Within thirty (30) days of notice of an offer of a place, an intending overseas student is required to pay an amount representing the total tuition costs and fees for the first semester in Australian currency to Nazarene Theological College. These funds will be drawn down during the student's first semester of enrolment, according to government regulations.
The student will be required to pay the total amount of tuition and fees calculated by the business office of Nazarene Theological College and agreed to by the student for each of the successive semesters or modules the student is enrolled in the course. Said payments are to be made on the official day of registration for each semester or each module.
Nazarene Theological College reserves the right to collect tuition and other fees in arrears or in instalments as agreed to in writing by the student and the principal of Nazarene Theological College (or the officer designated by the principal). The required semester payments will provide for the student's enrolment fee, tuition and compulsory fees.
Students are responsible for paying their own compulsory overseas student health cover payments to the provider of their own choice and present documentary evidence to the Registrar of Nazarene Theological College that such coverage has been arranged. Failure to ensure adequate health insurance may result in the cancellation of the visa of the student by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.
Refund Policy
Introduction
The Sydney College of Divinity Refund Policy has been developed in accordance with Section 28 of the ESOS Act 2000.
A copy of this policy must be given to all intending and enrolling overseas students before any tuition fees are paid. The tuition fees are reviewed each year and the revised tuition fee implemented on 1st January each year.
Overseas students are required to pay their tuition fees up-front in full unless special arrangements have been made in writing.
Overseas students are required to maintain satisfactory course progress to complete the course within the expected duration, taking at least one unit that is not by distance or online learning in each compulsory study period.
In the event that an offer of a place is withdrawn by the College on the grounds that the original offer was made on the basis of incomplete or incorrect information supplied by the student, the college reserves the right to withhold 10% of the tuition fee paid for the first semester and to refund the balance
Refund if a Student defaults
A student may withdraw from a unit or course at any time in a semester during their course of study, however, the student needs to be aware of the consequences of such an action.
Students may withdraw from units without academic penalty only if notice of withdrawal is submitted in writing to the Registrar by 4.00 pm on the Census Date applicable to the unit in question.
If withdrawal occurs in writing up to 4.00 pm on the Census Date the tuition fee will be refunded in full, however a withdrawal fee will be charged to the student. A written request to the Registrar in the case of exceptional circumstances (see below) may waive the withdrawal fee. The refund will be paid to the student within four weeks of the date of withdrawal.
If a student withdraws after the Census Date of the unit in question, a Fail grade will be given and tuition fees will not be refunded. If there are exceptional circumstances around this withdrawal a written request needs to be sent to the Registrar seeking a refund and detailing the exceptional circumstances. A full or pro-rata refund may be made in such cases.
A written request for withdrawal due to exceptional circumstances may be accepted as grounds for a total or partial refund of fees subject to the student providing acceptable documentary evidence in support of their claim. Exceptional circumstances may include:
- Inability to obtain a student visa
- Illness or disability
- Failure to meet English language requirements for admission
- Death of the student or a close family member (parent, sibling, spouse, child)
Refund if the Provider defaults
The process for refunds if the registered provider defaults is outlined in the written agreement between the provider and the student, in line with the provisions of the ESOS Act 2000 and the ESOS Regulations 2001, and will be followed by the registered provider.
In the case of provider default, an overseas student will have the option to have refunded the total of course money paid, less the amount relating to provider expenses incurred for the student for the course before the day of default. The student may alternatively choose to accept an offer into a suitable alternative course, either arranged by the provider (at the provider’s expense), or arranged by the tuition assurance scheme. If the student accepts the offer (in writing) into a course as arranged under these circumstances, the provider is relieved of it’s obligation to provide a refund.
Payment of Refund
In the case of Provider default, the refund owed to the student will be paid within two weeks after the default day. In the case of student default, the refund owed will be paid within four weeks after the default day. The payment will be made in the same currency as the fees were originally paid.
The refund will normally be paid to the student. If the student wishes the refund to be paid to a third party (eg in the event that the fees were paid by another person) the student must provide a letter of authority signed by both the student and the receiving party and including account details of the receiver, enabling the provider to pay the other party.
If the student is offered an alternative place of study, any refund will be paid directly to the new institution accepting the student. Refunds in the form of transfer of fees to another institution will be made subject to the student presenting evidence of acceptance into that institution.
This policy, 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.
Residential Housing
A limited number of residential housing units are available on the campus for students. Housing on the campus is a privilege rather than a right. Priority is given to those who are full-time students and members of the Church of the Nazarene in Australia or New Zealand. Applicants interested in residential housing should send a non-refundable deposit with a completed Application for Campus Housing form to reserve a dorm room or flat. Currently the deposits are: AUD100.00 for a dorm room or AUD200.00 for a college flat. Those hoping to secure on campus accommodation may be required to document financial ability to make rental payments prior to final housing approval.
Preference for available housing is given according to the date the deposit is received.
Those securing housing on the campus of Nazarene Theological College are required to pay four weeks rent in advance at the time of occupancy. The non-refundable deposit will be applied towards the advance payments.
Refund of deposit policies
The deposit sent for residential housing is non-refundable. Nazarene Theological College reserves the absolute right to refund the accommodation deposit at its own discretion upon written application of the student for such matters as illness or death within the family of the student or inability to secure the appropriate visa.
In the event that a refund is necessary the refund is to be paid directly to the person who has entered into the contract with Nazarene Theological College, unless that person directs Nazarene Theological College, in writing, to pay the refund to someone else.
In the event that a refund is necessary any refund that is to given shall be paid in the same currency in which the fees were paid, unless that person requests Nazarene Theological College, in writing, to pay in a currency mutually agreed upon by both the student and Nazarene Theological College. The preferred currency of exchange shall be the Australian dollar.
In any case, there shall be no financial loss to Nazarene Theological College, with any exchange costs or other losses incurred due to currency fluctuations to be borne by the student and deducted from the refund before that is remitted to the student.
The total amount of refund due (after any administration fees or currency conversion costs are applied less any outstanding accounts in relation to on campus accommodation, textbooks or tuition) shall be due on the day that all financial obligations to college are met. In any case, Nazarene Theological College shall refund any moneys owing within sixty days of the official written notification of withdrawal from Nazarene Theological College in accordance with the foregoing financial policies.
Nazarene Theological College shall issue a letter of release upon the written request of any overseas student but may include details of outstanding financial arrangements between the student and Nazarene Theological College at its own discretion.
