Graduate Diploma of Family Dispute Resolution (CHC81115)
Deliverer through a training partnership with RTO Inspiritive 21178.
All training and assessments are provided by Mediation Institute. Quality Control and Validation provided by Inspiritive.
Become a Registered Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP)
Fully online training with live mentored video mediation role-plays and a 50 hour real work placement. Interest free payment plans are available.
- start any time
- study at your own pace
- delivered by Mediation Institute in partnership with RTO Inspiritive 21178.
- Eligibility pathways for people with degrees in law, social work, psychology or dispute resolution, AMDRAS accredited mediators and potentially dispute resolution experience.
Who is this Course For?
Professionals seeking registration as a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner with the Australian Attorney-General’s Department.
Practitioners working with parenting, financial, and property matters after separation.
Busy / remote learners who want flexible, online training with personalised support.
Your Outcome
Graduate with the CHC81115 – Graduate Diploma of Family Dispute Resolution. If you have a specified degree or AMDRAS accreditation for more than two years the option of Core Units Online is available to you. Check My Eligibility.
Gain the skills to conduct assessments, pre-mediation, and mediation in the family law context.
Complete 50 hours of supervised work placement with real client exposure.
Enrolment Eligibility Check and Pathways (1 minute check)
You’re likely eligible for enrolment if you have:
A degree or higher in Law, Psychology, Social Work, Dispute Resolution (or similar), or
AMDRAS (formerly NMAS) mediator accreditation, or
Recent dispute resolution experience (with 3rd party evidence e.g. a letter from your employer).
Not sure if you are eligible? Use this quick quiz to ask our team
Program Options (Compare at a Glance)
| Option | Best For | Units | Expected Duration* | Work Placement* | Tuition Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full CHC81115 - Graduate Diploma | No specified degree, AMDRAS or Experience Direct Entry | 10 | 10 months + placement (up to 24 months allowed) | 50 hours | $14,000 | Eligible to register as a FDRP (subject to other AGD requirements) |
| Core Units Only | Specified degree or 2+ years AMDRAS Accreditation | 6 | 6 months + placement (up to 24 months allowed) | 50 hours | $10,000 | AGD require a specific degree and conditions apply for AMDRAS pathway (subject to other AGD requirements) |
| Single Unit | Upskilling or Staged Entry | 1 | 30 - 60 days per unit | n/a | $1,500 | Can stack Statement of Attainments towards Core Units or Full Qualification |
| RPL (per unit) | Strong current or very recent workplace experience and evidence | varies | varies | workplace evidence mandatory | $500 per unit | Pre-assessment discussion before you enrol |
*Duration: the course is self-paced. You can accelorate based on your time and committment.
*Placement Fees: Mediation Institute has placement arrangements in place with some government funded services. Placement Fees may apply with private or unfunded FDR services.
FDR Course Guide
The FDR Course Guide contains a detailed overview of the course options for the full qualification or the core units only pathway.
Student Handbook
The FDR Student Handbook contains detailed information about the course delivery approach and what you need to know as a student.
Single Unit Options
CHCFAM001 – Operate in a Family Law Environment
Fast Track and Single Units
Fast-Track available if you have the support of an FDR workplace.
Single Unit Enrolment lets you start with one unit (30-day target) and stack towards the full qualification.
RPL available where you have recent, verifiable workplace evidence.
What you'll Learn
Core capabilities you’ll develop:
Operate effectively within the family law system as a Registered Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner
Facilitate dispute resolution in parenting, property, financial and safety contexts
Maintain ethical standards and manage risk & family violence
Apply a trauma informed and child-focused approach in practice
Core Units (6):
CHCFAM001 – Operate in a Family Law Environment
CHCDSP001 – Facilitate Dispute Resolution in the Family Law Context
CHCDSP002 – Adhere to Ethical Standards in Family Dispute Resolution
CHCDSP003 – Support the Safety of Vulnerable People in FDR
CHCDFV008 – Manage Responses to Domestic & Family Violence in Family Work
CHCFAM002 – Work with a Child-Focused Approach
Electives:
CHCDFV012 – Safety Planning with People Subjected to DFV
CHCDFV007 – Work with Users of Violence to Effect Change
CHCFAM007 – Assist Clients to Develop Parenting Arrangements
CHCPRP006 – Lead Own Professional Development
The steps to becoming an FDR Practitioner.
