still need to pay the remaining fees (ie $43,660 less the $16077.) on a regular basis and organise this ahead of time with AIHE.
(See Fees and Gap Fees below).
AM I ELIGIBLE?
To be eligible for a Vet Student Loan, you MUST show a certified copy of this proof of the following information
1. CITIZENSHIP
Be an Australian or a qualifying New Zealand citizen, or a permanent humanitarian visa holder. You will need to show that you have either
- An Australian Passport; or
- New Zealand Special Category holder; or
- Australian Citizenship Certificate ; or
- Humanitarian Visa
You must have any documents Certified when you apply.
Being a permanent resident of Australia, is not enough for the VSL, you must also be an Australian Citizen.
- You can obtain a citizenship certificate by lodging a Form 119 Application for evidence of Australian citizenship with the Department of Home Affairs.
2. TAX FILE NUMBER
If you do not have a TFN, you will need to apply for one. (debts are recorded against your TFN) https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals/tax-file-number/apply-for-a-tfn/
3. PREVIOUS DEBTS
If you already have a HELP / HECS/ VSL debt (eg you may have already taken a loan for a previous qualification and already have a debt then you must be aware of the fact that you have a limited amount you can have this debt for.
If you apply for a VSL loan, this adds to this debt and you will need to be able to repay all of this loan in addition to any previous ones you hold).
4. CHESSN
A CHESSN is a unique identifying number you will have for your whole student life.If you already have a previous debt, you will have a CHESSN number. You will need to contact your previous university or provide to ask if you don't know it.
If you don' t have a previous CHESSN, you will need to ask AIHE to apply for one.
https://www.studyassist.gov.au/paying-back-your-loan/how-do-i-check-my-help-debt-
You can find this on your Commonwealth Assistance Notice (CAN), given to you by your university or higher education provider or you can ask your previous study provider, or you can log into myGov. https://my.gov.au/LoginServices/main/login?execution=e1s1
If you don't have a myGov account, you can set one up following the instructions on the ATO website or you can call the ATO on 13 28 61.
6. USI
You must also have a Unique Student Identification Number.
Go to https://www.usi.gov.au/ to apply if you dont have one.
7. ACADEMIC SUITABILITY
If you are enrolled in the course and have passed your interview, this shows your academic suitability for a VSL.
HOW DO I APPLY?
Once you know that you want to apply for a VSL and you are an Australian Citizen, you will need to follow the following process.
- Send us an email to admissions@aihe.edu.au
- Read the VSL STUDENT INFORMATION booklet
- Apply here (ask AIHE about this if you haven' t received an invite to participate)
GAP FEES
The VSL ($16,077) is paid directly to AIHE on your behalf if you are approved.
HOWEVER - This amount does not make up the whole of your student fees and you will need to pay the GAP fee yourself through an agreed payment plan with AIHE.
- Course fees are $43,660 (which is the fee for the actual course.)
- Vet Student Loan (VSL) is $16077.
- Other Fees: AIHE also have uniform cost and textbook costs equivalent to $2,320 (we provide text books for years one and two).
- The GAP between the full amount of $43,660 less the $16077. (Plus the $2,320) is the amount you will need to pay.
Speak to our accounts team in regards to paying gap fees
NOTES BEFORE APPLYING
· You must understand that the VSL attracts 20% interest on this loan.
- You still need to pay ALL FEES which are not covered by the VSL loan to AIHE before you can continue in the course.
- You need to notify AIHE if you choose NOT to continue as well as the government as well as ANY change of contact details.
- Any loan will remain YOUR personal debt until it is repaid to the Commonwealth.
- The loan may, until the debt is repaid, reduce a student’s take‑home (after‑tax) wage or salary and may reduce the student’s borrowing capacity.
- A student may wish to seek independent financial advice before applying for a loan to ensure you have the capacity to repay the loan.
- The student may be required during the course to communicate his or her agreement that the Commonwealth Secretary continue to use the VET student loan to pay tuition fees for the course (student progression and engagement requirements)
- The VSL will only cover some of your fees. The amount will be determined by the Commonwealth and allocated to AIHE. You will received notification on the amounts outstanding.
- You will still need to pay the remainder of your fees on an agreed plan directly.
- Failure to meet payment plans to AIHE will result in dismissal from the course until they are paid.
- The amount of the loan cannot be greater than the student’s remaining VSL balance
- the tuition fees will be reasonably apportioned across the sequential fee periods outlined in the Fee Structure.
- Each fee period will be determined by pass marks of satisfactory.
- Any student who needs to repeat a unit of work will not be eligible for the loan the second time.
- The loan will include at least one census day
- The Commonwealth department will contact the student to verify the student’s enrolment in the course.
FAQS
What is a census date?
A census date is that by which enrolment may be cancelled without incurring tuition fees for the course or a part of the course. The census date for the Graduate Diploma is listed on our website.
What if I want to withdraw from the course?
A student may cancel their enrolment in the course or part of the course as per the guidelines in this document before the census date.
If a student withdraws before the census day for the term or any part of the term, the student will not incur a VET student loan debt for the course or part of the course and will receive a refund for any tuition fees already paid for the course or part of the course, less administrative fees and minus any fees for units they have completed.
If the student has completed part of the course (eg three terms) they must pay the gap fee for these three terms and the loan amount for these three terms.
Scenario examples
- Student One paid her course in sections as per option three in the Fee Schedule. She decided not to continue after two terms. She was not eligible for a refund as she had only paid for the work she had completed. She was eligible for a Certificate of Completion for the part she had completed.
- Student two completed the first semester of the course and decided she didn’t want to continue. She paid all her year one fees already. She was given a partial refund for the terms two.
Distribution of tuition fees for students eligible for VET Student Loans
The VSL is paid to AIHE once the student has been deemed as eligible.
It means that students who are on VSL only pay the gap fee per term.
Do I have to pay it back?
All VSL must be paid back to the Commonwealth government.
There is a fee for the loan of 20% of the VSL fee which is payable to the Commonwealth Government, so you need to be aware of this.
You may choose to find your own loan though another provider such as a bank or similar. Make sure you are aware of this loan fee.
What if I have a complaint?-Student grievances
Please contact AIHE if you have any complaints. You can complete a complaint form on our website under policies at the bottom of each page.
Collection of your information - Privacy & Confidentiality Policy
Information we may collect for VSL is used only to support your application to the Commonwealth. All information is only used by AIHE and the Commonwealth for VSL application purposes and not used for any other reason. No third parties are involved apart from the VSL Commonwealth