Close up shot of female student pilot studying the SFC Clubhouse
FINANCIAL SUPPORT

VET Student Loans.

We are proud to be a VET Student Loans approved course provider (RTO 90866). Whether you're looking to start a new career or take your current one to the next level, VET Student Loans can help you make it happen.

About

What is a VET Student Loan?

From 1 January 2017, the Commonwealth VET Student Loans program replaced the VET FEE-HELP loan program. This program provides eligible students with loans to pay for their tuition fees, which are then repaid via the Australian Tax System once the minimum income threshold for payments has been received.

This Commonwealth Government program allows you to access loans for courses that:

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Have a high national priority;

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Meet industry needs;

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Contribute to addressing skills shortages;

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Lead to employment outcomes.

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DIPLOMA OF AVIATION

Approved courses.

Schofields Flying Club Limited trading as SFC is an approved provider of VET Student Loans (RTO 90866) for the following courses:

Two pilots in Cockpit at SFC Pilot Academy Tamworth
Airline Pilot Package

AVI50222 Diploma of Aviation (Commercial Pilot Licence - Aeroplane) includes Multi-Crew Cooperation (MCC) & Upset Prevention Recovery Training (UPRT) + AVI50519 Diploma of Aviation (Instrument Rating)

Pilot Walking Towards SFC Diamond DA42 Aircraft
Commercial Pilot Package

Double Diploma of Aviation
AVI50222 Diploma of Aviation (Commercial Pilot Licence - Aeroplane) + AVI50519 Diploma of Aviation (Instrument Rating)

Instructor and Student Pilot in the cockpit of a light aircraft pointing out the window during flight training
Flight Instructor Rating

AVI50419 Diploma of Aviation (Flight Instructor)

APPLICATION PROCESS

How do I apply for a VET Student Loan?

If you would like to apply for a VET Student Loan to settle your course tuition fees, there are a series of steps for you to undertake.

Step 1. Am I eligible?

To be eligible for a VET Student Loan, you must:

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Be an Australian Citizen; or

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A New Zealand Citizen with a Special Category Visa (SCV); or

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A Permanent Humanitarian Visa holder who will be residing in Australia for the duration of the course.

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Be studying a VET Student Loans eligible course

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Meet student entry procedure requirements

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Meet Tax File Number requirements

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Present Unique Student Identifier (USI) number

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Have not exceeded your HELP loan limit

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Have not exceeded the VET Student Loans course cap

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Submit a request for a VET Student Loan via the Government’s eCAF System (including all required information) on or before the first census date and no less than two (2) business days after enrolling

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Confirm engagement and progression to continue to access the loan throughout the course

To find out more information visit the Australian Government’s VET Student Loans Website or StudyAssist.

Not eligible?
If you’re not eligible, or don't apply before your census date, you must pay your fees by the due date or your enrolment will be cancelled.

Stage 2. Before you apply
  1. Read the government VET Student Loans Information Booklet
    When you submit a request for a VET Student Loan 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 a VET Student Loan, you must be able to verify your citizenship.

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

    Get or check your USI.

  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 a VET Student Loan.

    If you don't have a TFN, you can apply for one here.

Under 18?
You need to complete the VET Student Loans Parental Consent Form and submit it to [email protected] at least 5 business days before your census date.

Step 3. How to apply
  1. Let us know you intend to apply for a VET Student Loan
    You’ll be prompted to indicate if you intend to access a VET Student Loan when you apply for any of our eligible courses.

For detailed information, refer to the Australian Government's VET Student Loan eCAF fact sheet.

Step 4. During the course

Throughout the course, it's important to know and track your loan.

  1. Your Commonwealth Assistance Notice (CAN)
    Your Commonwealth Assistance Notice (CAN) outlines the VET Student Loan debt you've incurred and any upfront payments you've made towards your fees.

    SFC will issue you with a Commonwealth Assistance Notice (CAN) within 28 days of each class census date via email.

    If there are any discrepancies between your VET Student Loan 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.

  2. Your Loan Cap
    The Australian Government sets a VET Student Loan Program Loan Cap for your program. This is the maximum amount of tuition you can defer to your VET Student Loan for this program, and includes any study in the same program at a different provider.

    Your Program Loan Cap is displayed on your eCAF and on your invoice.

    Once you reach your loan cap, you'll need to pay any remaining tuition fees by the due date. Caps are indexed annually. For more information, go to VET Student Loans Course Caps Indexed Amounts.

  3. HELP 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.

  4. 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.

IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS

Polices and Procedures.

