GEOS NZ TERMS & CONDITIONS

(a full version is available upon request from marketing@geosnz.co.nz).

GEOS New Zealand Ltd (GEOS NZ) trades as GEOS Auckland Language Centre, GEOS Christchurch Language Centre and GEOS Wellington Language Centre. GEOS NZ is part of the GEOS International Oceania Group.

GEOS NZ Enrolment Procedures (for students 18 years and over)

STEP 1: The GEOS NZ school Enrolments Officer, upon receiving the student's signed Enrolment Form four weeks prior to commencement of the course from the agent or individual student, will issue a fees invoice and an initial letter of acceptance stating the student's name, date of birth, period of study, course type and accommodation period. Please note: it is compulsory that all students sign the GEOS NZ enrolment form prior to their enrolment form being accepted.

STEP 2: Upon full payment of fees 4 weeks before the commencement date, the GEOS NZ Enrolments Officer will issue a receipt of payment and final letter of acceptance stating the student's name, date of birth, period of study, course type and accommodation period and state that all fees have been paid.

STEP 3: Upon request the receipt of payment and final letter of acceptance are faxed and originals mailed to the agent/individual and if necessary to the appropriate New Zealand embassy/consulate.

Note: The signed GEOS NZ Enrolment Form represents the contract between the student and the college and all terms and conditions relate to the particular course/s as detailed on the GEOS NZ Enrolment form. Where a student enrols for a number of courses (multiple courses), separate enrolment forms may be completed for each course representing separate contracts and the relevant terms and conditions will apply to each.

GEOS NZ Enrolment Procedures (for students under 18 years old)

STEP 1: The GEOS NZ School Enrolments Officer, upon receiving the student's signed Enrolment Form six weeks prior to commencement of the course from the agent or individual student, will need to verify the following before proceeding further with the enrolment:

• that a parent of the student has signed the GEOSNZ Enrolment form
  
• that there is a signed authority for any Designated Caregiver assigned by the parent or a Caregiver assigned by the GEOS NZ school and that any necessary pre checks of the Caregiver have been completed by the school
  
• that where deemed necessary the GEOS NZ school has contacted a parent directly to verify the enrolment Please note: it is compulsory that all parents of students under the age of 18 years) sign the GEOS NZ Enrolment Form prior to their enrolment form being accepted.

STEP 2: The school Enrolments Officer will issue a fees invoice and an initial letter of acceptance stating the student's name, date of birth, period of study, course type and accommodation period.

STEP 3: Upon full payment of fees 4 weeks before the commencement date, the GEOS NZ Enrolments Officer will issue a receipt of payment and final letter of acceptance stating the student's name, date of birth, period of study, course type and accommodation period and state that all fees have been paid.

STEP 4: Upon request the receipt of payment and final letter of acceptance are faxed and originals mailed to the agent/individual and if necessary to the appropriate New Zealand embassy/consulate.

Note: The signed GEOS NZ Enrolment Form represents the contract between the young learner's parent and the college and all terms and conditions relate to the particular course/s as detailed on the GEOS NZ Enrolment form. Where a student is enrolled for a number of courses (multiple courses), separate enrolment forms may be completed for each course representing separate contracts for which the relevant terms and conditions will apply to each.

GEOS NZ Conditions of Acceptance

1. Entry age: Refer to the Age Entry Criteria under courses.

2. Entry test: All GEOS NZ students must agree to sit a 'level check test' upon their arrival at the college. Class/level allocation will be based upon the results of this test, and is not negotiable.

3. Payment of Fees: GEOS NZ fees will be charged in accordance with the fee schedules current at the time of our processing of your enrolment form. All course fees shall be paid in full 20 working days prior to the commencement of the course. If fees are not received in full in such time, then we reserve the right to decline the course placement. An enrolment fee of NZ$200 forms part of the course fees. A non-refundable homestay arrangement fee of NZ$150 forms part of the homestay fees.

