Determining the Entitlement Start date for the Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) Scheme 106-05010130

One January is the usual entitlement start date for a student if:

• the AIC applicant lodges their claim by 1 March in the year following which assistance is sought, or
• vulnerable circumstances exist for claim backdating, and
• both the student and applicant meet the AIC eligibility criteria for the year claimed.

Some students may not start the course at the start of the school year. In those cases, the start date will be determined by taking the later of:

• the first day of the relevant term instalment period if they start that term no later than the 14th day of the relevant term
• the date they satisfy the general eligibility conditions for AIC
• the date the student started living at the board or second home location
• the date the student:
• enrolled in distance education
• received home schooling registration, or
• undertook other approved study

The start date may be backdated to 1 January or the beginning of the relevant term in some circumstances including:

• illness of the student or a family member, or
• circumstances beyond the family's control (for example, impassable roads)

A short-term boarder usually needs to access a boarding facility for less than a term due to a temporary reason.

This may be due to:

• a medical condition
• no transport/access to the local school due to flooding

Short-term boarders are entitled to payments from the date they begin boarding until the day they cease to board.