confused about HECS-HELP

[yearningforsimplicity]

Okaaay so on the online enrolment, I'm up to the Commonwealth assistance form. I've got a TFN and want to access HECS-HELP for uni fees. The bolded part below confused me a bit though..

Obtain a HECS-HELP loan for ALL or PART of my student contribution amount (ticked this)
(You must provide your TFN or a certificate from the Tax Office on or before the census date)
      
If obtaining a HECS-HELP loan, do you wish to make a partial up-front payment of your student contribution amount?
(Payments of $500 or more will attract a 20% discount)
*Yes
*No

By "partial up-front payment" - when exactly would the Uni want us to pay that amount?? Like on the census date (31st March)??

and Thanks in advance guys!!

[jasrulz63]

You don't have to pay anything if you don't want, but if you do, quite sure it's by the census date as you said. Also I'm quite sure the discount has been lowered to 10% from memory.

[yearningforsimplicity]

You don't have to pay anything if you don't want, but if you do, quite sure it's by the census date as you said. Also I'm quite sure the discount has been lowered to 10% from memory.

Ooh okayy thank youu! and we can pay any amount we like, right?? (If we do choose to pay a partial amount upfront??) Hahaha, I'm just worried I wont be able to pay $500+ before the census date

[jasrulz63]

I think you can pay any amount you want (do double check this though, as I'm unsure), but under $500 you don't get the discount. If you were going to pay under $500, I'd personally just defer the whole amount, and put that money into a savings account or something .

[liuetenant]

On the topic of hecs help....do you know what they mean when they say:

The final 50 points of the DipLang is Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) free.

For the concurrent diplomas? i don't think it's what i think it is...if you know what i mean

Ta...

[kwheattt]

You don't have to pay anything if you don't want, but if you do, quite sure it's by the census date as you said. Also I'm quite sure the discount has been lowered to 10% from memory.

Ooh okayy thank youu! and we can pay any amount we like, right?? (If we do choose to pay a partial amount upfront??) Hahaha, I'm just worried I wont be able to pay $500+ before the census date

Also, this is just a 'guideline' of what you plan to do. So if you can't pay it or you select the other one and CAN pay it, I don't think it matters too much.