Dear Student,
From 1 January 2005, the Commonwealth Government will implement a new system
of funding and administration for higher education. Some of the changes only
affect students commencing their studies in 2005, however there are a number
of changes students will need to be aware of as a student continuing their
studies in 2005.
Higher Education Reforms@UNSW
Ten things YOU should know
1. HECS places are now called Commonwealth supported places. HECS students will
become Commonwealth supported students. As part of the 2005 online re-enrolment
process through myUNSW, eligible students will be asked to complete a Request
for Commonwealth Assistance Form (CAF).
2. Student Learning Entitlement (SLE) sets limitations on the length of time
students can study with Commonwealth support. From 1 Jan 2005, Australian
citizens, New Zealand citizens and holders of Australian permanent visas will
be given access to a Commonwealth supported place for seven years of equivalent
full-time study.
3. Each Commonwealth supported student will be allocated a Commonwealth Higher
Education Student Support Number (CHESSN). This number will remain with each
student throughout their academic life. As part of the 2005 online re-enrolment
process through myUNSW, students will need to give UNSW consent to apply to
DEST for a CHESSN on their behalf.
4. New loan arrangements, called the Higher Education Loan Scheme (HELP), will
be introduced for students to pay their tuition fees and student contributions.
HECS-HELP replaces the current HECS scheme; FEE-HELP replaces the current PELS
scheme and is now also available for undergraduate full-fee paying students.
Students can apply for financial help to study abroad with the new OS-HELP
scheme.
5. For students commencing a new program in 2005, only Australian citizens and
holders of a permanent resident humanitarian visa are eligible to defer their
student contribution payments. All other permanent residents must pay their
student contribution upfront and without a discount.
6. Students currently enrolled in a UNSW program and who will be continuing
their studies in 2005 are considered "pre-2005 students". Pre-2005 students
will generally be able to continue studying under the existing HECS eligibility
requirements and contribution bands. From the end of 2008 all students will be
subject to the new arrangements, regardless of whether they have completed their
program.
7. The bonus for up-front payment of student contributions has changed:
From 1 Jan 2005, students who pay their student contributions up-front will
receive a 20% discount (previously was 25%). The bonus for voluntary repayments
is now 10% (previously 15%).
8. Students will be able to check their Student Learning Entitlement
balance and HELP usage via a private portal at the Government's website
http://www.goingtouni.gov.au/ from June 2005. Students will use their CHESSN to
log in.
9. Eligible undergraduate students can apply for a Commonwealth Learning
Scholarship. Applications close 19 Nov 2004, see below.
10. Universities are allowed to increase their student contribution amounts by
up to 25% and introduce additional full-fee paying undergraduate places. UNSW
will not be increasing the student contribution levels in 2005, but these will
increase by 25% in 2006 and 2007.
More information about these changes can be found at the 2005 Higher Education
Reforms - Latest Information website at
(
https://my.unsw.edu.au/student/HERI/Introduction.html).
This website will be updated on a regular basis. Please bookmark this page for
future reference.