Media releases

Federation University Australia has announced a new financial assistance scheme to help its TAFE students who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Federation TAFE students will be able to access up to $300 each week for two weeks if they:

• are experiencing financial hardship due to need to self-isolate
• have had their hours of employment reduced as a result of the impacts of COVID-19
• are unable to work due to self-isolation and have limited or no provision of personal or annual leave

TAFE students living in rural areas with limited internet services will also be able to access a one-off payment of up to $100 to boost their internet access or data limit.

More computers will be made available for students to borrow from the Ballarat and Wimmera campus libraries for students who don’t have access to a computer at home.

Study spaces that comply with social distancing and hygiene measures have also been opened up at these libraries where students can book computer time for their studies.

In addition to this, Federation is also providing fee extensions.

The due date for tuition fees for students who are in fee-paying certificate-level programs has been extended to 30 June. For Diploma or Advanced Diploma students, the census date has been extended to 1 July.

The census date is the cut-off date for Diploma and Advanced Diploma TAFE students to withdraw from a program without paying fees, with the extension giving students more time to decide if online study is right for them.

The financial assistance package for TAFE students follows the launch of Federation’s assistance scheme for domestic and international university students impacted by the pandemic.

The University has already received more than 2,100 requests through that scheme and expects to provide around $1.3 million in financial assistance to help students continue their studies.

Quotes attributable to the Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Helen Bartlett

“We know many of our TAFE students are feeling the financial strain of the COVID-19 pandemic like so many others in the community.”

“Now, more than ever, we need to support our students and this package will help them continue their studies during these difficult times.”