BENDIGO TAFE has described a "pricing anomaly" as the reason behind the almost doubling in course fees for students studying a Diploma of Community Services in 2015.
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Students in the course received a letter from TAFE, mailed on December 17, showing their fees had risen from $3800 in 2014 to just over $7100.
The reason for the increase was the doubling of the cost per student contact hour, which had increased from $2.50 to $5.
Four students contacted the Bendigo Advertiser with concerns over the increase.
Wayne Breeding said he was shocked when the letter came in the mail.
"Everyone was just so stressed about the price increase," he said.
"I was halfway through my placement from last year, so I couldn't just stop doing the course.
"It would have been a waste of a year."
Darlene Taylor also outlined her concerns, saying the fee increase would leave students with a large debt with a loan fee and interest added.
An explanation letter was sent out with the statement of fees, in which Bendigo TAFE said fees "have crept up over this time".
The letter cited the Federal Government opening up the vocational sector to a contestable environment as the reason for any fee increase.
Following the concerns from students, Bendigo TAFE investigated the situation and found an anomaly was behind the doubling in fees in the Diploma of Community Services Work.
In a statement, the institute said all affected students would be contacted in the coming weeks advising them the quoted price was incorrect.
"A pricing anomaly was brought to our attention on Wednesday of this week for students continuing the Diploma of Community Services Work in 2015," the statement read.
"We appreciate that students were proactive in contacting us about the price and we look forward to resolving the matter with them directly."
