Refund Policy

Last Updated: November 1, 2024

1. Our Commitment to You

At Canada Web Design Academy, we are confident in the quality and value of our courses. We want you to feel confident in your investment in your education. This Refund Policy outlines the conditions under which we provide refunds or credits for returned courses and services. We believe in transparency and fairness in all our refund practices.

Our goal is to ensure that you get the best educational experience possible. If a course does not meet your expectations, we provide a straightforward refund process. Please review this policy carefully to understand your refund rights and obligations.

2. General Refund Eligibility

2.1 Standard Refund Window

We offer a 14-day Money-Back Guarantee from the date of course enrollment. If you are not completely satisfied with your course within this period, you may request a full refund of your course tuition (excluding non-refundable items listed below).

To be eligible for a refund within the 14-day window, you must:

• Have completed less than 30% of the course content (measured by lessons, quizzes, and assignments)
• Have watched less than 50% of the course videos
• Have submitted fewer than 3 course assignments
• Have completed no more than 2 module quizzes
• Request the refund in writing through our official refund request form

2.2 Extended Refund Window (14-60 Days)

If you have completed 30-50% of the course content but still wish to withdraw, we offer a 50% refund of your course tuition. This extended window applies to requests made between day 15 and day 60 of enrollment. The same completion thresholds apply as the standard window.

2.3 No Refund After 60 Days

Refund requests submitted after 60 days from the date of enrollment are generally not eligible for refunds. However, we encourage you to contact our student support team to discuss your situation. In exceptional circumstances (course discontinuation, technical failures), we may offer course substitution or account credit instead of a refund.

3. Refundable vs. Non-Refundable Items

3.1 Fully Refundable Items

The following items are fully refundable within the applicable refund window:

• Standard course tuition fees
• Course bundle packages
• Extended access/lifetime access fees
• Subscription course fees (if cancelled within the refund window)

3.2 Non-Refundable Items

The following items cannot be refunded under any circumstances:

• Professional Certifications: Industry-recognized certification exam fees (CompTIA, Google, AWS, Cisco, etc.) are non-refundable after purchase as they represent third-party examination access
• Certification Exam Registrations: Once exam dates are scheduled, exam fees are forfeited if not taken
• Premium Materials: Advanced study guides, specialty templates, and exclusive code repositories purchased separately
• Practicum/Internship Programs: Structured real-world project programs and paid internship placements
• Career Coaching Services: One-on-one mentorship sessions and resume review services
• Job Placement Programs: Dedicated job placement and recruitment services
• Books and Physical Materials: Printed textbooks, physical course materials, and shipped items
• Promotional/Discounted Courses: Courses purchased at discounted rates (50% or more off) are non-refundable
• Transfer Credits: Fees for course credits transferred to other educational institutions

3.3 Taxes and Fees

Refunds include the course tuition only. HST, GST, provincial sales tax, and transaction fees are non-refundable where permitted by law. Payment processing fees (2-3%) charged by payment providers are not refunded.

4. Refund Process and Timeline

4.1 How to Request a Refund

To request a refund, follow these steps:

1. Access Your Account: Log into your Canada Web Design Academy account
2. Navigate to Billing: Go to Account Settings > Billing and Payments
3. Complete Refund Form: Click "Request Refund" and complete the refund request form, including:
   • Course name and enrollment date
   • Reason for refund request
   • Percentage of course content completed
   • Any additional comments or concerns
4. Submit Request: Submit the form electronically through the platform
5. Receive Confirmation: You will receive a confirmation email within 24 hours

Alternatively, you may email your refund request to [email protected] with the subject line "Refund Request - [Your Name] - [Course Name]" including the same information as above.

