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Read about expectations for private career colleges and their students.
When you enrol in a licensed career program at a private college, you sign a contract that outlines both your and your college's roles and responsibilities.
It's important for you to read and understand this contract, as well as your college's student rules and policies.
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Every student signs an Alberta Student Enrolment Contract (PDF, 1.1 MB) to enrol in a licensed career training program. This contract clearly spells out what you can expect from your college, and their expectations from you. It confirms:
This contract is legally binding. Read it carefully before you sign it, and take a copy of the signed document with you for your records. If you change your mind after you sign it, you can cancel the contract with no penalty within 4 business days.
Any changes made to the signed contract must be agreed to in writing by you and your private career college.
If you have any questions about the contract, please talk to your career college. If you're not asked to sign a contract when you enrol, please contact the Private Career Colleges Branch.
When you sign your Alberta Student Enrolment Contract, you agree that you have received a copy of the private career college’s student rules and policies. These are developed by the college and can include:
These rules and policies are not set by government. They may also be different in other private career colleges. Your college must provide you with a copy of their rules and policies if you ask for them.
You should know what is expected from you at every stage of your career training experience — from before you enrol to after you graduate.
Research your private career college before you sign an Alberta Student Enrolment Contract. This can help you find out what to expect, and what your private career college will expect from you. Research:
When you sign the contract, you should be prepared to pay a deposit. You should also confirm when your tuition needs to be paid in full.
Your private career colleges may ask you to pay 3 types of fees:
A private career college:
Please contact the Private Career Colleges Branch if you've been asked to pay tuition before your program start date.
Before you enrol, your private career college must provide you with the following:
Your private career college is not allowed to give you false or misleading information.
Know your private career college's student rules and policies. These cover everything from attendance to student conduct. If you don't know where to find them, ask your college for a copy.
You are responsible for completing your program, according to the terms of the contract you signed. This includes:
Private career colleges are responsible for honouring the commitments made in your enrolment contract, and for following their student rules and policies. They must also meet their ongoing licence requirements. This includes:
Your responsibilities, and those of your private career college, don't end when you graduate, or if you leave your program. Be sure to:
Keep your transcript and credential documents in a safe place. If you lose these documents, contact your private career college for a replacement. The Government of Alberta does not keep transcripts for private career colleges.
If you choose to leave your private career college before finishing your program, you must work with your college to:
You cancel your Alberta Student Enrolment Contract by:
Your Alberta Student Enrolment Contract is terminated on the day the college receives the written notice.
If you have concerns that you were unable to resolve with your college, you have 6 months from your last day of school to file a complaint.
Private career colleges set their own rules and policies about student suspensions or the conditions under which your Alberta Student Enrolment Contract can be terminated. If you don't already have a copy of your college's student policies, ask to see them.
If your private career college terminates your signed Alberta Student Enrolment Contract before you complete your program, they must:
If you have a concern about your contract termination, talk to your private career college first. If you’re unable to reach a resolution with your college, you have 6 months from your last day of school to file a complaint.
You’re also required to notify your student loan provider if your contract is terminated.
Your private career college will provide you with a credential and transcript if you:
The college may withhold these documents if you have outstanding fees when you graduate.
Your private career college may provide job search assistance after you graduate, though it is not a requirement. Use alis job search resources to help you get started.
Your college will also contact you to see if you found a job. They need to report graduate employment rates every year as part of their licensing requirements. They are also required to maintain up-to-date information on their students for annual reporting and compliance purposes.
If your private career college closes while you are completing your program, they must:
If your college closes before you complete your program, please contact the Private Career Colleges branch.
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