Fee Policy

1. Music Aficionada is committed to a fair and transparent policy in respect of the fees it expects students and parents to pay as well as a duty to safeguard public funds and ensure that it delivers value for money.

2. This policy provides clear expectations of a student’s financial obligations to the ‘Us’ following enrolment on to a programme of study. It also details the process with regards to refunds and compensation should a programme of study be cancelled or the student chooses to withdraw.

3. MA has a ‘fixed-fees’ policy for tuition fees meaning that the fee that is charged when a student commences their programme of study at enrolment will remain at that level whilst on that programme of study.

4. The ‘fixed-fees’ policy will not apply if a student interrupts or repeats a year of study.

5. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are able to pay for your course prior to enrolment.

6. Enrolment will not be permitted unless any prior session debt outstanding has been paid in full or an installment plan has been agreed by the Team.

7. This policy has been developed in line with the MA’s statutory responsibilities.

8. The Tuition Fees Policy is accompanied by a set of annexes which do not form part of the policy but provide detailed explanations of the way MA will manage the application of this policy. This policy and its annexes are reviewed annually and students will be asked to agree to the terms of this policy as part of the enrolment process at the start of each assessment term of study.

9. Details of any changes made to this policy will be made available to accessible students, future students and on the MA website.

10. Students will be required to pay the fees and charges applicable to their programme of study and fee charging pattern. Fee levels are determined based on fee status and approach for each period of enrolment and the fee regime in force when a student begins a course of study.

11. Tuition fees for all courses are published in advance and can be found on the Music Aficionada website. The offered courses are divided into two types mainly

(i) Graded Courses which are further divided into each levels as per the different curriculum patterns and

(ii) The Short Courses means the short term courses. These courses differ from a month to more than a year duration as per the students chosen programme.

12. Students retain primary liability for the payment of tuition fees, including where sponsorship agreements have been approved. Music Aficionada will always seek to recover fees directly from students in cases where payment from other approved sources is not forthcoming.

13. Music Aficionada reserves the right to take appropriate action against students who fail to pay their fees or make satisfactory arrangements to pay by the end of a deposit period.

14. Students are responsible for ensuring that all appropriate fees, fines and other charges, including any element of fees payable by sponsors, are paid in accordance with the requirements set out in this policy. In accepting the offer of registration, the student accepts a contractual liability to pay the Tuition fee for the duration of their course in accordance with these requirements.

15. Music Aficionada will remind students of fees, fines and other charges due through the student contact. However, these are reminders only and students are contractually responsible for paying fees, fines and other charges on time. The admin department’s primary method of communication will be through the student’s email address or phonically. Students are responsible to monitor their emails or phones and failure to check the emails or phone messages is not an acceptable reason for late or non–payment of fees or charges due.

16. The contact details available on the students’ record, will be utilised to contact the students commonly. Students are obliged to make sure personal contact details are kept up to date so as to ensure they receive all important communication regarding fees and debts.

17. Students who have not paid their tuition fees by the due dates will be subject to sanctions and debt management procedures which form part of this policy. Progression through a programme of study may be affected if this financial obligation is not fulfilled.

18. Music Aficionada reserves the right to prevent students from participating in classes, seminars, workshops or any other ceremonies and to withhold certificates, transcripts and references in the event of non-payment of tuition fees. In the event of any conflict between this policy and other documents or publications containing reference to fees, this policy shall have precedence.

Section 1: Fee deposit and Annual Fee Level Increases

• Admission Fees and Tuition Fees are charged for all students acquiring Graded Course; and only Tuition Fees for Short Courses at MA.
• Admission fee of Rs.500 under 18 years and Rs.1000 for 18 years and above students are charged for graded courses only. The entire admission fee is to be deposited in advance with the enrolled tuition fee. No refund of admission fee is available. Every applicant should be completely definite prior to conformity to any courses at MA and after analyzing it with awareness.
• The short courses contains only the tuition fee charged exclusively at the time of registration.
• The due dates and late payment of fees for graded courses students are as follows:

1. Due Date – Within 10th of the month
2. Late Fee Charges – Rs. 50 per day from 11th of the month
3. The above dates for payment of fees should be strictly complied with.

