Each of the Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) loans has eligibility requirements that students must meet to access the loan.
These criteria are set in Australian legislation, but your education provider is responsible for assessing whether you meet the requirements.
Your current or prospective provider should be your first point of contact for questions about enrolment and eligibility.
Eligibility for HELP loans depends on a combination of factors, including:
Citizenship or residency status – You must be an eligible domestic student
Available HELP balance – You must have sufficient loan balance remaining
Student Learning Entitlement – For certain HELP loans, limits apply
Academic suitability – Providers must be satisfied you are academically ready to undertake the units of study in your course
Important: HELP loans are not means-tested, so your income or financial situation does not affect eligibility.
Eligibility criteria differ slightly between each HELP loan type (HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP, VET Student Loans, SA-HELP, OS-HELP).
Your education provider assesses your application against the relevant loan type criteria.
Always check the specific eligibility requirements for the HELP loan you wish to apply for.
