Student Services and Amenities Fee 2012

• Who is charged the SSA fee in 2012?
• How much is the SSA fee?
• When is the SSA fee paid?
• SA-HELP Assistance
• Discontinuation of enrolment

Who is charged the fee in 2012?

Most domestic and international (undergraduate and postgraduate) students are liable for the SSA fee at the University of Sydney. As the Bill was passed after the commencement of Sydney Summer School enrolments (session 42, 43 and 44) for 2012 all Sydney Summer School enrolments will be excluded from the SSA fee calculation for 2012 only, i.e., the Sydney Summer School units (unit of study enrolments in sessions 42, 43 and 44) will be excluded from the calculation of your full time / part time status for the semester.

Further, the following categories of students will also be excluded in 2012 because of contractual arrangements with third parties:

• Students (commencing and continuing) enrolled in the Bachelor of Nursing Post Registration (Singapore) award program.
• International students attending the University of Sydney on a formal Exchange program from an overseas institution.
• International students commencing a new course of study in 2012 (this exclusion applies to calendar year 2012 only)
• Students enrolled in the Sydney Law School Taxation Training Program
• International offshore students enrolled in the Graduate Diploma / Master of Museum Studies undertaking the course in Hong Kong through the HKU School of Professional and Continuing Education
• HSC students enrolling in an approved Winter School unit of study in 2012

Please note: a commencing international student who, is not charged the SSA fee in 2012, obtains permanent residency and informs the University of this change on or before the SSA fee payable date, will become liable for the SSA fee from that semester onwards.

How much is the SSA fee?

There are strict guidelines that stipulate the collection and distribution of SSA fee. The proceeds from this fee can only be used for student services such as advocacy, food, childcare, legal, accommodation, sports and recreation etc. More information regarding these guidelines can be obtained from the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education (DIISRTE) .To obtain information about the University of Sydney’s SSA fee allocation process please visit the Allocations page.

When is the SSA fee paid?

Universities are required to set a date that the SSA fee is payable for the semester. This is the final date to submit a valid and complete Request for SA-HELP Assistance form, if eligible. If you are required or choose to pay your SSA fee up-front to the University, you must do so by the administrative or payment due date as indicated on your Student Financial Statement which is mailed to your preferred correspondence address. Please refer to the below table for SSA Fee Payable Dates and Fee amounts.

The SSA fee payable dates for 2012 are as follows.

Semester One (February)

Semester Two (July)

SA-HELP Assistance

SA-HELP is a loan program that is similar to HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP, which allows eligible students to defer the payment of their SSA fee. In order to be eligible for SA-HELP students must meet the following criteria:

• be either an Australian citizen or a permanent humanitarian visa holder residing in Australia; and
• be enrolled in a course of study (or a bridging course for overseas trained professional); and
• submit a valid Request for SA-HELP Assistance form with a TFN (or a Certificate of application for a TFN), on or before the SSA fee payable date.

Students not eligible for SA-HELP will be required to pay their SSA fee up front as per the payment due date on their invoice. Should a student’s eligibility criteria change making them eligible for SA-HELP prior to the SSA fee payable date, they will need to attend the Student Centre (Health Science students please attend Student Central) with proof of their citizenship.

SA HELP Assistance forms are available for students to collect at the Student Centre (or Student Central for Health Science students). Completed SA HELP Assistance forms can also be submitted at the Student Centre or at Student Central for Health Science students.

Students opting for SA-HELP will be sent a Commonwealth Assistance Notice to their University of Sydney issued email address within 28 days of the SSA fee payable date, confirming their SA-HELP debt for the semester. Any errors or issues detected on this notice must be addressed by the relevant dates.

Discontinuation of enrolment

Students who withdraw from their course of study or submit their thesis on or before the SSA fee payable date (i.e., withdraw from or discontinue from all units of study) will not be liable for the SSA fee. Therefore, if the SSA fee was paid upfront you will be eligible for a full refund; or if you opted to obtain a SA-HELP loan, you will no longer be liable.

Students who discontinue their enrolment after the census date or those who are prevented from successfully completing their enrolment due to circumstances beyond their control are able to apply for a remission of their HECS-HELP / FEE-HELP debt, or a refund of their student contribution amounts or tuition fees paid up-front. However, the government has not provided any provisions for universities to remit SA-HELP debts. As such, students who discontinue their enrolment after the SSA fee payable date, will be liable for their SSA fee and will not be refunded their SSA fee where paid upfront or remitted their SA-HELP debt if deferred.

Student Services and Amenities fee FAQs (pdf)