Policy overview
- 1 Purpose
- 2 Scope
- 3 Policy Statement
- 4 Principles
- 5 Procedures
- 6 References
- 7 Schedules
- 8 Policy Information
1 Purpose
To provide information and guidance on the extension of time for the payment of fees
2 Scope
All UniSQ Staff and Students
3 Policy Statement
The University recognises that occasions may arise in which students find they are unable to finalise their financial commitment to the university by the payment due date.
The provision of an extension of time for a student to pay their fees is a service which allows the student who is “in need” extra time to finalise their financial commitment for a current Study Period to the university. An extension of time is not a right, but a service offered at the discretion of the University for students in extenuating circumstances.
This Policy aligns with the:
- Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021: Standard 7.2 Information for Prospective and Current Students
- National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students (2018): Standard 2: Recruitment of an Overseas Student
4 Principles
4.1 Eligibility
International students, Australian Permanent Residents and/or New Zealand Citizens who are full fee paying students in award programs, who do not qualify for HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP and are not sponsored by a third party, may apply for an extension of time to pay their Tuition Fees in exceptional circumstances.
5 Procedures
5.1 Regulations
Extensions of time to pay will not be granted under the following circumstances:
- Students eligible for HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP places or to students in their first year of study at UniSQ.
- Students who are enrolled in non-award courses/programs.
- Where the student has funds in a fixed-term deposit, and wishes additional time while the deposit matures.
- Where the student's financial sponsor is absent for any reason (e.g. on holidays) as prior arrangements to pay fees should have been made in advance.
- Where a student has an existing extension of time from a previous Study Period, the student will not be eligible for an extension in a following Study Period.
- Where the student has not finalised their enrolment for that Study Period for any reason, as payments should have been made by the published payment due date.
5.2 Administrative fee payable
An administrative fee as published in the University Handbook will be charged and is payable at the time of application. If a student has been granted an extension and then submits a second application for an extension, this application will also incur the administrative fee.
If an extension of time has been granted and the outstanding debt is paid by the new payment due date, this administrative fee will be deducted from the outstanding tuition fee. Otherwise, if the debt is not paid by the new payment due date, the administrative fee will be in addition to the outstanding tuition fee.
The administrative fee will not be refunded if a student applies for an extension and then drops all the courses before the census date.
Consideration may be given to waiving the administrative fee in extenuating circumstances. This decision is delegated to the University officer responsible for managing and assessing 'Extension of Time to Pay' applications.
5.3 Application Process
Students can request an Extension of Fees form by contacting Student Administration.
If the application is not completed correctly and in full the application will be returned to the student for completion.
Applications complete with any/all supporting documentation will be assessed up to the census date of the relevant Study Period on a case-by-case basis by a delegated university officer.
Applications must be accompanied by evidence of the student's ability to pay the fees. This evidence must be in the form of an official letter from the student's financial institution or sponsor.
Every effort will be made to maintain a student's web access during the assessment period of the application. Normal restrictions and cancellations as indicated in the Credit Control and Debt Management Policy will apply in the event that the application for an extension is not granted.
5.4 Approval Process
Approval of an extension of time application for international students will be in accordance with the assessment level of the student's visa as determined by the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs.
A student's financial payment history will be taken into account when considering an extension. An extension may not be granted to a student in consecutive Study Periods if the debt has been referred by UniSQ to debt collection agency.
If the University has reinstated a debt that has been previously written off and then paid by the student, an extension will not be granted in the first academic year of study from the date of reinstatement.
An extension of two weeks will normally be granted in cases where a cheque/draft has been posted or couriered to the University. Evidence of this transaction may be required.
Extensions of time will normally be only for one month past the original payment due date.
If in extenuating circumstances a student submits a second application for an extension in the same Study Period the extension will not be granted for more than two weeks.
5.5 Failure to Pay Fees by the Extended Time
A Student who is granted an extension of time to pay their fees however does not make payment by the approved date, will be considered to have an outstanding debt and the University may apply relevant sanctions and penalties in accordance with the Student Debt Management Procedure.
6 References
Nil.
7 Schedules
This policy must be read in conjunction with its subordinate schedules as provided in the table below.
8 Policy Information
| Accountable Officer | Provost |
| Responsible Officer | Associate Provost |
| Policy Type | Executive Policy |
| Policy Suite | |
| Subordinate Schedules | |
| Approved Date | 10/8/2023 |
| Effective Date | 10/8/2023 |
| Review Date | |
| Relevant Legislation | |
| Policy Exceptions | |
| Related Policies | |
| Related Procedures | Higher Degree by Research Student Admissions and Enrolments Procedure |
| Related forms, publications and websites | |
| Definitions | Terms defined in the Definitions Dictionary |
| The period during which a Course or study unit is offered. Examples of Study Period include, but are not limited to, semesters, trimesters, blocks, intensives and sessions....moreThe period during which a Course or study unit is offered. Examples of Study Period include, but are not limited to, semesters, trimesters, blocks, intensives and sessions. | |
| Definitions that relate to this policy only | |
| Keywords | Payment of fees, extension of time |
| Record No | 13/325PL |