FAQs: Finance

1. If I paid for a course extension, can I apply the course toward my full-time course load?

   If a course has been extended, the original date of registration is considered the course start date. The date the extension started is not considered a course start date. Therefore, the original registration date of the course must match your student loan start date. Also, a course with a paid extension is considered "unsuccessful" (the same as an F grade) for student loan purposes because the course was not completed in the original timeframe.

   

2. Where can I find information on the website about TRU-OL tuition and course costs?

   Information about tuition for courses delivered by TRU-OL, SFU and UVic is provided online. Total course fees (including course materials) can be found through Course Registration by searching the specific course, clicking on it and scrolling to the bottom of the page.

   

3. If I need financial aid, should I study full-time or part-time?

   This primarily depends on whether you require financial aid for your housing, food and other basic living costs. Only funding for full-time students recognizes these costs. Where financial aid is needed only for course costs and sundry expenses, part-time aid is more attractive because you do not incur debt, and the pace of completion is more flexible.

   Refer to Financial Aid and Awards for more information.

   

4. What kind of financial assistance is available for TRU-OL students?

   Loans, grants and bursaries are available to full-time students and part-time students. Full-time funding covers both course costs and living costs, while part-time funding covers only course costs, miscellaneous allowances and childcare where applicable.

   Refer to Financial Aid and Awards for more information.

   

5. How do I apply for financial aid?

   You may apply online for full-time government assistance by completing the StudentAid BC online application for full-time students. A Part-Time Student Assistance Application, encompassing both government and institutional assistance, can be downloaded from TRU-OL Financial Assistance. For information on how to apply for assistance if you are a part-time student visit StudentAid BC.

   

6. How many courses are required to qualify for full-time loans?

   A 60% course load, or nine (9) credits (normally three courses) starting within the same four-month loan period is required to meet the minimum student loan requirements of a full-time course load.

   

7. How do I apply for a student loan with TRU-OL?

   The easiest and fastest way to apply for a student loan is to complete the StudentAid BC application online. You may also complete and submit a paper application, available from TRU-OL Financial Aid Awards Office. For more information on full-time assistance click here.

   TRU-OL students receive the same consideration as other students applying for assistance. The primary difference is that while TRU-OL gives you 30 weeks (roughly seven months) to complete a standard 3-credit course, you must complete the coursework in 17 weeks (four months) to be considered full-time and qualify for student loans.

   For student loan purposes, you may write final examinations in your last month of your period of study or the month following. For academic purposes, you may write your examinations after the four-month term but prior to the 30-week course end date.

   

8. How much financial aid can I receive for school costs and living costs?

   For the 2007/2008 school year, full-time students eligible for funding with StudentAid BC can receive up to $320 per week of study or $5,440 for a four-month term. Students with dependents can receive up to $510 per week of study or $8,670 per four-month term.

   Eligible part-time students can receive funding with no fixed limit to cover all their educational costs (tuition, course fees and required textbooks), as well as an additional $170 per course for miscellaneous costs and funding for childcare if required.

   

9. Can I receive a refund if I cancel or withdraw from a course delivered by TRU-OL?

   Tuition Fee Refunds

   If you submit your request to cancel your registration by the cancellation deadline, you receive a 75% refund of tuition fees.

   If you withdraw from a course, you do not receive a refund of tuition fees.

   The course administration and technology fees are not refundable.

   Course Materials Fees Refunds

   A returned item from your course package (textbook and course materials) will be eligible for refund if it is returned no later than five (5) weeks after the course registration date, is unmarked and in new condition for resale, with shrink wrap intact.

   Refunds are calculated as the sum of the amount paid for each eligible item in the return less a restocking fee of $26.01.

   Make sure to include your name, TRU-OL student number and address when you return course package items by mail or in person to TRU-OL.

   Please do not return course materials or textbooks that do not meet the above conditions. You will not receive a refund and the materials will not be returned to you.

   Contact Student Services for more information.

   

10. What is the fee to repeat a TRU-OL course delivered by SFU or UVic?

    To repeat a TRU-OL course delivered by SFU or UVic, you must pay the full fees, less the cost of current textbooks you still have. Contact TRU-OL Student Services for the exact fees.

    

11. What is the program plan fee?

    If you are intending to complete a credential through TRU-OL, you are required to complete and submit the Program Admission/Transfer Credit form. The non-refundable program plan fee is required to be submitted with this form. The program plan fees are as follows:

    • Certificate (30-credit only), diploma, associate degree, advanced certificate, advanced diploma, graduate certificate, post-baccalaureate program plan $52.02
    • Bachelor's degree program plan $130.05

    Contact Student Services for more information.

    

12. When do I receive a tax receipt?

    Tax receipts (T2202A forms) for the previous calendar year are mailed in mid-February to your address on record.

    Tuition fees for courses spanning one calendar year to the next are pro-rated to each applicable year.

    Make sure Student Services has your current address. You may update personal information in your student record online.

    If you have questions about tuition or education tax deductions, contact Canada Customs and Revenue Agency or refer to their website.

    

13. The courses I want are continuous enrolment. What deadlines apply for full-time or part-time financial aid?

    Full-time financial aid

    Two deadlines apply for full-time aid: (1) the registration deadline and (2) the BC Student Assistance Program (BCSAP) application deadline.

    All TRU-OL continuous enrolment courses must fit into one of 12, four-month terms per year to qualify for full-time student loans and grants, as follows:

    January 1-April 30
    February 1-May 30
    March 1-June 30
    April 1-July 31
    May 1-August 31
    June 1-September 30
    July 1-October 31
    August 1-November 30
    Septemer 1-December 31
    October 1-January 31
    November 1-February 28
    December 1-March 31

    Courses with registration dates in the month prior to each term are considered to start in that term. For example, continuous enrolment courses with a registration date (which is the start date) between August 1 and September 10 are considered September term courses for student loan purposes. Therefore, you must ensure that the registration dates of your courses fall into the same term as the loan term specified on your BCSAP application.

    The BCSAP application deadline for full-time loans and grants is six weeks prior to your term end date. For example, if your courses are in the September 1-December 31 term, the Ministry of Advanced Education must receive your BCSAP application on or before November 18. However, to receive your approved loans and grants, you must be registered in the corresponding term according to the registration deadline noted above.

    Part-time financial aid

    When applying for programs on the Part-time Student Assistance Application form, the TRU-OL Financial Aid office must receive your complete application within two months of your original registration date in the course(s) listed on the application. However, as application processing may take up to four weeks, ensure that you apply far enough in advance to receive your funding when required.

    

14. What are the charges to use the TRU Library?

    It's free. Materials in any form are delivered to you at no charge. Books and videos sent to students residing in Canada can be returned at no cost to you by using the original packaging and the enclosed postage-paid return Priority Post courier slip. Materials may also be returned in-person at any TRU campus library.
    
    Students residing outside Canada are required to return materials at their own expense.

    

15. How do I pay for my courses with a full-time government student loan?

    The easiest method is to pay for your courses by credit card or cheque and then be reimbursed by the student loan after you have negotiated it. Alternatively, you can use a Fee Deferral that allows you to register in your courses without payment and pay TRU directly from your loan or grant.

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    What is a "technical withdrawal" for student loan purposes, and how is it different from a formal withdrawal?

    A formal withdrawal, whether initiated by the student or the institution, removes you from the course and is recorded on your student permanent record (transcript).

    A technical withdrawal occurs when you fail to meet the full-time requirements of the Canada Student Loan Program, and in the view of the program you have ceased to be a full-time student as of a particular date, even though TRU-OL still considers you to be enrolled full-time.