Refund & Cancellation Policy
Trust, Transparency, and Care
Elements of Life Institute is a faith-based nonprofit organization whose mission centers on transformation, healing, and community. We deeply value the trust you place in us when you register for our in-person events and online courses. This policy is designed to be transparent, fair, and financially sustainable โ enabling us to continue serving our community with excellence.
By completing a registration or purchase, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to the terms of this Refund & Cancellation Policy.
Non-Refundable Transaction Fee
All registration and course purchases are subject to a non-refundable 6% transaction fee, regardless of the reason for cancellation or refund request.
Why this fee exists: Payment processors charge the Institute a processing fee on every transaction โ charged at the time of purchase and not returned to us when a refund is issued. The 6% non-refundable amount reflects our actual cost and allows us to steward resources responsibly.
If you purchase a $200 course, the non-refundable transaction fee is $12.00 (6%). A full refund would return $188.00 to you. Partial refunds are calculated on the remaining refundable balance after this fee is deducted.
In-Person Events
In-person events require significant advance planning, venue commitments, catering, materials, and staffing. Our cancellation windows are structured to protect both participants and the Institute's ability to carry out these events well.
Cancellation by the Registrant
| Notice Given | Refund Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 30+ days before event | 100% minus 6% fee | Full refund of refundable balance |
| 15โ29 days before event | 50% minus 6% fee | Partial refund; credit option available |
| 8โ14 days before event | 25% minus 6% fee | Partial refund; credit option available |
| 7 days or fewer / No-show | No refund | Registration credit may apply (see below) |
Registration Credits
If you are unable to attend and do not qualify for a monetary refund, you may request a registration credit toward a future Elements of Life Institute event. Credits are subject to the following:
- Credit requests must be submitted at least 48 hours before the event start time.
- Credits are valid for 12 months from the date of issuance and are non-transferable.
- Credits may not be applied retroactively after an event has concluded.
- The 6% transaction fee is not included in the credit value.
Transfers
You may transfer your registration to another individual at no additional charge if the request is made at least 72 hours before the event. Transfers are not permitted within 72 hours of the event start time. Please contact us to initiate a transfer.
Event Cancellation or Rescheduling by the Institute
If the Institute cancels an in-person event for any reason, registered participants will receive a full refund of the registration fee including the 6% transaction fee, or the option to apply the full amount as a credit toward a future event.
If an event is rescheduled, participants will be notified promptly and given the option to retain their registration for the new date at no additional cost, transfer to another upcoming event, or request a full refund including the 6% transaction fee.
Force Majeure
In the event that an in-person event must be cancelled or modified due to circumstances beyond our control โ including transport failure, civil unrest, severe weather, natural disaster, government orders and/or actions, public health directives, or acts of God โ Elements of Life Institute reserves the right to issue registration credits in lieu of monetary refunds. We are committed to honoring those credits with grace and flexibility.
Online Courses
Our online courses are delivered through a digital platform and provide immediate access to course materials upon enrollment. Please review the following terms carefully before purchasing.
Standard Refund Window
A full refund (minus the 6% transaction fee) is available within 7 days of purchase, provided that less than 25% of the course content has been accessed. No refund will be issued after 7 days, or if more than 25% of the content has been accessed, whichever comes first.
Self-Paced Courses
Because self-paced course content is delivered immediately and in full upon enrollment, access to the course constitutes delivery of the service. We encourage you to review the course description and syllabus carefully before purchasing. Refund requests citing dissatisfaction with course content, personal schedule changes, or change of mind are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Live-Stream or Scheduled Online Courses
Online courses delivered in a scheduled, cohort, or live-stream format follow the same cancellation schedule as in-person events above, using the course start date as the reference point.
Technical Issues
If you experience a technical issue preventing access to an online course that is attributable to our platform, please contact us within 72 hours. We will work with you to resolve the issue, extend your access period, or issue a credit or refund at our discretion.
How to Request a Refund or Credit
All refund and credit requests must be submitted in writing. We do not accept verbal cancellations.
To Submit a Request
- Email [email protected] with the subject line: Refund/Cancellation Request โ [Your Name] โ [Event or Course Name]
- Include your full name, the date of purchase, your order or registration number (if available), and the reason for your request.
- Requests will be reviewed and responded to within 5 business days.
Processing Times
Approved refunds are returned to the original payment method within 7โ10 business days. Processing times may vary depending on your financial institution. Credits are issued via email confirmation within 3 business days of approval.
Quick Reference Summary
| Scenario | Monetary Refund | Credit Option |
|---|---|---|
| 30+ days before in-person event | Yes (minus 6%) | Yes |
| 15โ29 days before in-person event | 50% (minus 6%) | Yes |
| 8โ14 days before in-person event | 25% (minus 6%) | Yes |
| 7 days or fewer / No-show | No | Yes (if requested 48+ hrs prior) |
| Online course โ within 7 days, <25% viewed | Yes (minus 6%) | Yes |
| Online course โ after 7 days or >25% viewed | No | Case-by-case |
| Institute cancels event | Full refund incl. 6% fee | Full credit incl. 6% fee |
| Institute reschedules event | Full refund incl. 6% fee | Yes |
Hardship Exceptions
Elements of Life Institute is a faith community first. We recognize that unexpected life circumstances โ illness, bereavement, family emergency, or financial crisis โ can arise at any time. If you find yourself in such a situation, we encourage you to reach out to us directly.
Hardship exceptions are considered on a case-by-case basis and may include extended credit validity, partial refunds outside the standard window, or fee waivers. Supporting documentation may be requested. These exceptions are offered as an expression of our values and do not constitute a waiver of this policy.
Policy Questions & Refund Requests
For questions about this policy or to submit a refund request, please contact us using the information below. We aim to respond within 5 business days.