Delivery and Support
Immediate Start – begin as soon as you enrol.
Fully Online training & assessment with live video role-plays mentored by trainers.
Self-Paced learning with recorded resources and optional webinars/Q&A.
Competency-based progression with personalised feedback.
Equipment: computer with webcam, audio, and ideally a headset. (Phones/tablets okay for meetings; a computer is best for coursework and role-plays.)
Fees and Payment Plans
Full Qualification (10 units): $14,000
Core Units Only (6 units): $10,000
Single Unit: $1,500
RPL: $500 per unit
Interest-Free Payment Plans:
$1,500 deposit, then 6–11 monthly instalments (choose your term).
Certificates are issued once course fees are fully paid.
Alternative arrangements by negotiation.
Work Placement (50 hours)
Mandatory 50 hours with real client exposure (not just observation).
Placement Pathways:
Government-funded FDR services (usually no internship fee).
Interact Support Inc Interact Online Program (fully online; supervision fee applies).
- Private FDRPs (best if you have a current relationship)
You must be physically in Australia when providing client services during placement and as an FDRP.
We support a supervision panel for supervisor matching (additional supervision fees may apply).
How to Enrol (3 simple steps)
- Check Eligibility (take the quiz or book a call if unsure)
- Choose your path (Full / Core / Single Unit / RPL)
- Complete the Enrolment Form (we’ll get in touch once your application is reviewed)
What happens after I enrol?
- We will review your application and follow up as appropriate.
- Confirm eligibility if necessary and check if you have any questions
- Issue your Confirmation of Enrolment Document once your enrolment is confirmed
- Provide a quote for the training and installation plan. Issue your instalments.
- Once your 1st instalment is paid you’ll be able to begin your studies.
Train with Mediation Institute
CHC81115 Course Guide
The course guide is available for download. Please take the time to read through it before enrolling.
If you have any questions, feel free to email office@mediationinstitute.edu.au.
Meet Our Supportive Training Team
All team members are Registered Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners.
Course content is delivered via eLearning. Course Units are:
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to determine and respond to family law requirements, work collaboratively within the family law system, and contribute to improved work practices linked to family law.
The three elements that you will demonstrate competence in are:
- Determine and respond to family law requirements
- Collaborate with others in the family law system
- Contribute to workplace improvements
Performance Evidence
There must be evidence that the candidate has:
- correctly applied family law to at least 5 different client situations, that individually or cumulatively include needs relating to domestic and family violence/safety, finance, property, children, relationship conflict
- demonstrated effective use of the following in the context of family law. Systems and processes, documentation, reporting and collaboration with others in the system
- developed appropriate responses to at least 5 different legal or ethical dilemmas in the family law context
- identified and analysed at least 3 work practices in terms of how they meet family law responsibilities and what improvements could be made.
During the course you will demonstrate competence in role plays and simulations and then apply them in the workplace. If you are completing this unit as a stand alone course it is acceptable for all assessment to be completed in a simulated environment that simulates workplace conditions.
Delivery
This unit is delivered as part of our Core Units Course which is made of the six core units.
It is now also available as a single unit of competence for those wanting to use it as professional development or a first step into the Grad. Dip. FDR. Find out more about enrolling in the single unit.
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to prepare for and facilitate the family dispute resolution process with the aim of assisting families to reach mutual agreement on issues related to relationships, children, property and assets.
It requires the ability to use mediation, conciliation, facilitation and conferencing skills.
The eight elements you will demonstrate competence in are:
- Determine suitability for dispute resolution
- Prepare for dispute resolution
- Assist participants to define and clarify the issues
- Facilitate communication and information exchange
- Invite the framing of the disputes to increase the range of options
- Encourage mutual personal understanding between participants
- Assist participants to generate and evaluate options
- Confirm and document outcomes and agreements
Performance Evidence
This is a very large and complex unit of competence. To be assessed as competent there must be evidence that you have completed the tasks identified above in a way that complies with legal requirements and ethical standards during a period of 50 hours of dispute resolution work with clients under the supervision of an accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner in a dispute resolution service.
