Mishandled Deferment Process

For the 100th time, I am back on this platform due the never ending battle with this institution. I started my journey with Stadio from the 2nd semester of 2024 (July 2024). I registered and due to unforeseen circumstances, I had to defer my studies. My deferment process was handled horribly(lack for a better word). The personnel responsible for handling my deferment process bypassed critical elements that have led to the situation I have at hand. He (known by the institution) did not explain the financial implications of the deferment process. There was also a policy document he was supposed to share prior to the approval of my deferment and he never did so despite my numerous attempts to seek that information( I sent numerous emails and followed up multiple times to get clarity on the terms and conditions of the deferment approval, particularly the financial implications).

Despite my mishandled deferment process, I settled my outstanding fees before registering in July 2025 (this was after my deferment period had expired as it was approved for 1 academic year). Upon registering in July 2025, I noticed that I had been billed once again for the same modules I had settled. I took this up with the institution and they promised to sort it out. Till this day, the issue has not been resolved.

I followed up on this matter last week, from 19th-20th of February 2026 and I was able to speak to the registrations department representative (who has an active participant on matter and has tried to mediate this matter between myself and the institution). Additionally, it is worth mentioning that the registration department offered me R8725 discount in my fees as a form of “goodwill”/ compensation. This representative was the one who facilitated that process. That is not enough compensation as the financial implications resultant of this mishandled deferment process have left me financially crippled and are plain out, UNJUST.

Moreover, upon expressing how unsatisfied I am with how the matter has been resolved thus far, she escalated the matter to the deputy principal of the registrations department.

The intervention has been rather fruitless as the deputy principal failed to acknowledge the mishandled deferment process and emphasised the fact that “She gave me the R8725 discount as a form of goodwill” and that I should’ve fami****ised myself with the rule book, particularly where it speaks about the deferment process. I am very fami**** with the rule book, hence I settled my outstanding fees before reregistering in 2025 as per the rule book that states “Deferment of studies will in no way negate the student’s financial obligations”

I have posed the following questions to the deputy principal, “Where in the policy document or the rule book does it state that deferred modules must be repaid when you resume your studies, and this is after you have fully settled your outstanding debt that you incurred during the period you were deferred for your studies?” Additionally, which policy states that deferment means you will forfeit your paid funds once you reregister?…she has failed to answer these questions satisfactory and has also promised to send me “extracts”/ documents which informed the decision to grant me the R8725 goodwill discount. Up to this day, she hasn’t made any contact with me and she also promised to escalate my matter to the CFO and there hasn’t been any update regarding that too.

Disappointed is an understatement, but I do hope we will come to a resolution soon.