The Juris Doctor is a significant financial commitment. For students who have previously used HELP to fund undergraduate or other study, their remaining HELP balance may not be sufficient to cover all of their JD tuition fees.
The Monash Law Students’ Society encourages JD students to understand their HELP position early and plan ahead for any potential gap between their available HELP balance and the cost of completing their degree.
Why this matters
The amount of HELP available to each student depends on their individual circumstances, including previous HELP borrowing and repayments.
For some JD students, particularly those who have already undertaken substantial tertiary study, this may mean reaching the HELP loan limit before completing the JD.
If this occurs, some tuition fees may need to be paid using personal funds or other financial arrangements.
Students should therefore avoid waiting until their final semester to consider whether their HELP balance will cover their remaining studies.
What JD students should do
1. Check your HELP balance
Students should regularly check their available HELP balance and understand how much borrowing capacity remains.
You can check your available HELP balance through the Australian Government’s myHELPbalance service.
2. Estimate the cost of completing your JD
Consider how many units you have remaining and the likely tuition fees associated with completing those units.
Remember that tuition fees may change from year to year.
Comparing your remaining HELP balance with your expected future tuition fees can help identify a potential shortfall before it becomes an immediate issue.
3. Plan early for any shortfall
If it appears that your HELP balance may not cover all of your remaining tuition fees, consider your options as early as possible.
Depending on your circumstances, this may involve setting aside personal savings, adjusting your study load or discussing available payment options with the University.
The earlier a potential shortfall is identified, the more time you have to plan for it.
Support available from Monash
Monash advises students who are approaching their HELP loan limit so that they are aware that alternative arrangements may be required.
Eligible students may also have access to the University’s standard tuition fee payment arrangements, including payment of tuition fees in instalments where the relevant eligibility requirements are satisfied.
Students experiencing financial difficulty should contact Student Finance as early as possible to discuss their individual circumstances.
Students experiencing serious financial hardship may also seek assistance through Monash’s Extreme Financial Difficulties process.
Monash has advised the LSS that, in appropriate circumstances, Student Finance may consider individual arrangements, including more manageable payment arrangements.
These arrangements are assessed on a case-by-case basis. There is no automatic entitlement to an extended or alternative payment arrangement.
Need support?
If you’re approaching your HELP loan limit and need to request alternative payment arrangements from the University, contact the MGA Advocacy team for independent advice and support with your request. If you’re also experiencing financial hardship, you may be eligible for financial support through the MGA Welfare Assistance Program.
Do not leave it until your final semester
One of the most important steps JD students can take is simply to look at their HELP position early.
A student discovering a significant funding gap shortly before their final semester may have considerably fewer options than a student who identifies the same issue a year or two earlier.
The LSS therefore recommends that JD students:
- check their HELP balance at least once each year;
- review it again before enrolling for each academic year;
- estimate the cost of their remaining JD units;
- monitor communications from Monash about their HELP balance; and
- contact Student Finance early if they anticipate difficulty paying future tuition fees.
Useful resources
Australian Government myHELPbalance
Check your available HELP balance and previous HELP usage.
Monash Student Finance
Students can contact Student Finance through Monash’s online student enquiry services to discuss their individual circumstances.
Extreme Financial Difficulties
Students experiencing significant financial hardship can find further information at: https://www.monash.edu/students/admin/fees/payment/extension
A note from the LSS
The LSS understands that the cost of completing a JD can place significant financial pressure on students, particularly where previous study has already used a substantial portion of their available HELP balance.
Our aim is to ensure students are aware of this issue early enough to make informed decisions about their enrolment and finances.
If you are concerned about your ability to fund the remainder of your JD, we strongly encourage you to seek information and assistance early rather than waiting until your HELP balance has been exhausted.
This information is intended as general guidance only. HELP eligibility, available HELP balances, tuition fees and University payment arrangements depend on individual circumstances and may change. Students should confirm their position with the Australian Government and Monash University Student Finance.