Altona College Newsletter

Financial Support 

Parent Guide: Financial Support for School Costs

The Victorian Government offers two financial support programs to help families with school-related expenses.

Camps, Sports, and Excursions Fund (CSEF)

 

What is CSEF?The Camps, Sports, and Excursions Fund provides financial support to cover the cost of school camps, trips, and sports activities.

Eligibility:You may be eligible if:

  • You hold a valid means-tested concession card.
  • You’re a temporary foster parent.
  • You are an asylum seeker or refugee (special consideration category).

How It Works:

  • The allowance is paid directly to the school and used for your child’s camps, excursions, or sports.

Annual Amounts:

  • $154 per primary school student.
  • $256 per secondary school student.

How to Apply:

  • New Applicants: Contact your school office for an application form or download it online.
  • Returning Applicants: No need to reapply unless:
    • Your child has started or changed schools this year.
    • Your family circumstances have changed (e.g., custody arrangements, name changes, concession card details).
CSEF_application_form.pdf

School Saving Bonus (2025)

 

What is the School Saving Bonus?A one-off $400 bonus per child to help families cover school costs in 2025.

Eligibility:

  • Students must be fully enrolled in a Victorian government school by 31 January 2025.

How to Access the Bonus:

  • The Department of Education will send an email with a unique code and instructions.
  • You’ll receive a separate email for each child (check your spam/junk folder).

How to Use the Bonus:Funds can be allocated using an online system for 2025 school costs, including:

  • Camps, excursions, and trips.
  • Swimming and sports programs.
  • Textbooks, school uniforms, and outdoor education.
  • Graduation and other school activities.

Key Dates:

  • Bonus funds can be used until 30 June 2025.
  • Any unused funds by 1 July 2025 will automatically become a credit for school activities, available from August 2025.

For Help:

 

Using the School Saving Bonus for Activities/Events

With the School Saving Bonus coming on board this year, it has added another element for paying for activities/events. At this stage, Compass is still working on an option to allow the direct selection of the School Saving Bonus.

When activities/events are made live, we ask that you:

  1. Select the 'CSEF/or Credit Balance can be used to pay for this event' box.
  2. This will allow us to identify and use the School Saving Bonus for payment.

If you also have CSEF funds available, the School Saving Bonus will be used first.

Important Notes:

  • You must select the School Saving Bonus for activities in the SSB portal to enable this option.
  • Allow a minimum of 2 days for the funds to be processed and available for use for the event.
  • If the funds are not cleared in time, you will need to pay for the event separately.