ACOM VET FEE-HELP Guidelines

Transcription

1 ACOM VET FEE-HELP Guidelines Copyright 2015 Australian College of Ministries. All rights reserved. ACOM is a NVR Registered Training Organization #90965

2 Contents ACOM VET FEE-HELP Guidelines... 2 Part 1 - Enrolment and Application... 2 A. Eligibility... 2 B. Enrolment Deadlines and Census Dates... 2 C. Fees... 3 D. VET FEE-HELP 2015 limits and repayment threshold... 3 E. Enrolment and VET FEE-HELP application process... 3 F. Extension Requests... 4 G. Contact us... 4 Part 2 - VET FEE-HELP policies... 5 Access and Equity... 5 Personal Information... 5 Grievances... 5 Statement of Tuition Assurance... 5 Refund Policy and Procedures... 6 Review Policy and Procedures... 6 Schedule of VET Tuition Fees Diploma**... 9 Schedule of VET Tuition Fees Advanced Diploma Copyright 2015 Australian College of Ministries Developed and produced by the Australian College of Ministries Level One, 3 Rider Blvd Rhodes NSW PO Box 3694 Rhodes NSW ABN No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by means electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publisher. 1 Copyright 2015 ACOM ACOM VET FEE-HELP Guidelines 2015-Approved NM-1.03 [11/2/15]

3 ACOM VET FEE-HELP Guidelines Part 1 - Enrolment and Application VET FEE-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme that helps students pay their tuition fees for VET courses and ACOM is an approved VET FEE-HELP provider (#7175). Students undertaking Diploma or above studies with ACOM directly or through an ACOM partner may apply for VET FEE- HELP. To learn more about the Australian Government obligations and requirements students should refer to the Study Assist website: Students should also refer to the VET FEE-HELP Information for 2015 booklet. This booklet is available from the following link: 20VET%20FEE-HELP%20booklet.PDF Students can also call the VET FEE-HELP student enquiry line: The following ACOM guidelines will reference the booklet in outlining the obligations of students and ACOM as the VET FEE-HELP provider. A. Eligibility To be eligible for VET FEE-HELP assistance for a unit of study, the student must: a) be a full fee-paying student, b) meet citizenship or residency requirements, c) have a FEE-HELP balance greater than zero, i.e., not have exceeded his or her FEE-HELP limit, d) be enrolled in a unit that meets course requirements, e) be enrolled in the unit on or before the census date for the unit, and remain so enrolled at the end of the census date, f) meet the Tax File Number (TFN) requirements, and g) have completed, signed and provided to an appropriate officer of ACOM (the Registrar) a Request for VET FEE-HELP Assistance form on or before the census date. B. Enrolment Deadlines and Census Dates ACOM has an Enrolment Deadline which is an administrative date for students to complete certain requirements before the Census date. For 2015 those dates are: Enrolment Deadline for Semester 1: 16 th February 2015 Enrolment Deadline for Semester 2: 20 th July 2015 The census date is the date on which the student incurs loan scheme debts for units of study and the Australian Government is liable to pay a student s tuition fees. The Census dates for 2015 are: Census Date 1: 2 nd March 2015 Census Date 2: 3 rd August 2015 Students enrolling in subjects after the census date will not be able to place those units on VET FEE- HELP. 2 Copyright 2015 ACOM ACOM VET FEE-HELP Guidelines 2015-Approved NM-1.03 [11/2/15]