4.2 Refund Approval and Processing Timeline

We process refund requests in the following timeframe:

• 0-2 Business Days: We review your refund request and verify eligibility
• Day 3-5: If approved, we process the refund through your original payment method
• Day 5-10: Refund funds appear in your account (timeline depends on your financial institution and payment method)
• Day 10-14: If using credit card/debit card, refund may appear as a credit on your next billing statement

4.3 Refund Status Tracking

You can track your refund status at any time by:

• Logging into your account and checking "Refund Status" in Account Settings
• Checking the confirmation email for a refund tracking number
• Contacting our support team at [email protected] with your refund reference number

4.4 Original Payment Method

All refunds are processed to your original payment method. If you paid with a credit card, the refund appears as a credit to that card. If you paid with PayPal, the refund goes to your PayPal account. We cannot transfer refunds to different payment methods or bank accounts. If your original payment method is no longer active, please contact us for alternative refund arrangements.

5. Special Circumstances and Exceptions

5.1 Course Cancellation by Us

If Canada Web Design Academy cancels or discontinues a course, we will offer you one of the following options:

• Transfer to an equivalent or alternative course at no additional cost
• A full refund of your remaining tuition, regardless of completion percentage
• Extended access to course materials for continued self-study

We will provide at least 30 days notice of course discontinuation and allow you to choose your preferred option.

5.2 Course Modifications

If we make substantial changes to course content, format, schedule, or instructor, and these changes significantly diminish the value of the course for you, you may request a refund or course substitution within 14 days of the change notification.

5.3 Technical Issues and Service Failures

If you experience significant technical problems that prevent you from accessing course content for more than 7 consecutive days, and we cannot resolve the issues within a reasonable timeframe, you may be eligible for:

• A partial or full refund depending on the duration and severity of the issue
• Extended access period to compensate for the disruption
• Alternative course credits

Please report technical issues immediately to [email protected] with detailed information.

5.4 Instructor-Related Issues

If an instructor is unavailable or the course lacks adequate instructor support, and this significantly impacts your learning experience, you may request a refund or course transfer. You must notify us within 14 days of the issue.

5.5 Disability Accommodations

If you require course modifications due to a disability and we cannot provide reasonable accommodations, you are eligible for a full refund regardless of completion percentage. Please contact our accessibility team at [email protected].

5.6 Medical or Personal Hardship

We understand that life circumstances change. If you experience serious illness, injury, bereavement, or financial hardship preventing course continuation, please contact us to discuss your situation. We may offer:

• A full or partial refund
• Extended access (free or discounted)
• Course deferral to a future cohort
• Payment plan adjustment

Please provide documentation supporting your claim (medical certificate, bereavement notice, etc.) and explain your circumstances. Decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.

6. Refund Restrictions and Limitations

6.1 Bulk Purchases and Group Discounts

Courses purchased as bulk licenses or group training are subject to special refund terms outlined in your organization's agreement. Individual refunds may not be available for bulk purchases. Contact our corporate sales team for details.

6.2 Scholarship and Grant-Funded Courses

If your course was funded by a scholarship, grant, or third-party sponsor, refund eligibility may be restricted by sponsor policies. You may not be able to receive a cash refund if your course was fully or partially funded by a third party. Please check with your funding organization's refund policy.

6.3 Corporate Training Programs

Courses purchased by employers for employee training may have different refund terms. Please refer to your organization's training agreement or contact our corporate training team.

6.4 Repeated Enrollments

If you have previously taken and completed the same course, refund requests for re-enrollment may be denied as you have prior knowledge of course content. However, we may offer course credits for legitimate reasons.

6.5 Fraudulent or Prohibited Use

Refunds will not be issued if you have:

• Violated our Terms and Conditions
• Engaged in academic dishonesty or plagiarism
• Shared course access with unauthorized users
• Attempted to circumvent course access restrictions
• Engaged in harassment or misconduct

7. Account Credits and Alternatives to Refunds

7.1 Account Credit Option

Instead of a refund, you may choose to receive account credit for the course fee amount. Account credits:

• Can be applied to any future Canada Web Design Academy courses
• Do not expire
• Are non-transferable to other individuals
• Are subject to the same terms and conditions as the original purchase
• May provide you with greater flexibility than a cash refund

Account credits are often preferred for tax purposes and may be processed more quickly than refunds.

