Terms and Conditions

Terms and Conditions Overview

By placing this enrollment request, you agree that you have read through and understand the Emerald Shield Academy (ESA) Terms and Conditions and Financial Policies outlined. You are entering a tuition contract.

By submitting the enrollment request you represent and warrant that you are authorized to sign for and bind the contracting party and agree to abide by and comply with these regulations as they apply to yourself and every student you are enrolling.

Registration is always non-refundable. Some courses do not require a registration fee.

If you received a discount on your tuition and if you withdraw, you will be responsible for the full value of the tuition without the discount.

Non-Discrimination Statement

Emerald Shield Academy and its affiliates do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, or disability in providing education or providing access to benefits of education services, tutoring, and programs, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

1. where students enrolling must display a clear understanding of the English language.
2. admits students regardless to race, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation or color.
3. retains the right to refuse enrollment or re-enrollment from any student whom the School Director believes will not benefit from or work well within the ESA educational system.
4. No reduction or refund of fees is given in the case of student non-performance, lack of course completion or being withdrawn from ESA
5. A student may withdraw from ESA upon written notification to the registrar. Incomplete coursework is not considered a cancellation of enrollment.

Proctor Registration Requirements for All Students Regardless of Age

What is a Proctor? A Proctor is a person who monitors students during an examination.

To ensure academic integrity, some courses may require, upon registration with Emerald Shield Academy, a proctor to be registered and used for each quiz or test for that course. However, the ESA staff recommends that each student pursue one or more qualified individuals to serve as a confirmed proctor (or monitor) during each test session. Proctors are not required for other activities including “Study” sessions. Students under the age of 18 must register at least one parent or guardian as a proctor. A proctor must then be declared prior to initiating any test session, if the course requires a proctor.

Proctors must be over the age of 18 years old.

You cannot be your own proctor.

Students who are taking classes while at their home school, will need to have a designated proctor on campus. Proctors can be a teacher, counselor or a person assigned by the School Director.

Having a proctor will ensure educational integrity while the student is taking the exam. Please thank your proctor for their support.

Dual Credit students will need a photo ID and Phone to record their exams. Your support team at the college will explain how they proctor exams.

We are being more descriptive in this policy to ensure everyone understands the importance of academic integrity. For more information related to Proctored exams, please read the Parent/Student Handbook.

Enrollment Policy

It is the student’s responsibility to keep up with all finished lessons and material and submit finished work. If not, you will be charged a replacement fee. Go online, email or mail into the office to Emerald Shield Academy’s address. Students are to communicate with the Registrar via email any changes in address, name, etc. prior to graduation.

Completed Classes

If you complete your courses before the end of the semester, you will still be responsible for the tuition as you have earned the credits. Finishing early does not allow you not pay your tuition.

Tuition and Fees

By accessing Emerald Shield Academy, you are agreeing to be bound by these Terms of Use, all applicable laws and regulations, and agree that you are responsible for compliance with any applicable federal, state, or local laws. If you do not agree with any of these terms, you are prohibited from using or accessing our systems. The materials contained in ESA are protected by applicable copyright and trademark law. By accessing the school systems, you are also agreeing that this course is non-refundable once you have logged in. Since this is a knowledge-based course and knowledge can not be unlearned, you are not eligible to receive a refund once you have logged in and accessed the training materials. Even if you only logged in ONCE. This policy is FIRM.

Tuition can be paid in full or by payment plan.

If you are requesting a payment plan, tuition payments are taken out 30 days from your enrollment date. Payment Plans are on automatic payment once you enroll. You do not need to pay online. If you pay online you will be subject to the 2.9% +.30 per transaction fee.

You may cancel the auto pay at any time. You will be responsible to make the tuition payments.

Tuition Due 30 days from the day of enrollment

Tuition is due at time of enrollment. Payments are made in two forms.

1) Full tuition or

2) Monthly payment plan

If you are selecting option 2, monthly payments are required unless an extension has been granted. Nonpayment of tuition will result in online services stopped. When you enroll you are automatically signed up for an automatic payment plan if your tuition is not paid in full.

Refund Policy

By accessing Emerald Shield Academy courses you are agreeing to be bound by the Terms of Use, all applicable laws and regulations, and agree that you are responsible for compliance with any applicable federal, state, or local laws. If you do not agree with any of these terms, you are prohibited from using or accessing this site. The materials contained in this School are protected by applicable copyright and trademark law. By accessing this school you are also agreeing that courses are non-refundable once you have logged in. Courses are knowledge-based and knowledge can not be unlearned, you are not eligible to receive a refund once you have logged in and accessed the training materials. Even if you only logged in ONCE. This policy is FIRM.

Concerning Delinquent Accounts

Any student whose account is delinquent will not receive any classes or coursework until the account has been brought current. No records will be given to students or sent to colleges until the account is paid in full. We will not provide verification of enrollment if tuition is due and the student has been withdrawn for nonpayment. Students who are behind will receive two emails, one reminder and a final notice. If we have not heard from the student (or parent), then the student will be sent to a collections agency. You will be responsible for any attorney’s fees and collections fees.

If you are falling behind in your payments, it is best to contact our Finance Department by sending an email to finance@emeraldshield.org.

Dropping a Course

Students may drop a course(s) without academic penalty within 5 days of enrollment at ESA if the course(s) has not been accessed or started. If the course is dropped within 5 days, it will not appear on the student’s Official transcript. If the student accesses the course(s) and begins, the student may still drop the course(s) however an academic Withdrawal mark or “W” will appear on the students Official Transcript. If the student fails the course past the withdrawal period, the failing grade will be assigned and displayed on the Students Official Transcript

No refunds given when dropping a course more than five (5) days after the date of enrollment.

