Sometimes colleges, universities and other Registered Training Organisations (RTO’s) close without any warning. This may be for a number of reasons including lack of funding, enrolments, compliance changes or complications around accreditation. For many students this can lead to a lot of confusion. During this time, many students are left wondering “what do I do next?”
If you are student whose RTO/college has suddenly closed down you might have a lot of questions. Below is quick guide for students wondering what to do next:
Just Breathe!
Relax! Take a deep breath in and out. The closure of a college is a problem that can be fixed. Do not panic. Why, you might ask? Because there are policies put in place by the Australian Government to protect students in the event of college closures.
Solutions
As a student it’s important you know your rights. Did you know your college has a legal responsibility to you, as a student, to solve this problem?
Under the tuition assurance scheme, all colleges are required to have adequate tuition assurance coverage, in order to support all students in the event they close down. This tuition assurance scheme has been implemented as a minimum requirement by the Government to protect students in the event a college fails to deliver a course, or, without warning, closes down.
If your college has closed and is unable to continue to offer your course, then you as student are entitled to a choose another suitable course and educational institute to study at (without any requirement to pay the second provider any tuition fee for any replacement VET units) or a refund of the student’s up-front VET tuition fee payments and/or a re-crediting of any FEE-HELP balance for any VET unit of study.
The Tuition Assurance Scheme Administrator (TAS Administrator) will contact you with a written Offer advising of the options available under the VET tuition assurance requirements. The Offer will include directions that must be followed in order to notify the TAS Administrator of the choice they have made for each affected VET unit.
If you accept the option to be transferred to another provider, the TAS Administrator will make all necessary arrangements to ensure that you are able to enrol with the second provider. The replacement course must:
– Lead to the same or comparable qualification
– Have the same mode of delivery
– Be in a reasonable location
– Not include any unreasonable fees
– Not cause any unreasonable impact to the student
– It is important to know that you do not have to accept any offers of placement TAS Administrator. You have the right to enrol in another course with another provider.
Under the VET Tuition Fee Repayment Option, the TAS Administrator will make arrangements to refund you the total of any up-front payments already paid by you for any VET units of study that you have commenced but not completed. (Students selecting this option will also have their FEE HELP balance re-credited for the uncompleted VET units)
Research
As a student, you get a say in which provider you choose to transfer to. Whilst you are waiting to be contacted by the College’s TAS Administrator, jump online and do a quick Google search. Type in the title of your course and spend some time researching what else is out there. Talk to your family and friends to see what courses or educational institutes they recommend. From there, you will be able to make an educated and informed decision about which course you want to transfer to when you are sent a Letter of Offer.
Continue Studying
Don’t let this interrupt your learning. Continue working through your course as per usual. This way, when the time comes to recommence your studies at your new provider, you wouldn’t have any time lost any progress! It is always better to stay ahead then to fall behind!
Fast Facts:
– All of your assessments and units are transferred to your new college and recognised. This ensures you are credited for the study you have already completed, and do not have to repeat the same units.
– You will not be disadvantaged, there is Legislation in please to protect you
– If you are an international student, click here for more information
Who to Call
If you have been affected by a recent closure of a training provider, contact the College’s Tuition Assurance provider or the Department on 1800 020 108 for further information. If you have completed your qualification/studies and need a copy of your student record, you will be able to access from the relevant regulator:
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