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This Calendar is effective September 1, 2001 - August 31, 2002
Contents
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Introduction
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Evaluation
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Appendices

8.  Undergraduate Fees, Financial Assistance, Refunds


Explanation of Fees Methods of Payment
Fee Summary Miscellaneous Fees
Refunds Financial Information/Assistance
Financial Assistance

8.1. Explanation of Fees

Course fees, for illustration purposes in this section, are calculated by combining the tuition fee, course materials and handling fees, and mandatory Students' Association and Alumni Relations fees.

Fees are listed, and payable in Canadian dollars. Academic-related fees are exempt from the federal Goods and Services Tax.

The payment of course fees entitles students 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. Miscellaneous fees may be associated with specific courses.


8.2. Methods of Payment

Students may pay their course registration fees by cheque, money order, or authorize fees to be charged to Visa®, MasterCard® or American Express®. Interac® is available at Athabasca Central, and the Calgary and Edmonton Learning Centres. Post-dated cheques are not accepted for individualized-study registrations. Continuing students, paying by cheque, should ensure their student ID number is clearly written on the cheque. Cash may be paid in person; do not send cash in the mail.

When submitting fees by Visa®, MasterCard® or American Express®, indicate the specific fee being paid (e.g., admission fee, evaluation fee, etc.). If an error is made in determining the amount, Athabasca University will automatically charge the correct fee to the credit card. This service avoids the delay caused by subsequent communications and helps reduce the associated credit card transaction fees.

To avoid duplication of charges and/or processing, do not

  • mail original documentation after you have registered by fax or
  • fax requests that have already been submitted via the University's online Web form(s).

Requests with insufficient fees cannot be processed until full payment is received, therefore, full payment must accompany application forms regardless of the registration method used (online, in person, by mail or by fax).


8.3 Fee Summary: Effective September 1, 2001

The following fee schedule applies to students registering in courses that have a September 1, 2001 or later, start date. It is Athabasca University's intention to increase its tuition fees in future years by the maximum amount permitted under the Government of Alberta's Tuition Fee Policy.

8.3.1. Initial Application Fee

When first seeking admission to Athabasca University, all students submit a $50, one-time, non-refundable application fee with their completed Undergraduate General Application Form. This fee covers the administrative costs involved with entering student demographic information and creating student accounts and records. The $50 application fee is payable only once, regardless of how long ago the student was active. This fee is non-refundable, even if the applicant is unable to register in his or her preferred course or for a requested start date.

The Undergraduate General Application Form, used to apply for admission, is separate from the Undergraduate Course Registration Form, used for registering in most Athabasca University courses.

8.3.2. Course Fees

Course fees (regular and audit registrations) are calculated by combining, for a Province of Alberta student in a three-credit course, for example, the following
  • tuition fee $341
  • course materials and handling fee $125
  • Students' Association ($8) and Alumni Relations fees ($2) $ 10
  • Alberta student total $476
Note: The course materials and handling fee and the Students' Association and Alumni Relations fees do not apply to one-credit courses.

8.3.3. Reregistration Fees

Reregistration fees include the tuition fee, Students' Association and Alumni Relations fees only.

8.3.4. Permanent Residents of Alberta

This fee applies to Canadian citizens living in Alberta. Students who have either landed immigrant or permanent resident status from Citizenship and Immigration Canada are included in this category if they live in Alberta.

(Refer to 8.3.1 Initial Application Fee.)

Regular and Audit Registrations (see 8.3.2)
1 credit: $113
3 credit: $476
4 credit: $585
6 credit: $825

Reregistrations (see 8.3.3)
1 credit: $113
3 credit: $351
4 credit: $460
6 credit: $700

8.3.5. Canadian Citizens Who live Outside the Province of Alberta but Within Canada.

Students who have either landed immigrant or permanent resident status from Citizenship and Immigration Canada are also included in this category. US citizens living temporarily in Canada are required to use 8.3.7. International Students Living Temporarily In Canada fee category below.

(Refer to 8.3.1 Initial Application Fee)

Regular and Audit Registrations (see 8.3.2)
1 credit: $113
3 credit: $546
4 credit: $655
6 credit: $895

Reregistrations (see 8.3.3)
1 credit: $113
3 credit: $421
4 credit: $530
6 credit: $770

8.3.6. All Students Who Live Outside of Canada.

(Refer to 8.3.1 Initial Application Fee)

Regular and Audit Registrations (see 8.3.2)
1 credit: $113
3 credit: $726
4 credit: $835
6 credit: $1,075

Reregistrations (see 8.3.3)
1 credit: $113
3 credit: $601
4 credit: $710
6 credit: $950

8.3.7. International Students Living Temporarily In Canada

(refer to 8.3.1 Initial Application Fee)

Before international students living temporarily in Canada may be admitted or registered in a course at Athabasca University, they must possess and present a valid Student Authorization (visa) confirming permission to study in Canada.

