Refund Policy

1. Refund Eligibility Periods

1.1 Full Refund Period (100%)

Students are eligible for a full refund (minus any processing fees) if they withdraw:

• Within 14 days of enrollment (cooling-off period)
• Before the course start date
• Due to course cancellation by FAT CHAPS UK LTD
• Due to failure to meet published enrollment requirements

Processing Time: 5-10 business days after approval.
Processing Fee: £50 administration fee may apply for refunds after 7 days of enrollment.

1.2 Partial Refund Period (Pro-Rated)

Students who withdraw during the first 25% of the program (approximately 3 weeks) are eligible for a partial refund calculated as follows:

Example: For a £3,500 course, if you withdraw after 1 week (77 days remaining out of 84 total):

Refund = (£3,500 - £500) × (77 ÷ 84) - £100 = £2,650

1.3 No Refund Period

No refunds are available for withdrawals after 25% of the program has been completed (approximately 3 weeks from start date). This policy ensures program viability and fairness to continuing students.

2. Special Circumstances

2.1 Medical or Family Emergency

Students facing serious medical issues or family emergencies may be eligible for:

• Deferral: Move enrollment to a future cohort (no additional fees)
• Extended Partial Refund: Pro-rated refund up to 50% of program completion
• Hardship Consideration: Case-by-case review for exceptional circumstances

Required Documentation: Medical certificate or other supporting documentation may be required.

2.2 Military Service

Students called to active military duty are eligible for full deferral or proportional refund regardless of program completion percentage, with proper military orders documentation.

2.3 Job Loss or Economic Hardship

Students experiencing unexpected job loss or economic hardship may be eligible for:

• Payment plan modifications
• Deferral to a future cohort
• Partial scholarship consideration
• Case-by-case refund review

3. Academic Dismissal Policy

3.1 Academic Performance

Students dismissed for poor academic performance (failing grades, non-attendance) are not eligible for refunds. However, they may be eligible for:

• Remedial support and second chance
• Transfer to a more suitable program
• Deferral with additional preparation time

3.2 Behavioral Issues

Students dismissed for violating the code of conduct, academic dishonesty, or disruptive behavior are not eligible for refunds.

4. Payment Method Specific Policies

4.1 Full Payment Students

Students who paid the full course fee upfront are eligible for refunds according to the standard schedule outlined above.

4.2 Installment Plan Students

Students on payment plans:

• Stop future payments immediately upon approved withdrawal
• Refund calculations based on total program fee, not amount paid to date
• May owe additional fees if withdrawal occurs after significant instruction has been received

4.3 Income Share Agreement (ISA) Students

Students with ISA contracts:

• No immediate refund due (ISA is contingent on future income)
• ISA obligations may be modified or cancelled based on withdrawal timing
• Separate ISA agreement terms apply

5. Refund Process

5.1 How to Request a Refund

1. Submit Written Request: Email [email protected] with "Refund Request" in the subject line
2. Include Required Information:
   • Full name and student ID
   • Course name and start date
   • Reason for withdrawal
   • Supporting documentation (if applicable)
3. Schedule Exit Interview: Brief conversation to ensure we've addressed any concerns
4. Return Course Materials: All physical and digital materials must be returned
5. Account Settlement: Clear any outstanding balances or equipment

5.2 Processing Timeline

• Review Period: 3-5 business days for request assessment
• Approval Notification: 2 business days after review completion
• Refund Processing: 5-10 business days to original payment method
• Total Timeline: 10-17 business days from request to refund

6. Alternative Options

6.1 Program Transfer

Students may transfer to a different program with:

• No additional fees if programs are same price
• Pay difference if transferring to higher-priced program
• Partial refund if transferring to lower-priced program

6.2 Cohort Deferral

Students may defer to a future cohort:

• Up to one year deferral with no additional fees
• Must provide 30 days notice before current cohort start
• Subject to availability in desired future cohort

6.3 Leave of Absence

Temporary leave (up to 90 days) may be granted for:

• Medical reasons
• Family emergencies
• Military obligations
• Other extraordinary circumstances

7. Employer-Sponsored Students

Students whose fees are paid by employers:

• Refunds are processed to the paying employer
• Student and employer must both consent to withdrawal
• Employer agreements may have different refund terms
• Corporate training contracts take precedence over standard policy

8. Dispute Resolution

If you disagree with a refund decision:

1. Internal Appeal: Request review by Academic Director
2. Written Appeal: Submit detailed written appeal within 30 days
3. Final Review: Senior management review within 14 days
4. External Options: Citizens Advice or relevant regulatory bodies

9. Contact Information

For refund requests or questions about this policy:

This policy is designed to balance student flexibility with program sustainability. We are committed to working with students facing genuine hardship while maintaining our ability to provide excellent education to all enrolled students.