If you would like to apply for a VET Student Loan to settle your course tuition fees, there are a series of steps for you to undertake.

Student Entry Procedure

This procedure outlines the eligibility requirements to obtain a VET Student Loan to cover all or part of your course fees.

Tuition Protection Procedure

This procedure aims to ensure that SFC will perform required actions in relation to VSL provider default or if requested to become a replacement provider for displaced students.

Grievance Policy

This document describes the SFC procedures for making and resolving complaints or grievances.

Privacy Policy

Before you provide us with any personal information, it's important you read and understand our Privacy Policy.

Withdrawals & Deferrals

Withdrawing
All students who withdraw from a unit of study/part of a course or the whole course need to advise SFC in writing using the VET Student Loans Withdrawal & Deferral Application form.


Withdrawing on or before the Census day
If you withdraw on or before the Census day you:

  • Are entitled to a refund if you have paid upfront; OR
  • Do not incur a debt if you have taken out a VET Student Loan.

Withdrawing after the Census day
If you withdraw after the Census day has passed you:

  • Receive no refund if you have paid upfront; OR
  • Are liable for the full debt if you have taken out a VET Student Loan.

Applying to re-credit a HELP Balance
In some special circumstances, you may apply to have your debt reversed by completing the Application to re-credit a HELP balance form within 12 months of the census day of the Unit of Study/Part of a Course.

Students also have the right to apply for a review of a decision not to re-credit a loan balance. See the VET Student Loans Student Review Procedure.

Re-enrolling
If you wish to re-enrol in the program after withdrawing you must inform us in writing of your intention to re-enrol.

Withdrawal and Deferral Form

This form is for eligible VET Student Loan students who are withdrawing or deferring from their course of Units of Study (UoS).

Application to re-credit HELP balance form

This form is for students who withdraw after the census day and may be able to apply for re-credit under special circumstances.

Student Review Procedure

If you have been informed that your application to have your HELP balance re-credited is unsuccessful, you have the right to request a review of the decision. If you are requesting a review, you need to follow the Student Review Procedure outlined in this document.

Tuition assurance

If SFC ceases to provide a course in which you are enrolled, SFC will ensure that you are offered enrolment in a similar course of study. Alternatively, you will be provided a refund of any upfront payments or a re-credit to your loan balance for any units of study (due to SFC ceasing to offer that course or a suitable alternative option).

HELP SECTION

FAQs.

Don't see the answer to your question?

CONTACT US
Is there an age limit for applying for a VET Student Loan?

There are no age restrictions to apply for a VET Student Loan, though the intent is that your study will have a vocational outcome. That is, it will enable you to get a job or support your career progression.

Parental consent is required for students who are under 18 years old, unless you are receiving Youth Allowance (on the basis that you are independent). You must provide a copy of your Centrelink Income Statement noting your independent assessment. Otherwise, your parent or guardian must sign the Commonwealth’s Parental Consent Form and return it to the College before you can apply for a loan. Click here to access the form or collect from SFC.

Your parent or guardian will not be responsible for making loan repayments and it will not affect their credit rating. You will have to make the relevant repayments once your income reaches the minimum repayment threshold.

Is there a limit to how much I can borrow?

From 1 January 2017, the Commonwealth Government has set a course loan cap for each course. The loan cap is the total amount the student can borrow for the course. Most students will not be affected by the course loan caps. If there is a gap between the course fee and the course loan cap, you will be advised when you enquire.

There is also a lifetime loan limit per student. This is the total amount you can incur in your lifetime under any Commonwealth HELP student loan scheme – whether it is Higher Education FEE-HELP, VET FEE-HELP or a VET Student Loan. It is indexed each year, in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Students can check their HELP loan limit and loan obligations by logging into myHELPbalance. You will need your Commonwealth Higher Education Student Support Number (CHESSN) to log in.

I have a student debt already, how do I confirm my total debt?

Log into the myHELPbalance portal to check your available HELP balance. You will need your Commonwealth Higher Education Student Support Number (CHESSN) to log in.

What is academic suitability?

