Cancellation and Refund Policy

CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS INCORPORATING THE CONDITIONS FOR TERMINATING ENROLMENT AND THE CONDITIONS FOR TERMINATING THE CONTRACT

Refunds of programme fees will only be made in accordance with the following policy:

By accepting a place in a programme of study at NorthTec, a student enters a contract with NorthTec for the period of one academic year (or the length of the programme if it is less than one year). This contract means there is an obligation to pay the fee for the year (or for the length of the shorter programme).

Students who wish to defer to the following semester must notify NorthTec International two weeks prior to the programme commencement.

There is no automatic right to a refund of fees if a student changes his/her mind about studying at NorthTec.

In normal circumstances, no refunds will be given after programme/course commencement. If a student decides to withdraw from a programme/course once enrolment has been finalised the student will need to complete a NorthTec Withdrawal Form which can be obtained from the International office.

Any request for a refund must be made in writing to the International Manager. The request must include a detailed explanation of the reasons for withdrawal from the programme/course. At this time, the student's family and agent may be notified by NorthTec that a request for refund has been received.

If a refund is given, it will be paid in NZ dollars and paid by direct credit either to:

• the original payer’s nominated bank account, or
• if the Refund Authorisation Letter is completed by the original payer, to another party’s bank account

Note: If the student is not the original payer, permission in writing from the original payer will need to be sought before the funds can be transferred to the student.
 

Consideration of Refund Applications

Applications for refunds will be considered under the following categories, which may require supporting documentation:

Full Refunds

• Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has refused to grant an initial visa for study in New Zealand
• Visa extension is refused by INZ
• NorthTec (Northland Polytechnic) is unable to proceed with the programme/course offered.
• If the programme contracted with NorthTec (Northland Polytechnic) is cancelled for whatever reason, then the student shall be entitled to a total refund of programme fees but shall not be entitled to any other compensation, costs or consequential damages of whatsoever nature.

Part Refunds

• An international student in a semester-based programme, who gains Permanent Residency will not receive a refund of fees for the semester in which residency is granted. However, they will be treated as a New Zealand Permanent Resident for the following semester and refunded any international fees paid beyond the semester in which residency was granted.
• International students in programmes designed with full year non-semester based courses must pay the international fees for the full year, regardless of the date Permanent Residence has been granted during that year.
• If a student wishes to withdraw their application, and notice is received by NorthTec International within the two weeks prior to course commencement, a cancellation fee of 45% of the tuition fee will be charged.
• Special circumstances of a compassionate nature, as approved by NorthTec, may necessitate withdrawal from a programme. Supporting information must be supplied in writing from the student, family and agent (if applicable).

No Refunds

• In the event of inadequate attendance and/or achievement resulting in the termination of enrolment and the contract, no refund is payable

In the event of a disciplinary action resulting in the termination of enrolment and the contract, no refund is payable

Conditions for terminating enrolment and terminating the contract	Evidence required	Timing	Amount of refund
A visa was not granted	An official letter from INZ indicating the rejection of the visa application.	At any time	Total tuition fee minus registration fee and bank charges
Extension of visa is not granted	An official letter from INZ indicating the rejection of the visa application.	At any time	Total tuition fee minus registration fee and bank charges
NorthTec is unable to proceed with the programme	No documentation required from the student	The refund is automatic	Total fee paid (however if the student transfers to another institution, or another programme, the refund will be sent to that institution or applied to the alternative programme)
Student no longer wishes to study at NorthTec	A letter from the student outlining the reason for their change of circumstances. NorthTec will advise INZ and request cancellation of student visa	Two weeks or more before the commencement  the programme of study	Total fee paid less the registration fee, accommodation placement fee, and any agency fees.
		Within the two weeks prior to commencement of the programme of study	Total fee paid less the registration fee, accommodation placement fee, any agency fees, and a cancellation fee of 45% of the course fee
		After the commencement of the programme	No refund
Compassionate reasons (serious illness etc)	Documentation supporting application for a refund by the student	At any time	At the discretion of NorthTec and the relevant Executive Manager with responsibility for the programme area
Non-attendance or failure to achieve	As per the NorthTec International Policy http://www.northtec.ac.nz/about-us/policies	After the commencement of the programme	No refund
Breach of NorthTec Regulations	As per the NorthTec Statutes and regulations http://www.northtec.ac.nz/about-us/policies	At any time	No refund