The University Grants Commission(UGC) has asked higher education institutes to facilitate a complete refund of college fee up to October 2022 for year 2022-23 if students wish to do so.

The commission on Tuesday said that higher education institutes must refund complete fees to students in case admissions have been sought upto October. This comes in the wake of several competitive exams such as the JEE and CUET being delayed beyond the routine schedule. 

“The UGC has issued ‘the UGC guidelines on examination and academic calendar in view of the Covid-19 pandemic’ on 16th July 2021, wherein UGC has stipulated the provision of refund of fees on account of all cancellations of admissions/ migrations of students during the academic session 2021-2022. Also, UGC on 12th July 2022 has requested the higher educational institutions to fix the last date of their undergraduate admission process after declaration of result of class XII by CBSE to provide sufficient time to such students for admission in undergraduate courses. Also, it may be noted that several entrance examinations including CUET, JEE Main, JEE Advance etc. have been delayed, due to which admissions may continue up to October 2022,” a letter addressed to HEIs reads. 

The UGC has also sought that considering financial hardships parents are undergoing, UGC colleges must allow a full refund of fees on account of all cancellations of admissions/ migrations of students up to October 31, 2022, for the academic session 2022- 2023 as a special case. “Thereafter, on cancellation/ withdrawal of admissions up to December 31, 2022, the entire fee collected from a student should be refunded in full after deducting not more than Rs.1000/- as processing fee,” the commission directed. 

Having received complaints from students stating that they did not use the hostel and mess services during the COVID-19 Pandemic period, yet the institutions are not adjusting/refunding the mess charges and hostel fees, already paid by them, UGC has directed a refund in such cases as well. “All the higher educational institutions are requested to adjust/carry forward the mess charges and hostel fees to all students charged during the COVID-19 Pandemic period. You are requested to comply with the instructions in letter and spirit.”