Fee-help
 

Hi fellow ppruners,
just wondering if anybody has heard anything more about the FEE-HELP situation. I am very keen on going from part-time training to full-time. Can anybody enlighten me?

Speedbird 9

It was supposed to have been put up on the 21st June but that didn't happen.

Currently it is delayed until "later this year".

No other info regarding the scheme has surfaced.

It's still not 100% that flight training will get on the band wagon but it's likely that it will.

Not sure about that 21/06 date, but the info session regarding this scheme (for flight schools classified as RTOs) are being held all of June-July.

If this goes ahead, it will give access to what they refer to as VET-FEE HELP (Vocation Education and Training) for courses such as Diplomas, etc. with a loan of up to $80,000. I am assuming this won't be finalised until later this year, but could potentially cover the full cost associated with flight training.

Hopefully it will cover conversions from fixed wing to helihead!;)

speaking of which, I must ask, if the FEE-HELP doesn't go ahead, and I was to get a loan, (discussing this tonight with people), is it possible to claim the interest on the loan on tax? (provided I get a job in the aviation industry)

I heard murmours tonight about it... (That you can claim interest on loans if the loan is a 'training loan', if you get a job in the respective industry)

Deductions can only be claimed when they have a connection with income earned in that year. So if you get a job in the same year you can claim it. Interest just like training costs are expenses. Neither are deductible unless you earn an income from flying IN THAT YEAR.

so if your loan is taken out over say 5 years? if you earn income from flying in any of those 5 years you can claim tax back on the interest from that year ? not sure if that made sense?

I'm not sure they will allow you to do that. The tax on the interest you are able to claim is on a financial year basis (not over 5 years) meaning even if your loan is over a 5-year period if you haven't worked in the industry in that year you will not get anything back.

ye that makes sense..cheers

Mhm, i'll check it out, however, thanks :ok:

Who has an update on things with this scheme? Anyone shed any light on the current state of things?

Payment for courses as of 2009 i think, can be offset to approx. $81 000

This may not be the case as I've heard of FTO's giving talks on FEE-HELP so could mean that the offset of payments can already be done.

I am under the impression however that the only way flying training can be offset is in conjunction with a diploma type course.

Griffith Uni still haven't updated their website if that's the case.

Griffith University | Bachelor of Aviation - Nathan

"Students will be responsible for the payment of all relevant aviation tuition fees (approximately $20,000-$25,000 per year over three years) directly to an approved aviation flying training provider."

Just spoke to some people that know about these things. The delays are caused by each provider's application having to be passed through parliment under some Universities control regulation.

It's about a 3 month process per provider and they think they are holding off offering it until they have a number of providers passed so there's no distinct advantage to any one.

Looks like the start of next year will be the go...

from what I've heard, any course which credits/leads on to a university degree is eligible (up to $80,000) apparently.

Flyhigh744 i was also told that the flying can only be offset in conjunction with a diploma..and also that you can only enrol in the diploma course if you have already commenced undergraduate studies.

So basically the uni that gave me this info said that you have to start the Bachelor degree at the beginning of 2009, then, instead of starting the flying training at 6 weeks into the course, you have to hold off until the second semester which is when you can start the diploma. I was told that that is the only way to take advantage of the $80 000 system.

fee help issues
 

There is a huge amount of misinformation around about FEE HELP. It will not be available for flight training except those courses linked to the Universities, it will not be available to schools which hold RTO status at this stage.

The big issue is that the course has to have a Direct Credit Transfer to a University course - no aviation courses have a DIRECT CREDIT TRANSFER to a Uni course! Therefore they are not eligible.

sorry
Oz

NOT a big issue, just something the RTOs need to organise with a Uni. (I know at least one in VIC that have already prepared for this and are just waiting for the govt. sign off).

The Universities are not allowed to refuse a valid application for course credit transfer nor are they allowed to refuse the request for a RTO to arrange credit transfer if the RTO application passes their requirements. Point four below applies and is not a tought thing to get arranged, you've just got to go and ask and do what they want to gain the approval.

TAFE's, Tech training RTO's etc. do this ALL the time with trade skills courses rolling up into Grad Certs, Bachelor's Degrees, etc. with Uni's like RMIT, Box Hill, Deakin, etc.

From the DEEWR web site:
The VET FEE-HELP IT System (VITS) is available for Registered Training Organisations seeking approval as a VET provider. Organisations must meet specific requirements under Schedule 1A of the Higher Education Support Act 2003 to receive approval as a VET provider before their current and future students can access VET FEE-HELP assistance.
As a pre-requisite, you should be able to confirm that your organisation can meet the following requirements before you seek approval as a VET provider:

• Be a body corporate whose principal purpose is to provide education;
• Be a Registered Training Organisation as listed on the National Training Information Service (NTIS);
• Be financially viable and likely to remain financially viable;
• can offer VET accredited Diploma and Advanced Diploma courses with credit transfer arrangements and/or VET accredited Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma courses;
• Is part of an approved tuition assurance scheme, a guarantee or an exemption; and
• Have administrative procedures and capacity to meet reporting requirements.

Thanks for the replies guys, according to the RTO where I do my training, the system should be up and running by next year for advanced diploma type courses. Has anybody heard any different?

So this FEE HELP is only available to people doing a Diploma. So myself doing my CPL with a local flying school doesn't get any help because it's not classified as a diploma, yet we both do the same theory and practical :ugh:. Seems stupid to me. What is the difference between a diploma and the 150 hr CPL course? Besides a shinny bit of paper you get to wipe your ass with, you still end up with a CPL at the end!