7.2 Course Exchange

If you are not satisfied with a course, we offer a one-time free course exchange within 30 days. You can switch to any other course of equal or lesser value at no additional cost. Premium upgrades would require additional payment.

7.3 Subscription Cancellation

For subscription-based courses, you can cancel your subscription at any time. Your access continues until the end of the current billing period. No refunds are provided for partial months unless required by law. You will not be charged for future billing periods after cancellation.

8. Dispute Resolution

8.1 Refund Denial Appeal

If your refund request is denied, you have the right to appeal. To appeal:

1. Email [email protected] with your refund request number
2. Explain why you believe the denial was incorrect
3. Provide any additional supporting documentation
4. Our Appeals Committee will review within 7 business days
5. You will receive a written decision with explanation

8.2 Chargeback Protection

If you request a refund and we deny it, please contact us before filing a chargeback with your payment provider. Initiating a chargeback without first pursuing our formal refund process violates our Terms and Conditions and may result in:

• Account suspension or termination
• Loss of access to all purchased courses
• Legal action for breach of contract
• Collection of chargeback fees (typically $15-25 USD)

8.3 Legal Disputes

Disputes regarding refunds are subject to our Terms and Conditions, including the governing law, jurisdiction, and dispute resolution procedures outlined therein. Any legal action must be filed within 1 year of the refund request date.

9. International Refunds and Currency

9.1 Currency Exchange

All refunds are processed in Canadian dollars (CAD). If you paid in another currency, the refund amount will be converted at the exchange rate applicable on the date of refund processing. Your payment provider may apply additional conversion fees.

9.2 International Payment Methods

Refunds to international payment methods (international credit cards, bank transfers) may incur additional fees charged by your financial institution. Canada Web Design Academy is not responsible for these fees.

9.3 Bank Transfer Refunds

For refunds via international bank transfer, please provide your complete banking information (account holder name, IBAN/SWIFT code, bank address). Processing may take 10-20 business days. Please note that international wire transfer fees may apply.

10. Frequently Asked Questions About Refunds

Q: How long does a refund take?

A: Refunds are processed within 5-10 business days after approval. The exact timeline depends on your payment method and financial institution. Credit card refunds may appear within 5 business days or on your next billing statement.

Q: Can I get a refund if I completed the entire course?

A: No, courses completed in their entirety are not eligible for refunds. However, if you have serious concerns about course quality, please contact us to discuss alternatives.

Q: What if I paid with a payment plan?

A: Refunds apply to the portion of the course tuition you have already paid. Future scheduled payments will be cancelled. You will receive a refund for your completed payments minus the non-refundable portion.

Q: Can I transfer my course to someone else instead of requesting a refund?

A: No, course access is non-transferable. Accounts are personal and courses must be used by the purchaser only. However, you may gift a course to someone by purchasing a new enrollment for them.

Q: Are certifications refundable?

A: Professional certification exam fees are non-refundable because they represent third-party examination access. However, the course tuition portion may be refundable within the standard refund window if course completion is under 30%.

Q: What if my course was bundled with other courses?

A: If you request a refund for one course within a bundle, the refund will be calculated as a pro-rata amount based on the individual course value, minus any bundle discount applied.

Q: Can I freeze my course and resume later instead of getting a refund?

A: Yes, we offer course deferral options. You can pause your course and resume up to 12 months later at no additional cost. Contact us to arrange a deferral.

11. Contact Information for Refund Requests and Questions

For all refund-related inquiries and requests, contact our Refund and Billing Department:

12. Policy Updates and Changes

Canada Web Design Academy reserves the right to modify this Refund Policy at any time. Changes will be effective immediately upon posting on our website. For ongoing enrollments, existing refund eligibility will not be negatively affected by policy changes for a minimum of 30 days from the change date.

We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed of any updates.

This Refund Policy is effective as of November 1, 2024, and was last updated on November 1, 2024. We are committed to fair and transparent refund practices. Your satisfaction with your educational investment is important to us.