GEOS NZ Fee Protection

GEOS NZ colleges operate the following arrangement to protect student fees: all student fees are transferred directly to an independent Trust Account (as specified on the student's invoice). Fees are released to the school by the Trustee on a draw down basis as the student's course is provided by the school.

GEOS NZ Change of Enrolments Policy

1. All changes to enrolments (ie postponements/ deferrals, withdrawals, transfers, holiday requests) need to be done in writing to the GEOS NZ Principal of your chosen college with 4 weeks notice.

2. Changes to enrolments before course commencement: students who request changes to their course/s before arrival and before the course commencement date will be refunded the excess fees less any incurred equivalent full published arrangement fees.

3. Changes to enrolments after course commencement (ie early course completion): for students who request changes to their course/s after arrival and/or after the course commencement date, the 'GEOS NZ Cancellation, Withdrawal Policy and Procedure' and 'GEOS NZ Refund Policy' will be applied.

GEOS NZ Transfer Policy

As GEOS NZ is part of the GEOS International Oceania Group, school transfers are possible within NZ and Australia. Please note the GEOS NZ Change of Enrolments Policy above, and the following conditions also apply: the first school will contact the second school to request the transfer and to verify that the student who is to transfer meets the normal published terms and conditions of the second school as decided by the school manager; the number of course weeks to be credited to the second school may differ and depend on the tuition rates of the second school. Any bonus or free weeks may not be transferable.

GEOS NZ Cancellation, Withdrawal Policy and Procedure

1. All course cancellations and/or refund applications should be sent in writing to the GEOS NZ Principal of your chosen college via email, fax or post, and should clearly outline the reason for cancellation. Cancellations outside of the refund policy period (as per below) will not be considered for a refund, but may be considered by the Principal of the Colleges for a 'deferment' where the course must be fully completed within 12 months from the date of your initial course commencement. Any adjustment of fees for a following year crossover will need to be provided by the student. The Principal will respond with their decision to the student within 2 weeks of receiving the cancellation notification. In the event a 'deferment is approved', the GEOS NZ college Enrolment Officer will produce a Credit Note, update their files accordingly, with a copy to be provided to the student.

2. All refunds applicable will be paid to you or your Representative Agent unless written permission is directed by you to pay another party. Enrolment Fees and Accommodation Placement fees are not refundable.

3. If your visa application is rejected, tuition fees will be refunded to you in full within 4 weeks from the date of receipt of notice (proof needs to be provided). If your visa is cancelled after your arrival in New Zealand due to non-compliance with the visa conditions, and you are forced to cancel all or part of your course due to this non-compliance, no refund is available for unused study weeks

4. Courses cancelled before course commencement: students who cancel their course before arrival and before the course commencement date will be refunded the course fee less the equivalent full published registration and homestay placement fees.

5. Courses cancelled after commencement: any course refunds due, will be less the equivalent full published registration and homestay placement fees.

GEOS NZ Refund Policy

1. Courses less than five weeks: students who withdraw within the first two days of the course will be entitled to a refund of 50% of the tuition fee.

2. Courses of five weeks or more but less than three months: students who withdraw within the first five days of the course will be entitled to a refund of 75% of the tuition fee.

3. Courses of three months or more: students who withdraw within the first seven days of the course (the course/s listed on the 1 GEOS NZ Enrolment Form) will be entitled to a full refund of the total fees paid towards the enrolment into that course (course fees), less 10% or $500, whichever is the lesser amount. If you arrive several days after your commencement date, these "missed days" will not be reinstated, and no refund will be given. There are no refunds for public holidays, or time "missed" during the period of your enrolled course. In the event the college must close due to an unpreventable event or natural disaster (eg City power blackout, storm), then there will be no refund for any "missed days". If the course you have enrolled in does not commence, your refund entitlements are covered by the provisions of NZQA. If you do not meet the entrance requirements (level of language proficiency) of a specific course you have been preliminarily enrolled in, your tuition fees can be transferred to another more suitable course within the GEOS NZ College, or another GEOS Oceania college.
Please refer to the GEOS NZ web site www.geosnz.com
For more details of the cancellation process refer to the NZ Qualifications Authority website at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz

Medical and Travel Insurance
Students must carry travel and health insurance to cover medical and hospital expenses. Students can arrange their own cover or the school can arrange it for them. Please contact the school for current rates. Students will be required to provide the school with evidence of medical cover on their first arrival day at orientation.