Late Fee $30 each time.

You are responsible for paying your invoice on time. If you are mailing a payment, you must have it in the office by your due date or it’s late.

If you are two months late and have not made arrangements, you will be administratively withdrawn from school for nonpayment and sent to our third-party collection’s agency. Collections charges a fee up to 50% based on tuition and fees owed.

You will still be responsible and all tuition and fees.

Please take care when you enroll to make sure you are clicking the appropriate link. Once you click it shows you the payment amount prior to putting in your charge card. If you pay in full you will not be refunded and have the payment plan option. You have two to three times to check prior to putting in your charge card.

Disputes

If you make an over-payment or an extra payment was taken out, please contact Financial Department and your payment will be returned. If you make a formal dispute with your bank, you may be charged $15.00 to resolve the dispute.

finance@emeraldshield.org

Any dispute or claim relating in any way relating to Emerald Shield Academy regarding our policies, procedures, classes, advisement, educations services or services from Emerald Shield Academy or any third-party will be solved by binding and confidential arbitration, rather than in court.

Withdraw and Refund Policy

A student may withdraw from Emerald Shield Academy upon written notification to our Registrar, before receiving any coursework. Incomplete coursework is not considered a cancellation of enrollment and your fees are still due. There are no refunds after a student starts coursework.

You have 5 days from the day you receive your username and password to request to cancel enrollment if you have not started your classes. After 5 days, no refunds will be given.

Your financial obligation to Emerald Shield Academy is for the full tuition. ESA cannot cancel your unpaid obligations if you withdraw or if your student (or an adult student) is forced to withdraw.

Please be advised that a parent or student can cause ESA to administratively withdraw a student for their actions. We required that when one interacts with staff, teachers, and administrators, to treat each person with respect. Any issue can be resolved in a mutually respected environment.

Our goal is to always help students attend school, but it may arise that a student needs to move to another school. If we feel a student will be best served at another school, we will notify the student and withdraw them.

Returned Check and Declined Credit Card Policy

We accept money orders, cashier’s checks, credit or debit cards. Any returned checks or declined credit cards will receive a $30 fee. This means you are late on your tuition payment.

Students or parents are responsible for any late fees that are accessed.

Cancellations:

You may cancel your enrollment at any time; however, there are no refunds for cancellation. The tuition is billed on a monthly or annual basis and is non-refundable. There will be no refunds or credits for partial months of service, or refunds for months unused with an open account. In order to treat everyone equally, no exceptions will be made. If you did not withdraw within the five days and have an open account, you will be responsible for your tuition.

Collections:

Texas Emerald Shield Academy uses attorneys and/or outside collections agencies to collect on ALL past due balances. The collection agency charges up to a 50% fee of the total balance owed by the student and the student will be responsible for the collection agency’s fee.

After two months of non-payment, you will be placed on a list for collection. Any fees required to collect on any outstanding balance will be added to your balance. If you received a discount or fees waived, those fees will be added back to your tuition, because you were not a student in good standing.

You will need to pay off your tuition within one year from the time of collections to return and finish your classes. If you do not, you will need to reapply and pay tuition again.

Standard of Conduct Policy

Emerald Shield Academy students will agree to conform to the standards of conduct. Emerald Shield Academy reserves the right to expel, administratively withdraw or terminate any student based on the action of the student or parent(s) without notice or refund in accordance with the policy posted on the site and/or handbook.

Termination of admission for any reason does not allow for any refund, not even prorated.

Code of Conduct

STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT

We at Emerald Shield Academy hold ourselves to a high standard of professional conduct.

We established this code of conduct to be transparent regarding our expectations for our teams, parents, and students who are a part of the ESA family.

We required that when one interacts with staff, teachers, students, and administrators, to treat each person with respect. Any issue will be resolved in a mutually respected environment.

Please be advised that we take our Code of Conduct seriously. Before you violate the code.

1. Stop

2. Take a Deep Breathe

3. Calm Down (Know that we are here to help you)

4. Reach out to the your course instructor.

5. If it has not been resolve-Stop, take a deep breath, calm down

6. Reach out to the School Director’s Office for assistance

7. admin@emeraldshield.org

8. 1-956-368-8067

Student Expectations

1. Treat everyone with respect. We respect everyone, which includes students in your classes, parents in online meetings, faculty, teachers, academy teams.

2. Students are expected to abide by the academic integrity guidelines.

3. Students should not create a false relationship with Emerald Shield Academy.

4. Students are responsible for reading all policies, including the terms and conditions, enrollment forms, emails, texts, teacher notes, and updates provided from Emerald Shield Academy. Many updates including school closings or holidays are found on our Events page. https://emeraldshield.org/events/

5. Emerald Shield Academy is your school. You should never lie or threaten the school, school personnel, or staff on any social media platforms online or offline, known or unknown. Students should never write false claims against Emerald Shield Academy in any public or private forum.

CONSEQUENCES

Consequences depend on the severity of the action and can include the following:

• Apology

  • Written

• Expulsion

  • Two weeks

  • One month

• Academic withdraw

  • One semester

• Administratively withdrawn- Full Expulsion

  • Permanently

• Legal

Release of Information Policy

Information pertaining to a student will be released only to persons the student has agreed upon releasing information to based on the registration form information or a signed third-party form.

Terms and Conditions are periodically updated and you are responsible for reviewing the Terms and Conditions and abide by any changes.

How to Delete Your Account

Please send an email to admin@emeraldshield.org and allow 5 business days for the request to be processed. Some records may be maintained in accordance with applicable federal, state or local laws.