Let The Government Pay - For Now

Sydney Morning Herald

Thursday September 26, 2002

Jock Cheetham

Students doing fee-paying, postgraduate study by coursework can have their fees paid by the Federal Go

The Postgraduate Education Loans Scheme (PELS) is interest-free and repayments through the tax system begin when income hits a minimum threshold. In that sense, it is similar to the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS). Under PELS though, students still ultimately pay the full course fee rather than a contribution, as is the case with HECS.

Students can borrow up to the limit of the

tuition fees that the institution charges for each semester. PELS is available for both beginning and continuing students.

The closing dates for requesting a PELS loan for the standard first semester is March 31, 2003. PELS arrangements must be finalised by that date.

The dates differ for non-standard semesters such as summer school, trimesters or other short courses. The second semester's closing date is August 31, 2003.

If students withdraw from any subjects, they must do so in writing before these dates to avoid incurring the debt.

PELS is available for full-time or part-time

courses. It is not available for research courses, HECS-liable postgraduate non-research courses or non-award courses.

To be eligible a student must be an Australian citizen or hold an Australian permanent visa. That makes New Zealanders with special category visas ineligible.

Information for this article was derived from www.hecs.gov.au/pels.htm

Details are also available by calling 1800 020 108 or from higher-education institutions.

© 2002 Sydney Morning Herald

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