Introduction
A student may apply after the census date to have their FEE-HELP/VET FEE-HELP balance re-credited if the student has been unable to complete the requirements of a unit of study and the student believes that this was due to special circumstances. Special circumstances include circumstances: which are beyond the person’s control; do not make their full impact on the person until on, or after, the census date; and make it impracticable for the person to complete the requirements for the unit during the period in which the person undertook, or was to undertake, the unit.
This policy provides a procedure that enables persons to apply for a review of a decision to not re-credit the person’s FEE-HELP/VET FEE-HELP balance where a student is not satisfied with the outcome of a decision made by the College.
The person must apply in writing within 12 months of the withdrawal date, or if the student has not withdrawn, within 12 months of the end of study in which the unit was, or was to be, undertaken. The college may waive this requirement if they are satisfied that the application could no be made within the time limit.
The initial application should be addressed to;
The Registrar
Harvest West Bible College
PO Box 128
BELMONT WA 6984
The Register shall acknowledge the receipt of the application in writing to the applicant within 5 business days of receiving the application. The student will be advised in writing of the decision and the reasons to re-credit or not to re-credit within 21 days of the receipt of the student’s application. If the decision is in the negative, the notification will also advise the applicant of their rights for a review of the decision.
Policy
This is a statement of the policy and procedures of Harvest West Bible College (HWBC) relating to any person seeking to have a decision made by an officer of the College not to re-credit the person’s FEE-HELP/VET FEE-HELP balance reviewed. The procedures set out in this document do not replace or modify procedures or any other responsibilities which may arise under other higher education provider policies or under statutes or any other law. Overall responsibility for management of this policy and procedures rests with the Principal of HWBC.
Purpose
To provide a procedure that enables persons to apply for a review of a decision to not re-credit the person’s FEE-HELP/VET FEE-HELP balance where a student is not satisfied with the outcome of a decision made by the college.
Scope
This policy and procedure applies to all persons regardless of the location of the campus of the College at which he or she is/was enrolled, the person’s place of residence or the mode in which he or she studied.
Theperson has the right to be represented by a third person (such as a family member, friend, counsellor or other professional support person) if they so desire.
The person will not be victimised or discriminated against in any of the stages set out in this policy.
Communication of Policy and Procedure
This policy and procedure is communicated to the academic and support staff through the Student Handbook and the HWBC Network. The Principal of HWBC is responsible for the training of the academic and support staff in the application of the policy and procedure.
This Policy and Procedure is to be published;
- On the HWBC Network
- In the Student Handbook
- On the HWBC website : www.harvestwest.edu.au
Appointment of a Review Officer
The Principal of HWBC will appoint a Fee-Help Review Officer to review the decisions made in regard to Fee-Help issues by officers of the College. The Review Officer will be an independent and impartial officer of the College who is senior to the officer who made the original decision. At this time the Review Officer is the Academic Administrator of the College.
Keeping of Records
The Principal will keep an up-to-date register of Appointments of Review Officers which will record:
- The name of the Review Officer
- The date of the appointment of the Review Officer
- The date of completion of the Review Officers appointment.
The following documentation is to be filed in the applicant’s personal file:
- The Application to Review;
- The name of the Review Officer;
- A detailed report of the determination including reasons for the determination;
- A copy of the written advise of the determination supplied to the applicant;
- All records will be kept for a minimum of 5 years.
Access to Personal Information
The college shall give access within 7 days of receiving an application from the Applicant to review his or her personal file. The appointment will be at a time mutually acceptable to the Applicant and the college.
Procedure
Applications to review a decision by the college not to re-credit a FEE-HELP/VET FEE-HELP balance are to be made within 28 days of receiving the advice of the original decision. The request for review must be in writing and state the reasons why the applicant is applying for a review. The application to review must mailed to;
The Principal
Harvest West Bible College
PO Box 128
BELMONT WA 6984
The Principal of HWBC shall acknowledge the receipt of the application in writing within 5 business days of receiving the application. The notification will advise the applicant that, if the reviewer has not advised the applicant of the decision within 45 days of receiving the application for review, the reviewer is taken to have confirmed the original decision. If the applicant is unsatisfied with the determination he or she has the right to appeal to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) for the review of the decision. The notice will also advise the applicant of the location of the nearest AAT registry together with the estimated costs. Please click on the links below;
Nearest AAT : http://www.aat.gov.au/ContactUs/WA.htm
Estimated Fees : http://www.aat.gov.au/FormsAndFees/Fees.htm
The Principal of HWBC shall appoint a FEE-HELP/VET FEE-HELP Review Officer who will investigate the applicant’s application to review.
The Review Officer shall give a written notice to the applicant of the outcome of the reviewer’s decision stating their reasons for the decision within 45 days of the receipt of receiving the application. The notification will also advised that if the applicant is unsatisfied with the outcome of the determination they have the right to appeal to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) for the review of the decision. The notice will also advise the student of the location of the nearest AAT Registry together with the estimated costs. Please click on the link below;
Nearest AAT : http://www.aat.gov.au/ContactUs/WA.htm
Estimated Fees : http://www.aat.gov.au/FormsAndFees/Fees.htm
The Review Officer will advise the Registrar in writing of the outcome of the review. If the original decision has been varied, the Registrar is responsible for advising the Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) in writing of the decision to re-credit the applicants FEE-HELP/VET FEE HELP balance.
Upon the written notification from DEST the Review Officer will supply to DEST all requested original documentation within 5 business days. Documents should be sent to DEST by courier or Express Post. A copy of all documentation is to be retained in the applicant’s personal file.