That includes:
Facilitating individually or in a co-facilitation capacity at least 5 different dispute resolution processes that individually or cumulatively include matters relating to domestic and family violence, child abuse and child protection, finances including child support, property.
You will expect to facilitate disputes involving multiple parties, voluntary participants and involuntary participant and including manage sessions where all the parties are present and shuttle situations
There is a detailed list of skills you will be required to demonstrate including dispute diagnostic skills, applied relationship skills, interpersonal communication skills, facilitation skills, critical thinking and content management skills and the ability to facilitate a fair and structured mediation process.
Practical Assessment
You will be participating in a number of role plays to develop your skills before you are able to participate in your work placement to ensure that you and your future clients are protected.
Delivery
This unit is delivered as part of our Core Units Course which is made of the six core units.
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to determine ethical responsibilities, apply ethical standards to the dispute resolution process and reflect on ethical practice.
The three elements you will demonstrate competence in are:
- Determine ethical responsibilities
- Apply ethical standards to the dispute resolution process
- Reflect on ethical practice
Performance Evidence
This unit requires that you demonstrate your ability to work within the legal and ethical requirements of the role during a period of 50 hours of dispute resolution work with clients under the supervision of an accredited family dispute resolution practitioner in a dispute resolution service. You will also be required to develop responses for at least 5 different complex ethical dilemmas in family dispute resolution practice.
Practical Assessment
You will be assessed against your ability to uphold your legal and ethical obligations in all of the role plays you participate in to develop your skills before you are able to participate in your work placement to ensure that you and your future clients are protected.
Delivery
This unit is delivered as part of our Core Units Course which is made of the six core units.
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to assess the suitability of the dispute resolution process for vulnerable parties and the support the physical and emotional protection of those parties.
The three elements you will demonstrate competence in are:
- Assess the needs of vulnerable parties
- Take measures to protect vulnerable parties
- Manage situations that threaten safety
Performance Evidence
This unit requires mandatory work placement evidence before you can be assessed as competent.
That includes:
Facilitating individually or in a co-facilitation capacity at least 5 different dispute resolution processes that individually or cumulatively include matters relating to domestic and family violence, mental health issues, alcohol and other drugs abuse and vulnerabilities associated with peoples cultural and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
You will be required to manage sessions where all parties are present and in a shuttle situation.
Practical Assessment
You will be participating in a number of role plays to develop your skills before you are able to participate in your work placement to ensure that you and your future clients are protected.
Delivery
This unit is delivered as part of our Family Dispute Resolution Cluster training unit which is made up of this unit, the other two core Family Dispute Resolution Units of Competence and CHCFAM001 – Operate in a Family Law Environment.
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to manage responses to family violence in domestic and family violence in family work.
The five elements you will demonstrate competence in are:
- Analyse the impact of domestic and family violence on family work
- Work within the legal context of domestic and family violence
- Implement organisation procedures that support family members to cease violent, controlling, intimidating and belittling behaviour
- Implement organisation procedures to promote safety for family members who are subject to violence
- Align service interventions to specific clients
Performance Evidence
This unit requires mandatory work placement evidence before you can be assessed as competent.
That includes:
Deliver services to at least 3 people affected by domestic and family violence.
You are also required to conduct research into the theoretical perspectives that underpin work with people affected by domestic and family violence, sourcing and analysing information from multiple credible sources.
It is required that you work with users of violence, victims of violence, families and colleagues from other services.
Some of the skills you will demonstrate when working with victims of family violence include goal setting and strategy development, questioning and active listening, counselling skills and relationship building skills.
Practical Assessment
Skills must be demonstrated in the workplace.
You will be participating in a number of role plays to develop your skills before you are able to participate in your work placement to ensure that you and your future clients are protected.
Delivery
This unit is delivered as a stand alone unit in our learning management system however it is assessed concurrently during your work placement.
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to use, support and evaluate child-focused approaches in service delivery in the context of family law. A key tenet of the family law system and associated service provision is acting and promoting the best interests of the child.
