THE MUSIC SCHOOL OF NIAGARA

TUITION AND FEE POLICY

An annual registration fee is charged to each student. This extends from the date of enrollment through June and covers the process of registering the student. If the student continues lessons through the summer, the yearly registration fee is waived. Registration fees are non-refundable. The registration fee and first tuition payment must be received before lessons may begin.

Payments for all lessons are MONTHLY, with payment due the first of each new month. Payment MUST be made by the first lesson of the month, or no lessons will occur thereafter. [In extenuating circumstances, a system of weekly payment may be implemented, at the discretion of the director]. Yearly tuition may also be paid in advance in one sum or in two installments (September and January).

Unpaid cancellations cannot be accepted on the day of the lesson. The teacher must be paid for the time that he/she is scheduled to be at the school.

Proper cancellation notice is considered to be at least one day prior to the scheduled lesson. With proper notice, the teacher may offer the student a makeup lesson, or the Music school will apply one tuition credit toward the next month’s lessons. If a teacher cancels without proper notice, the same courtesy will apply. This offer is limited to one lesson per month.   Failure to notify the school of cancellation, should it occur on the day of the lesson, will result in an additional charge of half one lesson’s amount the following month. Students requiring financial aid may be given special consideration as regards this policy, at the discretion of the director.

RETURNED CHECKS: A charge of $15.00 will be applied to a student’s account for any check returned from the bank.  Checks will not be redeposited, but must be replaced with good funds, including the $15.00 charge.

Refunds:  Refunds of tuition and/or the registration fee are available upon request per these guidelines:

Private Lessons: The registration fee and all tuition paid will be refunded if MSN cannot provide the student with a teacher and/or lesson time.  If a teacher leaves the School or takes leave of absence, the student’s account will be credited for any lessons missed while a replacement is being found. If a replacement teacher is not hired, the student will be given a refund. A student who discontinues lessons before the end of the year or does not return from leave of absence forfeits and credit balance unless a two-week advance notice is given. If notice is given, he or she will be given a refund for remaining regular lessons paid for.

Classes:  If MSN cancels a class for insufficient enrollment, the tuition for the remaining classes will be refunded.  No credits or refunds will be given for classes missed by the student. Classes cancelled because of the teacher’s absence or a snow day will be rescheduled. A student must enroll for the entire mini-course session. No credit or refund will be made to a student who wishes to withdraw before the end of the session.

Procedure for refunds: Payment of refunds will be made on the tenth of the month following the one in which the request was received. Any refunds not requested within the calendar year in which the credit balance arose will be written off at the end of December.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: Some financial assistance in the form of fee reduction scholarships is available to those who qualify. To be considered, applicants must complete a request form and provide proof of income – federal tax forms or other certified statement of income showing the total gross annual family income. There is generally up to a three-month waiting period before financial aid can begin. In addition to meeting financial criteria, the student must show sufficient progress in musical studies to warrant continuation of aid. Progress is  measured by quarterly evaluation by the student’s teacher and the director. Frequent absences may jeopardize the continuation of financial aid.

NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY: The Music School of Niagara admits students of any race, color, gender, national or ethnic origin, age and religious beliefs to all rights, privileges and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.  It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national or ethnic origin, age or religious belief in the administration of its policies, admissions policies, scholarship programs and other school-administered programs.

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