Step In Education – Fee and Refund Policy

This policy outlines the financial responsibilities of students enrolling in courses at Step In Education. It also details the procedures and entitlements related to fee payments, cancellations, withdrawals, and refunds. By enrolling, students agree to comply with these terms.

Scope

This policy applies to all students who have accepted an offer and/or completed enrolment in any course offered by Step In Education, including on-campus, blended, and distance learning programmes.

Financial Responsibility

  1. Students are expected to ensure they have adequate financial arrangements in place to cover tuition fees prior to enrolment.
  2. Enrolment is contingent upon full payment of fees or an approved payment plan.
  3. Acceptance of an offer constitutes agreement to these financial terms.

Right to Cancel

In accordance with the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013:

  1. Students have a 14-day cooling-off period from the date of accepting an offer to cancel in writing and receive a full refund of any fees paid.
  2. Cancellations must be formally communicated via the College’s withdrawal process to be valid.

Tuition Fees

  1. Full-time students are charged the full annual fee.
  2. Part-time, repeat, or modular enrolments are charged proportionally based on credit value of the modules.
  3. Tuition fees include the first attempt at assessments; re-sits incur additional charges.
  4. Any course changes (e.g., module swaps, mode of study) may result in fee adjustments and require a revised payment plan.

Communication

  1. Step In Education may contact students regarding financial matters via phone, email, or SMS.
  2. Official communications will be sent from info@stepineducation.com.
  3. Students are responsible for regularly checking their designated email accounts for updates.

Change of Circumstances

Students must promptly notify the institution of:

  1. Changes to contact details.
  2. Changes in study mode (full-time/part-time).
  3. Withdrawal from the course. Unofficial withdrawal may result in full fee liability.

Non-Payment and Debt Recovery

Missed payments may trigger internal debt recovery procedures. Step In Education reserves the right to:

  1. Restrict access to academic services and facilities.
  2. Withhold course materials, progression, certificates, and graduation.
  3. Refer unpaid debts to external collection agencies, potentially impacting credit ratings and incurring legal costs.
  4. Offers may be withdrawn or enrolment cancelled if fees are not paid as required.

Refunds

  1. Refunds are processed in accordance with the College’s refund procedures within 6-8 weeks
  2. Failure to follow the correct withdrawal and refund processes may affect eligibility for a refund.
  3. Refunds will be processed into the same account from which the payment was received, unless the student requests an alternative account in writing in the event of unforeseen circumstances.

 

Registration Fee

A registration fee of £300 (or such other amount as may be expressly agreed with the Consultant) shall be payable. Where this fee has not been paid separately in advance, it shall be deducted from the total fee.

Withdrawals and Refunds

This applies to all students who have accepted an offer or enrolled in a course at Step In Education. Refunds, where approved, will only be issued using the original payment method and to the originating account, in compliance with the Money Laundering Regulations 2017 unless the student requests an alternative account in writing. Students must provide verifiable evidence of important details before requesting refunds can be processed. Incomplete or inaccurate documentation will delay or halt the refund process.

Withdrawal Notification

  1. Students must formally notify Step In Education of their intention to withdraw by submitting a completed withdrawal form.
  2. The official withdrawal date is the date the completed form is received and approved by Step In Education.
  3. Delays in submitting the withdrawal form may impact refund eligibility. Any disputes regarding withdrawal dates must be raised promptly.

Financial Implications of Withdrawal

  1. Upon withdrawal, any outstanding tuition fees remain payable and may be pursued through internal or external debt recovery processes.
  2. Legal action may be taken to recover unpaid fees, and associated legal costs may be added to the student’s debt. This may affect the student’s credit rating.
  3. Any credit balance on the student’s account will first be used to offset outstanding debts before a refund is processed.

Complete Withdrawal and Cancellation Rights

Right to Cancel

Under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013, students have the right to cancel their place within 14 calendar days of completing registration or from the official course start date, whichever is later. This is known as the Cancellation Period. Following shall be considered:

  1. Cancellations within this period must be submitted using the official cancellation form and will result in a full refund of any fees or deposits paid.
  2. Cancellations after this period may incur a charge proportional to the course fee.

Post-Cancellation Period Withdrawals

  1. Students who withdraw after the Cancellation Period and do not intend to return to their course must complete the withdrawal form to be eligible for any refund.
  2. Retrospective withdrawals are not permitted. Students must notify Step In Education at the time they intend to leave the course.

Refund Calculations for Complete Withdrawals

  1. Refunds are calculated only after the withdrawal process is completed and the withdrawal date is officially recorded.
  2. Refunds will only be issued to the original payer.
  3. A refund request must be submitted using the official refund form, along with all required documentation.

International On-Campus Students

Visa Refusals

International students who paid a deposit for a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) letter may be eligible for a refund if their Student Visa application is refused. Documentary evidence of the refusal is required.

Currency and Transfer Conditions

  1. Refunds will be issued in the requested currency, but Step In Education is not liable for any currency conversion losses.
  2. Students are responsible for ensuring the accuracy of international bank details.
  3. All refunds will be returned to the original payment method and account, with no exceptions, in line with anti-money laundering regulations.

Non-Refundable Circumstances

A full refund will not be granted in the following cases unless exceptional mitigating circumstances apply (subject to documentary evidence and Step In Education’s discretion):

  1. Visa refusal due to fraudulent or misleading documentation.
  2. Provision of incomplete or inaccurate information during the admissions process.

Withdrawal and Visa Sponsorship

For international students sponsored under a Student Visa, no refund will be processed until Step In Education receives evidence that the student has either returned to their home country or obtained new immigration status in the UK. Supporting documentation is required.

Source of Funds Verification

  1. Students must ensure that all fees and tuition payments come from legitimate sources
  2. The college strictly prohibits payments made using funds derived from money laundering, black money, fraudulent activities, or illegal financial sources.
  3. The college reserves the right to request proof of the source of funds and take necessary action if any suspicious transactions are identified.
  4. If admission is conducted through an appointed recruitment consultant, the consultant may verify the source of funds used for tuition payment.

Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Responsibilities

students must comply with the following:

  1. All tuition and fee payments must originate fromlegitimate, verifiable sources.
  2. Step In Education reserves the right to requestproof of source of funds at any time.
  3. Payments fromanonymous, third-party, or unregulated sources may be rejected.
  4. Use ofcryptocurrencies or large cash deposits may trigger enhanced due diligence.
  5. Students must cooperate with investigations into suspicious financial activity.
  6. Any attempt toconceal or falsify financial information may result in suspension, cancellation, or legal action.
  7. Refunds will only be processed onceAML checks are satisfied, and to the original payment account.
  8. Recruitment consultants may be required to verify the source of funds on behalf of Step In Education.
  9. Non-compliance may result inreporting to the National Crime Agency (NCA) and other enforcement bodies.