Effective May 6, 2026 the Registrar of the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit [PTIRU] has cancelled the designation certificate of International Gateway Language Academy & College – Kelowna. This means that International Gateway Language Academy & College – Kelowna must immediately stop providing the program in which you are enrolled.
PTIRU is working to support students impacted by the cancellation. If you were enrolled at the time of the cancellation, 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 cancellation. The Claim Form must be completed, in full, for a claim to be processed.
The Trustee of the Student Tuition Protection Fund has requested students filing claims also complete the Additional Information Form which is also available on the right side of this page. If you don’t complete the Additional Information Form, your claim will still be processed. In some cases, PTIRU may request video interviews to confirm the information submitted, or to ask additional questions.
To file a claim on the Fund we ask that you submit copies of your:
- Completed Claim Form
- Completed Additional Information Form
- Student Enrolment Contract
- Letter of Acceptance (international students only)
- Proof of Payment (receipt, wire transfer receipt, etc.)
- 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 and the Additional Information 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.
I receive student financial assistance for my program. How does the cancellation affect my financial assistance?
In the event of an institution cancellation, every effort will be made by the relevant government agencies to limit the disruption to your studies.
StudentAid BC funding will only be affected if your studies are disrupted for a period of 21 days or more. This means that no more than three weeks may pass between the last date of attendance at the original post-secondary institution and the start date at a new institution.
However, you will be required to notify StudentAid BC if you transfer to a new institution, as well as if your studies are disrupted for 21 days or more.
For any SABC inquiries email: StudentAidBC@gov.bc.ca or phone: 1-888-561-1818.
Students receiving financial assistance from another jurisdiction should contact the government department responsible for financial assistance.
What are my options with regards to my StudentAid BC funding?
Should you enrol at a different institution within 21 days of your last date of attendance at your original institution, you may complete an Appendix 5 – Transfer of School form to avoid having an overaward assessed or having to reapply for StudentAid BC funding.
If you do not enrol at a new institution within 21 days of your last date of classes with your original institution, a withdrawal will be processed on your student loan record.
How do I notify StudentAid BC if I enrol at a different institution?
In the case that you enrol at a different institution and commence studies at the new institution within 21 days of your last date of attendance at your original institution, you are required to submit an Appendix 5 – Transfer of School form. PTIRU will complete Section 2 of the form, the new institution you have enrolled at will complete Section 3 of the form, and you are responsible to complete Section 1 of the form.
What happens to my StudentAid BC funding if I do not enrol at a different institution within 21 days of my last day in attendance at my original institution?
If you do not enrol at a new institution within 21 days of your last date of attendance at your original institution, a withdrawal will be processed on your student loan records. As your StudentAid BC funding was calculated based on the completion of your anticipated study period, a withdrawal may result in an overaward being assessed on the StudentAid BC funding you have received. An overaward can affect your future StudentAid BC funding. Please see https://studentaidbc.ca/apply/overaward for more information about what to do in the event of an overaward.
If you decide to return to full time studies within 6 months of your withdrawal date, you may submit an overaward appeal. This will initiate a review of your circumstances for consideration in having the overaward set aside until your loan is scheduled for repayment. Overaward appeals must be submitted within 90 days from the date of your overaward notification letter.
I am an international student on a study permit. How does the cancellation affect my study permit?
The cancellation of an institution’s designation means the school is no longer eligible to host international students as it is no longer considered a designated learning institution (DLI).
If you are currently studying at this institution and need to change DLIs, please consult IRCC’s official guidance on Changing your school or program for details on how this may affect your individual study permit. Because this institution has lost its designation, you may be allowed to begin studying at your new DLI while your study permit extension application is under review, 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.
If you have questions specific to your study permit status or future application, please contact IRCC directly.
Additional information
For more information, contact PTIRU at PTI.InstitutionClosure@gov.bc.ca.