4 C. Fees a) Students have the option to pay for units either up-front or via VET FEE-HELP. b) Any student enrolled with VET FEE-HELP chosen as their Payment Method will be assumed to have all units throughout their studies paid for using VET FEE-HELP unless ACOM is notified otherwise. c) VET FEE HELP can be used to pay all or part of an eligible student s tuition fees, but cannot be used for additional study costs such as accommodation or text books. D. VET FEE-HELP 2015 limits and repayment threshold The VET FEE-HELP limit for 2015 is $97,728. This is the maximum amount of debt a student can have on VET FEE-HELP. The VET FEE-HELP income threshold level for 2015 is $53,345. Compulsory repayments will occur through the Australian taxation system if the student s income is above this level. E. Enrolment and VET FEE-HELP application process The following steps apply to eligible students who want to enrol in a VET Diploma subject and access VET FEE-HELP to pay for their studies. Step 1 - Applying to enrol into the Diploma Eligible students who wish to apply for admission into the Diploma use one of the following methods: a) Direct students complete a VET APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION Form and enrol by following the procedures in ACOM Vocational Education Handbook. b) Network students complete a VET APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION Form and enrol by following the procedures in ACOM Vocational Education Handbook. c) Partner students complete a partner enrolment form and submit to the partner organisation for processing. Step 2 - Applying for VET FEE-HELP After receiving notice of their enrolment status, students who nominate to pay for their units using VET FEE-HELP as their primary payment method then apply for VET FEE-HELP by following this process: a) Student info@acom.edu.au to request a VET FEE-HELP Application Form. b) ACOM will post the form and booklet to the student. c) Student completes the form and posts back to ACOM (see Part G) d) ACOM generates student Commonwealth Higher Education Student Support Number (CHESSN) and notifies the student they are able to enrol in their subjects. Step 3 - Enroling in subjects Students must then select and enrol in their subjects prior to the published Enrolment Deadline which for 2015 are: Semester 1 enrolment deadline: 16 th February 2015 Semester 2 enrolment deadline: 20 th July 2015 a) Direct students select their subjects and use the online subject enrolment form at the ACOM website. b) Network students select their subjects by consulting with their network training coordinator who will then enrol the students into their subjects. 3 Copyright 2015 ACOM ACOM VET FEE-HELP Guidelines 2015-Approved NM-1.03 [11/2/15]

5 c) Partner students will enrol using their partner organisation enrolment processes. Changes to enrolments can be made up until the published Census Date, however new subject enrolments will not be accepted. If students enrol in a subject after the census date (see step 5 below) VET FEE-HELP cannot be selected as a payment method. Step 4 - Receive pre-census confirmation All students receive a pre-census date confirmation of subjects selected for VET FEE-HELP payment. a) Each individual network student will also be sent a confirmation of units put on VET FEE- HELP. b) Students have up to the enrolment deadline date (2 weeks before the census date) to change and adjust their selected subjects before the CAN notice is generated (step 5 below). Step 5 - The Census Date occurs The census date occurs 2 weeks after the enrolment deadline and for 2015 these dates are: Census Date 1: 2 nd March 2015 Census Date 2: 3 rd August 2015 Step 6 - Students begin their studies and receive Commonwealth Assistance Notice (CAN) notice a) Students being their studies and engage with the training. b) Students will receive a CAN notice within 28 days of the census date. c) The CAN notice itemises the study costs the student has placed on VET FEE-HELP F. Extension Requests Students must be aware that any extension request must match the end date of the delivery period (semester 1/semester 2 end dates) when awarding competency. This means no extensions will be given past the final assessment deadline date at the end of the delivery period. G. Contact us Students, networks and partners must contact ACOM for all VET FEE-HELP related enquiries based on the following: Students - all applications, enrolment, general enquiries info@acom.edu.au ACOM partners and network organisations (only) registrar@acom.edu.au Phone: Mailing Address: Australian College of Ministries, PO Box 3694, Rhodes, NSW, Copyright 2015 ACOM ACOM VET FEE-HELP Guidelines 2015-Approved NM-1.03 [11/2/15]

