ILAC Education Group which includes:
- ILAC International College
- International Language Academy of Canada
- Tamwood Careers
- Tamwood Language Centres
has surrendered the designation certificates previously issued to these four institutions by the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU). The institutions are no longer certified effective September 18, 2026. The institutions may no longer provide, or offer to provide, career training as set out under the Private Training Act.
PTIRU’s role is to provide information, help you understand what options may be available, identify appropriate train-out opportunities if you were enrolled in an approved career training program, and assist you with information on how to submit a claim to the Student Tuition Protection Fund.
PTIRU does not operate schools, make immigration decisions, provide immigration or legal advice, or find housing or employment.
PTIRU hosted an information session for students on September 23, 2026. Additional information sessions will be scheduled as needed.
Student Tuition Protection Fund
If you were enrolled in a PTIRU-approved program at the time your institution closed, you may be eligible to file a claim against the Student Tuition Protection Fund (the Fund). You can claim up to the amount of tuition paid. Tuition does not include application fees or fees charged for textbooks or other course materials.
The Claim Form is available in the right side of this page and must be submitted within one year of the closure. The Claim Form must be completed, in full, for a claim to be processed.
To file a claim against the Fund, please submit copies of the following documents:
- Completed Claim Form
- Student Enrolment Contract
- Letter of Acceptance (international students only)
- Proof of Payment (receipt, wire transfer receipt, etc.)
- Any communications from your closed institution
- Any other documents that confirm your enrollment, tuition paid, program and start date.
Completed claim forms and supporting documents can be submitted to PTI.InstitutionClosure@gov.bc.ca.
Continuing or Completing Your Program
Before making arrangements with another institution, wait for PTIRU to confirm whether a train-out institution has been appointed for your career-training program. Do not sign an enrolment contract or pay tuition or other fees to another institution before receiving this confirmation, as doing so may affect your eligibility for support from the Fund.
Language programs: Languages Canada is coordinating placement opportunities for students in language programs. Students participating in that process should continue working directly with Languages Canada. For more information about the role of Languages Canada and the Education Completion Assurance Plan (eCAP), go to the Languages Canada website.
Students in language programs must also file a Tuition Refund Claim Form with PTIRU if they were enrolled in a program requiring approval – that is, a language program lasting more than six months or charging tuition of $4,000 or more.
Career programs: PTIRU is actively exploring opportunities for students to continue or complete their training at other institutions (train-out institutions). This includes identifying comparable programs and determining whether institutions have capacity to support affected students. Students at different stages of their programs, including those completing a work experience component, are being considered as PTIRU looks for train-out options.
Career-training students should submit a Tuition Refund Claim Form to PTIRU and wait for PTIRU to confirm train-out options before paying any fees to, or signing an enrolment contract with, another institution.
PTIRU will publish information on this page, and email affected students, about comparable programs at train-out institutions if they are identified.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will PTIRU identify a comparable program for me?
PTIRU is working to identify comparable programs at other institutions and determine whether they have the necessary capacity to support students in completing their studies.
Students in language-training programs should continue to work directly with Languages Canada.
Students in career-training programs will receive updates from PTIRU about whether comparable programs are available.
If I transfer to another institution, should I still file a claim?
Yes. Students should file a claim even if they may continue their studies elsewhere. If a comparable program at a train-out institution is appointed for your program, you must transfer to that program for any payment to be made from the Fund. Successful claims will be paid to the train-out institution to help you complete your program. If you enrol in a program that has not been appointed as a comparable program, you will not be eligible for a tuition refund unless you have special circumstances.
What if I can’t enrol at the train-out institution?
If you think there are special circumstances preventing you from attending the train-out institution, you must submit a Special Circumstances – Institution Closure Claim Form with your claim. If we agree that you cannot attend the train-out institution, the tuition refund will be paid first to the government if you have provincial or federal student loans, and the balance to you.
If you do not want to enrol at the train-out institution and you do not have special circumstances preventing you from attending, no tuition refund will be issued.
Do I need to use an education agent to enrol at another post-secondary institution in BC?
No. Domestic and international students may enrol directly at post-secondary institutions in BC; students do not need to use an education agent.
Will I owe tuition and fees?
A train-out institution may not charge you tuition unless you still owe a portion of the tuition that was listed in the enrolment contract you signed with the closed institution.
The train-out institution may charge administrative fees, application fees, assessment fees and fees charged for course materials. These fees must be listed in the enrolment contract you sign with the train-out institution.
