the student meets isolation conditions or has special needs identified in Part 4; and the student boards away from home, lives in a or studies by (see Part 5). 1.4 Types of allowances Depending on the circumstances, the AIC Scheme provides: Basic Boarding Allowance (see ) Additional Boarding Allowance (see ) Second Home Allowance (see ) Distance Education Allowance (see ) Pensioner Education Supplement (see ). With the exception of the Additional Boarding Allowance, all allowances are free of means testing. 1.5 Legislative basis The AIC Scheme is a special educational assistance scheme, as defined by the Student Assistance Act 1973 (). Funding for the scheme is appropriated under section 55A of the Act. Parts 6 and 7 of the Act detail such matters as the recovery of overpayments, various obligations of applicants, and penalties for non-compliance. Policy and procedures of the AIC Scheme that are not are set out in the Act are set out in these guidelines.
supporting statement from the education authority, confirming that Allison is suffering serious educational disadvantage because she cannot get facetoface tuition in English. The claim may be approved, because English is a core subject in Year 11. not Japanese. An AIC Scheme claim on these grounds should not be approved, because a desire to attend a school to enhance a student’s academic prospects is outside the scope of the scheme. distance education methods. An AIC Scheme claim on this basis should not be approved, because it is not expected that all students at Carrie’s year level learn Spanish (i.e. Spanish is not a ‘core’ subject). Example 19: Specialist or selective school An education authority has reclassified a number of high schools as ‘specialist’ schools. Mary has gained a place in one such school for gifted and talented students but she lives too far away to attend on a daily basis. Her father enquires about the AIC Scheme to help with her boarding costs. A claim should not be approved unless there is no appropriate state school within the distances specified in Rules 1 and 2. Example 20: Boarding for noneducational reasons and Stuart’s mother died 2 years ago. Their father has enrolled them at a boarding school in the city, as he finds it difficult to care for them on his own. An AIC Scheme claim should not be approved, as the boys are not boarding to fulfil an educational or medical need. Example 21: Education authority refuses recommendation Phoebe’s elder sister Phillipa received AIC allowances in Years 11 and 12 because the local school catered to Year 10 only. The school now provides up to Year 12, but there are only two students in Year 11 and all subjects except English are delivered by distance education methods. Phoebe’s parents believe she would be disadvantaged at the local school, and want her to board. A teacher supports the family’s case, but the education authority makes no recommendation. An AIC Scheme claim cannot be approved.
Example 38: Parents reunite after separating during year of study Joanne’s mother is seeking AIC allowances for the year. Joanne’s parents separate on 1 February. Her mother receives a Parenting Payment (Single) (PPS), and Joanne remains with her. Her parents reunite 7 months later, on 1 September and the PPS ceases. Assessment basis 1 January – 31 January: base tax year assessment on both parents’ incomes 1 February – 31 August : special assessment (income test waived) 1 September – 31 December: base tax year assessment on both parents’ incomes Example 39: Parent gains employment Cameron’s father is seeking AIC allowances for the year. He loses his job on 11 April, and receives Newstart Allowance (NSA). He starts work again on 23 May and his NSA ceases. Cameron’s mother has a parttime job. Assessment basis 1 January – 10 April: base tax year assessment on both parents’ incomes 11 April – 22 May: special assessment 23 May – 31 December: current tax year or base tax year assessment (special assessment may apply again, if another period of unemployment occurs later in the year and NSA is received)