Student Debtors

Chapter 89(4) of the University Statutes states that:
‘…

• a student may not re-enrol in the University and,
• … a candidate shall not be admitted to a degree, diploma or certificate of the University
  unless all outstanding fees and all other financial obligations due to the University have been discharged or arrangements of their discharge have been approved.’

As a consequence of Statute Chapter 89, the University's procedures in respect of Student Debt are as follows:

1. All fees and other financial obligations are due by the date specified in the relevant invoice, agreement or notice.

2. The term ‘Fees and financial obligations’ includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Tuition fees
• Overseas Student Health Cover charges
• Charges for administrative services provided by the University
• Charges for printing and internet use
• Library fines and penalties
• Charges for the Subsidised Student Accommodation Scheme and other student accommodation
• Loans from the Student Loans Fund, including Emergency Loans.

3. The obligations continue, even when the student is no longer enrolled in the University.

4. Some or all of the following consequences will be implemented when student fees and other financial obligations are not paid by the due date, unless arrangements for the discharge of the debt have been agreed by the University: Any such arrangement must include an obligation to repay the debt in full before the student is permitted to graduate.
i. Cancellation or refusal of Enrolment
The University may

• cancel a student’s enrolment ,
• refuse re-enrolment in a student’s current program, and/or
• refuse enrolment in a new academic program.

ii. Refusal of graduation
The University may refuse to allow a student to graduate.

iii. Denial of access to services
The University may

• withhold academic transcripts, or
• deny access to Library services, or
• deny access to printing or internet services, or
• withhold any other service.

vi. Debt collection and legal proceedings
The University may do any or all of the following:

• list the student’s debt with a credit reporting agency
• refer the debt to a debt collection agency
• instigate legal proceedings for recovery of the debt.

5. Any restrictions imposed on re-enrolment or enrolment in a new program, access to academic transcripts, graduation and library, computing or other services will continue indefinitely until all relevant debts are repaid in full.

6. Any breach of an arrangement for the discharge of a debt constitutes an outstanding fee or financial obligation, and may result in any of the consequences specified in 4. (above) being imposed.

7. When student fees and other financial obligations are not paid to the University by the due date, the debt is recorded on the student information system and a Negative Service Indicator (NSI) is placed on the student’s record. The NSI is removed only when all debts are fully discharged, or arrangements for the discharge of the debt have been agreed by the University, in accordance with 4. (above). Non-receipt by a student of an invoice, reminder or demand for payment does not change the student’s debtor status.

8. Financial obligations to the University will only be waived (with the consequence that the debt is discharged) in the following circumstances:
i) if the debtor dies

ii) if the debtor is declared bankrupt and the University is cited as a creditor in the application for bankruptcy, or

iii) if the Chief Financial Officer, on the advice of the General Manager Student Services & Admin, agrees that exceptional and extreme circumstances make collection of the debt inappropriate.

9. Grievances about decisions made in respect of outstanding student debt may be raised in accordance with the Student Grievance Resolution Process.