FEE-HELP loans
Update on the unit pass rate requirement
As of 1 January 2024, the 50 per cent pass rate rule has been removed. For current and previous rules, see our page on unit pass rate requirement.
Most domestic graduate students (and undergraduates not in a Commonwealth supported place) pay the domestic rate for their course. This is payable to the University, unless you have a government loan (FEE-HELP).
FEE-HELP is mostly used by domestic students enrolled in a full fee-paying graduate (non-research) award course. If you change courses, you need to re-apply for FEE-HELP.
To estimate your fees, use the domestic course fees calculator (full-fee).
If you're eligible for FEE-HELP, you can apply before 11.59pm (Melbourne time) on the census date.
Unique Student Identifier (USI)
To be eligible for FEE-HELP, you need to provide your USI in the Web Enrolment System (WES). For details, see Unique Student Identifier (USI).
You’ll need to make sure your personal details are the same in our records and in the USI Registry System – otherwise you’ll encounter problems when you apply for a FEE-HELP loan.
Course fee payments
We send you a fees statement based on your unit enrolment. If you don't have FEE-HELP, you must pay in full by the due date.
To avoid paying fees for units you no longer want to take, you must withdraw from them by 11.59pm (Melbourne time) on the census date.
If you have FEE-HELP, the government lends you the balance of course fees that are unpaid at the census date (up to certain limits – see HELP loan balance and limits).
Your debt will remain, even if you don't complete your course. However, in special circumstances, you can apply to have the debt removed. See remission of debt for more information.
Overdue payments
If you don't pay on time, and you don't have FEE-HELP, we'll cancel your enrolment.
Your HELP loan responsibilities
From 2022 to 2023, the unit pass rate requirement applied. Starting 1 January 2024, it is no longer in effect. For past and current rules, see our page on unit pass rate requirement.
See HELP loans balance and limits for information about:
- your HELP debt
- the combined HELP loan limit
- the renewable HELP balance
- repaying your debt to the Australian Taxation Office
- moving overseas with a HELP debt.
FEE-HELP general conditions | Exceptions |
---|---|
Covers course fees for study in award courses, which lead to a recognised qualification such as a Bachelor Degree, Graduate Certificate, Masters etc. See FEE-HELP booklet (pdf, 0.8 mb). |
Professionals with a degree from overseas may get FEE-HELP for non-award (bridging) study. You need a letter from an Assessment Authority. |
Available to Australian citizens | |
Available to permanent humanitarian visa holders (if residing in Australia for the duration of the unit). | Non-humanitarian permanent visa holders may only get FEE-HELP if doing a bridging course for overseas-trained professionals and residing in Australia for the duration of the unit. |
Most New Zealand citizens are not eligible. | Some New Zealand citizens may get FEE-HELP (if residing in Australia for the duration of the unit) and if they meet all of the eligibility criteria in HELP loans for New Zealand citizens. |
Not available to CSP award courses | Where a summer or winter unit is being charged at a full-fee rate and FEE-HELP is needed to assist with the course. |
Eligible undergraduates in a full-fee place may use FEE-HELP. If you’re enrolled in an undergraduate course, you may need to pay a 20 percent FEE-HELP loan fee. See the FEE-HELP Study Assist website for more information. | |
A verified tax file number (TFN) must be provided by 11.59pm (Melbourne time) on the census date. | |
A verified Unique Student Identifier (USI) must be provided by 11.59pm (Melbourne time) on the census date (commencing students only). | |
From 1 January 2021, you won’t be eligible for Commonwealth assistance for a unit if your study load for the previous 12 months (based on unit census dates) was more than 2.0 Equivalent Full-Time Student Load (EFTSL), or 96 credit points. This includes units taken at other institutions. | On a case-by-case basis, we may assess a student as academically suitable and allow them to take more than 2.0 EFTSL or 96 credit points. |
Apply for a loan
Most students apply during enrolment after entering unit choices.
