Overview:
Education can become quite costly with big expenses needed before a course can be started.
To aid with this, the Victorian Government offers funding through Creating Connections Education Employment Pathways (CEEP).
Packages of to $2,380 per calendar year are available per person.
This can be used to pay for education, employment and training-related expenses such as school fees, computers, books, uniforms or travel.
CEEP is available for people aged 16 to 24 years who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and being supported by specialist homelessness services.
Frequently asked questions:
How much can I apply for?
You can apply for up to $2380 to assist a young person aged 16-24 who is homeless or at risk of homelessness and engaged with a Specialist Homelessness Service (SHS) to maintain or access education, employment, and training. Click the link below to see ‘Funding Caps’ for limits relating to specific items.
CEEP Funding Caps
Can I apply for a young person more than once?
Yes, as long as the total amount does not exceed $2,380 within a calendar year.
What can the funds be used for?
The funds can be used for goods or services that are directly related to the young person’s education, employment or training (EET) pathway.
Examples of items that can be applied for:
- course costs
- stationery
- travel tickets
- uniform
- work boots
- computer
- ’Tools of the trade’
- material items directly related to the young person’s EET pathway (e.g. desk; chair)
These are examples only – applications are not confined to the above items.
CEEP funding cannot be used for the following items:
- goods/services that can be accessed through alternative sources
- assistance that can be provided through the Housing Establishment Fund (e.g. rent in advance, rent arrears and emergency accommodation)
- agency infrastructure (e.g., computers, office equipment etc. or capital items)
- general household goods or furniture
- to pay a young person’s outstanding debt (utility bills, fines) which are not related to their EET plan
- as additional funding for staffing and/or program infrastructure of the applying agency
- for large personal outlays that do not directly relate to effective participation in EET
- Reimbursements to family or friends etc
- food vouchers or equivalent
- Costs that are intended/should be covered by other government departments, e.g., Department of Employment, Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) costs.
- Retrospective payments. No items are to be paid for before approval unless arranged with CEEP administrator.
Can I apply for furniture within the package?
Only furniture directly linked with the young person’s EET pathway will be funded. (e.g., desk, chair.) Beds, televisions, couches, and other general household furniture will not be funded.
Can I apply for funding that will be used more than one month after the application is submitted?
Due to limited funding availability all funding applied for must be used within a month of approval unless an alternate arrangement has been made with the CEEP Administrator. If the funding is for a time beyond a one-month period it will not be approved.
Does the funding money need to be spent before my organisation invoices CEEP?
Yes. The funding is required to be expended prior to invoicing CEEP for the money. Expending the funding prior to invoicing reduces the need to refund unspent portions of the money and ensures that all necessary evidence is submitted to CEEP. If your service is unable to do this, please contact your CEEP Administrator to arrange another alternative.
Are receipts required to be submitted?
Yes. Photocopies of all receipts (please do not submit originals) are required to be submitted within one month of receiving the approval of the application. It is expected that receipts and the invoice will be submitted labelled clearly with the CEEP reference. Services that do not submit invoices within this period (except by prior arrangement) will not be reimbursed.
How long do I have to spend the money?
The invoice for the CEEP application must be received by CEEP Administrator within one month of the initial approval unless an alternate arrangement has been negotiated with the CEEP Administrator.
Can the original application be varied?
Yes, in consultation with the CEEP Administrator. Changes to the original application are not guaranteed, however they will be considered. It is important that any changes being requested are linked with the young person’s pathway. These changes must be requested in writing; however, it is suggested you discuss them with the CEEP Administrator prior to doing this.
