Students from a Lethbridge College program came back from Christmas break to an unwelcome surprise.
Second year Digital Communications and Media students weren’t registered into their practicum class, which is required to graduate, and students are required to pay more fees.
The college says that registering for the practicum class is different and caused a bit of confusion when scheduling.
“What happened was everyone is scheduled as a group but for the practicum class everyone was scheduled separately,” said Chair of Media and Design Vicki Hegedus.
The mix-up has caused concern from the students as they had thought that they had already paid all of their fees.
The missed tuition will set the DCM students back but the college says they’re working with financial services and registration to help the students.
“For any students who are not able to pay their tuition at this time because they thought they already paid it for it will work directly with the financial office and they will be able to come up with an alternative plan,” said Hegedus.
Students though have not been happy with learning about having to spend more on one more class.
Matthew Perrella, second year Media Production & Advertising (MPA) student says the added fees hurt not only his finances but his sibling’s college funds as well.
“My siblings are all in the same fund from my parents so that’s less money for my brother and sister to go to college. It’s not fair to hurt their education because of their mistakes,” said Perrella.
Many of the students had already budgeted or received student loans based on the fees shown originally but now they are required to pay for the extra practicum class.
Tannis Bruder is also a second year MPA student who had budgeted a specific amount in the summer so she could afford tuition and living costs.
She says this error hurts because she only set enough money aside to pay rent after paying for tuition.
“I budgeted perfectly so I could just barely afford where I’m living and the tuition at school. Plus, I have to pay for groceries, gas and everything else,” said Bruder.
Lethbridge College is working with students and financial services to fix the situation and make sure the situation is fare for the students who are financially strapped.
Any student who can’t make payments at the moment can work out the details directly with financial services.
A program at Lethbridge College is experiencing problems with registration. Cole Parkinson has more.
