When crafting a refund and cancellation policy for your school, we encourage you to address the following points:
- Clear Timeframes: Specify the time limits within which a refund can be requested before the start of the course. For online classes, define the time limit after enrollment within which students can cancel.
- Conditions for Eligibility: Clearly outline under what circumstances refunds are allowed. For example, are refunds provided for course cancellations, dissatisfaction, or non-attendance?
- Percentage of Refund: Detail whether you offer full refunds or only partial refunds, and if the latter, what percentage of the course fee is refundable. This may vary based on the timing of the cancellation.
- Process for Requesting a Refund: Include step-by-step instructions on how to request a refund, whom to contact, and what information the student needs to provide.
- Non-refundable Fees: Clearly identify any non-refundable fees, such as registration fees, materials costs, or administrative fees.
- Course Cancellations by the School: Explain your policy if the school needs to cancel a course, including how you will notify students and what compensation or refund they will receive.
- Transfer Policy: If students can transfer their enrollment to a different course or session, provide details on how they can do so and any associated fees.
- Access to Online Materials: Clarify how long students have access to online materials, and if access is revoked upon cancellation, explain the terms.
- Confirmation of Cancellation: Describe how you will confirm cancellations and refunds with the student (e.g., via email).
- Exceptions: Note any exceptional circumstances where your standard policy might not apply and what the alternate policy would be.
- Legal and Regulatory Compliance: Ensure that your policy is in compliance with state Department of Education regulations, as well as consumer protection regulations.
- Policy Changes: State how policy changes will be communicated to students, and whether they apply retroactively to students already enrolled.
- Contact Information: Provide contact details for students to get in touch if they have questions or require further clarification about the policy.
It may also be wise to consult with a legal professional to ensure that your policy complies with all applicable laws and regulations.