Monash University: University Handbooks: Off-Campus Distributed Learning 2002: All Units (Both On- and Off-Campus) Indexed by Faculty
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Fees


General information

Contributions payable under the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) are reviewed annually by the Australian Government. The university's fees are also periodically reviewed. Students enrolling in full-fee-paying undergraduate or postgraduate courses or as a single unit non-award student are ineligible for HECS.

Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS)

The scheme was introduced by the Australian Government in 1989 and requires contributions to be made by students towards the cost of their higher education studies. The amount to be contributed depends on the study load (units) undertaken each semester, and is payable whether or not a pass in each unit is achieved.
Most undergraduate students, some postgraduate students, and cross-institutional students who are not enrolled as fee-paying students in the award course being undertaken at their home institution are liable for payment under the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS). HECS contributions will not be required from:

Comprehensive HECS information will be provided with offer letters to students offered a Government-funded course place. You may select either the deferred payment option (in which case payment is deferred until your taxable income reaches an annually indexed threshold), including partial upfront payment or the full upfront payment option (in which case a 25 per cent discount may apply). Payment of a contribution under the upfront payment option will be required on a semester basis. HECS guidelines are updated annually and it is the student's responsibility to read and understand them. Further information can be obtained from http://www.hecs.gov.au.

Census dates for withdrawal from units

If withdrawal from a unit or course occurs by 31 March in the first semester, or 31 August in the second semester, the unit or course will not attract a HECS liability for the semester. These are referred to as 'census dates' as they are the dates at which the Government calculates HECS liability. Where summer-semester units are offered, the census date normally is the date on which the student begins a course of study (where the study period is less than six weeks long), or 14 days after course commencement (where the summer-semester period is greater than six weeks).
More detailed information will be provided with offer letters, but may also be obtained from Student Services Centre at the Gippsland campus. Read 'HECS: Your Questions Answered 2002' for all information regarding HECS.

Fees guide for 2002 (subject to change and ratification)

Higher Education Contribution Scheme

The standard annual contribution for 2002 is set out below. University fees are also reviewed periodically - see course information. The annual HECS course contribution for a standard full-time study load is set by the Australian Government in three study discipline bands:

All 'differential HECS rate' units of study are allocated a band, and total HECS payable is determined by each student's particular study program for each year. The Australian Government also sets a pre-1997 ´non-differential' rate that applies in certain circumstances.

Amenities fees

Amenities are invoiced on a semester basis. Amenities fees for 2002 had not been finalised at the time of publication, however the following categories may apply. For the purpose of calculating amenities fees:

Most new off-campus distributed learning (distance education) students enrol as part-time students. As a guide, students in this category may expect the amenities fee to be at least $62.50 for the semester.

Note

Students who are only enrolled at Monash University as cross-institutional studies students, with results to be credited to an award course at another institution, may produce evidence of payment of fees at their home institution as an alternative to payment of the amenities fee at Monash University.

Postgraduate course fees

Where unit/tuition fees are applicable to an undergraduate or postgraduate course, the fees payable will be described under the appropriate course heading within this handbook. Some courses may have both HECS and fee-paying places available. Amenities fees are payable for fee-paying postgraduate courses unless stated otherwise in your offer letter.

Postgraduate Education Loans Scheme (PELS)

The Federal Government as introduced a loan scheme for postgraduate students in 2002. Further information can be obtained via the DETYA website at http://www.hecs.gov.au/pels.htm.

Refunds

Upfront HECS payments, single-unit fees and amenities fees are refundable until 31 March for first semester and 31 August for second semester.
Some postgraduate course/unit fees and single unit course fees may include a non-refundable component, or a separate non-refundable administration fee.
Full details will be included in the 2002 Student Resource Guide (available on the internet at http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs).

Goods and Services Tax

The provision of an education course is generally GST-free. In particular, all recognised and government-accredited tertiary courses are GST-free. GST may, however, apply to a number of activities, services and courses that Monash University supplies to students. When the details regarding these activities that are subject to GST become available, they will be located at http://www.monash.edu.au/students.

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