FEE-HELP

Before you apply

There are a few things to check before you apply for a FEE-HELP loan.
 

1. Read the government information booklet

When you submit a request for FEE-HELP to the government, you are declaring that you have read and understood the booklet and your obligations before you access the loan.

2. Make sure your citizenship has been verified

To be eligible for FEE-HELP, you must verify your citizenship. This is part of the enrolment process in Enrolment Online. If you haven't already done so, verify your citizenship now.

3. Make sure you have a USI (Unique Student Identifier)

The USI is your life-long individual education number. It’s a government requirement that you have a USI to enrol in a higher education program.

4. Have your Tax File Number or certificate of application ready

You must have a Tax File Number (TFN) or certificate of application for a TFN to apply for FEE-HELP. If you don't have a TFN, apply for one now.

Your TFN must also validate on your loan application. Once you have a TFN, confirm the details with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) before submitting your application.

How to apply

Follow the steps below to apply for FEE-HELP. You must submit your FEE-HELP application before the census date for the classes you want the loan to cover.

1. Let us know if you intend to apply for FEE-HELP

You’ll be prompted to indicate if you intend to access a FEE-HELP loan when you enrol in Enrolment Online. A notification email will be sent to your RMIT student email address confirming your response.

If you did not apply for a FEE-HELP loan during enrolment, but would now like to access one, follow these steps:

• Log in to Enrolment Online with your RMIT email address and password. Forgotten your password? Reset it.
• Go to My student record. 
• Under Financial details, select Manage Commonwealth Assistance and Optional Loans.
• Select Request next to FEE-HELP loans and follow the prompts.

2. Log in to the government portal

Once you have requested an eCAF, an email will be sent to your RMIT student email address from the Department of Education.

Read the email and follow the instructions to log in to the government’s eCAF portal and begin your application. 

If you can’t find your email, make sure to check your spam folder. 

3. Enter your Tax File Number (TFN)

Enter your TFN or certificate of application for a TFN on your eCAF.

Unless your TFN successfully validates with the Australian Taxation Office, your FEE-HELP loan will not be approved and your tuition fees must then be paid in full to RMIT by the due date.

Can’t validate your TFN? 

If you receive an email advising of problems with your Tax File Number, immediately follow the instructions to validate your TFN.

4. Submit your application via the government's eCAF portal

Remember to submit your application before your first census date.

There are no provisions to backdate your loan application if you submit after your census date.

How to check your FEE-HELP loan is approved

Your loan is not approved unless you have been issued with a FEE-HELP loan approval letter.

Once you submit your eCAF, with a validated Tax File Number, it will be approved and a loan approval letter will be issued to you the next day.

Follow these steps to access your loan approval letter:

• Log in to Enrolment Online with your RMIT email address and password. Forgotten your password? Reset it.
• Select My student record.
• Under Financial details, select View Commonwealth assistance approval letter.

Starting a new program?

If you change your program and/or enrol in a new program, you’ll need to re-apply for FEE-HELP for your new program following the steps above.

Know and track your loan

Your Commonwealth Assistance Notice (CAN)

Your Commonwealth Assistance Notice (CAN) outlines the FEE-HELP debt you've incurred and any upfront payments you've made towards your fees.

RMIT will issue you with a Commonwealth Assistance Notice (CAN) within 28 days of each class census date. A notification email will be sent to your RMIT student email account and your nominated personal email when your CAN is available.

If there are any discrepancies between your FEE-HELP debt and the amount you were expecting to pay, you have 14 days from the CAN issue date to submit a written request for a correction.

To view or print your Commonwealth Assistance Notice

• Log in to Enrolment Online with your RMIT email address and password. Forgotten your password? Reset it.
• Select My student record.
  
• Under Financial details, select View Commonwealth Assistance Notices (CANs).

FEE-HELP and your tax invoice

If your FEE-HELP loan is approved, your fees will automatically defer to your loan shortly after each census date. You’ll still receive a tax invoice each time you vary your enrolment, to give you the option of making an upfront payment to reduce your overall loan amount.

Loan limit

There's a combined limit to how much you can borrow under HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP, VET-FEE-HELP and VET Student Loans. This is called your HELP loan limit.

If you’ve reached your combined HELP loan limit, you’ll need to pay your student contribution (tuition fees) before the census date to ensure your enrolment isn't cancelled.

How to check your combined HELP loan limit

Go to the myHELP balance portal to find out your current HELP limit and how much of your HELP balance you have left to borrow. For more information about the combined HELP limit, go to Study Assist.

Remember to pay your non-tuition fees

Your FEE-HELP loan doesn’t cover the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) or other administrative fees. You may be eligible to apply for SA-HELP to cover your SSAF. Otherwise, you’ll need to pay it upfront by the due date.