Year 12 Tertiary Information Parent Evening

1. Year 12 Tertiary Information Parent Evening • NSW & Vic University Applications • NSW & Vic TAFE Applications • Private Training Providers • Accommodation • Scholarships • Higher Education Contribution Scheme HECS - HELP • Deferment • Financial Issues • MHS initiatives

2. NSW University Applications • UAC – Universities Admission Centre • Applications via the internet – cost approx. $20 paid by credit card • Closing Date for applications 30th September • Maximum number of options is 9 • Options in priority order • Entry determined by ATAR • Some courses have additional requirements e.g. interview, audition, portfolio etc. • Some Universities run special schemes e.g. CSU PREP, Access for disadvantaged groups etc. • University main round offers usually third week in January • Early Entry Schemes (CSU PREP, La Trobe SALT, Wollongong Uni, Uni of New England Principal Recommendation)

3. Victorian University Applications • VTAC – Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre • Applications via the internet – cost approx $20 paid by credit card • Closing date for applications is 30th September • Maximum number of choices is 12, but may include only 8 university courses • Options in priority order • Entry determined by ATAR • Many courses have additional selection criteria e.g. questionnaire, interview, audition, portfolio etc. • All universities run disadvantaged schemes • University main round offers usually third week in January

4. TAFE NSW • Operate an application system on two levels • Level 1 requires pre application – pre application is required for high demand courses normally at Diploma level or Certificate IV level – applications last year for these courses close late October – applications are lodged at the TAFE College running the course. • Level 2 requires no pre application – students simply turn up on TAFE enrolment day and apply for the course of their choice. Sometimes a selection process is required to determine entry if there are more applications than there are available places • TAFE courses can be used effectively to gain university entrance should a student initially miss a place at university

5. TAFE Victoria • Operates a completely different process than NSW • There are two different application processes operating in Victoria • High demand courses – normally Diplomas and Certificate IV courses require application through VTAC – closing date 30th September. • All other courses require application at the College running the course with applications generally closing in the September/October period. • Students need to thoroughly check the closing dates for TAFE Vic by seeing Careers Adviser

6. Private Training Providers • Charge an up front fee (which can be very expensive) • Run a centralised application system through VTAC in Victoria but DO NOT run a centralised system in NSW. • Have closing dates that are different to the university closing dates. • Require applications to be lodged either with the College or through VTAC. • Determine entry by many means, normally not based on UAI

7. Accommodation • University accommodation applications are not administered from a central agency • Closing dates vary from institution to institution • UAC & VTAC guides will provide information on applying for accommodation • Often require applicants to lodge a non refundable application fee

8. Scholarships • A significant number of scholarships are available for further study at both university and TAFE. • The UAC and VTAC guides will provide information on scholarships. • The internet is the best source of university scholarship information. • Many scholarships remain vacant due to no applications being lodged • No application No hope

9. Higher Education Contribution Scheme • HECS – covers your course costs • Pay up front or defer payment until working or a combination of the two • Students require a Tax File Number • In 2011 the estimated student contributions were: • National Priorities – Teaching & Nursing – up to $4,249 • Band 1 – up to $5,310 – Arts, Humanities, Social Studies, Behavioural Science, Visual & Performing Arts, Languages • Band 2 – up to $7,567 - Computing, Built Environment, Health, Engineering, Science, Surveying, Agriculture • Band 3 – up to $8,859 – Law, Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science, Accounting, Economics, Commerce • HECS does not give you money to study

10. Deferment • You have nothing to defer until you have an offer • Not ALL courses allow deferment – information is available in the UAC & VTAC guides • GOOD or BAD? – A matter of personal opinion

11. Financial Issues • The cost of sending a student to university is estimated at: $15,000 to $20,000 pa in locations such as Sydney and Melbourne. $8,000 to $10,000 pa in regional centres. • Assistance is available through youth allowance. • Assistance available is means tested. • You will need to contact Centrelink to discuss levels of assistance available. • Money will be needed to formally enrol, pay student fees, buy textbooks, purchase equipment, for stationary, computing, food and clothing, living expenses

12. MHS Initiatives • The following outline the assistance offered to help our students with their decision making • STWP planning and Careers Program • Career Builder • Personal Interview • Careers Moodle • Open Door Policy • Tertiary Day • Guest Speakers • Parent Night • OZJAC • Internet Access • Regular announcements on daily bulletin • Students must accept the responsibility for their decisions and seek assistance as it is required