The Government of Alberta requires that international students living in Canada on Student Authorizations 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' Association and Alumni Relations fees (where applicable), the course materials and handling fee, and the out-of-province fee, are included in the following fees.

In Alberta
1 credit: $226
3 credit: $817
4 credit: $1,035
6 credit: $1,507

In Canada and Outside Alberta
1 credit: $226
3 credit: $887
4 credit: $1,105
6 credit: $1,577

8.3.8. Senior Citizen's Fees (Canadian Seniors Only)

Canadian senior citizens (65 years of age or over) are offered a reduction in course registration fees. Seniors pay the full course materials and handling fee portion of a registration but are given a reduction of one-half the tuition registration fee as reflected below. Seniors are also given a reduction of one-half of the course extension fees; however, all other course and academic-related fees, including the one-time, non-refundable application fee and any service fees, must be paid in full. The seniors' reduction does not apply to international seniors.

Regular and Audit Registrations (Canadian Seniors Only)
1 credit Senior Albertan: $56.50
1 credit Senior Canadian: $56.50
3 credit Senior Albertan: $305.50
3 credit Senior Canadian: $375.50
4 credit Senior Albertan: $360.00
4 credit Senior Canadian: $430.00
6 credit Senior Albertan: $484.00
6 credit Senior Canadian: $554.00

Reregistrations (Canadian Seniors Only)
1 credit Senior Albertan: $56.50
1 credit Senior Canadian: $56.50
3 credit Senior Albertan: $180.50
3 credit Senior Canadian: $250.50
4 credit Senior Albertan: $235.00
4 credit Senior Canadian: $305.00
6 credit Senior Albertan: $359.00
6 credit Senior Canadian: $429.00

8.3.9. Challenge for Credit Fees (non-refundable)

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 6.4. Challenge for Credit Option.

The challenge for credit fee is non-refundable.

Canadian Citizens Living in Canada
This fee applies to Canadian citizens and students who have either landed immigrant or permanent resident status from Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

3 credit: $160
4 credit: $160
6 credit: $320

All Students Living Outside Canada
3 credit: $210
4 credit: $210
6 credit: $395

International Students Living Temporarily in Canada on Student Visas
3 credit: $320
4 credit: $320
6 credit: $640

8.3.10. Other Academic-Related Fees

These fees apply to all students. The necessary forms are available online.

Change of Program Fee (levied when a student changes programs or changes from inactive to active status in a program [is reactivated]): $50

Course Materials and Handling Fee: $125

Evaluation Fee (for students able to wait until they have completed six Athabasca University credits; payable only once and levied for the review of non-Athabasca University post-secondary studies. Refer to 5.4.1. Transfer Credit Procedure): $55

Evaluation Fee (for students requesting an evaluation within six weeks of receipt of all documentation. Refer to 5.4.1. Transfer Credit Procedure): $200

Extension Fee (up to three extensions — each is two months in length — will be granted during any one individualized-study course registration: $100 per extension

Laboratory Fee (Independent Labs only): $309
International students (visa) living temporarily in Canada: $609

Letter of Permission Fee (Refer to 5.6. Letter of Permission: $20

Multiple Exam Fee (levied each time an examination is returned unwritten and requested again. Refer to 7.2.5. Unwritten Exams: $40

Parchment Replacement Fee (Refer to 5.8. Parchment Replacement Policy: $60

Supplemental Examination Fee (Refer to 7.2.6. Supplemental Exams: $80

Transcript Fee (per copy) (Refer to 7.4. Transcript Requests: $10

Withdrawal Processing Fee (retained by Athabasca University if a student decides to withdraw before or within 30 days of the start date of an individualized-study course. Refer to 8.5. Refunds): $75

Students' Association and Alumni Relations Fees

The following mandatory fees are included in the total course registration fees (i.e., included in the $476 for a three-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' Association and Alumni Relations 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' Association fee per course registration or reregistration
3- or 4-credit course: $8
6-credit course: $16

Alumni Relations fee per course registration or reregistration
3-, 4- or 6-credit course: $2


8.4. Miscellaneous Fees

8.4.1. G.S.T.

The federal government's current guidelines exempt academic-related fees from the Goods and Services Tax (G.S.T.). G.S.T. is added to all other goods and services, for example, workshops, some publications, self-help seminars, and Athabasca University promotional sales items.

8.4.2. Publications

The Athabasca University Calendar, Abridged Version is provided free of charge to Canadian citizens, Canadian citizens living outside of Canada, and international students living temporarily in Canada.

International students living outside Canada are charged $10 Canadian funds or $8 US funds for a Calendar. VISA®, MasterCard® AMERICAN EXPRESS® or a cheque or money order issued to Athabasca University may be used for payment. The University must receive payment before the Calendar will be mailed.

