How the YESS Fund Works: A Practical Guide for Parents Who Want to Plan Ahead
4 min read
One of the most common things parents say when they first come to Ferguson is: 'I wish I had started planning earlier.' Not because the process of accessing overseas education is impossibly difficult — it is not. But because the financial preparation, the English language preparation, and the time needed to gather documents and meet requirements all take longer than most families expect.
The YESS Fund — Your Education Smart Saver Fund — was created by the founders of Ferguson Education & Migration specifically to address the financial preparation piece. It is an interest-free education savings program designed for Pacific Island families who want to give their children the best possible chance at overseas education — and who understand that building towards that goal takes time.
What Is the YESS Fund?
Think of the YESS Fund like a layby for your child's education. You put money aside regularly — whatever you can afford — over months or years. There is no interest charged. Every kina or dollar you save goes directly toward your child's education costs. When your child is ready to study, the funds you have accumulated can be applied toward course fees, visa fees, OSHC, and other costs.
The YESS Fund is not a bank account and it is not a financial product in the regulatory sense. It is a structured savings arrangement between you and Ferguson, supported by a personalised savings plan developed by our team based on your income, your timeline, and your education goals.
Who Is It For?
The YESS Fund is designed for three groups of people. Parents of primary school children who want to start saving now — understanding that by the time their child finishes secondary school, they will have years of contributions behind them. Parents of secondary school students who want to close the gap between where they are now and the funds required for overseas study. And students themselves who are saving toward their own education and want a structured, accountable framework for doing so.
The earlier you start, the easier it is. A parent in Suva who begins saving when their child is ten years old has eight years to build toward the costs of overseas study. Even small, consistent contributions over that time can accumulate into something meaningful.
What Does Overseas Education Actually Cost?
Understanding what you are saving toward is essential. Costs vary significantly depending on the course, institution, and location — but as a guide, vocational (VET) courses at Australian providers typically range from AUD $4,000 to $22,000 per year. Living costs in Australia are approximately AUD $21,041 per year (as per the Department of Home Affairs student visa financial requirements — this figure is updated periodically). Visa fees, OSHC health insurance, and other setup costs add further to the total.
For a student completing a two-year qualification in Australia (having already completed Year 1 locally through a Ferguson Study Centre), the total cost over two years might range from AUD $50,000 to $80,000 depending on course, institution, and city. This is a significant investment — but one with genuine returns in terms of earning potential and career opportunity.
How to Get Started
Getting started with the YESS Fund begins with a conversation. Contact Ferguson and tell us about your family's situation — your child's age, your approximate monthly budget for savings, and your education goals. From there, our team will create a personalised savings plan that maps your contributions to your target over your chosen timeline.
There is no minimum contribution amount that makes the YESS Fund worthwhile. Starting with what you can afford — and building from there — is entirely the point. What matters is that you start.
Visit yessfund.com or contact Ferguson Education & Migration to begin a conversation about your family's YESS Fund plan today.