Define Element Ranges - FINF2852

Purpose

To specify element ranges for a fee type within which specific charge rates apply

Subsystem

Student Finance

Structure

Three blocks

Fee Calendar Instance (context)
Elements Range
Elements Range Rate

 

Back navigation button:

Return to either:

·         Maintain Fee Types (FINF2100) or

·         Maintain Fee Categories (FINF2800)

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This form has a very specialist application, enabling a single flat rate for a fee to be charged if a student's load falls within a specific load range. For a discussion of the use of this form in the wider context of the calculation of fees, see the Calculations section in the Specialist Overview. NOTE that setting data up in this form can impact on the functioning of assessment rate records, as explained below.

The form works in conjunction with the Define Fee Assessment Rates form, FINF2853, and associated data in the two forms must be set up at the same level. (The concept of levels is explained in Special Topics).

For fee types with a charge method of EFTSU, CRPOINT or PERUNIT, rates already recorded in FINF2853 can be assigned to the particular element ranges recorded in the present form. For example, if the charge method is EFTSU, a range of 0.001 to 0.375 could be set up, with a rate applied specifically to eligible students whose total calculated load for the relevant fee period falls within that range.

As mentioned, an important feature of this form is the ability to override the standard charge method for the fee by setting a FLATRATE charge method for one or more ranges. In this case, all eligible students with a load falling within the range will be charged the same amount for the fee. If the flat rate override is not applied to a range, the calculation is based on the value of 'charge elements' as normal, so that even within a range, a student's liability for the fee varies depending on his or her load, but at the rate associated with the range rather than at the standard rate.

If the decision is taken to use element ranges, they must be set up to cover all load possibilities required. If the load calculated for the student in relation to a fee (and therefore the charge element value) does not fall within a range specified in this form, or a range rate does not match the student's course or payment attributes, no assessment is recorded.

The form cannot be accessed if the existing charge method for the fee is FLATRATE, or the system fee type is HECS.

Levels. For a particular fee, element ranges are specified either at FTCI level, in which case the ranges operate for the selected fee irrespective of category, or at FCFL level, in which case the ranges only apply to the fee within the category selected. They cannot be at both levels for the same fee type. Fees with a trigger category of INSTITUTN can only have element ranges recorded at the FTCI level.

The form is accessed

·         at FTCI level via the Elements Range button in the Fee Type Calendar Instance block of Maintain Fee Types (FINF2100)

·         at FCFL level via the Fee Calculations button and then the Elements Range button (or the FTCI Elements Range button) in the Fee Category Fee Liability block of Maintain Fee Categories (FINF2800).

The FTCI Elements Range button is displayed when ranges are already entered at FTCI level. The form can still be accessed from FCFL level, but only to display the existing data.

Recording range rates. For each range specified in the Elements Range block, a rate or rates (from those already recorded in form FINF2853) can be assigned in the Elements Range Rate block. An element range rate record is created when a rate is assigned to an element range in this way.

Examples

Scenario: The institution offers international students studying full time a tuition fee of $5,000 a semester. However, this arrangement holds good only if they study three or four units per semester. If they drop below this load, or take more than four units, a fee per unit of $1,700 is used.

To implement this in a one semester fee period for TUITION fee type in the INTERNATNL category, with a PERUNIT charge method:

·         In FINF2853, set up Rate Number 1 for $1,700, and Rate Number 2 for $5,000.

·         In FINF2852, three range entries are needed:

  1. Lower Range value = no entry; Upper Range value = 2; Rate Number 1
  2. Lower Range value = 3; Upper Range value = 4; FLATRATE Override Charge Method Type; Rate Number 2
  3. Lower Range value = 5; Upper Range value = no entry; Rate Number 1

The fee assessment calculation will work as follows:

Student with a load of 1 unit ̃ 1*1700 = $1,700
Student with a load of 2 units ̃ 2*1700 = $3,400
Student with a load of 3 or 4 units ̃ 1*5000 = $5,000 (flat rate for this element range)
Student with a load of 5 units ̃ 5*1700 = $8,500

Scenario: A 'discount' on a computer access fee is to apply to students in computer science courses, if their credit point load is over a certain value. NOTE that discounts, working in a different way, can also be applied through payment schedules.

To implement in a one semester fee period for COMP-ACC fee type with a CRPOINT charge method, and triggered by computer science courses:

·         In FINF2853, set up Rate Number 1 for $10, and Rate Number 2 for $8.

·         In FINF2852, assign Rate Number 1 to a range with a Lower Range value of 1 and an Upper Range value of 9; assign Rate Number 2 to a range with a Lower Range value of 10 and an Upper Range value of 12.

The fee assessment calculation will work as follows:

Student with a load of 3 credit points ̃ 3*10 = $30
Student with a load of 4 credit points ̃ 4*10 = $40

…
Student with a load of 9 credit points ̃ 9*10 = $90
Student with a load of 10 credit points ̃ 10*8 = $80
Student with a load of 11 credit points ̃ 11*8 = $88
Student with a load of 12 credit points ̃ 12*8 = $96

 

The Fee Calendar Instance block identifies the fee period and level to which the element ranges apply for the selected fee. If the Fee Category field is blank, the range data is operating at FTCI level, but with a category shown, the data operates at FCFL level.

Also included:

·         a description of the currency applying to the rate, where available (otherwise the local currency applies)

·         the applicable charge method.

Rules and Notes:

·         Element ranges and assessment rates (in FINF2853) must be specified at the same level for a particular fee.

·         Element ranges for fees with an INSTITUTN system fee trigger category (shown in Maintain Fee Types, FINF2100) must be at FTCI level.

Use the Element Ranges block, for a fee with an EFTSU, CRPOINT or PERUNIT charge method, to specify an element range or ranges within which either

·         a FLATRATE charge method is applied to a fee in the override charge method type field or

·         the original charge method is still used, but applied at the rate associated with the element range.

A range number is supplied automatically by the system when a range is saved.

·         Ranges can be open-ended, so that for any record, only one of Lower Range and Upper Range need be specified.

·         Both Lower Range and Upper Range fields are inclusive.

·         Element ranges cannot overlap, nor can one range encompass another.

·         Where the Override Charge Method Type field is blank, the charge method used is the one already assigned to the fee type.

·         FLATRATE is the only charge method that can be used as an override.

In the Element Range Rate block, specify the rate or rates associated with the range selected in the block above by

  • selecting each rate required from those available in the list of values and identified by rate number. The LOV shows only those rates existing at the same level.

The creation date is supplied by the system when the element range rate record is saved.

It is possible to logically delete an element range record - dependent element range rate records are also logically deleted.

To see deleted records, select the Include deleted rates indicator (no need to save) and re-query. The deletion date is supplied automatically by the system.
  • More than one rate can be linked to a given range. The fee assessment routine selects the rate according to the relevant course, unit, cohort or payment attributes.
  • The lamp “Unit Details Defined”is displayed if a rate has been recorded for unit and/or unit version, location or class in Define Fee Assessment Rates (FINF2853).
  • If fee assessment rates are logically deleted, so are any dependent element range rates.
  • Values in the Charge Rate, Course Code, Version Number, Location Code, Attendance Type, Attendance Mode, Government HECS Payment Option, Govt. HECS Contbn Band and Cohort Code fields are those recorded in FINF2853, and are for information only in this form.

 Last Modified on 11 March 2002