University increased fee after enrolment

Llonelyhero on 13/07/2015 - 17:07
Last edited 13/07/2015 - 17:31

Hello Ozbargain,
I am pretty stressed thanks to my lovely university. I will tell the story first then.
I'm an international student in Perth, WA. Last year, 2014 I enrolled to a course X university. The fee was 21k. I paid the full fee at the very start since I didn't want the money exchange rate to go up later. It actually want down though haha.

The thing is, it took me 6 months to get my program of study approved and I had to do it 3 times. However, I'm not too concerned about it. That is done anyway. I recently received an email saying I must pay 8k for tuition fee. This greatly confuses me so I looked at the invoices from the uni. It appears that even though I was enrolled in 2014 with the previous fee rate, they charge me with the current fee rate with all the units. As far as I'm concerned, I enrolled and signed a contract (paid for it) for a service that is education in this case. Now, they increased the fee without telling me.

I absolutely don't want to fork out another 8k since I'm not that rich. Besides, I don't think I am obliged to do so. While I send in my program of study, one of my unit is not offered anymore so I have to pick another one (The uni advised me to do so by email). Interesting enough, it's the same unit with a different code. I still keep my COE stating the full tuition fee to be 21k. I have sent them an email inquiring this matter and will wait for a response. However, is there anything I can do in the mean time? Should I contact ACCC or seek legal advice?
Thank you

Education & Work

Comments

  • hashtagbargain on 13/07/2015 - 17:37
    +1

    That's terrible! You should definitely ask for the same old fees, and if possible some fee reduction for putting you through this trouble!

    It doesnt hurt to open a case with ACCC early on, they will give you insights that may prove valuable.

    Good luck!

  • whooah1979 on 13/07/2015 - 17:45
    +3

    I enrolled and signed a contract

    have a look at the contract. it should state either parties responsibilities and liabilities.

  • lonelyhero on 13/07/2015 - 17:55
    +1

    Alright, I looked at the contract. Below is the short version.
    "The tuition fee quoted is an indicative fee only for a standard of 24 points per calendar year. Student with varied load will pay an adjusted fee (pro-rated). The fee payable is approved for the first year that you start and is subjected to annual increase. "
    So, it is the calendar year. Does this means I'm on the wrong here? (Nothing against that, better to admit my mistake and let things go). Still, in 2014, when they were using the old rate, one of my unit was charged at a different rate. I did one 4 credit points unit that cost 3.5K according to the contract (21000/24*4) but was charged 4.6k. Can they do that as well?
    Man, shouldn't have posted in a bad mood.

    • donga100 on 13/07/2015 - 18:10

      Yeah, seems like they are within their contractual rights to charge you the extra. Sucks. :(

  • blitz on 13/07/2015 - 22:48

    Have you actually been in to the uni to speak with a student advisor, or done so over the phone?

    • lonelyhero on 14/07/2015 - 00:52

      I sent them an email about this. It seems to be a bit difficult to find someone to talk to. I'll try that.

  • johndowy on 14/07/2015 - 00:16
    +1

    Why is everyone's first response to contact ACCC? Surely there are other avenues for you to follow up before going there.

    • lonelyhero on 14/07/2015 - 00:53

      Sure there are, which is why I was asking "Is there anything i can do in the mean time?".

    • Geewhizz on 14/07/2015 - 06:10

      Why is everyone's first response to contact ACCC?

      Because that way they're guaranteed of getting the correct info, as opposed to relying on info from a lot of random people who may or may not actually know. You have to admit, it's far better advice than, "Call in the bikies."

  • lonelyhero on 14/07/2015 - 14:39

    Okay, they sent me an email saying the fee is subject to increase by 3% per unit per year. Working out the math means that the whole tuition fee will increase by 3%. I also check what "indicative fee" means from the government website and it is the fee for the first year of study, which was 2014 - 21000AUD as the contract agreed.
    Now, 3% of 21000k is 630 AUD. The amount they ask for is 8.7k which is more than 10 times greater than the 3%. In addition, I was not notified about this change in email or any other form of communication. I think I have a chance here. Should I send them an email explaining this matter first, then go to the university equity department, after that would be the International Conciliation Service and finally ACCC if it is not settled properly? What would you guys suggest?

    • jaybmate on 15/07/2015 - 14:11

      30%+ increase doesn't seem reasonable for an annual increase.

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