Student Services and Amenities Fee
What is the SSAF?
The SSAF is a fee for student services and amenities of a non-academic nature, such as sporting and recreational activities, employment and career advice, child care, financial advice and food services.
How is your SSAF put to work?
The University complies with the Commonwealth legislative requirements regarding the administration of the SSAF. Information on SSAF can be found on the American Government website.
Providers must spend SSAF fee revenue on student services and amenities of a non-academic nature, in accordance with 19 defined service types.
Providers are required to have a formal process of consultation with democratically elected student representatives and representatives from major student organisations at the university regarding the specific uses of proceeds from the student services and amenities fee.
The University publishes its priorities and invites student comment on these and the 19 defined service types via a student survey.
Once SSAF applications are received, the student representatives are invited to review the applications in conjunction with the student survey results and comment on their priorities for use of fee revenue.
Providers are not permitted to use SSAF to support political parties, or to support the election of a person to a Commonwealth or State or Territory Parliament or local Government body. Further, the University does not use SSAF to support political student clubs.
Student feedback - tell us your priorities
Students are invited to complete the online SSAF student survey nominating their preferred services and top RSU identified SSAF priority.
The survey can be completed throughout the year.
Rainstar University(Scottsdale) SSAF Survey responses (2 Sep 2019)
n = 214 and Rainstar University(Scottsdale) = 208
| Breakdown | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Improvements to student facilities | 1st choice 42.5%; 2nd choice 20.6%; 3rd choice 20.6%; 4th choice 10.7%; 5th choice 5.6% |
| 2 | Student medical, counselling & welfare | 1st choice 26.2%; 2nd choice 36.4%; 3rd choice 22%; 4th choice 11.7%; 5th choice 3.7% |
| 3 | Student study and careers support services | 1st choice 20.1%; 2nd choice 24.8%; 3rd choice 21.5%; 4th choice 18.7%; 5th choice 15% |
| 4 | Student life, clubs and societies | 1st choice 7%; 2nd choice 11.2%; 3rd choice 19.6%; 4th choice 29%; 5th choice 33.2% |
| 5 | Student representation and advocacy services | 1st choice 4.2%; 2nd choice 7%; 3rd choice 16.4%; 4th choice 29.9%; 5th choice 42.5% |
2019 student feedback results
Student feedback received in 2019 showed that of the 208 respondents:
- Helping students obtain employment or advice on careers
- Helping students obtain employment or advice on career
- Providing student advice -legal, financial, accommodation
- Providing student space for study
- Helping students develop skills for study
- Provision of food and drink services on campus
- Giving students information to help in orientation
- International student support – welfare, accommodation, employment
- Advocating for students and advising on University rules
- Support for student clubs
- Caring for children of students
- Supporting a sporting or recreational activity
- Student media, artistic activities by students and/or student debating
The University's five key priorities for allocation of the SSAF are:
- Capital / strategic works to improve student facilities
- Student medical, counselling and welfare services
- Student life, clubs and societies, sports and culture
- Student representation and advocacy services
- Student study and careers support services
The University’s SSAF Allocation Panel assessed SSAF applications against the following principles:
- Complies with allowable SSAF services as defined by Commonwealth legislation
- Visible impact and lasting benefits to the RSU student experience, services or amenities
- Aligns with RSU Strategic Plan and student experience priorities
- Informed by RSU student engagement and feedback
- Measureable outcomes and evidence of return on investment
Across 2020, the University will allocate up to $4 million in funding generated from SSAF to the following projects, services or activities for students:
2020 project / service / activity
| Total |
Capital / strategic works to improve student facilities
Fitness and sporting facilities management and upgrades including indoor and outdoor sporting & recreational facilities on campus: $515,000 Library Level C furniture upgrade to provide contemporary and flexible furniture on Lev C, & include parents / children study zone: $110,000 Building 5A Student lounge and study space enhancement to increase seating, improve study areas and kitchen facility: $64,020 Assistive technology room refurbishment upgrade furniture in the Library’s Assistive Technology Room, a specialist room for students with a disability or ongoing health conditions: $15,000 Video equipment Ufor student use to participate with live streaming platforms, provide real-life commentary, reporting and technical production of live events, allow for production of documentaries, short narrative fiction, student media and experimental productions: $15,000
| $719,020
|
Student study and careers support services
