 |
Finance - Frequently Asked Questions
|
|
Q |
Am
I eligible for Youth Allowance/Austudy?
|
|
A |
Whether you are eligible
for Youth Allowance or Austudy will depend
on a number of factors, such as, if you are
a full-time or part-time student. The course
you are undertaking, and the number of years
you have been studying in your current course
or a course at the same level. Your income,
or that of your parents or partner if you have
one, can also determine your eligibility for
a government allowance.
For those students under 25 years of age,
a good starting point is to see if you fit
one of the criteria that make you eligible
for Independent Youth
Allowance (parents income is not taken into account). Otherwise you may
be eligible for the 'Away from Home' category (your parents will be means
tested, but a more generous one than the standard rate). If neither of
the above then maybe you are eligible for the standard rate. For further
assistance check out the Centrelink
webpage. |
|
|
Q |
How much
Youth Allowance/Austudy will I get?
|
|
A |
It is always difficult
to give an exact figure as it is dependent
on individual circumstances. In the case of
Youth Allowance, it will depend on the category
of Youth Allowance you are eligible for and
will be based on your income and possibly that
of your parents or partner. With Austudy, it
will depend on your income as well as that
of your partners', if you have one. For more
information, refer to the Centrelink
webpage. |
|
|
Q |
Can I get
a student loan? |
|
A |
Yes. Loans are available
to assist with general living expenses and
educational purposes. When applying for a loan
you will need to attend a interview and will
also be asked to provide a budget, as loans
will not be granted if you don't have the ability
to repay it in the allotted time. |
|
|
Q |
Is interest
charged on student loans? |
|
A |
No, not if you pay it
by the due date. However, if you default on
your loan, a late payment fee of 10% of the outstanding amount will be added to the loan on the first day after the final repayment date and then on an annual basis until the loan is paid in full. Your results will be blocked and you will not be able to use the library and Information Technology Services, re-enrol or graduate until your loan has been repaid in full. Failure
to pay off your loan may also result in your
details being handed over to a debt collection
agency. |
|
|
Q |
Can I get
help to pay my fees?
|
|
A |
If you are doing an accredited
TAFE course and are experiencing financial
hardship, you can seek assistance from the
financial advsier on your campus to enable
you to pay by installments. If you are an International
student, contact the International Student
Unit (ISU) immediately to work out a payment
plan. If you are a postgraduate student ask
at your school office for payment options including
FEE-HELP. |
|
|
|
