Withdrawal and Refund Policy
Learners must notify the College of their cancellation in writing and return their original fees receipt before we refund their fees.
CANTERBURY COLLEGE REFUND POLICY is that, unless covered by the statutory protection (summarised below) provided by the Code and the NZQA Rules, except at the discretion of management, no refunds will be made to learners for any other reason. Refund requests involving, for example, the serious illness or death of the learner, parent or grandparent, sibling, spouse or child in the immediate family will always be considered.
- Domestic learners are entitled to a refund if they withdraw from a programme or training scheme as per section 235 of the Education Act 1989, and the course is of three months’ duration or more and the withdrawal occurs up to the end of the eighth day after the start of a course. In such cases the private training establishment (PTE) must refund an amount equal to the sum of the amount paid less a deduction of the lesser of 10 per cent of the fees paid or $500
- International learners are entitled to a refund as follows:
Courses of three calendar months or more
If the course is of three months duration or more and the withdrawal occurs up to the end of the tenth working day after the first day on which the PTE requires the student to attend the establishment:
In such cases Canterbury College may deduct up to 25 per cent of the fees paid, provided the PTE incurred costs to this amount and can justify these costs.
Courses of five weeks or more but less than three calendar months
If the course is of five weeks or more but less than three months and the withdrawal occurs up to the end of the fifth day after the start of the course:
In such cases, Canterbury College must pay an amount equal to the fees paid less a deduction of 25 per cent.
Courses of under five weeks
If the course is under five weeks and the withdrawal occurs up to the end of the second day after the start of the course:
In such cases, Canterbury College must pay an amount equal to the fees paid less a deduction of 50 per cent. However, if two days constitutes the full amount of tuition paid for by the student, the PTE may retain 100 per cent of the payment
What do I do if something goes wrong?
The International Learner Contract Dispute Resolution Scheme (DRS) will resolve contractual and financial disputes between international learners and education providers. The DRS will better support and care for international learners in New Zealand.
The complaints process
Your first step in making a complaint is to discuss it with Reception, or your tutor. In most cases, they will be able to resolve the problem to your satisfaction.
If you are not satisfied you may contact the Director of Studies, or the Principal to try to find a satisfactory solution.
If your complaint is still not resolved, you should contact NZQA, who will listen to, and assess your complaint. NZQA has developed a student-focused brochure with contact information. The brochure, which is part of the Appendix, can also be downloaded at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/assets/Providers-and-partners/Code-of-Practice/int-learners-make-a-complaint-updated.pdf
If the complaint is about your fees or a refund, NZQA will refer it to the Dispute Resolution Scheme operator, iStudent Complaints (who have been appointed to this role by the Ministry of Education). Information about the Dispute Resolution Scheme operator can be found at: http://www.fairwayresolution.com/ilearner-complaints
If you need more information on the complaints process, ask at Reception’ or contact NZQA on 0800 697 296.