All students wishing to apply for a VET Student Loan must be assessed for academic suitability to under take a high level VET qualification. This is to ensure you have the skills and knowledge to succeed in your course. Academic assessment is in addition to any other entry requirements for your course, or any other additional selection criteria. To be assessed as academically suitable, you must either:

  • Provide a copy of your senior secondary certificate of education (Australian Year 12 Certificate)that has been awarded by an Australian authority or agency, or an International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB) Diploma or;
  • Provide evidence of attainment of an Australian Qualification Framework qualification at Certificate IV level or above (or at a level in a framework that preceded the AQF that is equivalent to level IV or above in the AQF) that was delivered in English, or evidence of an approved Australian Government assessed overseas qualification. You may provide a Certificate or transcript from your previous provider or a transcript from the national USI register (for qualifications attained from 2015) or;
  • Undertake an approved literacy and numeracy assessment and be competent at Exit Level 3 or above in reading and numeracy. Your college will assist you through the process to undertake this assessment if required. There is no cost to you.
Am I eligible for a fee reduction for Credit Transfer or RPL for previous learning?

If you have completed previous studies, you could be eligible for reduced fees. You should also let us know as soon as possible, if you have experience in the area you are studying and think you may qualify for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) which means your study load is reduced and your fees may also be lower.

Is my course eligible?

The Commonwealth Government selects VET Student Loan eligible courses in line with industry needs and employment outcomes and approves providers to offer those courses with a VET Student Loan. SFC is an approved provider for VET student loans and all 3 diplomas SFC offers are eligible.

Will taking out a loan impact my credit rating?

A VET Student Loan is a personal debt obligation that can affect your credit rating. It may also have wage and tax repayment implications. You should seek independent financial advice before applying for a VET Student Loan.

I’m receiving Centrelink benefits. Does this affect the amount of VET Student Loan assistance I can access?

Centrelink benefits do not affect your eligibility or the amount of VET Student Loan assistance you can access.

What are New Zealand Citizen Eligibility criteria?

New Zealand citizens who hold a Special Category Visa (SCV Subclass 444) and meet the residency criteria are eligible to apply for a loan. The residency requirements are:

  • you first began living in Australia at least 10 years before applying for a loan, and at that time, were a child under 18 years of age and did not have a spouse or de-facto partner and;
  • you have been in Australia for at least eight of the 10 years immediately prior to applying and at least 18 months of the last two years.

You will need to provide evidence to TAFE of your eligibility before requesting a loan.

Are there further requirements to maintain eligibility for my loan?

Yes, please refer to the Commonwealth Government Student Obligations Factsheet to ensure you understand your responsibilities to maintain your loan.

The Commonwealth will contact you two to three times per year (February, June or October) by email and ask you to complete a student survey to confirm that you are still studying and wish to continue to access a VET Student Loan. You must complete the survey to maintain your loan and confirm that you are a genuine student. Failure to comply with the request could result in the cancellation of your loan.

In addition, if you are not progressing through your course, SFC may also cancel your enrolment to ensure that you are not unnecessarily incurring a debt.

What is a USI?

A USI is a Unique Student Identifier. The Commonwealth Government requires all students who are studying in a nationally recognised training course to have a USI. If you already have one, please ensure you use the same USI when you enrol for any training. If you don’t have a USI, you can go to www.usi.gov.au to register before you apply to enrol. Alternatively, you can do this as part of your enrolment.

What is a CHESSN?

A CHESSN was allocated to all students as a primary student identifier when they first accessed aCommonwealth Loan prior to 2021. For new students (from 2021), the CHESSN has been replaced by the USI and will be the primary student identifier moving forward.

Can I make an upfront payment?

If you have future fees, you can make upfront payments directly to SFC. This will save you the 20% loan fee that is applied to any fee-for-service loans.If all your census days have passed, you can make payments direct to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).

What happens to my debt if I move overseas?

From the 1 July 2017, any HELP debtors (students who have received a Commonwealth Government student loan) who move overseas are required to make compulsory HELP repayments. This also applies to any existing HELP debts.

The first step is to notify the ATO before you travel, or within 7 days of leaving Australia, if you intend to move overseas for 183 days (around 6 months) or more in any 12-month period. For more information on how to register with the ATO, visit the Study Assist website.

When do I repay my debt?

You repay your loan through the tax system when your income is above the minimum repayment threshold. Repayment thresholds are adjusted each year to reflect changes in average weekly earnings.

This means that once your income reaches the minimum threshold you will need to start repaying your loan through the Australian Tax Office. For more information regarding Commonwealth loan repayment thresholds, please visit the StudyAssist website.

What if I finish earlier than anticipated, before all census days have passed?

Our students quite often finish earlier than anticipated. It may be because they received large amounts of credit transfer, reducing the amount of study they need to complete, or some students in flexible courses are able to apply more time to their studies and progress more quickly.

If you are going to finish early, your college will contact you to discuss moving your census days forward so that all your course fees will become due in your new, shorter study period.