Hecs-help (1 Viewer)

[Load Mistress]

I'm posting this thread in hope to get some information and feedback on a few things that I'm confused about regarding HECS and all that.

I'm a permanent resident of Australia, and I have been for my 18 years of life. I just found out that PR's aren't eligible for HECS-HELP.
Last year I was going to do a citizenship test along with my brother but I wanted to focus on my HSC.
So the question I'm looking for an answer to is- if I become an Australian Citizen by the end of this year, will I be able to defer the rest of my uni fees to HECS-HELP? Obviously I'll have to pay for my first semester (maybe my second as well), but once I become an Australian Citizen, can I submit a new "Request for Commonwealth Support and HECS-HELP" form and get HECS?

If I knew PRs weren't eligible I would've done my citizenship ages ago. I remember when my brother went to uni he was eligible for HECS even though he was a PR... but that was a few years back.

Also, one more question, I'm a little confused as to the benefits of being a CSP if you are ineligible for HECS.

Thanks in advance! And sorry if the questions are n00bish.

 

[funnytomato]

I'm posting this thread in hope to get some information and feedback on a few things that I'm confused about regarding HECS and all that.
I'm a permanent resident of Australia, and I have been for my 18 years of life. I just found out that PR's aren't eligible for HECS-HELP.
Last year I was going to do a citizenship test along with my brother but I wanted to focus on my HSC.
So the question I'm looking for an answer to is- if I become an Australian Citizen by the end of this year, will I be able to defer the rest of my uni fees to HECS-HELP? Obviously I'll have to pay for my first semester (maybe my second as well), but once I become an Australian Citizen, can I submit a new "Request for Commonwealth Support and HECS-HELP" form and get HECS?
If I knew PRs weren't eligible I would've done my citizenship ages ago. I remember when my brother went to uni he was eligible for HECS even though he was a PR... but that was a few years back.
Also, one more question, I'm a little confused as to the benefits of being a CSP if you are ineligible for HECS. Thanks in advance! And sorry if the questions are n00bish.

you don't need to do the test if you're under 18, so I suppose you didn't really need to do anything get citizenship last year. I don't really know how your brother got it ...
I think you can apply for hecs help before census date, which is like 1 month or so after a semster starts
also csp means the govmt pays for majority of your study cost, hecs help is like a no-interest loan for your student contribution

 

[ajdlinux]

Yes, I'm pretty sure you can advise them of your new status and have remaining fees put on HECS.

 

[davidbarnes]

I believe what you said is correct. Best way to check though would be to get in touch with the uni you intend going to and ask them.

 

[Load Mistress]

Thanks guys for the reassurance.
I'm going to go ask someone during my orientation day and hopefully get all of it sorted, as well as apply for my citizenship asap.