Frequently Asked Questions

Why does an institution have to be registered?
Every institution offering a career training program with $1000 or more in tuition and 40 hours or more in duration is required to register.

Top

What is the difference between a registered and an accredited institution?
Registration is mandatory.  Accreditation is voluntary.

Registration is mandatory when an institution offers a career training program with $1000 or more in tuition and 40 hours or more in duration. It requires the institution to meet the basic education standards as set in the PCTIA Bylaws.

A registered institution may voluntarily seek accreditation. It requires the institution to maintain additional quality standards in excess of registration requirements. It is also a base requirement for institutions to apply for a StudentAid BC designation or the Educational Quality Assurance (EQA) designation.

 

Top

What does it mean to me if an institution is accredited?
If the program you are enrolling in is offered by an accredited institution you know it has voluntarily met a higher quality standard than required for a registered institution. Only accredited institutions are able to apply for StudentAid BC designation.

 

Top

Who can I call with questions about an institution?
Contact the PCTIA Student Relations Administrator who will be able to either help you directly, or put you in touch with someone who can answer your questions.

 

Top

Can I get a student loan if I attend a private career training institution?
If the program you are enrolling in is offered by an accredited institution you may be eligible to apply for student loan funding. However, you will need to check with StudentAid BC for qualification details.

 

Top

I feel I was misled about my program and/or my institution. How do I make a complaint?
You must demonstrate the institution made representation which is materially different from the actual services or instruction provided. You may download our complaint package or contact the Student Relations Administrator. There is no cost to file a complaint with PCTIA.

 

Top

When can a complaint be filed?
A complaint may be filed only after the student has attempted to resolve the issue using all steps of the institution's internal Dispute Resolution Process. 

Every registered or accredited  institution must have an accessible policy and process for resolving student complaints. The institution's Dispute Resolution Policy should be published in the Student Handbook (or similar publication) and a copy of the policy and procedures for resolving student disputes should be available upon request.

If you are unable to obtain a copy of the policy contact the PCTIA Student Relations Administrator.

The complaint must be filed with PCTIA within six months of the date upon which the events you complain about occurred or upon which you should reasonably have been expected to know about the matters at issue. 

Top

What does PCTIA do after I file my complaint?
The complaint is first reviewed to make sure it:

  • Has been submitted within the required timeline
  • Is within the jurisdiction of PCTIA
  • Includes evidence that the complainant has attempted to complete the institution's internal dispute resolution process
  • And includes all supporting documents

A copy of the completed complaint package is then sent to the institution  for comment.  Institutions have 15 business days to respond.

After a response is received from the institution, it is sent to you. You have 15 business days to provide your response back to PCTIA. The PCTIA Board of Directors will then review all of the materials and make a determination on whether you have been misled.

 

Top

Will I get my tuition refunded?
Not necessarily. All requests for tuition refunds are referred to the PCTIA Board of Directors for decision. They may decide to refund all, part, or none of a student's tuition. 

Top

I have just been informed my institution will be closing before I complete my program. What are my options?
You have two options through the Student Training Completion Fund (STCF).

  1. The first is referred to as "train-out".   It means completing your studies in a comparable program at another institution. The new institution must confirm they have space available and are willing to complete your training. In that case, the STCF will cover your tuition costs at the new school.
  2. The second option is to apply for a refund of your unearned tuition. You may qualify to get a refund of your unearned tuition. Unearned tuition is defined as the portion of tuition paid which has not yet been earned by the institution upon closure.

 

Top

I need to get my transcripts and the institution I attended is closed. What can I do?
Please email your request for a copy of your transcript to info@pctia.bc.ca. After verifying your identity we will make arrangements to release your transcript if we have a copy. If we do not have a copy, we can write a letter of validation confirming the school's status with PCTIA. 

 

Top

No. The Agency is unable to issue a T2202A on behalf of a closed institution. The Agency does not have access to the information required to do this. The Agency is, however, able to provide you with a letter confirming the closure of the institution you were attending which you can provide to the Canada Revenue Agency.

Top