GEOS NZ Homestay/Accommodation
Placement and Airport Transfer Arrangements and Policies

1. GEOS NZ requires a minimum of 4 weeks notice for Homestay/ Accommodation Placement.

2. The Homestay/Accommodation Placement fee is not refundable.

3. Payment of Homestay/Accommodation Fee: If you are enrolled for a course for less than 12 weeks, full payment of your homestay fees shall be made prior to commencement of your course. If you are enrolled for a course of more than 12 weeks then payment of a sum equivalent to 12 weeks homestay fee shall be made prior to commencement of the course. Thereafter, homestay fees shall be payable in advance in 12 week installments.

4. Homestay standard: In a NZ homestay you will be provided with a furnished single room, breakfast and dinner on weekdays and three meals on weekends (if you are at home). We will do our best to find a homestay situation that matches your interests and preferences. Refer to the current "GEOS NZ Courses and Fees" for homestay prices.

5. Homestay Arrangements: You may only vary your GEOS NZ homestay arrangements through GEOS NZ. GEOS NZ at our sole discretion, may vary your homestay arrangements if we see fit to do so. Any change to the homestay arrangement will incur a fee. In addition to our rules and regulations, you will comply with the rules set down by your homestay family.

6. GEOS Oceania Homestay Policy: You MUST give TWO weeks written notice of your intention to change or to cancel your current homestay.

GEOS NZ Student Conduct, Obligations and Provision of Information

1. CONDUCT: Students enrolled at GEOS NZ will comply with all terms, conditions, policies, operating standards, rules or regulations that apply to them including, but not limited to, our published school "rules and regulations".

2. All GEOS NZ students must comply with their relevant visa conditions at all times. Please note that GEOS NZ is legally obliged to report any breaches of visa conditions to New Zealand Immigration Service.

3. As per student visa requirements, all GEOS NZ student visa holders must maintain full-time attendance, and show suitable academic progress.

4. PERSONAL INFORMATION provided to GEOS NZ will be made available to New Zealand agencies where applicable. It is the student/parent/guardian's responsibility to provide GEOS NZ with up to date information. We will hold personal information about you so that we may carry out our responsibilities under this agreement and otherwise. The information you supply to us must be true and correct. You will have the right to correct personal information held about you. You and we agree that information held by us as to your academic progress is evaluative material and not personal information. We may check or disclose the personal information we hold about you with or to such persons as credit agencies, homestay providers, local schools, activity providers and the New Zealand Immigration Service and you consent to and authorise the same.

5. NOTICE OF ADDRESS: You will keep us at all times informed of your current address and phone number in New Zealand while undertaking one of our courses. You agree that this is an important term of the agreement between us, the breach of which shall entitle us summarily to terminate this agreement and to expel you from the school.

6. MISCONDUCT: You will comply with our disciplinary procedures and we reserve the right to terminate this agreement at our sole discretion if we are dissatisfied with your conduct, behaviour or willingness to comply with disciplinary procedures.

7. TERMINATION: If you fail to meet your obligations under this agreement, we will send a written notice to you at your last known address in New Zealand explaining to you what is wrong, what needs to be done and when it must be done by. If you do not comply with that notice we may terminate this agreement immediately.

8. Please note, that if you are late to class, you may be marked absent or not be permitted to enter the class until the next session. If you are regularly absent or late to class, or disruptive in class, you may receive a warning from the Teacher, the Academic Co-ordinators, or the Director of Studies. If the behaviour continues, then you may be asked to show cause in writing to the Principal as to why your enrolment should not be terminated.