What happens if there is no comparable program?
If there is no train-out institution offering a comparable program, you may still file a claim and the tuition refund would first be paid to government, if you have student loans, then to you. PTIRU will help you determine if you are eligible for a refund.
Who decides whether I will receive a tuition refund?
Claims for a tuition refund are adjudicated by the Trustee of the Student Tuition Protection Fund.
When will I find out if I am going to receive a tuition refund?
To be adjudicated, a student must file a claim and may be required to provide supporting documentation. PTIRU staff provide the information that the Trustee requires for the adjudication, as outlined in the Claim Form. The Trustee will then make a decision which will be communicated to the claimant and the institution. Given the steps involved and the number of anticipated claims, it may take several months for adjudication decisions to be made for all students. However, the sooner you submit your claim and other required information, the sooner you can expect an adjudication decision.
Should I file a claim immediately?
Students are encouraged to submit a complete claim as soon as possible so they can receive the most timely information and their claim can be processed without unnecessary delay. Students have up to one year following the institution’s closure to submit a claim.
I am an international student on a study permit. How does the closure affect my study permit?
An institution that has closed is no longer a designated learning institution (DLI) and is no longer eligible to host international students who require a study permit.
If you were studying at this institution at the time of the closure, you have up to a maximum of 150 days to secure a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) and Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) from another DLI and apply for a new study permit, or otherwise apply to change your status (e.g., to visitor). Please consult IRCC’s official guidance on Changing your school or program for details on how this may affect your individual study permit.
Because these institutions have closed, you may be allowed to begin studying at your new DLI while your study permit application is being processed, as outlined in IRCC’s guidance.
For further information about whether you require a new Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) or other documentation, please see IRCC’s page on the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL). PALs are a limited resource and issued at the discretion of institutions, you will need to contact institutions directly to confirm availability to support your transition to a new program and DLI. Where required to support confirmed train-out arrangements, PTIRU will work with receiving institutions to ensure they have adequate Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs) to support students.
PTIRU cannot provide immigration advice. Students should consult IRCC's official guidance and contact IRCC directly with questions about their individual immigration status, study permit conditions or authorization to work. If you have questions specific to your study permit status or future application, please contact IRCC directly.
Will more PALs be issued to receiving schools?
Yes. The BC Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills has arranged for PALs to be available to students affected by the closure and transferring into a comparable program at appointed train-out institutions.
I am an international student who is still in my home country and who has not started my program. What are my options?
Students who paid tuition but had not started should submit a claim with PTIRU. The Trustee will determine eligibility and the refund amount.
Students should not travel to Canada based on the former institution’s Letter of Acceptance and should contact IRCC before changing travel plans.
How can I access my student records?
PTIRU is working to obtain student records from the closed institutions, including records students may need for a claim or immigration-related application. Information about train-out options and other next steps will be shared as it is confirmed. Students may contact PTI.InstitutionClosure@gov.bc.ca to request a copy of their records for the purposes of applying to another institution and/or IRCC-related applications.
Will certificates and diplomas be issued to students who have completed their program?
PTIRU will be reviewing student records and working to find options for students who may have completed their program before the closure but had not yet been issued a credential.
What happens if tuition was paid through an agent?
Evidence of payment to an education agent may be used to support a claim. PTIRU is also working with ILAC Education Group to obtain student files and records that may help confirm amounts paid and related transactions.
How can students obtain payment receipts if they do not have them?
Students should submit the records they have and explain what is unavailable. PTIRU can advise if further information is required, or alternative documentation that can support the student’s claim.
Can refunds be expedited due to financial hardship?
Claims cannot be expedited or guaranteed.
Clarification of the respective roles of PTIRU and KPMG
KPMG is the administrator for the bankruptcy of the ILAC group institutions.
Students tuition refund claim inquiries and submissions should be sent to PTIRU, not KPMG.
Updates
Students should continue to check the PTIRU website for updates, which will include details about additional webinar sessions for students affected by closures and train-out options as they are identified.
Contacts and Supports
| PTIRU |
Private Training Institutions | Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit https://www.privatetraininginstitutions.gov.bc.ca/ PTIRU will continue to update the notice with more information and frequently asked questions. Submit claims, train-out and closure questions to: |
| IRCC |
Immigration and study permit questions https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/contact-ircc.html Changing your school or program - Canada.ca https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/change-schools.html |
| Other supports |
Students who require food, housing or other supports can visit WelcomeBC to find services and supports, including organizations such as MOSAIC and ISS of BC. |