APPLYING
Current Year 12 Students

Study Costs

Public Universities - Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP)

The Australian Government contributes towards course costs for Commonwealth supported students; students also pay a 'student contribution'.

Higher education providers may offer Commonwealth supported places (CSP) to Australian citizens; New Zealand citizens and holders of a permanent visa
Students must have sufficient Student Learning Entitlement to access a Commonwealth supported place. Students who have enrolled in a tertiary course initially receive seven years SLE full-time study in a Commonwealth supported place (extended on a pro-rata basis if studying part-time). Eligible students may receive additional SLE, visit www.goingtouni.gov.au for details.
Each higher education provider sets its own student contributions for each unit of study, so student contributions may vary between providers and courses. These student contributions must be within a range set by the government. (see table below for a guide to the cost of standard full-time year of tertiary study).

For more information on the Australian higher education system such as providers and assistance provided by the Commonwealth government, visit it www.goingtouni.gov.au or ring 1800 020 108.

Student Contributions Per Year

Band	Estimated student contribution range for 2008*
National Priorities teaching, nursing	$0 to $4077
Band 1 humanities, arts, behavioural science, social studies, foreign languages, visual and performing arts	$0 to $5095
Band 2 accounting, commerce, administration, economics, maths, statistics, computing, built environment, health, engineering, science, surveying, agriculture	$0 to $7260
Band 3 law, dentistry, medicine, veterinary science	$0 to $8499

* Costs are indicative of band level only, and will depend on the individual subjects/electives chosen. The student contributions shown in this table are for first year full-time students. Student contributions are indexed each year according to movements in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The 2009 indicative first year cost will be available late in 2008 from the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations website www.goingtouni.gov.au or institution websites.

TAFE Queensland study costs

TAFE tuition fees may vary between institutes and do not include material and other program costs. The study costs for programs is designated as standard offering (SO), partially government funded (PGF) or fee-based (fee). Standard offering means the program attracts a government subsidy. Other resource costs will apply to these programs. Partially government funded (PGF) means the program receives partial subsidy, however the level of this subsidy can vary. The amounts for programs are available from 26 September online or by contacting the institute directly. Fee concessions (eg Health Care card holders) may be available.

Private provider study costs - Fee

Fees for non government institutions - Australian College of Natural Medicine, Bond University, Christian Heritage College, Qantm College, Queensland Institute of Business and Technology, SAE Institute - are set out in course entries in Search for Courses. Modes of payment should be negotiated with the institution.For FEE-HELP and other cost arrangements contact the institution.

International Applicants - Study costs

International applicants should confirm fees with individual institutions.

Financial assistance

Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP)

Australian citizens and holders of a permanent humanitarian visa may pay their student contribution up front or they may request a Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP) loan. HELP loans are only available for students studying at public or approved higher education providers. There are three types of HELP loans:

HECS-HELP is for eligible Commonwealth supported students to pay their student contribution
FEE-HELP is for eligible fee-paying students enrolled at eligible higher education providers. Loans will dover up to the full amount of their tuition fees. Undergraduate FEE-HELP loans will be subject to a 20 percent loan fee.
OS-HELP is for eligible full-time Commonwealth supported students who wish to study one or two study periods overseas. Loans will be up to $5196 per 6 month period. Student can receive two OS-HELP loans in a lifetime.
OS-HELP loans will be subject to a 20 percent loan fee.

Repayments for all HELP loans will depend on income. Students will not be required to start paying their HELP debts until their income reaches $39 825 in 2007/2008.

New Zealand citizens and holders of other permanent visas do not have access to HELP loans. These students must pay their student contributions or tuition fees up front without a discount.

Scholarships

Commonwealth scholarships, institution equity scholarships and other institution scholarships are available to assist students with study costs. View more....

Income support

Centrelink can give information about income support while you study.

The Centrelink website is www.centrelink.gov.au.

Youth Allowance - For eligible full-time students aged 16-24.
Austudy - For eligible full-time students aged 25 and over.
Abstudy - For eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who undertake approved full-time and part-time study.
Pensioner Education Supplement - for recipients of some Centrelink and Veterans' Affairs payments to help with the costs of studying.

The above payments are subject to income and assets tests. To find out more about Youth Allowance or Austudy, call Centrelink on 13 24 90. For more information about Abstudy, call Centrelink on 13 23 17.

For information on languages other than English, call 13 12 02; for TTY (text telephone) enquiries for the hearing and speech impaired, call 1800 810 586.

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