The four elements you will demonstrate competence in are:
- Make child needs central to service provision
- Support parents to maintain child focused approaches
- Respond to situations requiring child inclusive process
- Monitor and evaluate child-focused practice
Performance Evidence
This unit does not require mandatory work placement evidence before you can be assessed as competent however your ability to support a child focused approach will be assessed as part of your work placement.
That includes:
That you consistently apply the concepts and intention of working in the child’s best interests as stated in the Family Law Act 1975 in the planning, provision and monitoring of services to at least 3 families with children experiencing conflict
That you respond appropriately to situations where:
- the child is vulnerable or at risk
- there is a requirement for child inclusive practice.
Practical Assessment
You will be participating in a number of role plays to develop your skills and may undertake safety planning or review safety plans during your work placement.
Delivery
This unit is delivered as a stand alone unit in our learning management system however it is assessed concurrently during your work placement.
The elective units in the CHC81115 – Graduate Diploma of Family Dispute Resolution are more general in nature.
If you feel that you already hold units of competence at the Graduate Diploma level in a relevant area or significant, recent, high level workplace experience in relevant skills area you may be eligible for recognition of current competence (if you possess a current unit of competence that is relevant) or recognition of prior learning if you have formal or informal training and recent workplace experience sufficient to provide evidence of competence.
Holders of the CHC80308 – Graduate Diploma of Family Dispute Resolution are not eligible for recognition of current competence as that course has been superseded and is not equivalent. The CHC81115 has a mandatory 50 hours of work placement so if you can demonstrate that you hold the old qualification and are conducting FDR you could be eligible for a RPL upgrade to the new qualification.
Find out more about our Recognition of Prior Learning Process.
You would not usually be able to get recognition of prior learning for the core units of this qualification because they apply to the work of a family dispute resolution practitioner which you can not legally do unless you are accredited with the Australian Attorney Generals Department. Unaccredited mediators who provide parenting and property mediation do not do so under the requirements of the Family Law Act 1975 so they will not have evidence of the legal and ethical requirements of a FDRP in order to gain RPL. Although some applicants work as intake workers in FDR services who use unaccredited practitioners to fulfil part of the role that is described in this qualification for FDRP’s there is not a single unit that only deals with intake work.
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to assess the vulnerabilities of people who have been subjected to domestic and family violence, and to work collaboratively with those people to develop implement and review safety plans.
The three elements you will demonstrate competence in are:
- Assess vulnerabilities and their impact on safety
- Implement safety planning procedures
- Review safety planning procedures
Performance Evidence
This unit requires that the skills have been demonstrated in the workplace or in a simulated environment. It is possible you will complete the assessment requirements during your work placement but if not you will complete with role plays.
The requirements are:
- developed and documented safety plans that take account of legal requirements and specific vulnerabilities, with and for at least 3 people who have been subjected to domestic and family violence
- reviewed at least 2 different safety plans based on client and broader network feedback
- used interpersonal communication skills to establish and maintain trusting relationships,
Practical Assessment
You will assist clients to understand and make use of safety planing in a supportive and empowering way.
Delivery
This unit is delivered as a part of the elective units cluster which is made up of the four elective units.
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work with and engage users of violence to assist them to take responsibility for their violence, and to work towards changing their behaviour and enhancing the safety of their family.
The four elements you will demonstrate competence in are:
- Establish and maintain professional relationship
- Assess capacity for change
- Encourage personal responsibility
- Monitor and review progress
Performance Evidence
This unit requires that the skills have been demonstrated in the workplace or in a simulated environment.
The requirements are:
- worked with at least 3 users of violence and provided appropriate support to family members according to organisation, legal and ethical requirements
- established, documented and monitored agreements with users of violence that include goals, strategies and outcomes.
- used the following interpersonal communication techniques appropriately with users of domestic violence questioning and active listening, paraphrasing, clarifying, summarising, relationship and rapport building, challenging and supportive feedback and conflict de-escalation / resolution techniques.
Practical Assessment
You will participate role plays and also work with users of violence during your work placement.
The evidence required is that you are able to identify users of violence, explain the behavioural ground rules for mediation and maintain a safe and fair process should mediation proceed. This will include using shuttle mediation and also mediator facilitated negotiation simulations.
Delivery
This unit is delivered in our electives course which is made up of the four electives we have chosen.
