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Wollongong Undergraduate Students' Association |
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Wollongong Undergraduate Students' Association |
What student charges are there at the University of Wollongong?
What are the compulsory service charges?
Do I have to pay these charges?
How much will parking cost me?
What if I don't pay a fee or charge?
How do I know the amount of my HECS-HELP debt?
Are there any exemptions to HECS-HELP?
What student charges are there at the University of Wollongong?
Both undergraduate and postgraduate students are required to meet toe following charges
• Penalty charges such as late charges, parking fines etc
• Administrative charges such as copy of academic transcript and replacement testamur charges, application fee to amend an academic record, or charges for examinations requiring special arrangements
• Cost of travel incurred by students attending practical work for courses in social work, teacher training etc
• Cost of travel incurred by external students attending residential schools
• Accommodation charges and cost of subsistence on excursions, field trips etc
• Charges for special clothing and laundry costs
• Purchase of instruments or equipment
• Cost of handbooks and notes
• Charges associated with the development and operation of unions, student associations, students' representative councils and other student activities
What are the compulsory service charges?
In 2005, all students will be required to the pay the following charges.
• Entrance charges at first enrolment
(a) Wollongong UniCentre $38.30
(b) Recreation and Aquatic Centre $30.00
(c) Wollongong Undergraduate Students' Association $ 5.00
OR
(d) Wollongong University Postgraduate Association $6.40
• Annual subscriptions Wollongong Shoalhaven
(a) Wollongong UniCentre $199 $126.00
(b) Recreation and Aquatic Centre $104 $18
• Wollongong Undergraduate
Students' Association $48.40 $36
• Wollongong University
Postgraduate Association $57 $36
Do I have to pay these charges?
Yes. However if you conscientiously object, you can request that you fees be directed towards the Dean of Students' Equity Award, which helps students experiencing genuine financial hardship which adversely affects their studies. For more information, contact the Dean of Students on (02) 4221 4355
Exemption from payment of fees will also be granted in certain circumstances:
• Exemption from payment of fees for the Wollongong UniCentre will be granted to life members of the UniCentre and to permanent and limited term staff of the University.
• Exemption from payment of fees for the Recreation and Aquatic Centre will be granted to life members of the Recreation and Aquatic Centre and to permanent and limited term staff of the University.
• Students who have paid fees for six or more years are eligible to apply for life membership of the UniCentre and/or Recreation and Aquatic Centre.
Are there any other charges?
• Late payment of Compulsory Service Charge: $60
• Reinstatement charge (following termination of enrolment): $100
• Failure to enrol by the prescribed date: $100
• Late payment of tuition fees (international): $450
• Late payment of tuition fees (domestic): $200
• Application fee to amend academic record: $80
• Replacement ID card: $10
• Replacement testamur: $50
• Transcripts (2 copies): $20
• Graduation Fee: $70
How much will parking cost me?
• Reserved parking: $600
• Red category: $200
• Yellow category: $120
• Motorcycle: $32
• Disabled parking: No charge
• Daily charges: $0.50 to $6.00
What if I don't pay a fee or charge?
Any student who is indebted to the University and fails to make satisfactory settlement of this indebtedness by the due date ceases to be entitled to membership and privileges of the University ie their enrolment will be cancelled. This means that access to email and library will be withdrawn and examination results will not be provided. In order for an enrolment to be reinstated, a student must pay all outstanding amounts, including the Reinstatement Fee of $100.
What is HECS- HELP?
The Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP) formerly the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS), is a tertiary education funding scheme introduced in 1989 by the Australian Commonwealth Government. The Commonwealth subsidises the cost of tertiary education for Australian and New Zealand citizens and Australian permanent residents . The amount an individual pays for tertiary education is his or her Higher Education Contribution. HECS- HELP is jointly administered by the Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) and the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
Every year, the universities and Government offer a certain number of HECS places available to Australian citizens, permanent residents and New Zealand citizens. A student can apply for one of these places through the tertiary admissions office in their State or directly to the university (depending on the requirements of the university).
When first introduced, HECS was roughly AU$2000 per year of full-time study, irrespective of course or institution. This was intended to represent about 25% of the cost of your course. Changes in government policy have meant that in 2004, the amount of HECS you pay varies according to course. Courses are "banded" according to expected earning power. There were three bands, with a year of full-time study costing:
Band 1: $3,768: Arts , Humanities , Social Studies / Behavioural Sciences , Education , Visual / Performing Arts , Nursing , Justice and Legal Studies
Band 2: $5,367 : Mathematics , Computing , other Health Sciences , Agriculture /Renewable Resources, Built Environment/ Architecture , Sciences , Engineering /Processing, Administration , Business and Economics
Band 3: $6,283 : Law , Medicine , Medical Science, Surgery , Dentistry , Dental Services and Veterinary Science
The above fees have will, in 2006, be increased by 25% at the University of Wollongong, except in the prioritised areas of teaching and nursing.
Students who are Australian citizens or Australian permanent residents can pay all or part of the fee "up front" and receive a 25% discount on the amount paid. The unpaid portion of the fee is deferred. New Zealand citizens (unless they hold joint citizenship or Australian permanent residency) must pay upfront and receive no discount. Permanent residents must apply for citizenship by their third year to be entitled for HECS deferral in the third and all further years.
Students must begin repaying a deferred HELP debt when their annual income reaches $36,185 ( as of 2005 ) at a rate of 4% of annual income rising to 8% for those earning $67,200 or over. Students will have to pay a percentage of their income according to how much they earn. This percentage is taken out via the income tax system, with most ordinary employees paying through the PAYG system. Voluntary repayments of $500 or more receive a 10% bonus.
This deregulation of HECS-HELP has also resulted in a limit in the number of years a student may study in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP). As of 2005, all students may only study for a maximum of 8 years full-time in Commonwealth supported university places (16 years part-time
How do I pay HECS-HELP?
New students will receive a HECS election form at enrolment. This form requires students to nominate whether they wish to pay the HECS liability through the Taxation System when earnings reach the threshold prescribed yearly by the Government or whether they wish to pay the HECS liability to the University up-front and receive a discount of 25%. If a student elects to pay the liability to the University up-front he/she should make payment of the liability by the date prescribed. HECS is payable each session and the amount of liability is determined by the load (as a proportion of the standard student load for a full year) in which a student enrols. Students who elect to defer their HECS payments are able to make an up-front payment prior to the HECS census date of at least $500 (for which you will receive a 25% discount). Payments may be made at the Student Administration Office using EFTPOS, credit cards or cheques.
HECS Census Dates: The HECS census date is 31 March for Autumn Session and 31 August for Spring Session. No liability under HECS will be incurred if a student withdraws from one or more subjects prior to the appropriate census date.
How do I know the amount of my HECS-HELP debt?
Students will receive notice of their estimated liability under HECS with the enrolment record notice at the beginning of each session. A statement of the session's final HECS liability as at census date is available online at SOLS after the census date.
Are there any exemptions to HECS-HELP?
Higher education students will incur the HECS with the exception of the following, who are exempt:
• have a Merit-Based Equity Scholarship; or
• hold an Australian Post Graduate Award; or
• are enrolled in a fee-paying place; or
• are enrolled in a HECS exempt enabling course; or
• are enrolled in a non-award course; or
• are enrolled in an employer funded course; or
• are enrolled in a HECS exempt place in the Commonwealth Industry Places Scheme; or
• are an Australian permanent resident under visa sub class 818 and you have an International Postgraduate research Award (IPRA).
Students who fall in the above categories will have no liability under HECS and are not required to complete a Payment Option Form.
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