The Learning Connexion - Administrative details

Administrative details

See:

Course Levels
NZQA Approval
Term Dates 2010
Entry Requirements
Tuition Fees
International Student Fees
Paying Tuition Fees
Cost of Materials
Student Loans, Allowances and Income Support
Withdrawal from the course
Minors
Complaints
Childcare during school hours

COURSE LEVELS

Foundation: 18 weeks (full time) or 36 weeks (part time) with untutored periods between terms.

Stage 1: Four terms of nine weeks (full time) or eight terms (part time) with untutored periods between terms.

Stage 2: Four terms of nine weeks (full time) or eight terms (part time) with untutored periods between terms.

Stage 3 (Level 7): Four terms of nine weeks (full time) with untutored periods between terms.

Hours per week: Full time – 30; Part time - an average of 15 (or about 12 if you continue working in the term breaks). Evening and weekend sessions available.

NZQA APPROVAL

This course is approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority under the provisions of the Education Act 1989, and The Learning Connexion is accredited to offer it (including distance delivery).

TERM DATES 2010

Term 1: 25 January to 27 March
Term 2: 19 April
Term 3: 12 July
Term 4: 4 October

NOTE: If places are available you may begin your course at the start of any term.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

The most important requirement is strong commitment to the course. This is assessed in an interview. Some of the considerations are:

Are you capable of working independently once the basic skills have been learned?
Do the course goals fit with your career and personal goals?
Does your learning style relate easily to the course, and if not, are you aware of the challenges?
Do you have the financial resources to complete the course?

Recognition of prior learning: You may submit a portfolio for consideration by the Academic Board.

Closing dates for enrolment: Up to the start of each term provided places are available.

TUITION FEES (2010)

Foundation: NZ$2135* - full or part time
Stage 1: NZ$4100* - one year full time; NZ$2050* part-time per year)
Stage 2: NZ$4100* - one year full time; NZ$2050* part-time per year)
Stage 3 (Level 7): NZ$4100* - one year full time; NZ$2050* part-time per year)

Effective from 1 October 2010:
Certificate (Foundation) fees: NZD $2182.44
Diploma, Honours and Advanced (Stage 1, 2 and 3) fees: NZD $4191.11 (full time), NZD $2095.56 (part time)

*Fees are subject to students qualifying for the funding subsidy which is available - with a few exceptions - to NZ citizens and residents (and Australian citizens living in NZ).

International Student Fees
Foundation: NZ$7400 (full time or part time)
Stage 1: NZ$13780 - one year full time; NZ$6890 part-time per year)
Stage 2: NZ$13780 - one year full time; NZ$6890 part-time per year)
Stage 3 (Level 7): NZ$13780 - one year full time; NZ$6890 part-time per year)

International students must pay fees in full to be eligible for a study visa.

PAYING TUITION FEES

Time payment: The Learning Connexion accepts time payment. The Finance Rate is 10%. Tuition Fees must be fully paid before final assessment.

Cash payment: You can pay your Tuition Fees by cash, credit card, cheque or bank transfer. To avoid paying interest the full payment is to be made not later than the first day of your course. All funds are protected under the Student Fee Indemnification requirements overseen by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority.

COST OF MATERIALS

Some of the materials are supplied as part of the course but most students find that they need additional materials. This depends on the type and scale of work you choose to do. The range of material costs is typically between $NZ10 and $NZ40 per week for full time students (amounts may vary in other countries). Some spend more and the expert scavengers spend less – it is a matter of personal choice.

STUDENT LOANS, ALLOWANCES AND INCOME SUPPORT

Student Loan: Check http://www.studylink.govt.nz (phone 0800 889 900). You can apply for a Ministry of Education Student Loan if:

you are a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident, and
you are not an undischarged bankrupt.

Student Loans are made up of three portions:

Tuition Fees: the cost of your tuition fees, up to a maximum of $6,500 per year
Course-related costs: to a maximum of $1,000 per year
Living costs: to a maximum of $150 per week of your course. This portion of the Student Loan is only available to students studying full time and not receiving a full Student Allowance. Student Loans are easy to apply for. However the money you borrow has to be paid back, including interest.

Student Allowance: Only full time students can apply for a Student Allowance. There are many variations possible depending upon your personal circumstances. It is important to speak with a member of our staff to help determine your entitlement. If you are a full time student and not eligible for a Student Allowance you may be eligible for the living costs portion of the Student Loan. Student Allowances are much more time consuming to apply for, so apply early! Phone WINZ 0800 889 900 to talk to student loans staff or visit their website http://www.studylink.govt.nz

Income Support: If you are a beneficiary you may be entitled to assistance while studying. Contact WINZ (Work and Income New Zealand) for information.

WITHDRAWAL FROM THE COURSE

Students may withdraw from the course with a full refund of tuition fees within eight days of the starting date for their programme. After that time The Learning Connexion Ltd has no obligation to make refunds.

Student Fee Protection and Student Fee Indemnification In accordance with section 236A of the Education Act 1989 and subsequent amendments TLC has an approved Trust Account for Student Fee Protection and Student Fee Indemnification (the remaining portion of a student's fee at any point of the course). The Trust Account is administered by John McKee of McKee and Paino.

MINORS

Persons under 18 years of age are legally classified as minors and in such cases the enrolment contract must be with a parent or guardian.

COMPLAINTS

The first step if you have a complaint is to meet with your tutor or our Guidance Staff to discuss your concern informally. If the matter is unresolved you should give your complaint in writing to the Managing Director who will convene the TLC Complaints Committee. The committee goes through a formal process to assess all the information and reports back to you. When you meet with a member of the committee you may have a friend present. If you wish to take the matter further after the committee’s decision you are entitled to take the complaint to NZQA, PO Box 160, Wellington, or the District Courts Disputes Tribunal (if appropriate). For international students, complaints may be referred to the International Education Appeal Authority (IEAA), Private Bag 47-911, Auckland, phone (09) 374 5481. TLC provides a bilingual counsellor, if needed.

CHILDCARE DURING SCHOOL HOURS

If you are considering becoming a student, and are worried about who will look after your child/ren, then there is no need to worry. There is an organisation called National Association for Out of School Care and Recreation, NAOSCAR. This is a government organisation that approves places such as schools, churches, and community centres to run Out of School Care (OSCAR) facilities. Their website is http://www.naoscar.org. The facilities approved by NAOSCAR are safe places for your children. The OSCAR approved facilities are linked with Work and Income (WINZ) and families that are low income (you do not need to be on a benefit) can claim OSCAR subsidies. Just go to your nearest WINZ office and make an appointment, or go to their web site http://www.winz.govt.nz and look up Working for Families, and you can find out what you are entitled to.

To find out where your nearest OSCAR service is and how to apply see the Work and Income website.

For more information on the above services email Leah at l.wynne@tlc.ac.nz