Finance Corner

Camps, Sports & Excursions Fund (CSEF) $256.00 and School Savings Bonus (SSB) $400.00

Every Victorian child should have access to the world of learning opportunities that exist beyond the classroom. The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund will ensure that no student will miss out on the opportunity to join their classmates for important, educational and fun activities.

School camps provide children with inspiring experiences in the great outdoors, excursions encourage a deeper understanding of how the world works and sports teach teamwork, discipline and leadership. All are part of a healthy curriculum.

CSEF is provided by the Victorian Government to assist eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities.

If you hold a valid means-tested concession card, veterans’ affairs or pension card, or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible for CSEF.

The annual CSEF amount will be $256.00 per child. Families who receive CSEF in 2025 will also receive the one-off $400 School Savings Bonus Payment (SSB). This allowance will also be paid to the school and will be applied to your tuition fees account.

How to Apply

Contact the school office to obtain a CSEF application form or download from https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/camps-sports-and-excursions- fund/guidance/submitting-application 

How to complete the application form

Note: All sections must be completed by a Parent or Legal Guardian

1. Complete the Parent/Legal Guardian details section. Make sure that the Surname, First Name, and Customer Reference Number (CRN) details match those on your concession card. You will also need to provide your concession card to the school. If you are claiming as a Foster Parent or a Veteran Affairs Pensioner, you will need to provide a copy of documentation confirming your status as a temporary Foster Parent or provide your Veterans Affairs Pensioner Gold card to the school

    

2. Complete the Student/s Details section for students at this school

    

3. Sign and date the form and return it to the school office as soon as possible. 

Accepting applications

Parents (including guardians) no longer need to submit a new application form each year in most cases.  Parents only need to submit a new application form in 2025 if any of these changes have occurred.

• New student enrolments: students who have started or changed schools in 2025 or if the parent did not apply for CSEF at the school in 2024.

• Changed family circumstances: such as a change of custody, change of name, concession card number, or new siblings commencing at the school in 2025

For concession card holders CSEF eligibility will be subject to the parent/legal guardian’s concession card being successfully validated with Centrelink. CSEF payments cannot be claimed retrospectively for prior years.

Closing Date

You should lodge a CSEF application form at the school by 04 July 2025 for eligibility. For more information about the CSEF visit www.educationvic.gov.au/csef

All queries are to be directed to the Fees Office on 9409 8800 or fees@stmonicas-epping.com.

Payment Options

The College requires all families to meet their fee commitments so we may continue to provide the highest level of education to our students. The College offers a number of payment options to enable parents to meet their fee obligations:

1. At reception (Augustine House) – Payments can be made by cash, cheque, EFTPOS or credit card

    

2. Online Payments via the community (fee) portal, or via BPAY

    

3. Direct Debit Payment Plan (weekly, fortnightly, monthly, or quarterly) - Parents that would like to setup a Payment Plan, please contact our Fees office. Keep in mind, families who have opted into a payment plan will have an extended due date of up until 5 December, 2025 for weekly, fortnightly and monthly plans.

Our standardised payment plans have the following upcoming direct debit dates in May:

Please keep in mind that payments are due and payable in four equal instalments by the second week of each term if you are not on a school administered payment plan:

Instalment 1 – 14 February, 2025

Instalment 2 – 2 May, 2025

Instalment 3 – 1 August, 2025

Instalment 4 – 17 October, 2025.

If you have not yet made your second instalment towards your tuition fees, we kindly ask that you tend to this as this as soon as possible.

Tips to Stay on top of your School Fees

Staying on top of Tuition fees is essential to ensure a smooth academic journey, it can however feel daunting at times.

Please find some tips & tricks to making this journey as seamless as possible:

• Sign up for a school administered payment plan: Your payment plan will be opted into for future years until your child graduates and fees are finalised. You have the choice to sign up for a quarterly, monthly, fortnightly, or weekly plan. You can opt out of a payment plan at any time.

• Make note of Deadlines: Tuition Fees payments are due and payable in four equal instalments by the second week of each term.. Note, if you have not paid your first instalment on your tuition fees account, this is now considered overdue.

• Keep up to date: Most correspondence is sent via email so please ensure that you check your email regularly for communication as well as the latest Principal’s Bulletins

Most importantly the Fees office is here to assist you in any way we can, please do not hesitate to reach out to talk to one of our knowledgeable staff. 

Accessing and Utilizing the Community Portal

The Finance & Business Department provides you with access to the Community Portal to provide you with up-to-date access to your accounts at St Monica’s College. The Community Portal allows you to check balances, make online payments directly onto your Fees or Additional Charges account, make deposit payments when applicable, and edit personal details.

The Community Portal can be accessed using the following link: 

https://commportal.stmonicas-epping.com/

Alternatively, you can access the Community Portal using the following steps:

1. Go to the St Monica’s College website

2. Choose the MY SMC tab

3. Choose “Community Portal” link

4. Enter in your username and password.

Please keep in mind, your Community Poral details differ to your PAM log in details. If you are having difficulties logging into the Community Portal, select “forgot password” and you will receive an automatically generated email. If this does not work, please contact the school at 9409-8800.

To pay towards an account use the following steps:

1. Choose the Payments tab

2. Select “Account Payment”

3. Choose the linked account from the drop-down box that you would like to pay, eg: Tuition or Additional charges

4. Follow the payment prompts.

To update any personal details:

1. Choose the My Details tab

2. Choose which linked person, you wish to edit 

3. Choose from either the Personal, Addresses, Occupation or Census tab

4. In the top right corner, select edit and make required changes

5. Select Save.