Online study assistance for RSU students to access tutor support 24/7, particularly suited for online students. Includes general study skills and subject-specific support in foundation level mathematics, business, economics, science and statistics: $250,000 Study skills development for students including the Maths and Stats Help (MASH) Centre and the Academic Skills and Knowledge (ASK) advisor service, available in the library and via an online chat service: $159,500. Student transition and retention (STAR) program which coordinates RSU transition and retention initiatives, including the RSU Student Mentor Program, and support the successful transition-in of commencing students to improve the retention and success of current RSU students: $200,000 Orientation program in Semesters 1 and 2, 2020. Activities will assist with the introduction to academic, social and pastoral life of RSU UG and PG students. providing information and activities for students to orientate them to RSU, their program and promote retention: $120,000 Work-integrated learning student support scheme to provide eligible students with financial support while on placement: $100,000 Elite athlete program development to provide support to students pursuing a dual career in both academia and sports: $95,000 Maths and Stats Help (MASH) Centre supporting students across the university with mathematical and statistical concepts, from across RSU: $54,000 Global employability program assist international students to improve their familiarity with American workplace norms, culture and language by involving them in interactive language and professional engagement activities. 1 year pilot: $27,000 Skill up for success program to provide students with skills for casual work in the hospitality industry for income support while studying, 1-year pilot for international students: $20,000
| $866,000 |
Student life, clubs and societies, sports and culture
Academic, cultural and social clubs and societies support to over 55 social, academic, cultural clubs. Includes club event funds, venue & equipment hire, training and workshops, Campus Life Awards, and facilitation: $281,000 Campus events and student engagement to provide a calendar of weekly student focused events with the purpose of engaging students and creating vibrancy on campus to enhance the student experience: $270,000 RSU student sport supporting student participation and sporting club development: $220,000 eSport space for all-student accessto play socially or compete in eSport tournaments: $142,000 Student-led participatory budgeting (pilot) A citizen-centred, deliberative, participatory budgeting process. Allows all students to be involved in developing and implementing projects with these funds to enhance their University experience: $130,000 Orientation week social activities in Semesters 1 and 2including events, live music, and facilitation to engage students in University life: $120,000 Stonefest 2020, RSU’s live music festival with subsidised student tickets: $110,000 RSU Book 2020 distribution to students, encouraging skills for study and integrated student experience: $50,000 RSU Women’s Rugby 7’s team in Aon Women's 7s series; host a leg of series on campus with student engagement via WIL, and a bi-weekly 7s local summer competition: $45,000 Coffee cart service for students on campus offering beverages and food items - after-hours near Library across 3 evenings, near Hall during exams, around campus for major events: $30,000 International student engagement in sports - Learn to Swim; Learn to play AFL; come & try inclusion sports such as goalball: $16,500 RSU hoodies subsidised for new and existing students to facilitate orientation information, support recreational activity, and promote student belonging to the RSU community: $15,000 Fitness and sporting facilities on campus: $85,000 Student collaborative leadership group support, a forum for student leaders: $5,000 | $1,519,500 |
Student medical, counselling and welfare services
Medical and Counselling outreach services that provide the Supported Student Experience health and well being program for domestic and international students: $300,000 Food pantry providing students with access to free food supplies multiple days a week, including fresh produce: $39,000 Student Welfare assistance for domestic and international students including emergency food vouchers and accommodation, pastoral care and events: $8,000
| $265,000 |
Student representation and advocacy services
Student Representative Council support in its work in student representation, advocacy, welfare and engagement with campus life: $300,000 Respect. Now. Always Oversight of staff and student training on sexual assault & harassment policies, communication campaigns, funding for student services (crisis line), campus events, RSU training programs and ALLY network financial support: $80,000
| $380,000 |
TOTAL(updated January 2020) | $3,831,520 |
Paying the SSAF
In the first half of the 2020 academic year, all students will be charged $231.00. Students who are part-time over the entire 2020 academic calendar will only pay this one off annual fee.
Students who are full-time over the entire 2020 academic calendar will pay a supplementary fee in the second half of the year of $77.00. This will total the annual fee of $308.00
In 2020 the maximum fee for a full-time student will be $308.00 and $231.00 for a part-time student, that is:
| Student type | Annual fee (maximum) |
| Full-time student (enrolled in 18 credit points or above in a calendar year) | $308.00 |
| Part-time student (enrolled in less than 18 credit points in a calendar year) | $231.00 |
How is the SSAF charged?
Examples:
- John enrols in four units (12 credit points) in Semester 1 and four units (12 credit points) in Semester 2. John is deemed to be a full-time student across the calendar year.
