Can I get a refund or help from university due to hardship?
I enrolled in a 6-month MBA course and completed 3.5 months. I paid $18,340 out of the total $28,000 fee through a university-arranged loan. Due to serious medical and financial issues, I am no longer able to continue the course and have formally requested to cancel my admission. However, the university refuses to refund the unused portion of the fee, citing a no-refund policy, even though I will not be attending the remaining 2.5 months of the course. Additionally, I am unable to make the loan repayments, and the loan provider is adding penalties. I have explained my hardship to both the university and the lender, but no support has been offered. Am I legally entitled to a partial refund on the grounds of hardship? Can the university enforce a no-refund policy under these circumstances? Is the lender allowed to continue charging penalties? Does the university bear any responsibility since it arranged the loan? What legal remedies or consumer protections might apply in this situation?
Dear Client, Whether or not you are entitled to partial refund in this specific circumstance will depend on the classification of the same as an unfair practice under the Consumer protection regime in India. The guidelines issued by the University Grants Commission instructs higher educational institutions to refund the fee proportionate to the latter portion of the course when a student withdraws, which is exactly the instant situation. File a complaint before the Consumer commission along with which move the UGC grievance mechanism to ensure compliance to its rule regarding refund. I hope this answer helps. In case of future queries, please feel free to contact us. Thank you.
Even with a no-refund policy, you may seek a partial refund due to medical and financial hardship under consumer protection or contract law. The university is not liable for the loan unless it’s a co-borrower, but their role in arranging it can be questioned. You can request a moratorium or restructuring from the lender to avoid penalties. Legal remedies include filing a consumer complaint or seeking relief under the doctrine of frustration of contract. For further legal assistance contact us on our helpline number.
Related Questions
24x7 Help
If we fall short of your expectation in any way, let us know
Payment Trust
All refunds come with no questions asked guarantee
