Refund Policy

Introduction

At Abune Samuel School, we strive to provide clarity and transparency regarding all financial matters. This Refund Policy outlines the conditions under which refunds may be issued for tuition, fees, and other charges paid to the school.

This policy applies to all students enrolled at Abune Samuel School, including Kindergarten, Elementary, and High School levels. By enrolling a student at our school, you agree to the terms and conditions outlined in this Refund Policy.

General Policy

The following general principles apply to all refund requests:

• Written Notice Required: All refund requests must be submitted in writing to the Finance Office using the official withdrawal/refund request form.
• Effective Date: The effective date of withdrawal for refund calculation purposes is the date the written notice is received by the school.
• Processing Time: Approved refunds are typically processed within 30 days of approval.
• Refund Method: Refunds are issued using the original payment method whenever possible, or by check payable to the person who made the payment.
• Outstanding Balances: Any outstanding balances owed to the school will be deducted from the refund amount.

Tuition Refunds

Annual Tuition Refund Schedule

For students withdrawing from school, tuition refunds are calculated based on the date of withdrawal notification:

Visual Timeline

Fee Refunds

Different types of fees have different refund policies:

Withdrawal Timeline Examples

To help you understand how the refund policy works in practice, here are some examples:

Special Circumstances

In certain special circumstances, exceptions to the standard refund policy may be considered:

Refund Process

Step-by-Step Process

1. Submit Withdrawal Notice: Complete the Official Withdrawal/Refund Request Form available at the Finance Office or download from our website.
2. Documentation: Submit any required supporting documentation (if applicable for special circumstances).
3. Review: The Finance Office reviews the request and calculates the refund amount based on this policy.
4. Approval: Refunds above standard policy amounts require approval from the Refund Committee.
5. Processing: Approved refunds are processed within 30 days.
6. Notification: You will receive written confirmation of the refund amount and processing timeline.

Required Forms

• Student Withdrawal Form
• Refund Request Form
• Clearance Form (to be signed by library, cafeteria, etc.)
• Bank Details Form (for electronic transfers)

Non-Refundable Items

The following items and fees are non-refundable under any circumstances:

Late Payments and Penalties

Understanding how late payments affect refunds and financial standing:

• Late Payment Fee: A late fee of 200 ETB per month applies to payments received after the due date.
• Interest: Overdue balances may accrue interest at 1.5% per month.
• Withholding Services: Students with overdue balances may have services withheld (report cards, transcripts, exam access).
• Refund Offset: Any refund due will be offset against outstanding balances first.
• Collection: Unpaid balances may be referred to collection agencies, and the family will be responsible for collection costs.

Payment Plans

For families using payment plans, refunds are calculated as follows:

International Students

Additional considerations for international students:

• Visa Denial: If a student's visa is denied, tuition will be refunded 100% minus administrative fees (2,500 ETB) upon presentation of official visa denial notice.
• Currency Exchange: Refunds to international accounts will be processed in ETB and converted at the prevailing exchange rate; any exchange rate losses are borne by the payee.
• International Wire Fees: All international wire transfer fees will be deducted from the refund amount.
• Processing Time: International refunds may take 45-60 days due to banking regulations.

Force Majeure

In the event of circumstances beyond the school's control (natural disasters, pandemics, government closure, etc.), the following applies:

• School Closure: If the school is forced to close for an extended period, tuition will be credited or refunded on a pro-rated basis for the closure period.
• Transition to Online Learning: If the school transitions to online learning, no refunds will be issued as educational services continue to be provided.
• Partial Closure: For partial closures, refunds or credits may be provided at the discretion of the school board.

During the COVID-19 pandemic or similar situations, the school reserves the right to modify this policy as needed to respond to extraordinary circumstances.

Dispute Resolution

If you disagree with a refund decision:

1. Internal Review: Submit a written appeal to the Finance Office within 30 days of the refund decision.
2. Refund Committee: The Refund Committee will review the appeal and respond within 15 business days.
3. Mediation: If the dispute cannot be resolved internally, both parties agree to seek mediation through a mutually agreed mediator before pursuing legal action.
4. Governing Law: This policy is governed by the laws of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

Contact Us

For questions about this Refund Policy or to submit a refund request, please contact:

Forms are also available at the Finance Office during business hours.

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