• Any student joining before 15th of a particular month has to pay for the full term (month/ quarter /half yearly/ yearly) tuition fee as opted. Anybody joining after 15th will be paying half of the current month following with the term fees. If consideration is made for quarterly then half of the current month and rest two more months full. Similar aspects to be followed for half and whole yearly payment structure must be followed.
• Graded Courses Students in quarter/ half yearly/ yearly basis of payment mode should deposit their tuition fees two weeks prior to their quarter/ half year. Those paying the entire fees in the commencement of the assessment year or period or session will automatically be informed prior to the next level and will reflect on accordingly.
• Please go through ” GUIDELINES PERTAINING TOWARDS THE ONSITE/ ONLLINE CLASSES.” For Graded Course Students those who miss to deposit their fees repeatedly, do not inform prior to the late payments or purposely do not pay their fees under such circumstances they will be shifted to quarterly payment structure.
• Frequently late payment of fees will effect on removal of the student’s name from the rolls. Once the student’s name is removed it will be followed by the same procedure as re-registration as mentioned in “ GUIDELINES PERTAINING TOWARDS THE ONSITE / ONLINE CLASSES.”
• MA reserves the right to correct administrative errors and to recover any associated shortfall in fees but will consider exceptional mitigating circumstances on a case-by- case basis to determine a payment plan if deemed appropriate.
• The fee levels for current and the forthcoming academic years are available in advance to help students to plan their finances.
• In most cases, standard Fee levels for each session are set during the previous assessment year.
• Course fee levels may be subject to change during the academic year for those courses that operate multiple start dates throughout an academic year. Any changes to course fee levels will be communicated directly to affected individuals and will be advertised in the Table of Fees. Students who withdraw, interrupt or change programme will be advised by Student Services of any applicable adjustment to their fee.
• Tuition Fees are paid in each term and level basis (assessment session) for which students are registered and may rise each year. Tuition fees may not stay the same as the year in which students start unless specified.

Section 2: Fee Status

2.1 Tuition fees are charged according to a student’s fee status. These are currently: Online Live / Online Recorded Resources and Offline. Online and Practical course tuition fees for international students are dependent on length of study and may differ from the country tuition fees.

2.2 The tuition fee charged depends on a student’s nationality, evaluation and place of class slots prior to registration at MA.

2.3 Where applicable, MA follows regulations to assess the appropriate fee status for each student. The same regulations are applied at all but each is expected to make its own assessment, which may not be influenced by the sole decision of institution.

2.4 Assessments of fee status are carried out on an individual basis and are based on the individual circumstances of each applicant. Assessments cannot be carried out until

an application for admission has been processed.

2.5 An applicant who requires their fee status to be reconsidered should contact the Admissions team immediately as a fee status is not normally amended after an offer is made. A potential student with an offer who disputes their fee status will normally receive an acknowledgement within the mentioned working days. MA aims to make a final decision within the mentioned working days but reserves the right to extend this period where the tuition fee assessment is complex. A student with an undermined tuition fee status may not be allowed to commence study or, if permission is granted, may be allowed on a temporary registration status.

 

2.6 MA reserves the right to review any offer of admission and the award of any financial aid if a fee status changes. Once registered as a student, a fee status may be reclassified only in exceptional circumstances  Any change in fee status will not normally commence until the first day of a subsequent after evaluation is accomplished or consuming the estimated duration for the particular level essentially needed.

2.7 If a student starts a new programme, the fee status will be re-assessed. Further information on Fee Assessment can be found on the MA website.

Section 3: Tuition Fees Payable

3.1 All students registered at MA will be liable for Tuition fees for the full music educational period for each year. Tuition fees are chargeable for the music educational period required by the course, with the annual amount charged for each music educational year of the course unless otherwise stated. Students are responsible for ensuring that tuition fees are paid on time as deemed by MA for monthly, quarterly, half yearly or yearly.

3.2 Music Aficionada’s Music Education Programmes

3.2(i) Regulated graded & short courses fees are subject to inflation-based increases (as set out by MA).

