Payment
For details see How do I pay?
Tuition Deposit, Tuition Fees, and other fees
All fees are subject to change without prior notice.
Academic Programs (Undergraduate and Graduate)
Tuition Deposits
Students who are new to the University or who are changing from one program to another are required to pay a tuition deposit upon acceptance:
- $200 for domestic students in an undergraduate program
- $1,000 for domestic students in a graduate program
- $2,500 for international students in any program (undergraduate or graduate)
Tuition deposits are non-refundable and may not be transferred to another semester or program entry point. The paid deposit is applied towards the fee assessment of the first semester.
Details regarding the due date for tuition deposits are included in the offer of admission. Failure to pay the deposit by this due date will render the offer of admission null and void.
Students continuing from one academic year to the next in the same program of studies are not required to pay a tuition deposit.
Balance of Tuition Fees: Domestic and Continuing International Students
For academic programs, the balance of fees will normally be due two weeks after the start of the semester. Beginning in 2024, the balance of fees for Summer Session courses will be due at the end of the first week of classes.
Domestic and continuing international students who do not pay their fees by the tuition payment deadline will be assessed a late fee equivalent to 5% of the outstanding balance.
Balance of Tuition Fees: New International Students
International students who are new to the University, or who are changing programs, are required to pay their first semester’s fees in advance. These fees are due on the last day of the month prior to the start of the semester.
- August 31 for Fall Semester classes
- December 31 for Spring Semester classes
- April 30 for Intersession classes, or Summer Session classes in the May Term
- May 31 for Summer Session classes in the June Term
New international students who do not pay their fees by the tuition payment deadline will be withdrawn from their courses.
Professional Development and Training and English as a Second Language programs
Full fees are due and payable at the time of registration, or as noted in an offer of admission.
Academic and Career Preparation programs
There is no tuition deposit charged to students in Literacy and Adult Basic Education programs. Fees are due two weeks after the start of the semester.
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
Tuition Deposits
A non-refundable tuition deposit is due and payable upon notification of acceptance into a program. This deposit may not be transferred to another semester or program entry point. Details regarding the amount and due date for tuition deposits are included in the offer of admission. Failure to pay the deposit by this due date will render the offer of admission null and void.
Balance of Tuition Fees
The balance of tuition fees is due in full prior to the first day of the term for all Trades & Applied Technology programs. Students will be notified of the date when fees are due.
Tuition Refunds
General regulations regarding refunds
- Tuition deposits are non-refundable and non-transferrable and may affect the amount of any refund available
- Refunds are calculated from the date on which the official withdrawal is submitted using the online registration system or is received in the Registration Centre
- Unpaid fines and other amounts owing will be deducted from the refund
- Students required to withdraw from a class or classes due to violation of the Student Conduct Code or the Academic Integrity policy are not entitled to any refund
Refunds are held on the student account and will be applied against future term’s fees unless the student requests the funds to be returned.
Academic (Undergraduate and Graduate), and Trades and Applied Technology Programs
Tuition refunds will be based on the following scale for Fall and Spring semesters:
- Prior to the first day of the semester: 100% refund
- During the first two weeks of the semester:
- Partial withdrawal (the student remains enrolled in at least one other class in the semester or term): 100% refund for the course
- Full withdrawal (the student withdraws from all classes in the semester or term): 90% refund
- After the second week of the semester, until and including October 1 or February 1: 50% refund
- After October 1 or February 1: no refund—full fees assessed and payable
Refunds for other academic sessions will be pro-rated based on the length of the session.
Refund Requests Under Extenuating Circumstances
Appeals for refunds regarding courses dropped after the deadline are considered by a Fee Appeal Committee. These appeals must demonstrate that classes were dropped after the deadline due to extraordinary circumstances that arose beyond the student’s control, such as a serious medical issue or a death of a family member. Financial hardship does not qualify as grounds for a refund. Documentation is required to support the request.
Appeals will be considered for Fall or Spring semester courses dropped on or before November 1 or March 1. Appeal timelines for other academic sessions will be pro-rated based on the length of the session.
Appeal requests must be submitted within one calendar year of the official withdrawal date for the course(s).
The Fee Appeal Committee may authorize refunds of up to 50%.
English as a Second Language, Academic and Career Preparation, and Access programs
Tuition refunds will be based on the following scale for Fall and Spring semesters:
- up to the end of the second week of the semester: 100% refund
- after the second week of the semester: no refund—full fees assessed and payable
- Refunds for other academic sessions will be pro-rated based on the length of the session
Professional Development and Training courses
For most courses, fees are refundable if you withdraw at least seven days before the course starts. Extenuating circumstances may be considered for partial refunds. Note that special refund deadlines are stated for some courses, and we are unable to issue refunds after those deadlines.
Non-Refundable Fees: Some courses may have non-refundable Tuition, Application, and/or Material Fees.
A full refund is issued if a course is cancelled.
Study Abroad
Different refund policies apply for Study Abroad programs. Learn more at VIU Education Abroad.