Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki

WITT International Application Form

PRIVACY ACT

Western Institute of Technology in Taranaki undertakes to collect, use, store, disclose and exchange personal information in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act 2020.

Information about your enrolment, attendance, progress and welfare may be obtained from and disclosed to your parents, guardians, agents, other providers of international education, the Police, Department of Courts, Immigration New Zealand, NZQA, WITT’s insurance agent or NZ Trade and Enterprise.

The institute will, in accordance with the provisions of the Act, make available the personal information it collects from a particular student to that student on request and will make any appropriate corrections to that information to ensure that the information held is accurate.

CONDITIONS OF ENROLMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

REFUND POLICY:

Refunds of tuition fees will be made in accordance with the Policy and Procedure International Student Withdrawals, Transfers and Refunds:

  1. By accepting a place in a programme at WITT, an international student enters a contract with WITT for the period of the one academic year (or for the length of the programme if less than one year).
  2. There is no automatic right to a refund of fees if a student changes his/her mind about studying at WITT.
  3. Supporting information must be submitted in writing to the International Office, with any refund application.
  4. If Immigration New Zealand (INZ) refuse to grant an initial student visa for study in New Zealand the student is entitled to a 100% refund of the tuition fee, less a $500 administration.
  5. No refunds to international students will be given after the programme has commenced.
  6. Full refunds may be given if:
    • WITT is unable to proceed with the programme or course offered
    • WITT ceases to be a Code signatory
    • WITT ceases to be a provider
  7. Other refunds may be given if:
    • An international student’s visa renewal is beyond the expiration date and the student cannot obtain an Interim Visa, the student will not be able to attend classes, and is not entitled to a refund of fees.
    • A student in a semester-based programme who gain permanent residency will not receive a refund or fees for the semester in which residency is granted. However, they will be treated as a New Zealand Permanent Resident for the following semester and refunded any international fees paid beyond the semester in which residency was granted.
    • International students in programmes designed with full-year non-semester based courses must pay the international fees for the full year, regardless of the date on which permanent residence has been granted during that year.
    • If a student wishes to withdraw or transfer to another institution, his/her application and notice is received by the International Students’ Offices prior to programme commencement, a refund of 70% of tuition fees paid will be given (30% is retained for administration purposes). The registration and homestay placement (if applicable) are not refundable.
  8. Refunds will be paid in New Zealand dollars:
    • To another institution
    • Into a nominated bank account
  9. WITT will not be liable for any exchange rate loss or bank fees charged upon repayment of a refund.
  10. Exceptions may be made in exceptional circumstances for compassionate reasons. Compassionate grounds are considered to be events outside the individual’s control that could not have been predicted and that have had a significant impact on the person’s ability to continue studying in the current academic year or the foreseeable future. This could for example include such things as significant accidents or personal injury to self or a close family member that would affect the student’s ability to continue studying. Compassionate grounds will not be considered sufficient for a refund of fees where the student could have continued in the programme with support or where the student has chosen to withdraw for other reasons.
    • Consideration may be given to a refund upon receipt of written evidence which must be submitted by the student, or the school on the student’s behalf, to Registry at the same time as the completed Change of Enrolment, Withdrawal and Refund Form.
    • Exceptions may also be considered on the grounds of medical, supported in writing by a health professional.
    • The application should be made prior to withdrawal, or where circumstances prevent prior application at the earliest possible time.
    • All withdrawals for compassionate consideration must be forwarded by the Information and Enrolments Administrators to the Director – Corporate Services. The decision to refund fees on compassionate grounds will take into consideration the length of time in a programme/courses. The Director – Corporate Services has authority to decide the refund on compassionate or other grounds for any individual case.
  12. VARIATIONS TO POLICY
    Under exceptional circumstances, the Chief Financial Officer may authorise a variation to rules set out within this policy. Requests for any variation in policy must be submitted in writing.
TERMINATION OF TUITION:
  1. WITT reserves the right to terminate a student’s tuition in the following circumstances:
    • Continued and unexplained absenteeism
    • Provision of false or misleading information by the student on enrolment
    • Insufficient academic progress
    • Failure to pay fees
    • Where WITT is unable to guarantee accommodation for an international student due to the student’s behaviour
    • In the event of criminal behaviour (including such behaviour outside WITT premises)
    • An inability to attend due to reasons such as illness or family obligations, where the student cannot make up the missed course time and will need to re-enrol to complete the course
    • Any breach of disciplinary regulations
    • Being unable to comply with The Code regulations to ensure duty of care.
  2. Please note that students have the opportunity to respond to any allegations of prejudicial information before a termination is made, and all students have the right to appeal any decision in accordance with Academic Appeals policy and procedure.
  3. All terminations of tuition will be reported to Immigration New Zealand.
    For more information on termination of tuition, on the appeal process and on your rights as a student and WITT’s obligations, see the Student Code of Conduct Policy or contact international@witt.ac.nz
FEE PROTECTION POLICY:
  1. In the event that WITT chooses not to offer a programme, enrolled students will have their funds returned in full. In the event of an insurable disaster, e.g. fire, flood, WITT is insured by a Business Interruption Policy. This policy provides for the running of our programme at an alternative site, or meeting contractual obligations to refund students where WITT is unable to deliver as a result of the insurable event.
INSURANCE:
  1. Travel and Medical Insurance is compulsory for international students for the period of their visa. A provision for the insurance premium is included within your Offer of a Place. If you wish to provide your own insurance, you must provide a copy of the insurance policy, translated into English, to WITT for verification of acceptable cover. The premium will be refunded on arrival at WITT on submission of appropriate evidence.
GENERAL:
  1. You must attend classes at all times, as required, unless you have a genuine reason for your absence. Immigration New Zealand require us to report non-attendance.
  2. Immigration New Zealand may request information about your academic records, results or progress. You agree to the International Students’ Office at WITT releasing this information.
  3. If you have been issued with a Student Visa and withdraw from your programme of study, WITT will report to Immigration New Zealand.
  4. While enrolled, you must abide by the Rules and Regulations as outlined by WITT.