Tuition and Fees

Dates are critical in determining whether you receive a fees refund and how much you will get back.

The following refund procedure applies to students withdrawing from a program:

1. If you cancel prior to the program's start date, you'll receive a full tuition refund excluding the non-refundable tuition deposit. You must provide the Office of the Registrar with a cancellation notice — in writing or verbally — before the first day of class.  Note: The tuition deposit is only applicable to new students starting the first semester.
2. If you cancel on the first day of classes and before the end of the add/drop period for the applicable semester — fall, winter, spring or summer — you will receive a 50% tuition refund, excluding the ancillary fees and non-refundable tuition deposit. You must provide the Office of the Registrar with a cancellation notice in — writing or verbally — within this time frame.
3. If you withdraw after the add/drop period, you will not receive a refund unless there are extenuating circumstances, agreed on by the Registrar or designate. You must complete a Program Withdrawal form and submit it to the Office of the Registrar. If there are extenuating circumstances, make sure you include a letter indicating the reason for your withdrawal and any supporting documents, such as a doctor's note.
4. International students who have started classes while their study permits are pending approval by the Government of Canada (with Stage 1/ AIP approved) and whose study permits are subsequently denied before the end of the add/drop period will receive a full refund of tuition, but not a refund of ancillary fees and the non-refundable tuition deposit. If you receive a refusal in Stage 2 of your study permit application, email immediately  international@sait.ca with the following information:
   • Your full name
   • SAIT ID
   • Your program
   • Proof of refusal
5. International students who have started classes while their study permits are still pending approval by the Government of Canada (with Stage 1/ AIP approved)  and whose study permits are subsequently denied within 13 business days after the end of the add/drop period are eligible to be refunded 75% of tuition, but not a refund of ancillary fees and the non-refundable tuition deposit.  If you receive a refusal in Stage 2 of your study permit application, email immediately  international@sait.ca with the following information:
   • Your full name
   • SAIT ID
   • Your program
   • Proof of refusal

Any student expelled from SAIT for any reason is not eligible for a refund. Students who withdraw before completing their program will not receive a SAITSA refund for any academic term — fully or partially completed.

International applicants whose study permit is denied by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) may be eligible for a refund of their tuition deposit less a $250 administration fee.

Applicants must request a refund and forward a copy (PDF) of their IRCC denial letter to Freshdesk.

The study permit denial letter must be received by SAIT before the program start date as indicated in the letter of acceptance.

Applicants who have been conditionally accepted and do not meet the minimum admission requirements by the transcript deadline — or have had their offer rescinded based on anticipated final grades — may be eligible for a refund of their tuition deposit less the $250 administration fee.

Applicants must request a refund through submitting a ticket to Freshdesk.

Payments for deposits will be refunded to the original source where possible. All other refunds completed by cheque or wire transfers where applicable. Refunds can take 6 - 8 weeks to process. 

If you need to cancel your registration, log in to your MyTradesecrets account and select 'cancel'. If you are cancelling after your class start date, contact the Office of the Registrar directly.

You'll be eligible for a refund if you cancel at least five business days prior to the class start date. All cancellations are subject to a $50 administrative fee.

To request a refund, contact the  Office of the Registrar.

Cancellations must be submitted by completing a refund request form. Under "please choose the type of inquiry", select refunds from the drop-down menu.

To request to drop a non-credit course, please submit a request through the Centre for Continuing Education and Professional Studies student portal.  A minimum $50 administrative fee, plus any applicable service costs, will apply.

For courses 18 hours or longer, notice is required no later than 4 pm prior to the second scheduled class.

For seminars, short courses or sports camps — less than 18 hours total, or five or fewer consecutive days — notice is required three business days prior to the class start.

Notice of course cancellation must be received by the Office of the Registrar before 25% of the original course time has elapsed in order for a student to receive a tuition refund.

SAIT will retain the minimum administration fee of $50, plus the shipping and handling fee charged on your order.

Please refer to the course package you received for information on whether or not you are eligible for a refund on unused materials. If you are, please return your materials to the Distance Education office — do not return materials to Office of the Registrar.

Students in the Canadian Association of Petroleum Production Accountants (CAPPA) computer-based training courses are not eligible for a refund.

Students in the Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) program, notice of cancellation is required 10 business days prior to the course start date. Administration fees and course materials are non-refundable.

Refunds can be requested by email at student.refunds@sait.ca. The email must include:

• Explanation of the request
• Full name
• Student ID number

Eight-week process for refunds

Amounts paid by credit card are refunded to the card most recently used or the original card when possible. Alternatively, SAIT may process the refund by cheque. Please note, any service fees are non-refundable. 

• Refunds to international accounts are made via the method received.
• All other refunds are issued by cheque.
• Students are responsible for updating their address with the Office of the Registrar.
• Sponsored student refunds will be issued directly to the sponsor.
• Any student suspended or expelled from SAIT for any reason, is not eligible for a refund.

Students are indebted to SAIT when monies for fees, or any form of material or service, has not been paid to the Institute or when library books or equipment — of any kind — have not been returned.

Indebtedness to the Institute will result in:

• Cancellation of registration
• Inability to register in further programs and courses
• Withholding of student's transcript and credential
• Withholding of student loan funding
• Withholding of any refunds — including SAIT Students' Association fee refund

SAIT may employ the services of a public collection agent to recover overdue amounts.