8. Undergraduate Fees, Financial Assistance, Refunds
8.1. Explanation of Fees
A fee is the amount of money payable in Canadian dollars that a student pays for a service rendered by Athabasca University. Course fees are determined by combining the tuition fee, the course materials and handling fee, and the mandatory Students' Union and Alumni Association fees. The payment of course fees entitles the student to receive most course materials (e.g., texts, student manuals and study guides, and other instructional materials required to complete the course) and other support services (including tutorial assistance where provided) for the period of active registration.
- Students living outside North America will have their course materials shipped via airmail at their expense unless they specify otherwise.
- Miscellaneous fees may be associated with certain courses. These are stated in the relevant course outlines.
- The Government of Alberta requires international students living in Canada to pay tuition fees that are double those paid by Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Admission, evaluation, Students' Union and Alumni Association fees (where required) are in addition to this.
- Requests with insufficient fees cannot be processed until full payment
is received.
8.2. Methods of Payment
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Fees are revised September 1. Full fees must accompany all requests whether the requests are submitted online, in person, or by mail. Requests with insufficient fees cannot be processed until full payment is received.
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Students may pay course registration fees by cheque or money order, or authorize
fees to be charged to VISA®, MasterCard® or AMERICAN EXPRESS®. INTERAC® is
available at Athabasca, Calgary, and Edmonton learning centres. Post-dated
cheques are not accepted for home-study registrations. Cash may be paid in
person. Do not send cash in the mail.
When paying by VISA®, MasterCard® or AMERICAN EXPRESS®, indicate the specific
fee you are paying (e.g., admission fee, evaluation fee, etc.). Should you make
an error in determining the amount of the fee Athabasca University will
automatically charge the correct fee to your credit card account. This service
avoids a delay caused by subsequent communication and helps reduce the
associated credit card transaction fees.
Continuing students paying by cheque should ensure their student ID number is
clearly written on the cheque. This will ensure that your payment is posted to
the correct student account rather than to an account of another student with
the same name.
Students forwarding registrations by fax should not mail original documentation
to avoid duplication of charges and processing.
8.3 Fee Summary: Effective September 1, 2000
Athabasca University will be increasing tuition fees next year by the maximum
amount permitted under the Government of Alberta's Tuition Fee Policy.
When first seeking admission to Athabasca University, all students submit a $50,
one-time non-refundable application fee with their completed General Application
Form.
This fee is payable only once and covers the administrative costs involved with
entering the student demographic information and creating the student account
and record. Regardless of how long ago you were an active student, you are not
required to send in this $50 application fee again.
This fee is non-refundable, even if the student is unable to register in his or her preferred course or for a requested start date. The Course Registration Form is a separate form used for registering in home-study courses.
8.3.2. Course Fees
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Course fees (regular and audit registrations) are determined by combining the
tuition fee, the course materials and handling fee, and the mandatory Students'
Union and Alumni Association fee, for a total fee for a 3-credit course for a
permanent resident of Alberta of $444, for example. |
8.3.3. Re-registration Fees
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Re-registration fees include the tuition fee, Students' Union and Alumni Association fees only.
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8.3.4. Permanent Residents of Alberta
(Refer to 8.3.1 Initial Application Fee)
Regular and Audit Registrations (see 8.3.2)
3 credit: $444
4 credit: $549
6 credit: $776
Re-registrations (see 8.3.3)
3 credit: $334
4 credit: $439
6 credit: $666
8.3.5. Out of Alberta Residents
(Canadian Citizens Living in Canada and Canadian Citizens Living Temporarily Outside Canada).
(Refer to 8.3.1 Initial Application Fee)
Students living outside North America will have their course materials shipped
via airmail at their expense unless they specify otherwise.
Regular and Audit Registrations (see 8.3.2)
3 credit: $514
4 credit: $619
6 credit: $846
Re-registrations (see 8.3.3)
3 credit: $404
4 credit: $509
6 credit: $736
8.3.6. International Students Living Outside Canada
(Refer to 8.3.1 Initial Application Fee)
Students living outside North America will have their course materials shipped
via airmail at their expense unless they specify otherwise.
