Tuition refunds

Overview

The refund amount you can expect depends on when you or your private career college terminates your Alberta Student Enrolment Contract.

Your contract must be officially terminated before your college can process your refund.

Types of refunds

After you sign your contract

Every student is given a 4-day cooling off period, where you can change your mind without penalty. If you choose to cancel your Alberta Student Enrolment Contract on or before the 4th business day after you signed it, your college must refund any tuition and other fees you have paid (including your registration fee).

Before your program start date

Your private career college must refund your tuition and other fees you have paid if:

• you terminate your contract before the end of the 4-day cooling off period
• the school terminates your contract before your program start date
• the program does not start by the agreed upon date and you terminate your contract

After your program start date

You may be entitled to a refund, under Section 17 of the Private Vocational Training Regulation, if your Alberta Student Enrolment Contract is cancelled by you or the school after your program start date.

If you have completed:

• less than 10% of your program, the college is entitled to 25% of the cost of tuition
• more than 10% but less than 50% of your program, the college is entitled to 60% of the cost of tuition
• more than 50% of your program, the college is entitled to 100% of the cost of tuition.

If you paid your private career college a tuition amount greater than the amount they are entitled to above, the school must refund the excess amount to your loan provider, if you have one, or to you directly if you do not have a loan.

You and your private career college can enter into a different agreement for tuition refunds, so long as it meets the minimum requirements above.

Refund eligibility

Incidental fees

Private career colleges are not required to refund incidental fees, such as:

• textbooks
• lesson materials
• supplies
• printing
• parking
• equipment

Completed over half of your program

If you have completed more than 50% of your program, the college is not required to provide you with a refund.

Refund payments

Refunds are paid to whomever paid your tuition fees. This could be:

• directly to you, if you paid for your tuition
• your lender, if you have an outstanding student loan
• a government, agency or person who paid for you to complete the program

If the refund does not cover the full amount you borrowed or were provided to complete the program, you are responsible for making arrangements to repay the remaining amount.

You should receive your refund within 30 days of your contract termination date. If you do not, submit a complaint.