Following is the University Policy governing outstanding debt to the Faculty of Law or University of Toronto.

Policy on Academic Sanctions For Students Who Have Outstanding University Obligations

1. Introduction

This Policy is founded on two fundamental principles:

  • the application of academic sanctions to students who have outstanding financial obligations to the University or one of its divisions should be made on a single equitable basis, regardless of a student's division of registration
  • an obligation to pay a legitimate debt exists regardless of the size of the debt.

The Policy is further founded on a recognition that because the size, composition and internal procedures of divisions can and do vary widely there should be an allowance for a selection of equivalent sanctions at the divisional level.  Such an allowance permits an effective application of sanctions and a suitable application of sanctions in terms of local conditions and concerns.

2. Recognized University Obligations

The following is a list of recognized University obligations:

  • tuition fees
  • academic and other incidental fees
  • residence fees and other residence charges
  • library fines
  • Bookstore accounts
  • loans made by colleges, faculties or the University
  • Health Service accounts

3. Academic Sanctions

The following academic sanctions will be imposed on students who have outstanding recognized University obligations:

  • 3.1 Statements of results or official transcripts of record, or both, will not be issued.
  • 3.2 The University will not release either the official document (normally called diploma) which declares the degree, diploma or certificate earned nor provide oral confirmations or written certification of degree status to external enquirers.
     Indebted graduands will be allowed to walk on stage and have their names appear on the convocation program.
  • 3.3 Registration will be refused to a continuing or returning student.

4. Application of Academic Sanctions

  • 4.1 Academic sanctions are applicable to any student who has an outstanding obligation. Students shall be warned as early as possible of the consequences of not paying debts. This Policy or a summary of it shall appear in divisional calendars.
  • 4.2 Divisions shall state in their calendars which document(s) they will withhold in applying Sanction 3.1.
  • 4.3 Payments made by continuing or returning students shall be applied, first to outstanding University debts and second, to current fees.

5. Review Process

A list of debt levels by division will be sent annually to the University Registrar for information. Divisions whose students have comparatively high debt levels with respect to the total fee chargeable or who have a comparatively large number of students with outstanding debts will be approached on an individual basis to determine the causes of the higher than usual levels and to seek means of eliminating the causes.

Students who have outstanding financial obligations to the Faculty or the university may be subject to one or more of the following sanctions:

  1. Statements of results or official transcripts of record, or both, will not be issued.
  2. The University will not release either the official document (normally called the diploma) which declares the degree, nor provide oral confirmation or written certification of degree status to external enquirers. Indebted graduands will be allowed to walk on stage and have their names appear in the Convocation program.
  3. Registration will be refused to a continuing or returning student.
  4. Students with outstanding fees from a previous academic year cannot defer the current academic year tuition payment until all previous outstanding fees are paid in full.

In appropriate circumstances, students with financial obligations to the Faculty may be granted an extension for repayment and are encouraged to discuss their situation with the Assistant Dean, Students well before the repayment date.

Note: By way of exception to the above, students with outstanding debts may receive a Statement of Results and/or a transcript of grades following the release of first term grades in January. However, no final transcript will be released in June or subsequently until all debts have been paid. Returning students will not be permitted to register.