9. If a student's enrolment is to be terminated for reasons other than poor attendance, the GEOS NZ Principal will consult with the GEOS NZ Director and make a decision.

10. LIABILITY: Consumer Guarantees Act - nothing in this clause shall limit or reduce your rights (if any) under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 unless you require our services for the purpose of business in which case you agree that the Consumer Guarantees Act will not apply. Exclusion and Limit of Liability - we will not be liable to you for any property that has been physically damaged or lost, for any other direct loss or damage or for any indirect or consequential loss whatsoever whether caused through breach of contract or breach of any other obligation owed to you for any other reason, or through the negligent omission or any other act of a third party, or through any event beyond our control, except to the extent that we are liable under the Consumer Guarantees Act to compensate you for such loss or damage. You will indemnify and hold us harmless in respect of all losses, damages and costs (on a full indemnity basis) incurred by or awarded against us arising out of any claim by any person in relation to your conduct in New Zealand.

11. WARRANTY/CONSENTS: You warrant that as a party to this agreement you are a person aged over 18 years and/or have legal capacity to execute this agreement in respect of the student. If you are not the student then you warrant that you have explained to the student all their obligations under this agreement. In the event that you suffer a personal injury or illness at any time during your course in New Zealand, you consent to the arrangement of such medical intervention as is necessary to preserve life and/or wellbeing by us, our agents and/or third party service providers, and you release us from any liability in respect of such action, and will indemnify and hold us harmless for all cost or liability we incur in respect of such action.

GEOS NZ Student Attendance, Behaviour and Attitude

1. Students are expected to attend 100% of their courses.

2. Please note, that your attendance is marked per session and collated/recorded at the end of each week;

3. If you are going to be absent from a class or session, you must inform the GEOS NZ college;

4. If you are absent from the GEOS NZ college for 3 days or more, you must provide a medical certificate;

5. If you have a valid excuse for your absences, eg. a doctor's certificate, this will be taken into consideration should you receive a warning letter;

6. Please note, if you are regularly absent or late to class, or disruptive in class, you may be asked to show cause in writing to the Principal as to why your enrolment should not be terminated.

7. If your current attendance falls below 90%, the GEOS NZ Student Services staff will send you a first warning letter. You will be asked to acknowledge your responsibility to improve your current attendance.

8. If your current attendance falls below 85%, the GEOS NZ Student Services staff will send you a second warning letter. You will be reminded about your previous acknowledgement of your responsibility to improve your current attendance without success. You will be asked to explain. You will then be monitored by the GEOS NZ college staff regarding your attendance, until we are satisfied there is improvement. The GEOS NZ college will inform your agent/parent/guardian of the current situation, and the consequence in the event your current attendance falls lower. During this phase, if you miss 20% of your classes in one week, you will be asked to show cause in writing to the Principal as to why your enrolment should not be terminated.

9. If your current attendance falls below 80%, the GEOS NZ Student Services staff will send you a third warning letter, asking you to show cause in writing to the Principal as to why your enrolment should not be terminated. The Principal will consider your explanation, and prepare a written response to your last known address in New Zealand. Even if your explanation is accepted, because you are under 80%, you are not eligible to receive a GEOS NZ Graduation Certificate.

10. Should your enrolment be terminated, you will be asked to leave immediately, without entitlement to a refund, deferral or Graduation Certificate. In addition, GEOS NZ will report all student visa holders to the New Zealand Immigration Service about the situation. Similarly, GEOS NZ will notify your agent/parent/guardian of the decision.

11. You are entitled to check your attendance whilst you are studying at GEOS NZ. Please see the Student Services staff to complete the Attendance Request Form. You will receive a GEOS NZ Attendance Response Slip within the week.

12. If you require an official Attendance Certificate, please see the Student Services staff to complete the Attendance Certificate Request Form. You will receive a GEOS NZ Attendance Certificate within 1 week.

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