3.2(ii) Unregulated tuition fees (overseas graded and short courses) will be reviewed and may be revised periodically.

3.2(iii) Fees for the offline or online Graded Courses by MA are listed at https://www.musicaficionada.com/graded fees/, and offline or online (both live with teacher and recorded edition) short course fees are available on the relevant course page of the MA website.

3.2(iv) Applicants enrolling through the website for the graded courses may not be required to pay a registration fee to complete their enrolment. Applicants enrolling directly at the institution for the graded courses may be required to pay a registration fee to complete their enrolment. The registration fee amounts can be found on the relevant course page. Where applicable, registration fees may be discounted, dependant on course, from the overall course price. Information on applicable courses can be found in the Table of Fees: https://www. musicaficionada.com/registration fees/

3.3 Short course tuition fees will be determined by the course choices made within the application to study. Charges will accrue progressively (if applicable) through the course as additional modules are undertaken. Students are required to pay for courses and are required to settle fees due prior to, or at the point of, each course sign up/registration.

Section 4: Tuition Fee Due Dates and Instalment Options

4.1 Tuition fees are payable for the full assessment term, though students may be given the opportunity to pay in instalments. Failure to meet obligations may result in any pre-agreed instalment plan being withdrawn (in which case the full outstanding amount would fall due immediately).

4.2 A student 18yr and above or parent of a minor is personally responsible for the payment of entire tuition fees and related charges in accordance with notified due dates.

4.3 MA aims to provide students with effective, flexible and consistent payment options. The payment terms and methods are in compliance with the available mediums and are regularly reviewed for compliance with applicable best practice.

4.4 MA is required to comply with anti money laundering act in india. In accordance with the “Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002”, MA reserves the right to refuse or reject any financial transaction where the payment origin cannot be identified or traced and will aim to ensure all financial transactions and returns are issued to the original source, where possible using the original payment method.

4.5 Any student attempting to make payment in a manner believed to be fraudulent will be referred for a breach of the Conditions of Registration. Any such incident or suspected incident may also be reported to the appropriate authorities.

4.6 Requests for custom-made payment plans must be submitted to the assistance Department. Determination will be based on the individual’s financial standing with MA, including any previous financial reputation, the nature of the debt, the size of the debt, and the student’s proposed level of study. This consideration will be only on the graded courses or any custom made trainings.

4.7 Late tuition fee payments without prior agreement and information will incur a Rs 50 late payment charge per day, which will accrue termly until the outstanding fees are cleared or an agreement to pay is agreed with the finances division.

Section 5: Debt Management Procedures

5.1 Tuition fees on may be paid in full (or where agreed by instalment of half yearly, quarterly or monthly) on dates according to the fee status of the student. Students who have been granted the facility to pay by instalments must ensure that they meet the financial obligations on the dates agreed with the MA. The installment facility is only available in graded courses.

5.2 Once a student debt becomes overdue for payment, the respective department will follow the procedures listed below, a means to recover the debt in a consistent, fair and effective way.

5.3 In the first instance the ‘We’ will attempt to contact the student debtor using all appropriate means of available communication, based on the contact details provided by the student to MA. A log of attempted communications will be kept on the student’s record together with any responses and relevant correspondence received.

5.4 The correspondence will notify the student of the amount outstanding and the due date. The student will be asked to make immediate payment or to contact the respective department. If there is genuine difficulty in making payment, MA will endeavour to support the student to the fullest extent and within their limits of authority.

5.5 Where a student encounters financial difficulty, the student must contact the respective department at the earliest opportunity, and in any event before an instalment becomes overdue. Students who do not make contact prior to an instalment date may be liable for a late payment charge of Rs. 50 INR per day basis.

5.5(i) The MA Support Department will assist the student in settling the debt in compliance with the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. Students will not be entitled to progress to the next music academic year of study if any Tuition fee debt remains outstanding at assessment year end. Students must provide evidence of their financial circumstances verifying that they can meet all of their obligations (including any payment arrangement made), or that the situation causing the hardship will change to enable full payment within a reasonable timeframe.

