International Student Refund Policy
Course fees (regardless of withdrawal prior to commencement, shortly post commencement or during the programme) are strictly NON refundable except in the following circumstances:
- The learner is refused an entry visa or a learner visa in Ireland
- The course/programme for which the learner has paid and registered is cancelled prior to or during delivery by Independent College and no other suitable alternative is available.
In the case of visa refusal, Independent College will refund the course fee to the learner or third party where fees have been paid on the behalf of a learner (fees can only be paid to the original payee). In order to process this refund, the learner will be required to provide a copy of the visa refusal letter. If the learner does not wish to appeal the visa refusal decision a refund can be requested using the refund application form. A learner may also request a refund if their visa appeal is refused. No refunds will be processed without this documentation. Please note that an administration fee of €350 is deducted from the fees prior to issuing a refund.
Where Independent College has issued documents to enable the application of a learner visa, then no refund will be possible – even if the programme has not yet commenced – unless evidence is provided that a student visa has been refused.
In the unlikely event that a course/programme for which the learner has paid and registered is cancelled by Independent College and no other suitable alternative is available the College will contact the contact the learner and make the necessary arrangements to return the course fees without deduction.
CONDITIONS OF COURSE FEE REFUND
The refund process requires the original visa application, advice of visa refusal, and any subsequent appeal (if applicable), as well as contacts and communications from the College to the visa issuing authority.
The visa application process will continue until such investigations have been undertaken and completed and all queries from the College to the visa issuing body have been comprehensively replied to and dealt with.
THE PROCESS FOR A REFUND OF THE COURSE FEE
Step 1
Learner makes an application to the College for the refund of course fees after the above visa application process is completed. The application form must be completed and signed by the sent to:
By post:
Accounts Department
Independent College
Foley Street
Dublin 1
D01 X997
By email:
accounts@independentcollege.ie
Step 2
The College will process the course fee refund within 20 working days of receiving the request using the refund application form.
Step 3
The College will communicate with the learner and keep the learner updated on the progress of the refund.
Step 4
Any refund of the course fees will be directed to the source identified on the refund application from. The source should match the original payment source.
In cases where a learner applies for a visa for Ireland, and has been successful with their visa application, but subsequently does not take up his/her place at the College, no refund will be made unless there are significant extenuating circumstances (e.g. illness which must be evidenced by medical certificates, flight bookings etc).
Independent College retains the right to discretion on any refund decision. If a refund is agreed, an administration fee of €350 will be deducted from the fees prior to refund. Please note that Independent College accepts the following methods of payments only for fees and other charges: credit card, cheque, and/or bank transfer.
FEE PAYMENTS
We accept the following methods of payment for fees and other charges: credit card, cheque, or bank transfer. We do not accept cash payments.
PROFESSIONAL COURSES REFUND POLICY
PAYMENT TERMS
A deposit of 10% is required from all applicants at the time of booking to ensure their place on the professional course. The remaining balance due must be paid in full at least 5 working days before the start date of the course.
CANCELLATIONS
In the event of the professional course being cancelled by Independent College, the student may use the fees against the next available course, or receive a full refund.
Once a course commences, a student is not entitled to cancel their place on the course, defer their place on the course or seek a refund.
DEFERRALS
Students may defer their place on a professional course more than 5 working days prior to the commencement of the course at no cost. Students will automatically be enrolled in the next instance of the programme. No further deferrals will be allowed.