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to assess parenting practice, then work with parents to prepare and monitor parenting plans and arrangements.
The three elements you will demonstrate competence in are:
- Assess current parenting practices
- Assist clients to agree on outcomes for parenting arrangements
- Monitor parenting arrangements
Performance Evidence
This unit requires that the skills have been demonstrated in the workplace or in a simulated environment.
The requirements are:
- Adhered to legal requirements for both process and outcome to assist at least 3 families with different circumstances to develop parenting arrangements that compromise a documented risk assessment, are in the best interests of the child, consider the complexities of relationships both in and out of the immediate family environment and set in place monitoring arrangements.
Practical Assessment
You will participate role plays and may provide post separation pre-mediation coaching, parallel parenting coaching and co-parenting coaching to parents as part of your work placement.
The evidence required is that you are able to work with high conflict families to develop, review and update parenting arrangements.
Generally this would be in the context of negotiating a Parenting Plan to replace Parenting Orders that are no longer working for family members, especially the child.
Delivery
This unit is delivered in our electives course which is made up of the four electives we have chosen.
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to analyse own values, goals and professional well-being as part of an ongoing review for sustaining professional effectiveness. It includes the ability to create a professional development plan that incorporates strategies to enhance the coherence and effectiveness of practice.
The four elements you will demonstrate competence in are:
- Review professional goals and values
- Review effectiveness of practice
- Maintain professional wellbeing
- Sustain professional effectiveness
Performance Evidence
This unit requires that the skills have been demonstrated in the workplace or in a simulated environment. You will be required to complete a number of activities including during your work placement and on your own initiative.
The requirements are:
- engage in a structured process of critical analysis and professional reflection that includes:
- evidence based analysis of your own values, goals, current practice and their coherence
- research of current and emerging best practice, trends and skills requirements
- creation of a professional development plan that includes strategies to enhance effectiveness and coherence of practice
- develop strategies to address at least three (3) different professional practice issues.
Practical Assessment
You will be required to participate in industry networking / professional development events with practitioners and develop your own professional development plan for your first year of professional practice taking into account the requirements of the unit and the profession.
Delivery
This unit is delivered in our electives course which is made up of the four electives we have chosen.
FAQs
To enrol, you must have one of the following:
- A degree in Psychology, Social Work, Law, Conflict Management, Dispute Resolution, Family Law Mediation, or an equivalent field.
- NMAS accreditation.
- The Mediation skill set from the CHC Community Services Training Package.
- Recent experience in a dispute resolution role, with a letter from an employer as evidence.
If prerequisites aren’t met, completing the NMAS course can serve as a pathway to eligibility.
The Student Handbook outlines the terms and conditions for our training programs, detailing policies, procedures, and expectations to ensure a smooth learning experience.
For details about the course, mediation work, or a career as a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, call us at 1300 781 533 or request a callback via email. If you have concerns about video mediation or your tech setup, we can arrange a video meeting to help assess compatibility.
This course is fully online, so there’s no need to travel. Join tutorials, role-plays, supervision, and other activities from home or the office, saving on travel and accommodation costs and minimising disruptions to your family.
Absolutely. If you would like to participate as an observer or in one of our tutorials we would be happy to arrange it. Contact us to discuss.
As soon as you join the course you can book in for a video orientation meeting. This is to walk you through the learning management system and make sure that your technology is working.
You can also register to join us on one of our webinars or web meetings – Mi Event Calendar
Our course requires participation in video mediation, and it will not be suitable for those who are unwilling to use this technology. We believe that video mediation is essential for the future of the industry, enabling remote service delivery and ensuring the wellbeing of clients. By incorporating video mediation into the training, we aim to build your skills and confidence in this method of providing professional services, preparing you for the evolving landscape of dispute resolution.
Students can arrange their own work placement through connections with Family Dispute Resolution services or practitioners, or they may receive support from local Family Relationship Centers, especially in regional areas.
We may be able to assist with introductions.
For those without connections, Mediation Institute has arranged for placement opportunities through Interact Support Incorporated, a social enterprise style not-for-profit founded by our directors.
A supervision fee is payable to Interact Support.
Our Work Placement Agreement is required before you commence your work placement and this ensures insurance coverage and sets clear expectations for the placement.
