Refunds and Remission of debt

Complete the correct form

• Domestic students, please complete the online Domestic Fee refund application form.
• Past domestic students without access to StudentOnLine, please complete Past student Fee refund form and submit via ASK La Trobe.
• International students, please complete the International Fee refund application [PDF 1,181KB] form and submit via email to IntOperations@latrobe.edu.au

You must update your bank account details in StudentOnLine before submitting this form. If your bank details are not up to date, it will delay the processing of your application.

Please make sure that you provide the correct BSB number (6 digits) and the correct account number. Credit card numbers are not accepted as account numbers. If you can't access StudentOnLine to update your bank account details, please contact ASK La Trobe.

Once submitted, your application will be processed within 15 working days. This does not guarantee your refund will appear in that time. Please note: during peak periods processing may take up to 8 weeks.

For payments made using debit or credit cards (including PayPal), or gift cards, any applicable adjustments and refunds will be directed to the original method of payment.

Once submitted, your application will be processed within 15 working days. This does not guarantee your refund will appear in that time. Please note: during peak periods processing may take up to 8 weeks.

In certain circumstances, a person who withdraws from their studies after the Census date, or does not complete the requirements of an enrolled unit of study, can apply to:

• have their HELP loan balance re-credited
• have their up-front payment amount repaid or liability remitted
• have their Student Learning Entitlement amount re-credited

You may be eligible to apply for a remission of HELP debt or a reversal/refund if you have a Commonwealth Supported Loan (HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP) or pay fees upfront.

You must be able to demonstrate that you:

• have withdrawn from relevant subjects after the census date
• have been unable to complete or withdraw from your enrolled subject/s or your course within the teaching period in which the subject was enrolled.

Check your eligibility

Once you submit an application, the University will conduct a thorough assessment according to Policy and legislated requirements, noting this can take up to 28 days, after which you will receive the outcome of your application.

Please note our assessment team is not permitted to provide advice or support,  if you need assistance with an application or a subsequent request for review you may wish to contact the La Trobe Student Association Advocacy team.

Special Circumstances can be medical, personal, family, employment or course-related issues that were beyond your control and impacted your ability to continue with your studies.

The event or incident must not have occurred or made its full impact until on or after Census and made it impracticable for you to continue your studies.

Please note: a lack of knowledge or understanding of the requirements of a subject or your inability to repay a HELP debt or tuition fees are not grounds for a Remission of Debt application. Remission of Debt does not apply to subjects for which you have received a pass grade.

First, ensure you have checked your eligibility.

If you are eligible, your application must include:

1. A Statement of Special Circumstances. This must:
   • clearly describe the specific circumstances you experienced, and
   • specify the date that the circumstances occurred, and
   • specify how they affected your ability to continue studies, and
   • if required, describe the impact on your ability to withdraw after Census, before the teaching period concluded
2. A signed and dated statement or declaration from an independent registered professional or authority must verify the details of your application, noting a medical certificate will not suffice. You may find this template useful to provide to your treating practitioner for substantiating your submission.
3. In addition to your Statement of Special Circumstances and a statement or declaration from an independent registered professional or authority, examples of supplementary or other supporting documentation may include:
   • Certified copy of your family member’s death certificate
   • Official certificate of Primary Carer status
   • Hospital admission/discharge summary
   • Letter of support from psychologist or counsellor
   • Letter from employer or notice of unexpected cessation of employment
   • Police or incident report
   • Statutory declaration
   • Supporting letter from Subject or Course Coordinator(s)

For more information, please refer to the Remission of Debt Policy and Procedure.

• Student Fee Policy
• Remission of Debt Policy and Procedure