Parent Information

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

Every Victorian child should have access to the world of learning opportunities that exist beyond the classroom. The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund helps ensure that no student will miss out on the opportunity to join their classmates for important, educational and fun activities. It is part of making Victoria the Education State and the Government’s commitment to breaking the link between a student’s background and their outcomes.

CAMPS, SPORTS & EXCURSIONS

FUND (CSEF)

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 or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible for CSEF. A special consideration category also exists for asylum seeker and refugee families. The allowance is paid to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions or sporting activities for the benefit of your child.

The annual CSEF amount per student is:

$125 for primary school students
$225 for secondary school students

HOW TO APPLY

New applicants should contact the school office to obtain a CSEF application form or download from www.education.vic.gov.au/csef

If you applied for the CSEF at your child's school in 2020, you do not need to complete an application form in 2021 unless there has been a change in your family circumstances.

You only need to complete an application form if any of the following changes have occurred:

New student enrolments; your child has started or changed schools in 2021 or you did not apply in 2020.
Changed family circumstances; such as a change of custody, change of name, concession card number, or new siblings commencing at the school in 2021.

Check with the school office if you are unsure.

csef-application-form-2021.docx

2020 has been a year of challenges for us all due to COVID 19.

With the new school year fast approaching, we know many parents and carers will struggle to cover the cost of essential school items. This additional stress on families is especially difficult for those already experiencing financial hardship.

I am writing to let you know of our successful microfinance initiative available locally from Anglicare called No Interest Loans (NILs) with no interest, no fees, no charges, ever.

Every year, we help parents and carers on low incomes (in particular those on Centrelink) in Gippsland to apply for a NILs loan of up to $1,500 to cover the cost of essential school items such as uniforms, books, laptops, stationery, school camps, and musical instruments as well as other essentials such as washing machines, fridges, car repairs, medical and dental expenses.

What is a Nils’s loan?

A NILs loan is a safe, affordable alternative to high-interest payday loans or rent-to-buy leases. It’s not a payday loan or a bank loan but a form of ‘circular community credit'. This means when a borrower makes a repayment to NILs, the funds are then released to someone else in the community. NILs is supported by not-for-profit Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand, with funding from the Australian Government. The State Government and in partnership with NAB.

To help raise awareness of NILs

If you feel that your students and their families could benefit, I encourage you to raise awareness of Nils’s loans for education costs within your school community.

To assist I’ve included a copy of an A4 advertisement in PDF format that you may wish to publish in your school newsletter and website AND/OR print and display in your reception area. You may also wish to inform parents via email or post, particularly when school booklist reminders are being distributed, and to notify your school counsellor and accounts team if parents call to request a payment plan.

Parents can find out more information about NILs including eligibility criteria by contacting:

Anglicare Victoria at 1800 286 260 or nils.gippsland@anglicarevic.org.au

If you would like additional information, hard copy brochures or materials, please contact myself directly by calling 1800 286 260 or emailing nils.gippsland@anglicarevic.org.au

Best wishes and thank you

Stephanie Cohen.