f4fred

Hi BE Mates!

Hope all is good at your end. A quick question.

I have been offered admission in M.Phil leading to Ph.D in University of Queensland. The university says that Australian Citizens and Permanent Residents have exemption from paying fee for the M.Phil and Ph.D programs as Government has created a pool of funds for that fee and pays it on the behalf of the candidate.

My question is that, "I have not completed two years residency yet, am I eligible for that fee exemption?

Please answer if you have any knowledge on this or suggest any resources on this topic for which I shall be thankful.

Regards,
Fred.

Alfresco

Hi Fred,

I have moved this to the Immi forum for you.

Hope you get some answers soon.

Pollyana

Have you asked the University?

goldchoccycoin

It's a Commonwealth supported place and if you are a Permanent Resident (even if you arrived on a PR visa last week) then you are eligible - you do not need 2 years residency.

http://studyassist.gov.au/sites/stud...pported-places

You need to check if you have to make a student contribution/fee payment of any amount - it is unusual to be offered a PhD without an Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) or similar (Scholarship through the Faculty/Uni).

Ask the school/Faculty directly and clearly - 'how much will the MPhil cost me?' 'How much will it cost me if I upgrade to a PhD?'.

They should answer these questions before you enrol.

f4fred

Thanks for the help guys.

I was referring to the statement available on the UQ website:

Master of Philosophy - Courses and Programs - The University of Queensland, Australia

under the heading "Fees for Australian students"

please have a look and comment.

Regards,
Fred, F.

Pollyana

Read the post above.
Then contact the university and confirm your specific situation with them directly.

goldchoccycoin

The course fees may be supported but there is usually a 'student contribution amount' over and above the fees - you need to ask your supervisor/school how much this is.

It is likely to be hundreds rather than thousands but you need to be aware before you begin as many payments need to be made upfront.

Good luck.

f4fred

I clearly asked the university and they responded that I wont have to pay any fee for M.Phil as a permanent resident. All they mentioned was living costs etc.

Now the question they were not able to answer was if the 104 weeks wait period is in place for getting the fee exemption. Does anybody know about this?

Regards,
Fred, F.

Pollyana

With all due respect, they are the ones that will be waiving the fee if applicable so they shuld be askng the question of whoever controls that 'pool of funds' which pays for the fees for PR holders! They need to find out whether they shpuld be charging you or not!

f4fred

True. They should be aware of who is exempted and who is not. I will try to probe with them further.

Regards,
Fred, F.