La Trobe University News | 12 September 2014
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La Trobe University has offered some students a ‘fee cap guarantee’ if they study as part of the university’s new undergraduate early-entry Aspire program.
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Bianca Raffin in the Artful Dodger’s studio in Collingwood where she volunteers. Photo: Penny Stephens – The Age
The university has offered about 1000 students the fee cap guarantee under the Aspire program – four months earlier than when offers are normally made and even before their exams had begun.
The Aspire program recognises students with a proven commitment to involvement in their local community.
Examples of community contribution include volunteering with the local Country Fire Authority or State Emergency Service. Students applied for Aspire study in July this year and, if they met criteria, have received an offer. Successful applicants also get access to the La Trobe University library network, coaching from a student mentor during and in the lead up to final exams and invitations to special university events.
La Trobe vice-chancellor John Dewar said while the government’s fee de-regulation policy changes are currently being debated in Federal Parliament and the final shape of the package is yet to be determined, media reports had speculated some university fees could go up by as much as 60%.
We are guaranteeing this group of incoming Aspire undergraduate students for 2015 a fee cap of 10% above the regulated fee in that year and for the normal full time duration of their degree.
Dewar said the university is still working through the complexities of the proposed policy changes and was yet to make any decision on other 2015 course prices, but he had decided to apply the fee cap on the Aspire program as it provided an attractive student offer that aligned with the university’s key values of excellence and making a difference.
We want to encourage students who share our commitment to making a difference to come and study at La Trobe. We have a long proud history of excellence and community contribution. Now we are recognising and attracting students who share those same attributes and values, and sending them a very clear message that we want them to study at La Trobe. We are also considering similar offers to other student groups.
Students selected for the Aspire program must still pass their Year 12 exams but can gain entry to La Trobe with substantially discounted ATARs that can be up to 15 points lower than normal.