General Information

Payment of Fees

Tuition Deposit, Tuition Fees, and other fees.

International students: please see International Student Fees.

Tuition payments will be accepted by cash, money order, Interac direct payment, personal cheque, or via online banking. Credit cards are not accepted for payment of tuition, Students' Union fees, or student activity fees. Application fees, tuition deposits, and fees for registration services, e.g. transcripts, duplicate diplomas, etc. can still be paid by credit card. Additionally, parking, health and dental insurance, and residence fees can still be paid with a credit card. Students who are unable to pay tuition and cannot obtain financial assistance or sponsorship should check with the Financial Aid & Awards office for further information. VIU reserves the right to cancel registration or withdraw an offer of admission to students who do not pay fees when required.

All fees are subject to change without prior notice. Please refer to the web site for updated information.

Credit Based Undergraduate Programs (includes career and technical programs)

Fall Deposit
A $200 deposit - $100 of which is non-refundable – is required from all students who register for Fall semester courses. The Fall deposit is due June 15. This deposit is applied towards tuition for the Fall semester. Failure to pay the deposit will result in deregistration from both the Fall and Spring semesters.

Summer Session Deposits
A $200 deposit - $100 of which is non-refundable – is required from all students who register for a Summer Session term. A separate $200 deposit is required for each term – both May and June. Check the Summer Session page for specific due dates for the Summer Session deposits.

Balance of Tuition Fees
For diploma and degree programs, the balance of fees will be due October 1 for the Fall semester and February 1 for the Spring semester. The balance of fees for Summer Session courses will be due at the end of the second week of classes. For specific dates, check the Summer Session page. Students who do not pay their fees by the tuition payment deadline will be withdrawn from their courses.

Limited Entry Programs - Deposits and Balance of Fees
In the case of programs with limited seat availability, failure to pay the deposit will render the offer of admission null and void. If students decide not to attend VIU after they pay the $200 deposit, $100 will be refunded, providing they notify the Registration Centre of their decision not to attend by the first scheduled day of classes for the semester. This deposit may not be transferred to another semester or program entry point. Students admitted to limited entry programs will receive a letter outlining specific due dates for the $200 deposit and the balance of fees.

Continuing Education and English as a Second Language programs

Full fees are due and payable at the time of registration.

Career and Academic Preparation programs

No tuition fees are charged for Literacy and Adult Basic Education courses; however, students are required to pay Students’ Union and Student Activity fees. Fees are due prior to the fist day of classes.

Students enrolled in Access Programs pay a deposit of $200 by August 1; the balance of fees is due by October 1.

Trades and Applied Technology Programs

A $200 tuition deposit—$100 of which is non-refundable—is due and payable upon notification of acceptance into a program. This deposit may not be transferred to another semester or program entry point. Tuition fees are due in full prior to commencement of all Trades & Applied Technology programs. Students will be notified of the date when fees are due.

Graduate Courses and Programs

Students will be notified when fees are due.

Tuition Refunds

International Students: please refer to the Refund Policy for International Students.

General regulations regarding refunds

1. Refunds are calculated from the date on which the official withdrawal is received in the Registration Centre.
2. Unpaid fines and other amounts owing will be deducted from the refund.
3. Students required to withdraw due to violation of the Student Conduct Policy are not entitled to any refund.

Career and Technology, English as a Second Language, University courses, Trades and Applied Technology programs

1. Tuition refunds will be based on the following scale for Fall and Spring semesters:
   • up to the end of the first day of the semester: 100% refund, less $100;
   • up to the end of the second week of the semester: 100% refund, less $200;
   • after the second week of the semester: no refund—full fees assessed and payable.

   For purposes of definition, a 3-hour evening course is equivalent to one week of instruction.

2. Refunds for other academic sessions will be pro-rated based on the length of the session.

Continuing Education courses

Please refer to the Continuing Education (C.E.) refund policy published in the C.E. calendar for each campus.

Access Programs

Tuition refunds will be based on the following scale for Fall and Spring semesters:

• up to the end of the first day of the semester: 100% refund, less $100;
• up to the end of the second week of the semester: 100% refund, less $200;
• after the second week of the semester: no refund—full fees assessed and payable.

Study Abroad

Different policies apply for Study Abroad programs. Please see viu.ca/educationabroad.

Updated: February 14, 2012