Student Fees & Charges Policy

AIC student fees and charges are established by the Council and set out in the official Fees Schedule. Students become liable for all AIC fees and charges on the date of enrolment, or the start date of the course, whichever is sooner.

Liability for fees and charges is not reduced in any way if students do not attend some or all of the course classes. Additional external examination or registration fees, if not paid at the time of enrolment, must be paid by a date specified by AIC. If not paid by the date specified by AIC, the student will be ineligible to enter for the examination. Attendance (without formal enrolment) at any AIC class will be deemed to be the student’s acceptance of liability for all fees and charges associated with the course.

 

Refunds and Cancellation Policy

 Any request for refund of fees and charges associated with formal withdrawal from a course must be made in writing to the Principal by or before the seventh day after the course’s scheduled commencement, which is detailed in the Offer of Place. A formal withdrawal before the last withdrawal date will be eligible for a refund of all AIC fees and charges minus an administrative charge of 10% of total fees paid or NZ$500(incl. GST), whichever is the lesser amount.  Please note: Recruiting agents’ fees will be deducted from the refund amount. A formal withdrawal after the last withdrawal date will not be eligible for refund. In exceptional circumstances refunds may be made on compassionate grounds at the discretion of the Director. Approved refunds will be made by cheque to the party making the original payment and will be mailed to the last officially recorded address within six weeks of receipt of the completed refund application. Subject to the above, if a student leaves AIC for any reason before the completion of a term there will be no refund of tuition, boarding or any other fees paid or payable for that term. AIC ensures that fees paid by international students are maintained in a separate account to the extent required to secure and protect refunds payable where an international student becomes entitled to a refund in accordance with the above, or where a refund arises because AIC ceases to provide a course of instruction or ceases to operate generally.

 

Attendance

1. Students must attend classes each AIC day and arrive on time for morning and afternoon classes;

2. If a student is unable to attend AIC because of illness or another reason, AIC must be contacted and the situation explained as soon as possible;

3. If a student is away sick for more than three days, a medical certificate may be requested;

4. If leave from studies is required by a student, this must be first approved by the Principal. An application in writing must be made to the Principal, with the reason clearly stated;

5. If a student fails to attend AIC regularly or is absent without good reason, the student may face disciplinary action and not be allowed to continue study.   If the student is on a visa, the New Zealand Immigration Service will also be informed and the student’s visa may be cancelled.

 

Student Accommodation

Students attending AIC, and not residing with parents or approved relatives as designated caregivers, are required to reside in the AIC boarding house or with an AIC homestay family for the duration of their enrolment. Homestay students are required to live in AIC homestay only, organised and managed by AIC or by AIC’s homestay provider. In the event that there are no vacancies in the AIC boarding house, students wishing to reside there will be placed on a waitlist and reside in AIC homestay until a boarding house vacancy becomes available.

 

Behaviour

Students must:

1.   treat fellow students and staff with respect;

2.   treat the property of fellow students and staff with respect;

3.   complete set work by the required deadlines;

4.   report any damage to AIC property immediately. Students may be charged for any damage caused by them;

5.   return any borrowed AIC property in good condition. Students may be charged a replacement fee for any damage;

6.   take responsibility for keeping toilets, student areas and classrooms tidy and clean.

Students must never:

7.  put themselves in danger in any way;

8.   use bad or offensive language at any time;

9.   harass any student or staff member, sexually or otherwise (and whether personally or by electronic or other means);

10. bring drugs, alcohol or tobacco to AIC, or use alcohol, drugs or tobacco on AIC premises.  AIC reserves the right to require a student to        take a urine or blood test if under suspicion of drug or alcohol use.  AIC also has the right to search the property of students and seize        and retain drugs, alcohol or tobacco;

11. be violent or make any threats of violence;

12. vandalise or abuse any AIC facilities, buildings or equipment;

13. bring any sort of weapon to AIC;

14. smoke or spit anywhere on or around AIC premises or while wearing AIC uniform or representing AIC;

15. enter into any form of cheating, including plagiarism, or any other dishonest practice;

16. put any other student or staff member in danger or subject to any other risk and any such breach will be treated as gross misconduct.

