u/cauzmik

Title.

Hi everyone,

This is going to be a bit of a long read. (TL;DR at the end)

I come from a very low-income family (around ₹90,000 annual family income) and need some legal guidance.

I got admission to a private university in Bangalore for B.Tech CSE.

For simplicity, let's assume the annual tuition fee is ₹1,00,000. However, for the first year, the university split the fee as follows:

₹25,000 – Registration fee (described as the fee for a compulsory online introductory course conducted over Microsoft Teams before the commencement of regular classes).

₹75,000 – First-year tuition fee.

From the second year onwards, they simply charge ₹1,00,000 per year without splitting any component of the fee.

The university's policy states that the ₹25,000 becomes non-refundable after 14 June, even though the online introductory programme continues until the end of July and the regular offline classes commence only on 2 August.

As per the UGC Fee Refund Policy, "15 days or more before the formally notified last date of admission – 100% refund" (subject to the permissible processing deduction). However, I have not been able to find any formally notified last date of admission for this programme, and the university is still accepting admissions.

My situation is a little different:

On 13 June, I emailed the university requesting cancellation of my admission.

On 15 June, the university replied in writing confirming that my admission had been cancelled.

At that point, I didn't have admission to any other suitable college. After discussing it with my parents, we decided it would be safer to continue with this university despite the financial burden.

On 18 June, I contacted the admissions counsellor. She advised me to send an email requesting reconsideration of my admission and deposit an additional fee. I followed those instructions and, in the same email, specifically requested them to confirm that my admission remained active.

The university never acknowledged or replied to that email, nor did it ever communicate that my admission had been restored or that the earlier cancellation had been withdrawn.

I have now secured admission to a much better college with a scholarship, which is significantly more affordable for my family. I have therefore decided to withdraw my admission.

The university has informed me over a phone call that ₹25,000 will be deducted because the refund cut-off for the registration fee has already passed. Their stand is that since I paid the additional fee, my student portal remained active, and I attended two online introductory sessions, my admission stood restored.

My questions are:

1. Can a university make a compulsory component of the first-year fee non-refundable by classifying it as a registration fee for a compulsory online introductory course?

2. Since the university had already confirmed my cancellation on 15 June, but never acknowledged my later reconsideration request or communicated that my admission had been restored, does that strengthen my position that the original cancellation continued to remain in effect?

3. During the phone call, the university stated that my admission stood restored on 18 June and relied on the fact that my student portal remained active. However, I continued receiving messages on the portal between 15 June and 17 June, even after they had officially confirmed that my admission had been cancelled. They were unable to explain why my portal remained active despite the cancellation. Does the active portal have any legal significance, or would the university's written cancellation email carry greater weight?

4. The UGC Fee Refund Policy refers to the "formally notified last date of admission", but I cannot find that date anywhere, and the university is still accepting admissions. Does the absence of a formally notified last date have any legal significance?

5. Since my reconsideration request was never acknowledged or confirmed in writing, do I have a reasonable legal basis to argue that I am merely following up on the cancellation already confirmed by the university on 15 June, rather than making a fresh withdrawal after the refund cut-off?

6. If the university ultimately deducts the ₹25,000, would it be worth pursuing through the university grievance mechanism, the UGC grievance process, or a consumer forum?

₹25,000 is a very significant amount for my family, and recovering it would make a real difference to us. Based on the facts above, do I have a realistic legal avenue to recover it if the university deducts it?

I would also request everyone to please keep the discussion respectful. I'm genuinely looking for legal guidance and would appreciate constructive advice.

Thank you.

TL;DR

I cancelled my admission before the university's refund cut-off (13 June), and the university confirmed in writing on 15 June that my admission had been cancelled. A few days later, on the counsellor's advice, I requested reconsideration and paid an additional fee, but the university never acknowledged or confirmed that my admission had been restored. I have now decided to withdraw again, and the university says they'll deduct ₹25,000 because the refund cut-off has passed. Do I have any legal basis to argue that the original cancellation should govern my refund since my reconsideration was never acknowledged?

I'm a double NEET dropper who didn't appear for JEE. I scored 95.8% in PCMB with a 94% PCM aggregate and have decided to pivot to tech. (B.Tech. CSE) ​

I'm looking for engineering colleges that can realistically admit me based on my Class 12 marks and offer substantial scholarships/financial aid, as I come from a low-income family and affordability is a major concern.

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I'm willing to relocate anywhere in India for a good opportunity, although I'd be more comfortable in North India or the South.

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To be honest, I feel quite lost. I've spent the last few years focused entirely on medical entrances, so I know very little about engineering colleges, admissions, or which options are actually worth considering. Everything feels overwhelming right now. Each and every private engineering college is bombarded with negative reviews due to which I can't decide a thing.

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If anyone knows colleges that fit my academic profile and financial situation, I'd be genuinely grateful for the recommendations. Please be respectful as I'm already under a lot of stress.

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Thanks.

The counsellor mentioned that I'm eligible to get a 50% scholarship for B.Tech CSE on the basis of having >95% in my 12th. Is the scholarship applicable only for the first year or does it get carried forward provided you maintain a certain CGPA?