5.5(ii) The MA Support Department will endeavour to assist the student in management of the debt where practicable, however, if a student fails to engage or make contact the MA may apply sanctions. If a student fails to make contact to arrange an agreement within 7 days of the commencement of a term, the withdrawal process may be started without further notice.

5.6 Support for Non-Payment of Tuition Fees and Debt Recovery Actions MA encourages students who find themselves in financial difficulties (or have their funding delayed) to contact the MA to discuss a payment plan or to discuss alternative sources of funding. Students are advised to regularly check information, advice and support available on the MA’s website. Students who fail to make timely payment of an instalment within an agreed payment plan for Tuition fee debts will be subject to debt recovery action approved by MA.

5.6(i) Where a student fails to pay an instalment by the due date, MA may apply any one or more of the sanctions:

• Students with a Tuition fee debt which is more than one term overdue will not have their marks presented to or considered by any Assessment Board (and, as a consequence, such “Overdue debtors” will not be permitted to progress, re-enrol, accommodate, attend a commencement ceremony, or receive any results, certificate, diploma, or official transcript in relation to the programme of study to which the debt relates).
• At the date of re-enrolment for the next level or grade or supplementary short course, any student with an outstanding Tuition fee debt originating from a previous session will normally have their registration with MA terminated. If at any point during the legal debt collection process the student settles the debt in full inclusive of all legal and collection fees, MA will remove all sanctions and restrictions imposed on the student’s account.
• Students with a Tuition fee debt which prevents progression to the subsequent session year (or prevents commencing from the programme of study) may have their debts assigned to a debt collection agency / advocate for legal action (which may lead to a County Court judgment).

5.6(ii) If a student settles their debt in full (inclusive of all legal and collection fees) at  any point during the legal debt recovery process, MA will remove all sanctions and restrictions imposed on the student’s account.

Section 6: Withdrawal Norms

6.1 Students wishing to permanently withdraw from a course after commencement must provide at least a month notice before (otherwise the student will be liable for the course fees for a minimum quarter fees). No refund will be made except at the absolute discretion of MA.

6.2 Where students postpone their course or term, the original start date of that course or term will be used to consider their liability period.

6.3 The cost of any resources and srvices provided to the student as part of the course will be taken into consideration when calculating any refund that may be due.

6.4 If a student is accepted or enrols onto (and pays a minimum registration fee for) a course which starts during the Cooling Off period, the student will be liable for payment for part of the course that has been provided until the cancellation date. The amount will be in proportion to the part of the course that has been provided.

6.5 If the withdrawal date is beyond the Cooling Off period and fewer than 15 days before the course is due to start, then the student is liable for the first month fees for their course (or the full course fees if the course duration is one month).

6.6 Where students postpone their course or term, the original start date of that course or term will be used to consider their liability period.

6.7 There are graded programmes available with an option to pay in full upon enrolment at a heavily discounted rate. After purchasing one of these courses with this payment option, you will have the standard 7 day cooling off period should you wish to cancel your purchase and request a full refund. Following this period the registration fee will become non-refundable. After this point, the full course fee is non-refundable.

Section 7: Re-Registration Norms

7.1 Music Aficionada always give equal opportunity for all spectrums of students. There are situations where students hold a break in learning in case of Graded Courses and again wishes to continue for a genuine reason. You are allowed to do so on certain obligations.

7.2 Please check our ” GUIDELINES PERTAINING TO OUR CLASSES” regarding the  Re-registration process for better understanding.

7.3 You must be also aware of “Guidelines for course level completion and post consecutive fees regulations” before re-registration.

7.4 You have to guarantee that you will be adhering to all the other regulations set by MA.

7.5 Re-registration charges are as follows:

• Age 4 to 17 years – Rs. 1000
• Age 18 years and above – Rs. 2000

7.6 The student will be put up to minimum Quarter Tuition Fees basis from then onwards. This will be as per the students’ previous records.

7.7 All the payments are to be deposited in advance.

7.8 Before filling up the form for re-registration and depositing the amount, check for the available slots and co-ordinate with the respective teacher.

7.9 The same mentor is not always available while re-registering. This should be in your knowledge prior taking up the decision.