Refund Policy

Check the refund policy and eligibility before paying tuition deposits.

Refunds are issued directly to the original payer and are processed based on the payment method used to make the original payment. It is not possible to request a refund by any other method.

Refund eligibility

Refund eligibility varies by program and other criteria. Review the refund eligibility and criteria before considering to request a refund.

Refund eligibility for study permit denials
Refund eligibility for full-time cohort program and courses
Refund eligibility for full-time Continuing Studies (CS) programs
Refund eligibility for change of immigration status
Refund for overpayments
Non-refundable fees

Students must provide written notification of their intent to withdraw from a course/program in order to be eligible for a refund. Eligible refund amounts are calculated based on the date a written notification of withdrawal and the Refund Request Form are received by the VCC International Education Office. The number of business days required for notification deadlines is based on the official working days as designated by the College and/or department, excluding statutory holidays, Christmas holidays, and unscheduled closures.

Refund for study permit denials

International students who are denied a study permit by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) may be eligible for a full refund (less the Administrative Fee) if the following documents are received a minimum of thirty (30) days prior to the program start date at [email protected].

A completed VCC International Refund Request Form
A copy of the letter from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) indicating that the study permit application has been denied. This refusal letter must be received by VCC within 3 weeks from the refusal date indicated on the letter.

Students denied a Study Permit due to misrepresentation, as defined by IRCC, may not be eligible for a full refund. Applications refused by IRCC on the basis of concerns about the accuracy, completeness, or truthfulness of information provided—including references to subsection 16(1) of the IRPA or concerns about the authenticity of documentation—are not eligible for a full refund.

Students denied a study permit due to non-compliance with IRCC regulations, including references to R220.1 of the IRPR, are not eligible for a full refund.

Students who have their Study Permit application returned, not accepted, or refused by IRCC because of missing required items such as the PAL (Provincial Attestation Letter), biometrics, etc., may not be eligible for a full refund.

Refund for full-time cohort program and courses

For full-time cohort programs, VCC will refund course/program fees to students who withdraw (voluntarily or involuntarily) as follows. Refer to the for the list of full-time programs. Note that the refund eligibility for full-time Continuing Studies programs are different.

Prior to the start date of the program/course:

100% refund of Tuition (Less administrative fee and non-refundable portion of the tuition deposit)
100% refund of Student Fees
100% of UPass fees (non-activated months only)

Up to and including the fifth (5th) business day from the start date of the program/course:

50% refund of Tuition (Less administrative fee and non-refundable portion of the tuition deposit)
No refund of Student Fees
100% refund of UPass Fees (non-activated months only)

After the fifth (5th) business day of the program

100% refund of UPass fees (non-activated months only)
No refund of Tuition
No refund of Student Fees
Refunds are not provided when students are unable to complete a term or block of courses due to the failure of a pre-requisite course within that term or block, even if a course within that term or block has not yet started.

In the event a student is registered in a subsequent term or block of courses within that term but the block has not commenced, the student will receive a refund for this additional block if the request is received before the start date of the term/bloc

Refund for full-time Continuing Studies (CS) programs

For full-time Continuing Studies programs, VCC will refund course/program fees to students who withdraw (voluntarily or involuntarily) within each term as follows. View the list of

Three (3) business days prior to the start date of the program:

100% refund of tuition (less administrative fee and non-refundable portion of the tuition deposit)
100% refund of Student Fees
100% of UPass fees (non-activated months only)

After three (3) business days prior to the start date of the program:

100% refund of UPass Fees (non-activated months only)
No refund of tuition
No refund of Student Fees

Refund for Continuing Studies (CS) and School of Instructor Education (SIE)

Students who are enrolled in part-time Continuing Studies and School of Instructor Education courses may contact those registration areas regarding refund eligibility deadlines.

Non-refundable fees

While students may be eligible for refunds, certain fees may not be refundable.

Non-refundable portion of the tuition deposit

The non-refundable portion of the tuition deposit is $10,000 and is applied to the specific VCC program indicated on the official Letter of Offer (LOF). The non-refundable portion of the tuition deposit cannot be transferred to a different program. Students will need to make an additional non-refundable deposit if they do wish to transfer to another program.

Student fees

After the start of the programs, student fees are non-refundable, except for U-Pass fees.

U-Pass fees may be refundable for non-activated months.

Application fees

Application fees are not eligible for a refund to reflect the college’s investment in time and resources to handle an application. Application fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Students applying to a different program must pay the application fee again.
Students applying for a deferral of admission for the second time must pay the application fee again.

Assessment fees

Assessment fees are non-refundable.

Administrative fee

An administrative fee is charged to students to cover the cost of processing a transaction. The administrative fee of $250 applies to all international student refund requests.

Change of immigration status

If an international student’s immigration status should change to Permanent Resident while studying at VCC, appropriate documentation should be submitted to the Registrar’s Office so domestic fees can be charged for future terms. The only exception is students registered in international cohort programs, who, regardless of the change in their immigration status, pay international fees for the duration of the program.

For more information about international fees and payments, check Tuition and Fees and Payments and Receipts.

Refunds for overpayments

Overpayments may be refunded to students who have officially graduated from VCC, with a VCC credential. Here are some important steps to follow.

Students can only request a refund after officially graduating from VCC with a VCC credential. Students who are still enrolled, or have withdrawn before graduating, will not be able to request a refund of the overpayments.
To request a refund of overpayment, submit the International Refund Request Form.
Refunds for overpayments will not be provided if the amount is less than $20.
Refunds for overpayments will not be charged the $250 Administrative Fee.
VCC does not notify students about the unclaimed overpayments. If you have graduated from VCC, remember to check your myVCC account to see if you have a credit of unused funds.
You only have access to your myVCC account for 3 years after your last date of registration with VCC. If it has been more than 3 years and you no longer have access, email [email protected] to inquire if you have a credit before applying for a refund for overpayment.