A complete list of publications is online.

Publications Available at Edmonton or Calgary Learning Centre

Alberta Universities Writing Competence Test: $50

Coping with Exam Anxiety Handbook (no charge to registered Athabasca University students and available through AUSA)

Improve Your Study Skills: A Series of Seven Modules for Adult Students (no charge to registered Athabasca University students and available through AUSA)

A complete list of publications is available online.

8.4.3. Delinquent Accounts

Students with delinquent accounts will have their registration cancelled. Students will not receive Athabasca University services, including the 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 and 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 dishonoured (N.S.F., payment stopped, account closed, etc.) cheques. A cancelled registration shall constitute withdrawal from all courses and forfeiture of all fees paid to date. Accounts that remain unsettled 25 days after the date Financial Services issues written notification are considered delinquent.

8.4.4. Receipts

When students register in a course, they will be issued a confirmation letter that indicates, among other details, the course fees paid. Receipts for payment of fees are not issued unless requested. Students who require another receipt for reimbursement purposes by an employer, or for fees other than those listed in the confirmation letter, must submit a separate request when they register or contact the Student Fee Coordinator, Financial Services. In February, receipts for income tax credit purposes are issued.


8.5. Refunds

There are two types 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 the following criteria is met.

To receive a refund, students must include their full name, address and student identification number with any returned material. Refunds are processed 45 days after withdrawal from a course. Students will not receive refunds for course materials returned to the University outside these timelines. Returned course materials become the property of Athabasca University.

8.5.1. Course Materials Undamaged

If 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, the student will receive a refund less the following deductions:

Sample Refund (amounts effective September 1, 2001)

Total course registration cost (three-credit Alberta resident): $476

Less described deductions:
Withdrawal processing fee: $75
Total deduction: <$75>
Total refund: $401

8.5.2. Course Materials Damaged, Marked, or Missing

If the course materials are damaged, marked, or some are missing, do not return the material. Students 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, 2001)

Total course registration cost (three-credit Alberta resident): $476

Less described deductions:
Withdrawal processing fee: $75
*Course materials and handling fee: $125
Total deduction: <$200>
Total refund: $276

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.


8.6. Financial Information/Assistance

Tuition and academic fees may be used to reduce income tax in Canada. Each February, the University mails the appropriate Tuition and Education Credit Certificate Form T2202A to the address on record for qualifying students. Students should notify Athabasca University immediately following any address change.

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' Association and Alumni Relations are not eligible for inclusion in the tuition tax credit.

The calendar year for which the fees are paid, not the date on which the fees are 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 end date, only 50 percent of the tuition fee representing the October through December period will be reflected in the current year tax credit certificate. The remaining 50 percent, 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 two credits per month. The T2202A Tuition and Education Credit Certificate will 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 a CCRA district taxation office.


8.7. Financial Assistance

Financial assistance is available to part-time and full-time students from their local financial aid agency. Full-time students may be eligible for loans, grants, bursaries, or scholarships. Part-time students (students completing fewer than nine 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. To comply with Alberta Students Finance requirements for continued funding, for example, students must successfully complete nine credits (60 percent of the 15-credit full course load) in the four-month period, even if they are registered in only nine credits.

The regular course contract dates of six and 12 months are reduced to four and eight months for full-time Athabasca University students receiving financial aid. The regular six- and 12-month contract dates apply to full-time students at other institutions who are taking only one or two courses with Athabasca University. All start dates per semester must be the same.

The regulations on course load and course completion requirements for Alberta Students Finance are subject to change at any time.

8.7.1. How to Apply

Alberta Residents
To obtain a Financial Aid Package that contains application forms, contact the Office of the Registrar. 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 12 weeks from the time that complete documentation is submitted. Students should apply at least three months before their anticipated start date. Refer to Office of the Registrar or Canada Student Loan Programs.

Others
Students may contact their local financial aid agency to obtain a financial aid package. Before the financial aid application is sent to the agency, students should contact the Office of the Registrar where a Financial Aid Advisor will help complete the financial aid application.

Requested dates for funding periods cannot be changed without reassessment of the loan certificate by the particular student financial aid agency. Students should apply at least three months before their anticipated start date. Refer to Office of the Registrar or Canada Student Loan Programs.

8.7.2. Financial Assistance: Full-time Status

For the purpose of applying for financial assistance, a full-time student is defined as one who is taking at least 60 percent of a full course load. For Athabasca University students, that means completing a minimum of two credits per month or a minimum of nine credits in a four-month period. Students receiving financial assistance for full-time studies may extend or withdraw from courses only if such action does not place them below the minimum full-time load.

Refer to Office of the Registrar or Canada Student Loan Programs.

A list of student financial aid agencies for each province is online.


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