Tuition fee payment plan - Debitsuccess

Spread the cost of your tuition

Melbourne Polytechnic offers an option to pay tuition fees through a Tuition Payment Plan (TPP) by a third party, Debitsuccess Pty Ltd

If you are enrolling in an eligible Vocational Education and Training (VET) course at Melbourne Polytechnic and you meet certain eligibility requirements, a TPP may be available to you.

Under a TPP, you authorise Debitsuccess to automatically debit tuition fees from your bank account or credit card on a weekly or fortnightly basis over a set period of time.

If you are enrolling in an eligible Vocational Education and Training (VET) course and you meet certain eligibility requirements, a TPP may be available to you.

Please read on for more general information about a TPP and how Melbourne Polytechnic can assist you if you do choose this option.

All amounts in Australian dollars.

What is a Tuition Payment Plan?

A Tuition Payment Plan or TPP is a contract that allows you to pay your tuition by direct debit on either a weekly or fortnightly basis.

A TPP is a legally binding contract. If you enter a TPP you will be bound by the terms and conditions set out in that contract.

It is important to realise that Debitsuccess is managing the contract and any communication should be directly with Debitsuccess, as set out in the contract. However, Melbourne Polytechnic may assist you with the establishment of a TPP.

Melbourne Polytechnic has set out some general information below to help you work out if you are eligible for a TPP, and some of the key features of a TPP.

Am I eligible for a Tuition Payment Plan (Debitsuccess)?

You must satisfy the criteria below:

• Your Melbourne Polytechnic course tuition fees are over $150.00
• You are enrolling in a Certificate I–IV course, OR
• You are enrolling in a Diploma or Advanced Diploma course and are NOT eligible for a VET Student Loan
• You are NOT enrolling in a Higher Education course
• You are NOT enrolling in a Fee for Service Short Course
• You are NOT enrolling as an International Student

What can I pay for with a TPP?

• You can use a TPP to pay up to 100 per cent of your Tuition fee to a maximum of $7000.00
• You cannot use the TPP to pay your Materials and Amenities fees. You will pay these in full at time of enrolment.
• The maximum amount for a TPP is $7000.00

Where the Melbourne Polytechnic course tuition fee is higher than the VET Student Loan cap, you can apply for a TPP to cover the difference ONLY.

What are the costs?

The exact costs and fees and charges of your TPP will be set out in your contract, including your tuition and instalment amount.

Examples of fees and charges that apply under the contract include:

• A one-off Establishment Fee of $15.00 (payable with your first instalment)
• 4.7% non-refundable billing fee (based on amount of TPP)
• A reversal fee of $14.95 for each failed direct debit

If you enter a TPP and you default on any of your obligations, under the contract additional fees will apply, such as fees or costs related to debt collection, and Debitsuccess may choose to terminate the contract. Please see below for further details.

How do I apply for a TPP?

1. If you are eligible, choose the TPP option at enrolment.
2. Read the TPP contract and decide whether you’d like to enter into a TPP. The Debitsuccess terms and conditions can be found here.
3. If you choose to proceed with the Debitsuccess contract, select instalment option – weekly or fortnightly, plus account details to be debited.
4. Authorise your Debitsuccess contract by following the prompts on the application and submitting.
5. If applicable any Amenities and Materials fees need to be paid, in full, as required at point of enrolment.

Can I cancel my TPP during a ‘cooling off’ period?

Yes. If you enter a TPP, you have a ‘cooling off’ period of five (5) business days to cancel your TPP, at no cost to you. If you choose to cool off from your contract, Tuition fees will be payable upfront to Melbourne Polytechnic. 

If you want to cancel your TPP contract in this time, you must notify Melbourne Polytechnic by email within five (5) business days of signing the TPP.
email: tpp@melbournepolytechnic.edu.au

Cancellations during the ‘cooling-off' period will only be accepted if they are sent to the above email address and strictly during the five (5) business days.

Debitsuccess will not accept a cancellation during the cooling-off period without Melbourne Polytechnic’s approval.

Are you having problems making payments?

If you are unable to make payments on or before the due date, please contact Debitsuccess directly, on 1800 148 848, or send an email to customerservice@Debitsuccess.com, at least three (3) working days prior to due debit date.

Additionally, please contact Debitsuccess, if you:

• need to make any changes to your payment method
• wish to extend or rearrange your TPP agreement
• want to ask a question about a payment which has been taken
• need to request a deferral or suspension from payments (e.g. take a break from payments for 1-6 weeks).

It is important to understand that your TPP arrangement with Debitsuccess is a legal and binding contract.

What happens if I miss a TPP payment?

• If you miss a TPP payment you can:
  • bring your account up-to-date by contacting Debitsuccess to make a payment OR
  • Debitsuccess may debit both the current and overdue payment (and any associated fees or costs) on your next schedule payment date
  • NOTE: a $14.95 reversal fee will apply in either case.
• If you miss three (3) consecutive TPP payments and your TPP stays in arrears Melbourne Polytechnic will suspend or deny you access to:
  • academic and administrative services
  • Statement of Attainment, Record of Results, and Qualification/Testamur
  • access to Melbourne Polytechnic systems and facilities, including Moodle, and library
  • the right to enrol in another Melbourne Polytechnic course
  • NOTE: when you bring your account back up-to-date it will take a minimum of three (3) working days to reactivate your access to the above systems, facilities, and services.
• If you enter into a TPP and you continue to remain in default, you will be referred to debt collection and additional fees will apply, such as:
  • an outstanding debt fee of $50.00; plus
  • an amount equal to 25% of the full outstanding balance in accordance with the contract.

Note: Being referred to debt collection has the potential to affect your future credit rating. 

What if I want to withdraw from my studies?

Please review Melbourne Polytechnic’s Administration of Student Enrolment Fees and Charges Policy to see if you are eligible for a refund of your fees. 

(See www.melbournepolytechnic.edu.au/fees/fees-policy/)

If you withdraw WITHIN the refund period stipulated in the above policy, your fees may be adjusted and a refund or a reduction may be applied to your TPP

You will remain liable for your TPP if you withdraw AFTER the refund period has passed

Important things to know

• Maximum amount for a TPP is $7000.00
• If you are under 18 when applying for a TPP, the Debitsuccess contract MUST be counter-signed by a parent or guardian PLUS a guarantor form must be completed by the parent or guardian.
• It is recommended that your TPP agreement end before your current period of enrolment.
  • Once all instalments and fees have been paid in full under your TPP contract, your Statement of Attainment, Statement of Results and Qualification/Testamur will be released to you once the final payment is received.

• You can terminate the TPP contract by paying the balance of the contract in full.

TIP: Under a TPP contract, It is your responsibility to ensure that on the due date clear funds are available in your nominated account to meet the direct debit payment. To avoid possible late payment fees it is recommended you arrange to debit from your bank account the day AFTER you get paid or when you expect money will be in your account.

For more Information
https://www.melbournepolytechnic.edu.au/study/fees/local-student-fees/fees-for-local-vocational-education-students/debitsuccess/ 
e: customerservice@Debitsuccess.com
p: 1800 148 848 (Free call Mon–Fri 8.30am–5pm)
www.debitsuccess.com.au