Step 2 - Access the Student Information System

• Locate your Flinders Student ID number
• Obtain your FAN
• Access iFlinders
• Check and update your personal details
• Submit a Request for Commonwealth Assistance Form (CAF)

Locate your Flinders Student ID number

Your Student ID number is a seven-digit code that looks like 2098000. It is your own personal number that will enable you to enrol, get a Student ID card, borrow books from the Library, submit your assignments and receive student transport concessions. Your Student ID number is found at the top of your personal 5 steps to Flinders enrolment guide. Make a note of the number.

Obtain your FAN

Your FAN (Flinders Authentication Name) is an alpha-numeric code that looks like abcd0123. It is made up of the first four letters of your family name and four numbers. Use your FAN to access online services such as the Student Information System, email, Library services and Flinders Learning Online (FLO).

You will need to set a secure password to be used with your FAN or Student ID number when using online services. You will need your Flinders Student ID number and the day and month of your birth date. Use the links on the 5 steps page or follow the instructions on the Student Computing website.

You will need to choose a secure password that:

• is between 8-10 characters;
• is not based on your FAN;
• is not all lower case letters (include unusual capitalisation and/or numbers);
• contains at least 5 different characters;
• is not based on a dictionary word (even if reversed); and
  
• does not contain any special (control key) characters.

Think of a password you will remember, but will not be guessed by others. Examples of secure passwords can be found on the Student Computing website.

Password problems? Contact the Flinders Learning Online (FLO) Help Desk in the Library.

Access iFlinders

Log in to iFlinders using your FAN and secure password. Internet Explorer and Firefox are recommended browsers.

iFlinders will give you access to all the services you need while you study at Flinders. From this page you have access to:

• University news and announcements
• your University email account
• the Student Information System - to manage all your personal study details including enrolment, class registration and payment of fees.
• Flinders Learning Online (FLO)
• Library resources
• an electronic diary
• links to other useful resources

Under 18? The Australian Government requires parental or guardian consent before you can access non-Flinders websites from within the University. The consent form can be found in the Minors section of the Flinders Authentication Name page. Lodge the completed consent form at the FLO Helpdesk in the Central Library.

Check and update your personal details

Accurate personal details are required for enrolment and in some cases are required by the Australian Government for statistical purposes.

Log in to iFlinders using your FAN and secure password. Then connect to the Student Information System using your Flinders Student ID number and the same secure password. This method provides added security for your personal and enrolment details.

Check and update or confirm all personal information in the Student Information System ‘My Details’ tab using the 'I want to... add/change/confirm the displayed details' links. This includes:

• address
• phone
• emergency contact
• citizenship and residency
• cultural;
• disability details; and
  
• parent/guardian education details.

Update and confirm your details before proceeding to enrol. Ensure your details are correct and kept up-to-date at all times.

Submit a Request for Commonwealth Assistance Form (CAF)

Commonwealth supported students commencing or transferring to a new course, must complete a ‘Request for Commonwealth Assistance and HECS-HELP form’ (CAF) via the Student Information System. This includes:

• Australian citizens and Permanent humanitarian visa holders who intend to apply for a HECS-HELP loan;
• Australian citizens and Permanent humanitarian visa holders who intend to pay student contribution amounts upfront;
• Permanent Residents and New Zealand citizens who are required to pay student contribution amounts up-front without discount; and
• students commencing an Honours course

Fee-paying students intending to apply for FEE-HELP assistance (Australian citizens only), must complete a ‘Request for FEE-HELP Assistance form’ before, or soon after, enrolment, and no later than the census date.

International students are not eligible for Commonwealth Assistance and do not need to complete a CAF.

1. Information booklet

Read the Information for Commonwealth Supported Students 2010 HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP Information 2010 booklet provided. Find more information at the Flinders HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP links.

2. Log in

To complete the on-line CAF form, use your FAN and secure password to log in to iFlinders . Then connect to the Student Information System using your Flinders Student ID number and your secure password.

3. Complete your CAF

Select the ‘My Commonwealth Assistance’ tab, select your course and click on 'I want to...Enter a new Commonwealth Assistance Form for the selected course'.

Many of your details will be included on the form. Check carefully to ensure they are correct and amend if necessary. Complete the form with all other required details and submit for approval.

CAF approval is immediate for most students but may take up to one working day to process for some. Commonwealth supported students will not be able to enrol until approval is received.

Australian citizens and Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders only: Your Tax File Number is necessary if you wish to obtain a HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP loan. Commonwealth supported students can submit a CAF without a Tax File Number but must supply the University with the details no later than the census date. If you need to do this leave the Tax File Number blank, and select 'Full up-front payment of my student contribution amount' in the last section of the CAF. Bring evidence of your Tax File Number to Enrolment Services, in the Student Centre, before the census date, and your CAF will be amended. If you do not supply a TFN by the census date, and you have unpaid student contribution amounts, your enrolment will be cancelled.

4. Check the status of your CAF

Check the status of your CAF application at the ‘My Commonwealth Assistance’ tab. Select ‘View/Submit My CAF>'I want to...View submitted Commonwealth Assistance Forms for the selected Course’. The status will be either:

• Submitted by Student - your CAF is still to be approved;
• Approved - proceed with your enrolment and class registration; or
• Invalid - an explanation will identify what information is missing or incorrect. Please submit another form with the correct information or contact Student Finance Services for assistance. Make sure you select the correct CAF - an incorrect choice will delay your enrolment.