Special circumstances: step one
In certain circumstances, if you have withdrawn from your studies after the census date, or have not completed the unit requirements, you can apply to:
- Have your HELP debt remitted or re-credited;
- Have your upfront payments refunded or retained for future study.
In accordance with the Higher Education Support Act (2003), you must demonstrate your circumstances satisfy all of the requirements below:
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Were beyond your control:
If a situation occurs which a reasonable person would consider is not due to the person’s action or inaction, either direct or indirect, and for which the person is not responsible. This situation must be unusual, uncommon or abnormal.
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Did not make their full impact until on or after the census date, i.e. your circumstances occurred:
- Prior to the census date, but worsened after that date
- Prior to the census date, but the full effect or magnitude does not become apparent until on or after that date
- On or after the census date.
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Made it impracticable for you to complete the requirements of the unit in the period during which you undertook, or were to undertake, the unit(s), i.e. you were unable to:
- Undertake the necessary private study required, or attend sufficient lectures or tutorials or meet other compulsory attendance requirements in order to meet their compulsory course requirements; or
- Complete the required assessable work; or
- Sit the required examinations; or
- Complete any other course requirements because of their inability to meet the above.
You can only submit an application if you meet all of the following criteria:
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The census date of the unit(s) has passed
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You have not completed the requirements of the unit (e.g. a passing grade has not been assigned to the unit(s))
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The application is submitted within 12 months of your withdrawal date or if you have not withdrawn, the study period end date
- Applications submitted outside of the 12 month timeframe will not be considered unless you can demonstrate with sufficient evidence that it was not possible for you to submit within the relevant 12 month period
- Note: A lack of knowledge or understanding of the requirements for applying for a Refund and Remission of Fees is not a valid reason for applying outside of the 12-month timeframe
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You have met ongoing requirements of the unit(s) up until you were affected by special circumstances
Ongoing requirements include, but are not limited to:
- Tests
- Mid-semester exams
- Assignments
- Placements
- Journals
that contribute to the requirement of your unit/s up until the special circumstances affected you.
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You are studying at an Australian campus, Curtin Mauritius or Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology.
If you were enrolled at any other offshore Curtin campus, Curtin affiliated campus or Curtin English, please contact your relevant administrative office.
Financial penalties
Curtin University acknowledges that an approved application results in the removal of the financial penalty. Where applicable, the following will apply:
- HELP fees remitted or re-credited with the Australian Tax Office (ATO)
- Up-front student contributions or tuition fees either refunded or retained for future study.
Academic performance feedback and penalties
Curtin University acknowledges that an approved application includes a unit withdrawal which is recorded as a ‘WD’ on your academic record unless the following occurs:
- Academic Performance Feedback received from your Unit Coordinator and/or Head of School,
- Reported breach of academic integrity in accordance to the Academic Misconduct Rules 2017, and
- Academic penalty applied and the unit is recorded with a reduced, Annulled (ANN) or Fail (F) grade on your academic record
Applications for Refund or Remission of Fees are placed on hold until an outcome is received on the reported unsatisfactory academic performance and/or breach of academic integrity. Academic penalties applied will be upheld and the unit will not be withdrawn.