11.1

RMIT University refunds

11.1.1

Refund application process

11.1.2

Payment of refund

11.1.3

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

11.1.4

Definition of Returning and Commencing Students

11.1.5

Refunds for Domestic and Returning International Students

11.1.5.1

Census date

11.1.5.2

Refund calculation

11.1.5.3

Refund processing - administration charge

11.1.5.4

Re-crediting of Student Learning Entitlement (SLE)

11.1.5.5

Student Visa

11.1.5.6

Permanent Residency

11.1.5.7

Payment of upfront contribution

11.1.6

Refunds for Commencing International Students

11.2

RMIT English Worldwide (REW) - refunds

11.2.1

RMIT English Worldwide refund procedure

11.3

Financial liability will remain until enrolment is cancelled

11.1 RMIT University refunds

The refund rules for RMIT observe the ESOS (Education Services for Overseas Students) Act 2000. These rules apply equally to all new and re-enrolling students unless otherwise stated. All refund requests are conditional on the following:

• The funds for the refund must be available (cheques are cleared, telegraphic transfers have been received); and
• Any debts to RMIT must be paid in full or the outstanding amounts will be deducted from the refund.

The acceptance of the refund rules, and the availability of complaints and appeals processes, does not remove the right of the student to take action under Australia’s consumer protection laws.²

11.1.1 Refund application process

Credit balances within a student’s individual account will not be remitted automatically. A local or re-enrolling international student seeking a refund of their credit must do so by lodging an Application for Refund of Fees and supporting documentation at one of RMIT’s Student Hubs (this form can be obtained from the Hub). A commencing international student must lodge an Application for Refund form for International Students at International Services.

If a refund is to be provided to a third party, this must be specified in or with the student's application. Enrolled international students must also submit an authorised Leave of Absence, Cancellation of Enrolment or Change of Program for International Students form, with supporting documentation. International students who are not in Australia must lodge an Application for Refund form for International Students with International Services Note: Financial liability will remain until enrolment is cancelled. See 11.3.

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11.1.2 Payment of refund

Applications for refunds take 2 - 3 weeks to process (earlier, if specifically required by legislation). If the application is successful, an Australian dollar cheque is drawn against the name of the student account (or an alternative party – if the student’s fee liability was assumed by the party). The cheque will be sent to the student’s registered address, or to another institution if requested in writing under the applicant’s signature, and supported by production of a valid offer letter. Where a sponsoring body or scholarship agency pays the student's fees, any refund will be paid to that sponsoring body or scholarship agency.

11.1.3 Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) in TAFE

Students who have applied for and gained "Recognition of Prior Learning" for an enrolled TAFE course of study will be credited the tuition fee for this course.

RPL applications must be submitted on a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Application Form to the relevant School’s Student Administration Area before the program census date in a student’s first semester of study at RMIT.

² These rules cover deposits and tuition fees collected by RMIT representatives on behalf of RMIT.

11.1.4 Definition of Returning and Commencing Students

For the purposes of these rules, a student is defined as a commencing student if they are enrolling in a particular program for the first time with RMIT or, in the case of offshore students articulating to onshore, when they commence their studies in Australia.

A student is defined as a returning student if they are re-enrolling in a program in which they have already undertaken study at RMIT.

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11.1.5 Refunds for Domestic and Returning International Students

This section outlines the refund rules that apply to all domestic students, and to returning international students. (The next section 11.1.6 outlines the refund rules for commencing international students.)

11.1.5.1 Census date

The census is a predetermined date within a given academic semester or term. Compliance with this deadline is necessary for RMIT’s funding and legislative reporting. Accordingly, any enrolment changes following the relevant census date will not change the financial status of a student’s enrolment.

RMIT publishes the census dates on the website: www.rmit.edu.au/programs/fees/censusdates

The following table sets out the census dates for the 2008 academic year:

³ RMIT has two standard terms/semesters. Enrolment is considered standard where the start and end dates of the class are within two weeks of the start and end date of the term/semester.

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11.1.5.2 Refund calculation

Tuition fees are calculated according to a student’s enrolled load. The following table lists the refund a student is entitled to before and after the census date:

.

International students granted a payment plan for their current semester who then withdraw after the census date in their current semester, are not eligible for a refund of tuition or student union fees for that semester. In addition, students will remain liable for any amounts unpaid.

Withdrawal from a program following census date, due to exceptional circumstances may be accepted as grounds for a full or partial refund of any pre-paid tuition fee, subject to the provision of acceptable documentary evidence, at the discretion of the Pro Vice Chancellor (Students).

No refund will be granted if an international onshore student has their visa cancelled by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) for a breach of visa conditions. No refund will be granted if an international onshore student is suspended or excluded from RMIT University due to misconduct.

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⁴ Percentage is of monies paid.

⁵ No changes to enrolment will be made after census date unless there is evidence of university error. Students should make contact with their School and notify them as soon as practical.

11.1.5.3 Refund processing - administration charge

An administration charge will be applied, pursuant to the class of student noted in the following table, to compensate RMIT for administrative process to remove the student from the academic system, fulfil the Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) and Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) (international students only) reporting obligations, marketing costs, agent commissions and orientation services. Refer to the administration charge table below:

11.1.5.4 Re-crediting of Student Learning Entitlement (SLE)

In special circumstances, CSP students who withdraw from their studies (including work experience in industry) after a census date may apply to the Office of the Academic Registrar to have their SLE re-credited. Upon approval of the application, the deferred debt under HECS-HELP is deemed to have been remitted and any up-front payments of the student’s contribution amount will be refunded.

