FEE-HELP assists eligible students to access a loan to help cover all or part of their tuition fees through a loan. There is a fixed maximum amount that you can borrow in your lifetime, called the HELP limit. To apply for FEE-HELP you will need to provide your Tax File Number (TFN).

Any amount borrowed becomes part of an accumulated HELP debt which you will be required to repay through the tax system once you meet a certain salary threshold. There is a combined HELP loan limit on what you can borrow from the Australian Government to cover the cost of your fees.

Up to date information on the HELP loan limit can be found on the Study Assist website.

Eligibility

To be eligible for FEE-HELP you need to be:

• be an Australian citizen or
• an Australian permanent humanitarian visa holder, or an eligible former permanent humanitarian visa holder or
• a pacific engagement visa holder (effective 1 February 2024) or
• be a New Zealand Special Category visa (SCV) holder or an Australian permanent humanitarian visa holder residing in Australia for the duration of your study and
• meet the FEE-HELP citizenship and residency requirements.

If you are enrolled as a non-award student, you are not eligible for any Commonwealth support or loan-scheme assistance and need to meet the full cost of your tuition fees.

Eligibility criteria and legislation around FEE-HELP can change. See the Australian Government's Study Assist website all eligibility, residency and citizenship requirements.

How to apply

If you would like to apply for a FEE-HELP loan you will need to complete the Request for FEE-HELP assistance form in Sydney Student.

This form can be completed as part of your enrolment process in Sydney Student, or at a later time through Sydney Student (go to 'My finance', 'Your finances', then 'Government forms') but it must be submitted on or before your earliest census date.

You should also read the FEE-HELP information booklet available at Study Assist prior to completing the form.

Your Student Financial Statement in Sydney Student will show your liability status as ‘Deferred through FEE-HELP’, and will include the fee amounts being deferred FEE-HELP.

If you’re a Commonwealth supported student eligible for FEE-HELP and have not submitted your completed FEE-HELP assistance form or paid your tuition fees up front before census, your enrolment will be sanctioned initially and may be cancelled later in the semester if your fees remain unpaid.