Application Fee: The Institute ensures that all monies paid by a prospective Adult Learner, including the application fee, are refunded if:

• the Adult Learner is not accepted;
• the Adult Learner requests a refund within three (3) business days after signing a contract;
• No cotract is signed and prior to classes beginning, the Adult Learner requests a refund withing three (3) business days after making a payment;
• In all other situations, the Application Fee is non-refundable.

Program Tuition: The criteria used to calculate a refund is based on the date of receiving a written request for withdrawal from an enrolled Adult Learner. There is no administrative or withdrawal fee. Depending on the status of the Adult Learner's payment plan, tuition due might be based on date of the withdrawal. The Institute ensures that refunds are based on tuition paid for the Academic Phase as described by the Institute in the enrollment agreement, signed by the Adult Learner and a representative of the Institute:

• Refunds are determined based on the proration of tuition and percentage of program completed at withdrawal, up until the Adult Learner has completed 50% of the program. This percentage is based on the number of hours of the academic program to the date of withdrawal, divided by the total number of hours required by the program.
• Refunds are made in full to the adult learners withing forty-five (45) days of the date of receipt of an official withdrawal letter.

The Institute requires a minimum enrollment of five (5) Adult Learners to hold any of our courses. In the event there is not sufficient enrollment to offer the course. If the course is not offered, a full refund of application and tuition payments will be made. Refunds are processed no later than 45 days after the published date of the start of the course.

In the case of extenuating circumstances, the Institute may offer the adult learner up to three years to finish the Practicum Phase after completing the Academic Phase. The adult learner is expected to complete all requirements for certification within 2 years from the date of beginning the Academic Phase. An additional fee of $500 will be assessed for each year beyond the original 2 year period under extenuating circumstances.

Grievance Process: Complaints or disputes between the Adult Learner and the Institute (or any faculty member at the Institute) will be resolved as indicated in this Section 5.

• (a) An Adult Learner may file a grievance complaint (a “Complaint”) with the Institute’s Arbitration Committee. The Arbitration Committee will be formed by the Institute and will include the Institute’s Director, one faculty member and one adult learner. If the Complaint alleges wrongdoing on the part of a member of the Arbitration Committee that member will be replaced for purposes of that Complaint. If the grievance involves the Institute’s Director, the individual may direct his/her concern to the President of the Institute’s Board of Directors. Counsel for the Institute may attend meetings of the Arbitration Committee and may assist the Arbitration Committee in an advisory capacity. The Arbitration Committee can be reached at 404 869 6526 or via email at grievance@montessoriteachered.com.
• (b) The Complaint must be in writing and must (i) state that the Adult Learner first discussed the subject matter of the Complaint with the person or persons involved in an attempt to reach an agreeable solution, (ii) state with particularity the wrongdoing alleged and how that wrongdoing damaged or harmed the Adult Learner, and (iii) identify any relevant documents or witnesses that provide evidence regarding the subject matter of the Complaint. .
• (c) Adult Learners may not file a Complaint regarding (i) the calculation, payment or non-payment of fees due under a Fee Agreement between Adult Learner and the Institute, or (ii) any claim for a refund of fees paid under a Fee Agreement between Adult Learner and the Institute. Adult Learners may file a Complaint with respect to (i) a claim of wrongdoing on the part of a faculty or staff member of the Institute, or (ii) a claim that the Institute’s requirements pertaining to Adult Learner’s practicum failed to meet applicable American Montessori Society (“AMS”) requirements. .
• (d) The Arbitration Committee may undertake any investigation it deems appropriate regarding the allegations in the Complaint and may conduct one or more hearings involving the Adult Learner, any persons named in the Complaint and any Institute faculty, staff or Adult Learners who may have relevant evidence regarding the allegations in the Complaint. The Arbitration Committee may hold one or more informal meetings with the Adult Learner and any other relevant persons in an attempt to reach an outcome agreeable to the Adult Learner and the Institute. If the Arbitration Committee does not reach an outcome that is agreeable to the Adult Learner, the Arbitration Committee may issue such ruling as it determines is just and reasonable in accordance with this Agreement (in such instance, a “Ruling”). .
• (e) The Arbitration Committee will conduct itself in accordance with applicable AMS and MACTE requirements and the Arbitration Committee may not reach a conclusion that violates such requirements. .
• (f) If Adult Learner believes he or she still has a legitimate grievance after all the above procedures have been exhausted Adult Learner may bring his or her grievance before the AMS Office of Teacher Education (116 East 16th Street, New York, NY 10003, (212) 358-1250, Fax (212) 358-1256) and then to MACTE Commission, 108 Second Street SW, Suite 7, Charlottesville, VA 22902, Phone: (434) 202-7793, Fax (888) 525-8838. The decision of MACTE shall be considered binding on all parties. .
• (g) The Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC) and the Institute share a common goal of providing quality educational programming. If problems arise, the Adult Learner should make every attempt to achieve a fair and reasonable solution via the Institute’ complaint procedure outlined in this Section 5. If a fair and reasonable resolution cannot be reached through these processes, the Adult Learner may file a complaint with GNPEC under the following circumstances: .