Applicant | Instructions | Details |
---|---|---|
Australian citizens with a tax file number (TFN) |
Use the Web Enrolment System (WES) to apply before 11.59pm (Melbourne time) on the census date. You can apply if the FEE-HELP link appears in the Enrolment/Re-enrolment section in WES. Fill in the Request for FEE-HELP Assistance including your TFN and submit. Record the transaction number, which begins with FH. |
WES is only open for applications during a set time, and closed after the census date. We email the transaction number to your Monash account. |
Australian citizens with no TFN |
You can't apply for FEE-HELP until you have a TFN.
If you have an Australian passport, it’s best to apply for a TFN with myGovID – that way you should receive your TFN straight away. If you don’t have a passport, there are other ways you can apply, just take a look at the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for instructions. It could take up to 28 days to receive your TFN if you used an application method other than myGovID. To prove you’ve applied, request a Certificate of Application for a TFN from the ATO and submit it to Monash Connect. Alternatively, if you applied online and visited Australia Post, submit your Australia Post receipt along with the Application Summary. Once you have your TFN, change your fee payment option in WES before 11.59pm (Melbourne time) on the census date. | You must initially be a full-fee student. |
Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders |
Contact Monash Connect to request an application form. When you receive it in the post, fill it in and mail it back. You'll need your passport (including visa stamp) or a letter from the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) as proof that your visa application was approved. | Also applicable to former Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders who now hold a permanent resident visa subclass 155 or 157. |
Australian Permanent Resident Visa (APRV) holders |
You can't apply unless you're in a bridging course for overseas-trained professionals. Contact Monash Connect to request an application form. When you receive it in the post, fill it in and mail it back. | See FEE-HELP information (pdf 630kb) |
New Zealand citizens |
Only New Zealand Citizens on Special Category Visas from the Australian Government , who also meet all the eligibility criteria, are able to get HELP loans. Complete the New Zealand HELP loans request. Provide all the visa and residency documentation at least five business days before your census date to start the application process. | We'll assess the documents you've provided to see if you meet the residency criteria. If you're eligible to apply for FEE-HELP we'll send you a hard-copy application. Fill it in and mail it back. |
Commencing students who've applied for FEE-HELP, but haven't provided a verified Unique Student Identifier (USI) | You need to provide us with a verified USI before 11.59pm (Melbourne time) on the census date, or you won’t receive a FEE-HELP loan for that census date. | If the USI you gave us can't be verified by the Australian Government, we’ll email your Monash account with instructions on how to resolve the problem. |
Commencing students who've applied for FEE-HELP, but haven't provided a verified TFN | You need to provide us with a verified TFN before 11.59pm (Melbourne time) on the census date, or you won’t receive a FEE-HELP loan for that census date. | If the TFN you gave us can't be verified by the ATO, we’ll email your Monash account with instructions on how to resolve the problem. |
Applications
If you can't complete the application in the Web Enrolment System (WES), you'll need to contact Monash Connect and ask for a Request for FEE-HELP Assistance form.
Closing date
You must apply for FEE-HELP by 11.59pm (Melbourne time) on your unit's census date, or at least five days before your fees are due – whichever comes first. See your fees statement in WES.
Approved applicants get a new fees statement the following week. This shows FEE-HELP is your payment option.
Unsuccessful applicants get a letter within five business days. You must pay your course fees in full, or we'll cancel your enrolment.
Tracking your payments or debt
Your Commonwealth Assistance Notice (CAN) has the census dates, your contributions, and any government debt you have (indexed each year). Check this every semester in the Web Enrolment System (WES). Use the Dispute button if anything is incorrect. You must tell us within 14 days, or we'll assume it's correct and you'll be liable for that loan debt or use of study entitlements.
Cancelling FEE-HELP
To cancel the FEE-HELP payment option, contact Monash Connect.
If you decide to use FEE-HELP again in the future, complete a new form through the Web Enrolment System (WES).
Related links
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