Regular and Audit Registrations (see 8.3.2)
3 credit: $694
4 credit: $799
6 credit: $1026
Re-registrations (see 8.3.3)
3 credit: $584
4 credit: $689
6 credit: $916
8.3.7. International Students Living Temporarily In Canada
(refer to 8.3.1 Initial Application Fee)
An international student is a person who does not hold Canadian citizenship or
permanent resident status as defined by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
International students living in Canada must possess and present a valid Student
Authorization (visa), which gives them permission to study in Canada, before
they may be admitted or registered in a course at Athabasca University.
The Government of Alberta requires that an international student living in
Canada on a Student Authorization (visa) must pay tuition fees that are double
those paid by Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Admission and evaluation
fees are in addition to these fees. Students' Union and Alumni Association fees
and the course materials and handling fee are included in the following fees.
In Alberta
3 credit: $769
4 credit: $979
6 credit: $1426
In Canada and Outside Alberta
3 credit: $839
4 credit: $1049
6 credit: $1496
The challenge for credit process allows students to demonstrate that they have
acquired a command of the general subject matter, including intellectual and/or
other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course. For more
information refer to section 6.3. Challenge for Credit Process or www.athabascau.ca/html/depts/registry/challproc.htm
The challenge for credit fee is non-refundable.
Canadian Citizens Living in Canada and Canadian Citizens Living Temporarily
Outside Canada
3 credit: $160
4 credit: $160
6 credit: $320
International Students Living Outside Canada
3 credit: $210
4 credit: $210
6 credit: $395
International Students Living Temporarily in Canada with a Student Visa
3 credit: $320
4 credit: $320
6 credit: $640
Canadian senior citizens (65 years of age or over) are required to pay only
one-half the course registration fees and extension fees but must pay in full,
the one-time, non-refundable application fee, the other academic-related fees
listed below, and all other services fees.
The senior discount does not apply to international seniors.
Regular and Audit Registrations (Seniors Only)
3 credit Senior Albertan: $222.00
3 credit Senior Canadian: $257.00
4 credit Senior Albertan: $274.50
4 credit Senior Canadian: $309.50
6 credit Senior Albertan: $388.00
6 credit Senior Canadian: $423.00
Re-registrations (Seniors Only)
3 credit Senior Albertan: $167.00
3 credit Senior Canadian: $202.00
4 credit Senior Albertan: $219.50
4 credit Senior Canadian: $254.50
6 credit Senior Albertan: $333.00
6 credit Senior Canadian: $368.00
8.3.10. Other Academic-Related Fees
These fees apply to all students. Refer to www.athabascau.ca/html/depts/registry/forms.htm
Change of Credential Fee (levied when a student changes programs or changes from
inactive to active status in a program): $50
Course Materials and Handling Fee (deducted from a refund if the course
materials are marked, damaged, or if some are missing. See 8.5.): $110
Evaluation Fee (for students able to wait until they have completed 6 Athabasca
University credits; payable only once and levied for the review of non-Athabasca
University post-secondary studies): $55
Evaluation Fee (for students requesting an evaluation within 6 weeks of receipt
of all documentation): $200
Extension Fee (three extensions — each is two months in length — will be granted during any one home-study course registration: see 6.7) per extension: $75
Laboratory Fee (Independent Labs only: see Section 2 for explanation): $309
International students (visa) living temporarily in Canada: $609
Letter of Permission Fee: $20
Multiple Exam Fee (levied each time an examination is returned unwritten and
requested again. See 7.2.5): $40
Parchment Replacement Fee: $60
Supplemental Examination Fee: $80
Transcript Fee (per copy): $10
Withdrawal Processing Fee (retained by Athabasca University should the student
decide to withdraw): $75
Students' Union and Alumni Association Fees
The following mandatory fees are included in the total course registration fees
(i.e., included in the $444 for a 3-credit course for an Alberta resident) and are displayed here for information purposes. These fees are not included as tuition for the T2202A tuition tax credit amount.
Students' Union and Alumni Association fees are refunded by Athabasca University
only if the student withdraws before or within 30 days of the start date. After
30 days the fees will not be returned.