6 Part 2 - VET FEE-HELP policies The following policies cover ACOM s VET FEE-HELP processes and procedures in further detail. Direct and Network students must also refer to the ACOM Vocational Education Handbook for further detail on policies relating to access & equity, personal information and grievances. Partner students will refer to their Partner organisation for further supporting policies relating to access & equity, personal information and grievances. Access and Equity ACOM is committed to providing access and equity in all aspects of training; and is committed to ensuring a safe and healthy learning environment free from harassment, discrimination or bullying including cyber bullying for all staff and students. Students are to refer to the relevant Vocational Education Handbook. Personal Information ACOM acknowledges and respects the privacy of individuals and collection and use of an individual s private information shall be subject to the guidelines outlined in the relevant Vocational Education Handbook. Grievances Students, staff, partners and networks should make every effort to initially resolve any dispute at the level at which the incident occurs. Students are to refer to the relevant Vocational Education Handbook for grievances procedures. Statement of Tuition Assurance The Tuition Assurance Schemes (TAS) undertakes to arrange for students currently enrolled in that course of study to be offered admission to a similar course of study offered by another provider, with full credit for the units of study completed and leading to the same or comparable qualification should the original provider cease being able to provide a course of study. Australian College of Ministries has met the VET tuition assurance requirements, as specified in the VET Guidelines 2013, through current membership of the Australian Council for Private Education and Training Australian Student Tuition Assurance Scheme (the Scheme). Contact details for the ACPET VET ASTAS Administrator are: Website: acpet@acpet.edu.au Phone Number: Postal Address: PO Box 551, East Melbourne, V 8002 For the purposes of VET FEE-HELP, all courses offered by Australian College of Ministries in accordance with the course requirements of clause 45 of Schedule 1A to the Act are covered by the Scheme as part of its membership of the Scheme. 5 Copyright 2015 ACOM ACOM VET FEE-HELP Guidelines 2015-Approved NM-1.03 [11/2/15]

7 Refund Policy and Procedures 1. Administrative dates including census dates will be published in this ACOM VET FEE-HELP Guidelines and on ACOM s website at 2. Students do not incur a financial liability for a unit until after the census date. This applies to all eligible students whether they pay their tuition fees upfront or seek loan scheme assistance. 3. Students are to advise ACOM by the published census date that they intend to withdraw from the course or subject. 4. This advice is to be sent to info@acom.edu.au 5. In the event of a student withdrawing on or prior to the published census date: a. 100% of tuition fees paid will be refunded; b. the student will not incur a VET FEE-HELP debt. 6. In the event of a student withdrawing after the published census date: a. no refund is applicable; b. the student will incur a VET FEE-HELP debt. 7. Should a student become seriously ill or suffer exceptional circumstances of a compassionate nature (such as death or severe illness in the immediate family) and can no longer continue their studies, ACOM may refund the balance of the unused fees. a. This fee refund is wholly at the discretion of ACOM. b. The application must be in writing and appropriate evidence, such as a medical certificate will be required. 8. If a refund is approved, ACOM will pay the amount within four weeks after receiving advice from the student. Refunds will only be given to the person, partner or network entity who paid the fees. 9. This agreement does not remove the right to take further action under Australia s consumer protection laws. ACOM s dispute resolution processes, Student/Client Complaints Policy and Procedure do not restrict the students right to pursue other legal remedies. Review Policy and Procedures 1. A student has the right to apply for a review of ACOM s decision to not re-credit or remit their loan scheme debt. 2. A student who has requested loan scheme assistance incurs a debt for each unit immediately after the census date for that unit. If a student withdraws from a unit after the census date or does not successfully complete the unit due to special circumstances, he or she may apply to ACOM for a re-credit of their FEE-HELP balance and remission of their FEE-HELP or VET FEE-HELP debt in relation to the unit. The student may apply for a remission or re-credit if he or she believes that special circumstances apply. The FEE-HELP balance includes both VET FEE-HELP and FEE-HELP debts. 3. If ACOM is satisfied that special circumstances do apply, the student s FEE-HELP balance will be re-credited. Where a student s FEE-HELP balance is re-credited for a unit, the debt the student incurred for that unit is remitted. 4. Where ACOM determines that special circumstances do not apply in a student s case, the student has the right to apply for a review of that decision. ACOM will apply a student review procedure for reconsidering such decisions. 5. There is no charge applied for such a review. 6. Students are informed of the process though the following information: a. that a student may apply, in writing, to have their FEE-HELP balance re-credited and HELP debt remitted under special circumstances that: i. are beyond the person s control, and ii. do not make their full impact on the person until on or after the census date for the unit of study in question, and 6 Copyright 2015 ACOM ACOM VET FEE-HELP Guidelines 2015-Approved NM-1.03 [11/2/15]