11.1.5.5 Student Visa

RMIT will report all international students who do not have a current enrolment to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). Student visas may be terminated based on this information. If a visa extension is refused, students will be charged a $500 administration fee.

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11.1.5.6 Permanent Residency

International students who are granted Permanent Residency will be eligible for a refund of all international tuition fees, less an administration fee of AUD$500, if Permanent Residency Status is granted by the applicable census date and the student submits a Change of Citizenship/Immigration Status form to RMIT by the same applicable census date. Students granted a domestic full fee paying or Commonwealth Supported Place may have their pre-paid fees credited to their account.

International students who are granted Permanent Residency after the applicable census date will not be entitled to a refund for the current semester. International tuition fees paid for future semesters will be refunded 100%, less an administrative fee of AUD$500.

A student whose residency status changes, must inform RMIT of the change by the applicable census date through the lodgement of a Change of Citizenship / Immigration Status form at a Hub location, to ensure their status is amended within the University’s student administration database.

11.1.5.7 Payment of upfront contribution

If a student is enrolled within a Commonwealth supported place and elects to make an up-front payment in excess of the 80% of the prevailing tuition fees, a refund will be made for the excess.

Withdrawal from a program or course at RMIT before census date, resulting in a credit within a student account from the up-front contribution will initiate a refund of the excess amount.

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1.1.6 Refunds for Commencing International Students

By accepting a full fee international student place at RMIT, an international student enters into an agreement with RMIT for a study program.⁶ This agreement is for the period of the expected duration of the student’s program, or duration of programs, for an offer of more than one program. This agreement means there is an obligation on the student’s behalf to pay the published program fees throughout the student’s enrolment.

The following table details the standard refund rules that apply to commencing international students:

Notes:

1. Categories for full refund are:

• Australian Government has refused to grant initial visa for study in Australia prior to entry;
• The offer of a place is withdrawn because conditions within the offer letter have not been met. If the offer was made on the basis of incorrect or incomplete information being supplied by the applicant or student, students may be charged a $500 administration fee.
• RMIT is unable to provide the program or the program does not start on the agreed start date. The administration fee will not be charged. Refunds will be paid in accordance with the provisions of the ESOS Act 2000 and the ESOS Regulations 2001. Refunds will be made within 2 weeks after RMIT cancels program or programs ceases to be provided.
• Student obtains permanent residency by census date (and has been offered CSP or fee-paying place). An administration fee of $500 may be charged to cover agent fees.
• A notice of withdrawal due to special or exceptional circumstances of a compassionate nature.

1. Australian Government has rejected a visa extension; student will be charged a $500 administration fee.
2. Students who apply to transfer to another RMIT program after no more than 2 weeks from the program commencement date will be charged a $500 administration fee. (Any available credit balance after the deduction of the administration fee will be applied to the other program’s tuition fees).
3. Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) and application fees are non-refundable. Students must apply for an OSHC refund direct to Medibank Private.
4. Executive discretion may be exercised to consider applications which do not comply with the above provisions but for which extraordinary circumstances may exist. Application for a refund in special circumstances must be made in writing and sent to the Director, International Services. Proof of payment of the fees (e.g. an official receipt) and validation of the reasons for applying for a refund will be required.
5. Any further appeal to the decision made by the Director, International Services, may be directed to the Pro Vice-Chancellor (International and Development) should this be necessary.

⁶ A study program is a program or a series of programs.

⁷ Withdrawal of acceptance is done with lodgement of Application for Refund form for International Students. Cancellation of enrolment is done with lodgement of Cancellation of Enrolment or Change of Program for International Students form.

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11.2 RMIT English Worldwide refunds

By accepting a full fee international student place with RMIT English Worldwide, a student enters into an agreement⁸ with RMIT Training Pty Ltd for a study program (a study program is a program or a series of programs). All refunds will be in accordance with the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000.

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11.2.1 RMIT English Worldwide refund procedure

• All applications for refunds must be made in writing to the Director, Melbourne Language Centre, RMIT English Worldwide, and made by the person requesting the refund.
• Refunds will be made by an RMIT cheque in Australian currency (AUD) and refunded to the person who originally paid the fee (evidence must be provided).
• Refunds will be sent to the payer’s home country address unless RMIT English Worldwide is unable to proceed with the total study program applied for. In this circumstance, the refund may be sent to the payer’s address in Australia upon written request by the student.
• No refund will be granted if a student is reported to DIAC for a breach of visa conditions and has his/her visa cancelled.

11.3 Financial liability will remain until enrolment is cancelled

The financial liability of a student’s enrolment will remain unless an Enrolment Variation, Leave of Absence or Cancellation of Enrolment form, or enrolment variation using Enrolment Online is completed and lodged by the appropriate date.

Withdrawal from a course using Enrolment Online, lodgement of an approved Enrolment Variation, Leave of Absence or Cancellation of Enrolment form with RMIT University or RMIT English Worldwide are the only mechanisms to withdraw from a course or program of study. Failure to lodge the appropriate request before the deadline will result in the tuition liability remaining and the appropriate debt recovery actions will be enforced.

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