• Adult Learner made a full attempt to achieve a fair and reasonable solution via the Institute’s published complaint procedures, but said resolution could not be reached;

• Adult Learner’s complaint is being filed within one year of the incident triggering the Complaint;

• Adult Learner understands that if he or she does not respond within 30 days to any requests for information or signatures from the GNPEC Standards Administrator, the complaint will be closed;

• Adult Learner acknowledges that he or she has read and understood the documents that can be found on GNPEC’s website (http://gnpec.org): 1) Authorized School Complaint Procedure and 2) Authorized School Complaint Procedure Law;

If an Adult Learner files a complaint on the “Authorized School Complaint Form” (found on GNPEC’s website) with GNPEC, GNPEC will refer the matter to the appropriate Standards Administrator and thereafter:

• GNPEC will provide the Adult Learner a confirmation email within 2 business days of GNPEC’s receipt of the complaint;

• The Standards Administrator will review the complaint within 2 business days after receipt;

• The Standards Administrator will contact the complainant within 3 business days of after receipt of the complaint;

• The Standards Administrator will endeavor to resolve the complaint in a timely manner and will provide the Adult Learner with updates periodically;

• The Standard Administrator will render a decision in accordance with GNPEC standards;

• The Adult Learner may withdraw the complaint at any time in which event the GNPEC will cease its consideration of the matter.

If the complaint cannot be resolved by the Standards Administrator, either the Adult Learner or the Institute may submit written request for a hearing with the Executive Director of GNPEC within 10 business days after receipt of the Standards Administrator’s decision. In such event either (a) the Executive Director will issue an order finding that there were no violations of GNPEC’s rules and regulations, or (b) the Executive Director will issue an order requiring the Institute to cease and desist from violations of GNPEC’s rules and regulations or (c) that the Adult Learner is entitled to full or partial restitution, or (d) that any penalty provided for in O.C.G.A. 20-3-250.21 will be imposed on the Institute.

The Executive Director may refer the request for a hearing to the Office of State Administrative Hearings (OSAH) for the issuance of a decision.

If unsatisfied with the decision of either the Executive Director or OSAH, any party may appeal to the full Commission within 10 business days of the decision.

Any party aggrieved of the final decision of the Commission may appeal to the Superior Court pursuant to O.C.G.A 20-3-250.16.

• State of Georgia NONPUBLIC POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION COMMISSION

  2082 EAST EXCHANGE PLACE

  SUITE 220

  TUCKER, GEORGIA 30084-5305

  Office: (770) 414-3300

  Fax: (770) 414-3309 (FAX)

  http://gnpec.org

The Institute will maintain and operate in compliance with Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission’s minimum standards, the posting (in a conspicuous place) a notice for filing a complaint with the GNPEC for any alleged violation.

Miscellaneous: This Application will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia. The parties hereby agree to the personal jurisdiction of the Georgia State and federal courts sitting in the County of Fulton, State of Georgia.

Grievances that the Institute’s Board will consider against the Institute’s administration or faculty, include but are not limited to:

• Incomplete or seriously deficient preparation by an instructor;

• The Institute’s failure to meet AMS requirements during the adult learner’s Practicum Phase;

• The Institute’s failure to meet financial obligations to anyone due these obligations.