Higher Education Student Guide 2010

Glossary

Census dates

The census date for a unit of study is the final date for each semester by which you must:

• Withdraw from a unit you are enrolled in that semester;
• Withdraw from the course you are enrolled in for that semester;
• Submit forms to request either deferment or intermission (also known as leave of absence) from the course;
• Complete making payment of your fees.

Commonwealth Assistance Notice (CAN)

Notice that contains information about your enrolment and usage of Commonwealth assistance.

Commonwealth-supported students

These are students who are eligible for a Commonwealth-supported place, e.g. their course is funded by the Commonwealth and they are enrolled in a unit of study that is Commonwealth-supported. This includes students who pay their HECS-HELP up-front or those seeking to defer their fees to tax and those who are receiving a Commonwealth Learning Scholarship.

Commonwealth Higher Education Student Support Number (CHESSN)

This is a unique number allocated to you for Commonwealth higher education assistance (as Commonwealth-supported students and/or through HELP loans). This number stays with you throughout your studies.

Commonwealth-supported place (CSP)

A place in a course to which the Australian Government contributes towards the cost of tuition and where students contribute via HECS-HELP towards the cost of the course. This was formerly called HECS.

Cross-institutional student

View information about cross-institutional students >>

DEEWR

Commonwealth Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations

Domestic student

A student who is an Australian citizen, a New Zealand citizen, or a permanent resident of Australia.

EFTSL

Equivalent Full-Time Student Load. 1 EFTSL = 80 credit points.

HESA

Higher Education Support Act 2003. An act relating to the funding of higher education, and for other purposes.

Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)

An interest-free loan program available to Australian citizens or the holders of Australian permanent humanitarian visas to enable them to pay their student contributions or tuition fees. Loans are repaid later through the taxation system once income has reached a certain level. There are two types of HELP loans:

FEE-HELP - to assist eligible non-Commonwealth-supported students pay their tuition fees.

HECS-HELP - to assist eligible Commonwealth supported students pay their student contributions. Discounts to eligible students are available for up-front payments. Holders of other permanent visa and New Zealand citizens may have access to a Commonwealth-supported place, but are not able to access HECS-HELP and must pay their student contribution up front.

Miscellaneous students

Students wishing to undertake individual units that do not lead to an award.

SATAC

South Australian Tertiary Admission Centre

Semesters

Teaching periods for higher education: Semester 1, Semester 2 and Semester 3, Summer Semester

Student contribution

The amount that Commonwealth-supported students must pay towards their course costs.

Student Learning Entitlement (SLE)

All eligible Australian and New Zealand citizens and Australian permanent residents receive a SLE of seven years equivalent full-time study as a Commonwealth-supported student.

Study periods

Teaching periods usually associated with OUA units: SP1, SP2, SP3, SP4