                                                           

Students must comply with and are subject to all AIC policy procedures, rules, regulations and requirements. These are available in the AIC College Library or upon request.  Attention is drawn in particular to the Drug, Alcohol Policy and the Surrender, Retention and Search Policy.

Discipline:

If AIC rules and regulations are not followed:

1.   A verbal warning will be given*.

2.   A written warning will be given, which will be recorded on the student’s file. The student’s parents will be contacted and informed as deemed appropriate by AIC*.

3.   A second (final) written warning will be given and the student will meet with the Principal*. This may result in suspension and/or expulsion from AIC.

 

* Each type of offence is treated independently in this process.

Serious misconduct may result in an acceleration of this process, with one or more of these warnings being bypassed.

Gross misconduct may result in immediate suspension and/or expulsion.

 

Suspension

In the event that a student is suspended, AIC will decide on the period of suspension.

 

Expulsion

If a student is expelled, that student cannot continue with any course at AIC and will not receive a refund for the part of the course that has not been attended. If the student expelled from AIC is on a student visa, then AIC is required to advise the NZ Immigration

Service of the expulsion. If this happens, the NZ Immigration Service may cancel the student’s visa.

 

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Students have a right to:

1.   academic freedom (as defined by the Education Act 1989) as freedom, within the law, to question and test received wisdom, to put forward new ideas and to state controversial or unpopular opinions;

2.   a reasonable standard of support services and facilities;

3.   fair evaluation and assessment;

4.   open and accurate information;

5.   competent and effective teaching;

6.   programmes which meet the required internal and external standards for approval;

7.   respect for social and cultural differences, and personal privacy;

8.   freedom from any form of unjust discrimination or harassment

9.   fair treatment within the learning environment;

10. have problems dealt with quickly and fairly.

 

Students have a responsibility to:

11. notify the Admissions Administrator of any change in contact details (address, email, phone number, etc.), accommodation   type, medical conditions or special needs;

12.  be careful (take care using equipment and facilities; wearing suitable clothing; not endangering themselves or others);

13.  respect others (being sensitive to personal, social, cultural and gender differences; respecting the needs, rights and freedoms   of others);

14.  observe the AIC rules at all times (knowing what is expected; meeting course requirements; being honest in submitting work and in sitting exams; obeying restrictions; avoiding inappropriate or unacceptable behaviour).

 

Dress Standards: Students shall abide by the AIC Uniform Code.

 

Education (Pastoral Care of International Students) Code of Practice 2016:  AIC has agreed to observe and be bound by the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students. Copies of the Code are available on request from AIC or on the AIC website: www.aic.ac.nz.

 

New Zealand Ministry of Education: In accordance with the provisions of Section 35A of the Education Act, 1989, AIC is a fully registered private secondary school.

 

Immigration: Full details of visa and permit requirements, advice on rights to employment in New Zealand while studying, and reporting requirements are available through the New Zealand Immigration Service, and can be viewed on their website at  www.immigration.govt.nz.

 

Health Services: Most international students are not entitled to publicly funded health services while in New Zealand. If a student receives medical treatment while in New Zealand, he or she may be liable for the full costs of that treatment. Full details on entitlements to publicly funded health services are available through the Ministry of Health and can be viewed on their website.

 

Students are required to participate in a health education programme during Year 11. The programme will include discussions on contraception and sexually transmitted diseases.

 

Accident Insurance: The Accident Compensation Corporation provides accident insurance for all New Zealand citizens, residents and temporary visitors to New Zealand, but students may still be liable for all other medical and related costs. Further information can be viewed on the ACC website at  www.aic.ac.nz.

 

Medical and Travel Insurance: International students must have appropriate and current medical and travel insurance while studying in New Zealand.  AIC will, if required, arrange standard international student cover through Southern Cross Healthcare or Marsh Limited at the cost of the student.

 

Privacy Act

The information collected by AIC during the enrolment process and during the period in which a student is enrolled at AIC is intended for use in connection with the education and well-being of the student.  It may be used by any of the staff of AIC or consultant to AIC in connection with that purpose. Students have right of access to and correction of the personal information collected by AIC.

 

Photographs and other visual images of persons taken at the College or AIC Boarding may be used for AIC’s promotional or information purposes