8 iii. make it impracticable for the person to complete the requirements for the unit in the period during which the person undertook, or was to undertake, the unit b. the process for re-crediting a person s FEE-HELP balance which must be in accordance with the guidelines and provide reasonable timelines for each stage of the process c. that a student may make an application to have his or her FEE-HELP balance recredited within 12 months of the withdrawal date for a unit or, if the student has not withdrawn, within 12 months of the end of the period in which the unit was to be undertaken d. that the 12 month period may be extended on the grounds that it was not possible to apply within the 12 months period e. details of the person/position making the initial decision on a student s request for a re-credit of his or her FEE-HELP balance f. that if the student wishes to request a review of the decision, this must be made within 28 days of receipt of the original decision. The request must include: i. the date of the original decision ii. fully state the reasons for applying for the review iii. any additional relevant evidence g. the review officer who would review the decision should a student s request be declined this person must not have been involved in making the original decision and must occupy a position that is senior to the original decision maker h. advice that receipt of a request for review of a decision not to re-credit a student s FEE-HELP balance will be acknowledged in writing. This will inform the student that, if the reviewer has not advised the student of a decision within 45 days of receiving the request for review, the reviewer is taken to have confirmed the original decision i. advice that the review officer will provide a written decision to the student, including reasons for the decision and advice that a student has the right to apply to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) for a review of the original decision or a decision that has been reviewed j. contact details of the nearest registry of the AAT and the approximate cost of lodging an appeal with the AAT and that this cost can change. Students should be aware that the department will be the other party in any case in the AAT. All relevant documents will be forwarded to the department. 7. Students submit a valid request for review on the appropriate form. The form is available upon request through info@acom.edu.au 8. The time limit for requesting a review of a decision is 28 days from the day the person first received notice of the decision, or such longer period as ACOM allows. ACOM will acknowledge, in writing, receipt of an application for review of a decision to not re-credit a FEE-HELP balance, and will normally advise the applicant of the outcome of the review within 45 days of receiving the application for review. 9. The nominated Review Officer will be the chief executive officer (CEO) or their delegate. 10. In reviewing a decision, ACOM will: a. appoint a review officer who is not the same officer who made the original decision and who occupies a position that is senior to that occupied by the original decision-maker; b. reconsider the decision with the reviewer s available options being to confirm the original decision, vary the decision, or set the decision aside and substitute a new decision. 11. After the decision has been reconsidered, ACOM will: a. notify the person, in writing, of the reviewer s decision and the reviewer s reasons for making the decision (either confirming the decision, varying the decision, or setting the decision aside and substituting a new decision); b. advise the person of their right to appeal to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) for a review of the reviewer s decision if the applicant is unsatisfied with the outcome, and 7 Copyright 2015 ACOM ACOM VET FEE-HELP Guidelines 2015-Approved NM-1.03 [11/2/15]

9 c. provide the applicant with the contact details and address of the nearest AAT registry and the approximate costs of lodging an appeal. 12. A student may make an application to the AAT for a reconsideration of ACOM s decision to refuse to re-credit their FEE-HELP balance, and may supply additional information to the AAT that they did not previously supply to ACOM and ACOM s reviewer. 13. To enable the AAT to meet the 28-day timeframe, ACOM will, within a further 5 business days of being requested, provide the AAT with copies of all the documents it holds that are relevant to the appeal. ACOM will keep any originals and copies of the documents in accordance with its normal recording keeping practices. 14. ACOM may still reconsider matters that are before the AAT (i.e. at any time up until the AAT makes a final decision) and must advise the AAT if a decision is made to re-credit a person s FEE- HELP balance. 15. Until the student formally withdraws their AAT proceedings, ACOM must still forward all relevant documents to The Department as above. 8 Copyright 2015 ACOM ACOM VET FEE-HELP Guidelines 2015-Approved NM-1.03 [11/2/15]