Students' Union fee per course registration or re-registration
3 or 4 credit: $7
6 credit: $14
Alumni Association fee per course registration or re-registration
3, 4 or 6-credit: $2
8.4 Other Fees
8.4.1. Miscellaneous
a. Calendar
The Athabasca University Calendar is provided free of charge to Canadian
citizens; Canadian citizens living outside of Canada; and internationals living
temporarily in Canada.
Internationals living outside Canada will be charged for a Calendar. Payment
must be received by the University before the Calendar will be mailed: VISA®,
MasterCard® AMERICAN EXPRESS® or cheque or money order, made out to Athabasca
University in the amount of $10 Canadian funds or $8 U.S. funds.
b. Publications
Alberta Universities Writing Competence Test: $50
*Coping with Exam Anxiety Handbook: no charge to registered Athabasca University students and available through AUSU
*Improve Your Study Skills: A Series of Seven Modules for Adult Students: No charge
to registered Athabasca University students and available through AUSU
* Available only at Edmonton or Calgary learning centres.
c. G.S.T.
The government's current guidelines exempt academic-related fees from the Goods
and Services Tax. The Goods and Services Tax is charged on fees for all other goods and services such as workshops, handbooks and other publications, self-help seminars, Athabasca University T-shirts, sweatshirts, etc.
d. Delinquent Accounts
Students with delinquent accounts will be deregistered. They will not be permitted to receive Athabasca University services including issuance of exam results, transcripts or record of academic standing, Letters of Permission, evaluations, library borrowing privileges, online computing access, or subsequent enrolment, until accounts have been settled. This policy encompasses all financial obligations due Athabasca University including those attributable to fees, deposits, non-return of equipment, material, or library books, failure to follow formal withdrawal or cancellation procedures, and any dishonoured cheques returned by the bank.
- A returned cheque charge of $20 will be assessed on any dishonoured (N.S.F., payment stopped, account closed, etc.) cheque. Deregistration shall constitute withdrawal from all courses and forfeiture of all fees paid to date.
- Accounts shall be considered delinquent if they remain unsettled 25 days
after the date Financial Services issues written notification.
e. Receipts
Receipts for payment of fees are not issued unless requested. Where receipts are
required for reimbursement by an employer, submit a separate request at the time
of registration or contact the Student Fee Coordinator, Financial Services. Receipts for income tax credit purposes are automatically issued annually in February and need not be requested (see 8.6 Tuition and Education Tax Credit Receipts Information).
8.5 Refunds
There are two levels of refund available to students who withdraw from an undergraduate course either before the start date or no later than 30 days after the start date provided they meet certain criteria explained in this section.
1. Refund 1: [(a) with described deductions] provided the course materials
are returned unmarked and undamaged (reusable); or
2. Refund 2: [(b) with described deductions] because the course materials
are marked or damaged. Do not return marked or damaged course materials.
8.5.1. 1.(a) Course Materials Undamaged
If the course materials are completely unmarked, able to be issued to another
student, and received by the University within 30 days of the processing of a
refundable withdrawal request, you will receive a refund less the following
deductions:
SAMPLE REFUND (amounts effective September 1, 2000)
Total course registration cost (3-credit): $444
(a) Described deductions:
Processing fee: $75
Total deduction: $75
Total refund: $369
8.5.2. 2. (b) Course Materials Damaged, Marked, or Missing
If the course materials have been damaged, marked, or some are missing, do not
return the material. You will be charged both the processing fee and the *course
materials and handling fee and are entitled to keep the material.
SAMPLE REFUND (amounts effective September 1, 2000)
Total course package cost (3-credit): $444
(b) Described deductions:
Processing fee: $75
*Course materials and handling fee: $110
Total deductions: $185
Total refund: $259
There are no refunds for students who withdraw more than 30 days after the
course start date.
If the course materials are returned to the University by students withdrawing
from a course and hoping to obtain a refund, the course materials will not be
returned to the student. Returned course materials become the property of
Athabasca University.
Your refund will be processed 45 days after the course withdrawal.
8.6. Tuition and Education Tax Credit Receipts Information
Tuition and academic fees may be used to reduce income tax in Canada. The
University will automatically mail in February the appropriate Tuition and
Education Credit Certificate Form T2202A for qualifying students, to the address
on record. Students should notify Athabasca University immediately following any
address changes.
