Refund of Upfront payment and Remission of HELP debt in Special Circumstances

Withdrawal after census date

If you withdraw after the census date due to special circumstances – circumstances beyond your control, the full impacts of which were not apparent until after the census date – you can apply for:

  • HECS-HELP debt remitted
  • FEE-HELP balance re-credited
  • full fee tuition costs refunded (for full fee paying and non award students)
  • upfront payment of a student contribution refunded

This does not include the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).

You need to apply within 12 months of the date you withdrew, or if you have not withdrawn, within 12 months of the end of the period of study in which the course was taken. You cannot apply for a re-credit or remission if you have successfully completed or are currently enrolled in the unit of study.  Note: if you are still enrolled in a unit you should consider applying for Special Circumstances before applying for Remission of Debt.

All applications for Refund of Upfront payment and fee remission in special circumstances are assessed based on criteria set under Higher Education Support Act 2003

If you would like assistance in putting together your application and statement, please contact the Student Advocates.

Request a Review

If your application is unsuccessful and you are not satisfied with the decision, you may request a review within 28 days of receiving your outcome.

If requesting a review, please provide:

  • A written statement outlining your reasons for requesting a review of the original decision. You must address the eligibility criteria you didn’t meet in your original application as outlined in this outcome letter.
  • Any further evidence or documentation not previously included with your original application.

The review request with supporting documentation must be submitted to:

University Registrar

Academic.Registrar@newcastle.edu.au

Once lodged, you will receive an acknowledgement of receipt and an outcome of your request within 45 days of that receipt. Your request for review will be assessed by the University Registrar, who is an independent person not previously involved in the original decision-making process.

Withdrawal on or before census date

If you withdraw from a course on or before the census date, you will not incur tuition fees or student contribution charges for that course.

  • Commonwealth supported students receive an automatic refund of student contributions paid upfront.

Domestic full fee paying students – your payments will be applied to any outstanding debt on your account. Email our Treasury office to apply for a refund of the balance.