Student Loans - Determining Genuine Students
A VET Student Loan (VSL) helps students to cover fees for vocational education and training (VET) courses. The VET Student Loans program is provided by the Australian Government to assists eligible students to pay part of their tuition fees.
The assistance of the Australian Government in paying course fees via a VET Student Loan may be withdrawn for a student who is not genuine.
Genuine student factors include considering whether students have demonstrated they are reasonably engaged in the course and have completed the student progression requirements.
Determining genuine students
Confirming Course Progression via Course Progression Forms
Students accessing VSL for their course are required to demonstrate they are genuine students. This can be achieved by completing progression forms and considering other factors as outlined in the VSL Rules [Rules s 12]. 4.7.3.1
Progressions Students in receipt of a VSL need to confirm in regular intervals that they are genuinely studying. This is done via progression forms. A notification will be sent to the student via email for the student to provide their response as appropriate. Students who wish to continue to use VSL assistance are required to complete a progression form issued to them
Demonstration of Reasonable Engagement
One of the factors relevant to determining whether a student is a genuine student is whether they are reasonably engaged in the course.
Reasonable engagement includes where:
• the student has satisfied course requirements for the course or participated in assessment activities for the course [Rules s 5(2)(c)]
• if the course is an online course—the number of occasions on which the student has logged into the course is not insignificant [Rules s 5(2)(d)].
Factors which may suggest a student is not reasonably engaged with their course include:
- if the student has not satisfied course requirements for the course or participated in assessment activities for the course [Rules s 5(2)(c)]
- the number of occasions on which the student has not attended scheduled classes is not insignificant [Rules s 5(2)(d)].
- if the course is an online course—the number of occasions on which the student has logged into the course is not insignificant [Rules s 5(2)(d)].
- if the student has not accessed course materials
- if the student fails to attend more than 80% of specified classes.
The School may cancel a student’s enrolment in a course or part of a course for poor attendance or insufficient progress.