Mediation Institute emphasises the importance of real-world experience in Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) training. Unlike some other providers that may rely more heavily on role-plays, our program requires a 50-hour work placement with real clients under the supervision of a registered FDR practitioner. This hands-on experience, added in 2015, is critical for developing practical skills, confidence, and readiness for a career as an FDR practitioner.
While we advocate for regulatory standards that protect qualification integrity, our focus remains on delivering high-quality training and robust student support. Simulations serve as valuable training and assessment tools, but they cannot fully replace the depth of real workplace experience.
Finding the right training provider for Family Dispute Resolution can be challenging. Mediation Institute partners with Registered Training Organisation (RTO) Inspiritive, which manages compliance, while Mediation Institute handles course design, delivery, and assessment.
When comparing programs, consider:
- the full cost (including interest and if you are using fee help government charges)
- whether you are comparing a course that is only equivalent to the core units (some core units courses are named to seem like they are the graduate diploma but they are not)
- if the course is not the full graduate diploma will your other qualifications allow you to register as a FDRP?
You can check with the practitioner registration department Becoming a family dispute resolution practitioner | Attorney-General’s Department or speak with our director – contact us
A lot! We need to help you to develop your skills and assess your competence through role plays. This may take a number of role plays to achieve.
As a minimum you’ll need to pass assessment in:
- Parenting Pre-Mediation – demonstrating complying with your obligations, risk screening and helping the client to prepare for FDR.
- Property Pre-Mediation – demonstrating complying with your obligations including screeing for risks and suitability including financial abuse, helping the client to understand the requirements for property settlements including full disclosure, helping the client to prepare for mediation including tasks to complete prior to joint mediation sessions.
- Parenting Mediation – facilitating with a facilitative approach (parties speaking directly) and shuttle mediation (unless you provide work placement evidence showing competence in shuttle)
- Property Mediation – demonstrating your ability to competently facilitate property settlement negotiations.
- Child Inclusive Mediation – working with a child inclusive practitioner to assist parents with parenting negotiations.
You will be required to participate as a role player and we encourage you to also observe role plays.
Hope that helps. We can’t be more precise than that as it depends on you and your learning style.
The course is competency based which means that we have the responsibility under the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) Standards to provide training, assessment and support services that meet your individual needs.
We take this responsibility seriously and do offer individualised training and assessment.
Assessment is a process not a one off exam. It is a series of tasks and activities that allow you to learn and apply new skills. You will be required to repeat tasks such as FDR mediation role plays until you have demonstrated competence across all aspects of the process in a variety of different scenarios.
If you are not able to pass your assessment role plays in two attempts and after mentoring we will arrange a meeting with a senior trainer to review your progress and work with you on a strategy to resolve the issues you are having with acquiring the skills.
NMAS / AMDRAS Accreditation is a possible pre-requisite to allow you to enrol in the CHC81115 – Graduate Diploma of Family Dispute Resolution but it does not allow you credits or any recognition of prior learning.
No you can not get credits for “property mediation” training delivered as part of a basic mediation training.
The mediator accreditation course is a short course that is not delivered under Vocational Education and Training standards.
We don’t understand how anyone can claim that is adequate to teach property mediation to any level of competence in the short duration of the course and definitely do not recognise it as being equivalent to Graduate Diploma level training.
A law degree is one of the possible pre-requisites to allow you to enrol in this course but it does not allow you credits or any recognition of prior learning.
The role of a lawyer and that of a family dispute resolution practitioner are very different.
Lawyers advise and advocate and can have only one party to a dispute as a client.
FDR Practitioners facilitate and don’t advocate or provide legal advice. They work with both sides of a dispute in a way that is neutral and independent.
No. Government loans tend to push the price of courses up. While the loan may defer payment they do not make your studies free. They also have fees and charges that continue to increase the cost of the course as long as you have not finished paying back your debt.
Make sure you do your due diligence and ask the full cost of the course with the loan fees applied if you are considering one of those loans.
We are able to offer interest free flexible payment terms so the amount you pay is the course fee and nothing more.
Our RTO has also arranged education finance which will allow you to extend the repayment of the course beyond the completion time if you want to pay off over a longer term. Education Finance.