From 1 January 2022, a 50% pass rate rule will apply to all NEW students who access FEE-HELP. Find out more about this change in the FAQs below or by visiting FEE-HELP | StudyAssist.
Does the Fee-Help 50% pass rate requirement apply to all students?
No, the Fee Help 50% pass rate requirement applies only to all commencing students enrolled from 1 January 2022.
Does the Fee-Help 50% pass rate requirement apply as soon as I start my course?
No, the Fee-Help 50% pass rate requirement applies once you have undertaken:
- 4 or more units in a certificate or diploma level course or
- 8 or more units in bachelor and above level courses
You must have passed at least 50% of your total attempted units going forward in order to remain eligible for FEE-HELP or pay the tuition fees upfront until you improve your pass rate.
If I know that I’m not able to manage my study load, how do I avoid a penalty regarding the Fee-Help 50% pass rate requirement?
To avoid a penalty regarding the Fee-Help 50% pass rate requirement, withdraw from the unit prior to the census date.
How will I know when the Fee-Help 50% pass rate requirement for me comes into effect?
Where this threshold has not been met, Colleges will inform the students that their tuition fees will move to ‘up front’ until their pass rate improves.
The myHELPbalance (https://www.myHELPbalance.gov.au) portal also allows for the available FEE-HELP balance entitlement to be viewed by students and providers. Apart from the FEE-HELP balance entitlement, the study history and any repayments to the ATO who credit the FEE-HELP balance can also be viewed in the myHELPbalance portal.
If I face adverse conditions affecting my grades, will the Fee-Help 50% pass rate requirement still apply to me?
If you have a low completion rate and you can demonstrate ‘special circumstances’ have adversely affected your academic performance, the university can allow consideration for these impacts.