Membership: The Alliance Française de La Nouvelle-Orléans (AFNO) is a not-for-profit membership organization, and enrollment in AFNO classes is for members only. The membership is valid for 12 months with these benefits: eligibility to register for classes, borrowing privileges for DVD/Book library, subscription to Culturethèque (e-Library), free admission to Ciné-Club, discounts on AFNO cultural events, and discounts at participating retailers. Membership fees are not refundable.
Registration: Registrations are accepted in the order received until the class is full. If a class does not meet the minimum enrollment of 5 students, the class may be canceled and a credit or refund issued. Alternative options, semi-private classes or shortened class duration, may apply.
Payment: Tuition and fees must be paid in full at registration. Checks, Visa, Mastercard, or cash are accepted. A $25 fee applies for bounced checks. If a student’s employer pays course fees, we require an authorization letter. If an employer fails to pay the cost of a student’s tuition fees and material, the student then becomes responsible.
Withdrawals & Tuition Refunds/Credits: The Alliance hires top-caliber teachers and establishes class schedules based on enrollments at the start of a session. Therefore our withdrawal and tuition refund/credit policy is restricted as below.
1. Notification: Class withdrawals must be made in writing to the Alliance office, and should specify the submitter’s request for: a refund (terms below), a course credit, or agreement to offer up potential refunds as a tax-deductible donation to AFNO, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
2. Refunds / Credits: Depending on the time of withdrawal, tuition may be refunded or credited for use toward a future class (valid for 6 months).
- For all classes: any cancellations made at least one business day prior to the first class are refunded or credited in full.
- For Regular/Accelerated Classes: If a student cancels after the first class but prior to the second, we offer a 90% credit or 70% refund. After the second class but prior to the third, we offer 80% credit or 50% refund. After the third class, no refunds will be issued; however a 50% credit can be issued for withdrawals made PRIOR to the mid-term of the session only. After the mid-term of the session, tuition will not be refunded or credited.
- For Thematic Classes (5 weeks): If a student cancels after the first class but prior to the second, we offer an 80% credit or 60% refund. After the second class, a 60% credit or 40% refund. After the third class, no refunds or credits will be issued.
- For workshops (including cooking classes): Full refunds or credits will only be issued for cancellations 2 days prior to the workshop.
Missed Classes: Students may make up class by attending an alternate class, after informing the AFNO Office, who will arrange with the teacher. **For those students who give notice of a missed class at the time of registration, and when there is no alternate class, one hour of complimentary private instruction will be provided, and arranged via the office staff. This hour will make up for up to 3 hours of missed class time. Beyond that, the private rate of $45 an hour will be charged and paid before instruction. Tuition credits or refunds will not be granted for missed classes, and the AFNO is not able to offer other alternatives. Of course, students may arrange private pre-paid classes with their teacher. Students are encouraged to contact their teachers via email to obtain missed work or assignments.
Private Lessons: A minimum of 6 lessons must be purchased at a time. Once purchased, private lessons must be used within a six-month period. For a cancellation or a change of appointment, notice must be received at least 24 hours in advance, or payment will be applied. Appointments may only be cancelled once.
Transfers: All transfers from one course to another or to private lessons must be done within the first two weeks of the session and must be approved by AFNO. Any additional tuition or fees resulting from a course transfer are payable at the time the change is made.
Format Transfers: A student may transfer from Group classes to Private tutoring, or vice versa. As Private tutoring is charged at a higher rate, students switching from Group classes tutoring must pay the difference in rate per hour (i.e. it is not an hour-for-hour match). For students switching from Private to Group classes, they may apply any pre-paid lessons toward the group rate and must be made prior to the second week of the Group class.
Course Cancellations & Changes:
AFNO reserves the right to cancel courses, adjust curriculum or change teachers at any time during the session.
Insufficient Enrollment: Typically, course cancellation is due to insufficient enrollment. If you are registered in a course that is cancelled, we will notify you, and give you the option to transfer to another course or to be credited or refunded. Shortened class duration is typically offered to students as a way to let students pursue their studies.
Substitutions: We may find it necessary to substitute an equally-qualified teacher for one that was scheduled to teach a class. Refunds are not allowed due to such adjustments. If, however, a suitable substitute cannot be put in place, students will be refunded the value of any remaining classes or an option for credit toward a future class.
Placement tests: Placement tests are required for all prospective students who have any background with French including, but not limited to:
- Previous instruction at an institution other than an Alliance Française
- Previous instruction at any other Alliance Française
- Previous instruction with the AF Nouvelle-Orléans if it’s been over a year since the student’s last class
BY REGISTERING FOR A CLASS, STUDENTS ACCEPT THE ABOVE POLICIES.
October 2014