10 Schedule of VET Tuition Fees Diploma** COURSE: Diploma of Christian Ministry & Theology (10434NAT) DELIVERY LOCATIONS: Australia wide, (Refer to the notes below to identify location of particular units delivered and corresponding Partner entity) DELIVERY MODES: On site, external VET UNIT UNIT DESCRIPTOR Tuition Fees EFTSL Delivery Period 1 Delivery Period 2 Commence Census Completion Commence Census Completion Core Units (Complete SIX units) CMTTHE501A Analyse and interpret theological beliefs in the light of current thinking CMTTHE502A Analyse and interpret theological data CMTTHE503A Research and analyse information within a theological theme or issue CMTTHE504A Identify new theological information CMTMIN501A Relate theological ideas to the Christian way of life CMTMIN502A Communicate theology in a clear form Elective Units (Complete FOUR units) 1 = ACOM electives, 2= CRC electives, 3 = Kingsley Community electives, 4 =Youth Dimension electives, 5 =MTS electives CHCORG624E Provide leadership in community services delivery CHCCSL510A BSBPMG522A BSBWOR502B CHCYTH009 CHCORG529B CHCCOM504B CHCADMIN403D CHCCD404E CHCCS504B CHCORG525D CHCCD509C CHCPAS401B CHCPOL403C CHCCS422B clustered with CHCMH301C Work effectively with relationship issues 1 Undertake project work 1 Ensure team effectiveness 4 Support youth programs 1 Provide coaching and motivation 1 Develop, implement and promote effective workplace communication Undertake administrative work 2 3 Develop and implement community programs 2 Provide services to clients with complex needs 3 Recruit and coordinate volunteers 5 Support community leadership 5 Undertake pastoral care work 5 Undertake research activities 5 Respond holistically to client issues and refer appropriately; Work effectively in mental health 4 Note: Students are to refer to their Vocational Education Handbook for the subject options and schedules applicable for each unit outlined in their Handbook. **If the Length of Course is more than 12 months, the Indicative Course Fee applies to 2015 enrolment only. 9 Copyright 2015 ACOM ACOM VET FEE-HELP Guidelines 2015-Approved NM-1.03 [11/2/15]

11 Schedule of VET Tuition Fees Advanced Diploma COURSE: Advanced Diploma of Christian Ministry & Theology (10435NAT) DELIVERY LOCATIONS: Australia wide DELIVERY MODES: On site, external VET UNIT CMTTHE601A CMTTHE602A CMTTHE603A CMTTHE604A CMTMIN601A CMTMIN602A CHCCD505E CHCCD606C CHCCS422B CHCMH301C CHCORG428A CHCORG610B CHCORG611C CHCORG627B CHCPOL403C UNIT DESCRIPTOR Analyse and critique religious traditions in the light of current thinking Analyse and critique theological data Analyse and critique data within a theological theme or issue Critique new insights on theological information Synthesise theological ideas and the Christian way of life Communicate theology in substantial depth Develop community resources Establish and develop community organisations Respond holistically to client issues and refer appropriately Work effectively in mental health Reflect and improve upon professional practice Manage change in a community sector organisation Lead and develop others in a community sector workplace Provide mentoring support to colleagues Undertake research activities Tuition Fees EFTSL Delivery Period 1 Delivery Period 2 Commence Census Completion Commence Census Completion Core Units (Complete SIX units) Elective Units (Complete FOUR units) Note: Students are to refer to their Vocational Education Handbook for the subject options and schedules applicable for each unit outlined in their handbook **If the Length of Course is more than 12 months, the Indicative Course Fee applies to 2015 enrolment only. 10 Copyright 2015 ACOM ACOM VET FEE-HELP Guidelines 2015-Approved NM-1.03 [11/2/15]