Responsible officer: Deputy Vice-Chancellor

Designated officer: Director, Student Administration

Council approval: C04/50, 5 October 2004

Last amended: 30 October 2007

Related policies:

• Academic Rules
• Financial Delegations Policy
• Student Grievances and Appeals – Governing Policy

Related Procedures:

• Student Fees, Charges and Refunds Procedures

Related legislation:

• Education (Overseas Students) Act 1996 (Qld)
• Education Services for Overseas Students Regulations 2001
• Higher Education Support Act 2003
• National Code of Practice for Registration Authorities and Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students
• Related Legislation: Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (Cth)
• University of the Sunshine Coast Act 1998

Overview

The University has the right to establish and collect fees from students.

Fees are established in accordance with the Higher Education Support Act 2003 and the University of Sunshine Coast Act 1998, whereby Council delegates the following authorities:

• Fee-paying programs: Vice-Chancellor
• Administrative and miscellaneous fines and charges: Deputy Vice-Chancellor

The Student Fees and Charges Policy is the University’s statement of fees applying to programs, courses and associated administrative matters. The Procedures associated with this policy include processes for administering these fees, including refunds of fees.

Policy

1. The University has established that fees will be payable by a student as set out in a Schedule of Fees which will be reviewed annually and be published online and in relevant publications.

2. The administration of fees payable as specified in the Schedule of Fees is the responsibility of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor who will, by notice, determine pursuant to this policy:

2.1. the method of advice of fees payable
2.2. the date for payment of fees
2.3. the circumstances in which a fee may be waived, deferred or refunded
2.4. a student’s eligibility for a refund or waiver of the whole or portion of the fees paid, and
2.5. administrative and miscellaneous fines and charges.

3. The University may impose a late payment fee where a student has not paid tuition fees or up-front student contribution (where applicable) by the advised due date for payment.

4. The University may impose a late enrolment fee for enrolment or re-enrolment in courses that is not made by the advised due date for enrolment. The enrolment will not be made effective until the fee has been paid.

5. The University may impose a program cancellation fee for international fee-paying students.

6. The University will cancel the enrolment of a Commonwealth supported student who has not complied with their Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) obligations by the census date.

7. A fee-paying student who has not paid tuition fees by the advised due date may have the student’s enrolment at the University cancelled.

8. A student who has outstanding fees owing to the University and the amount is greater than the threshold determined by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for this purpose, will not be permitted further enrolment (except where any Commonwealth or State legislation or code of practice provides otherwise), will have their academic results withheld and will not be eligible to graduate until the debt is paid in full.

9. The University may refund relevant fees to a student in accordance with procedures associated with this policy.

9.1 A student excluded under a University rule is not entitled to a refund (except where any Commonwealth or State legislation or code of practice provides otherwise).

9.2 A student may appeal in writing against a refusal to refund student fees in whole or part.

9.3 The availability of the appeal process does not remove the right of a student to take action, under Australia’s consumer protection laws, concerning refund of fees.

10. Definitions

Census date: is as the date determined by the University for a course of study in a given enrolment period.

Commonwealth supported student: means a student who is an Australian citizen, or a New Zealand citizen or a holder of an Australian Permanent Resident visa who has been offered a Commonwealth supported place and who has sufficient student learning entitlement.

Course: means a:
(a) subject that a person may undertake with the University as part of a program
(b) subject made available by the University
(c) part of a bridging program for overseas trained professionals

Council: means the Council of University of the Sunshine Coast

DEST: means the Department of Education, Science and Training

Enrolment period: means a semester/ session/ term where appropriate

Fees: includes all fees, fines and charges payable as specified in the Schedule of Fees

Program: means a set of courses or sequenced instruction, eg a Bachelor of Arts program, or an English Language Program, or an Enabling Program, or an International Foundation Pathway, or a Study Abroad Program

Student: means a person who is enrolled in a course or program or a person whose name is entered on the Roll of Students

University: means University of the Sunshine Coast

Written advice: means a completed application form or a request by letter, email or fax submitted to an advised administrative area