To be eligible for the tuition tax credit, the total of such fees paid to an
educational institution in Canada for the year must exceed $100. Fees paid to
the Students' Union and the Alumni Association are not eligible for inclusion in
the tuition tax credit.
The calendar year for which the fees are paid, not when the fees were paid, is
used to calculate eligible tuition fees. Tuition fees paid for courses that
extend beyond the calendar year-end will be pro-rated on the T2202A according to
the period of course delivery pertaining to each calendar year. For example, if
a course has an October 1 start date and a March 31 contract date, only 50% of
the tuition fee representing the October through December period will be
reflected in the current year tax credit certificate. The remaining 50%,
representing January through March, will be reflected on the following year's
T2202A.
Students may be eligible for the education tax credit for each month of part-time or full-time registration. For income tax purposes, a full-time student is defined as a person actively registered in a minimum of 2 credits per month. The T2202A Tuition and Education Credit Certificate will automatically reflect the number of months of enrolment that are eligible to be considered as part time or full time. Further details concerning the Tuition and Education Tax Credit may be obtained by referencing Canada Customs and Revenue Agency's Personal Income Tax Guide, or by contacting CCRA's (formerly Revenue Canada) district taxation office.
8.7. Financial Assistance
Financial assistance is available to part-time and full-time students from
Alberta Students Finance or the student financial aid agency of the province in
which a student resides. Full-time students may be eligible for loans, grants,
bursaries, or scholarships. Part-time students (students completing fewer than 9
credits in a four-month period or 18 credits in an eight-month period) may be
eligible for bursaries, loans or grants. The amount of loan or bursary varies
according to need.
The regulations for funding require that academic progress be monitored.
Continuation of funding to students is dependent on the student's academic
success. You are required to pass at least 60% of a full course load for each
funding period in order to receive continued funding from Alberta Students
Finance. Alberta Students Finance considers a full course load to be 15 credits
in a four-month period. This means that in order to be eligible for continued
funding, you must successfully complete 9 credits in the four-month period, even
if you are registered in only 9 credits.
The regular contract dates of six and twelve months are reduced to four and
eight months for full-time Athabasca University students receiving financial aid.
The regular six- and twelve-month contract dates apply to a full-time student
at another institution who is taking only one or two courses with Athabasca
University. All start dates per semester must be the same.
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The regulations on course load and course completion requirements for Alberta Students Finance are subject to change at any time.
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Alberta Residents
Students contact the Office of the Registrar to obtain a Financial Aid Package that contains application forms. The signed study plan, the Application for Financial Assistance and, if applicable, the General Application Form and non-refundable application fee, are submitted to the Office of the Registrar for endorsement and forwarding to Alberta Students Finance for processing. Processing of applications may take up to twelve weeks from the time that complete documentation is submitted. You should apply at least three months
before your anticipated start date.
Out of Province Residents
Students contact the student financial aid agency in their province to obtain a
financial aid package. Before the financial aid application is forwarded to the
provincial agency, contact the Office of the Registrar and speak to a Financial
Aid Advisor to complete the financial aid application process.
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Requested dates for funding periods cannot be changed without reassessment of the loan certificate by the particular student financial aid agency.
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For the purpose of applying for financial assistance, a full-time student is
defined as an individual taking at least 60% of a full course load. For
Athabasca University students, this means students must complete a minimum of 2
credits per month or a minimum of 9 credits in a four-month period to be considered a full-time student. Students receiving financial assistance for full-time studies may
extend or withdraw from a course only if such action does not place them below the minimum full-time load (see 6.7 Course Extensions).
A list of student financial aid agencies for each province can be found on a separate
Web page or by
calling the Office of the Registrar.
Alberta
Alberta Students Finance
Edmonton
(780) 427-3722 (press #2) or (800) 661-3753
http://www.alis.gov.ab.ca
Calgary Career Development Centre
Calgary
(403) 297-6347 or (800) 222-6485
Red Deer Career Development Centre
Red Deer
(403) 340-5353
** This page is an official publication of Athabasca University **
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