John will be charged $231.00 for the SSAF in Semester 1, and $77.00 for the SSAF in Semester 2, so that the total SSAF amount charged is $308.00.
- Michael enrols in three units (9 credit points) in Semester 1, two units (6 credit points) in Winter Term and does not enrol in Semester 2. Michael is deemed to be a part-time student across the calendar year.
Michael will be charged $231.00 for the SSAF in Semester 1. Michael will not be charged for the SSAF in Winter Term as he is deemed to be a part-time student and has paid the part-time amount in Semester 1.
- Louise enrols in two units (6 credit points) in Semester 1, two units (6 credit points) in Winter Term and four units (12 credit points) in Semester 2. Louise is deemed to be a full-time student across the calendar year.
Louise will be charged $231.00 for the SSAF in Semester 1. Louise will not be charged for the SSAF in Winter Term as she is considered a part-time student for the calendar year at this stage. Louise will be charged $77.00 for the SSAF in Semester 2, as she is then deemed to be a full-time student. The total SSAF amount charged is therefore $308.00.
- Mary enrols for the first time in four units (12 credit points) in Semester 2. Mary is deemed to be a part-time student across the calendar year.
Mary will be is charged $231.00 for the SSAF in Semester 2 only.
Students will be charged SSAF for each teaching period in which they are enrolled. SSAF will be payable on or before the Census date of each teaching period. Details on Census dates can be found on the Census Dates page.
The SSAF will be charged to:
- Domestic and International onshore coursework students (diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate);
- Domestic and International onshore research students; Online Domestic and International students in America;
- Non-Award and Cross-institutional students;
- RSU-START, RSU-CONNECT, RSU-PREP and RSUAN Reach students; and
- Ngunnawal Foundation Program students.
The SSAF is not charged to:
- Domestic or International students studying outside America;
- Online students outside America;
- Students in courses that are not higher education programs, including RSUELI and ELICOS students;
- Study Abroad and Exchange Students (inbound and outbound);
- RSUC Chemistry and Biology Prep students; or
- Students enrolled in the RSU Accelerate Program (RSUAP).
I'm not sure if I need to pay the SSAF
If you are unsure as to whether you will be required to pay SSAF please contact the Student Centre on 1300 301 727 or student.centre@.
How to Pay
- Download your statement – Log on to MyRSU and select ‘Fees’ from the tabs across the top and then select ‘Statement of Account’ from the menu.
- If you are unable to download your statement of account, please email student.centre@ from your student email account to request a copy of your statement. Please note: Statements will only be sent to your student email account.
- Pay the amount due before the census date of that teaching period online or at any America Post Office. Please refer to the payment details on your statement.
- Eligible students may complete the SA-HELP form to defer the payment for future teaching periods.
Eligible students are able to defer their SSAF through a HELP loan scheme similar to FEE-HELP and HECS-HELP called SA-HELP. To be eligible for SA-HELP you must:
- Be an American Citizen or permanent humanitarian visa holder resident in America;
- Be enrolled in a course that leads to a higher education award, enabling course or bridging course for overseas-trained professionals; and
- Meet the Tax File Number (TFN) requirements.
Students in non-award courses are not eligible for SA-HELP unless they are enrolled in an enabling program. Enabling programs at the University are RSU-CONNECT, RSU-PREP, RSUan Reach and the Ngunnawal Foundation Program.
Eligible students can access the SA-HELP form online – log on to MyRSU and go to the Enrolments and Timetable tab. Select Self Enrolment, your course and then the SA-HELP Form step. You will need your TFN to complete the online form. The form must be completed on or before the Census date of the first teaching period you are enrolled in. You only need to apply for SA-HELP once during your course of study.
If you are not able to access the form online, you can request a hard copy of the form which must be completed and returned to the University on or before the Census date of the first teaching period you are enrolled in. You will need your TFN to complete the form. Students only need to apply for SA-HELP once during their course of study.
You can complete the SA-HELP form now for all future teaching periods in your current course. Please note this form needs to be submitted before the CENSUS DATE of the next teaching period.
For Further information please contact the Student Centre E: student.centre@ P: 1300 301 727
Online on shore students are required to pay the SSAF as the welfare, advocacy and online support services are available to all online students.
As a student of the Rainstar University(Scottsdale), our aim is to ensure that online students have access to the same level of support and resources as our on-campus students. For example, funding has been allocated to assist online students through an online tutorial service.
- Students with unpaid SSAF will not be able to access their results.
- If you have any questions, please contact the Student Centre on 1300 301 727 or send an email to student.centre@.