Calculate your refund rights under California Education Code, FTC rules, and state consumer protection laws
📊 This calculator helps parents and students determine their legal entitlement to tuition refunds when withdrawing from online K-12 schools. The methodology applies California-specific regulations plus nationwide federal consumer protection principles.
🔹 The core calculation is simple: you're entitled to a refund for the portion of education services you didn't receive. If you paid $12,000 for a full year (180 instructional days) and withdraw after 60 days, you've only used 33% of the services, so you're entitled to 67% of your tuition back ($8,000).
🔹 The calculator determines: (1) total program duration in days, (2) days completed before withdrawal, (3) percentage of program remaining, and (4) pro-rata refund amount based on that percentage.
🔹 California Education Code Section 94920 limits the penalty schools can charge when students withdraw. For withdrawal before starting classes, schools can retain no more than the lesser of $250 or 5% of total tuition.
🔹 After starting classes, schools must calculate refunds based on the pro-rata method, with administrative fees typically capped at $250. I've built these caps into the calculator to ensure your refund estimate reflects legal minimums.
🔹 California Business & Professions Code §17601-17606 provides a 7-day cooling-off period for certain consumer contracts, including educational services. During this period, you can cancel without penalty regardless of any "non-refundable" language in the contract.
🔹 Many other states have similar protections ranging from 3 to 10 days. The calculator factors in your withdrawal timing relative to the cooling-off period to determine if you qualify for a full refund.
✅ Keep copies of your enrollment agreement, all payment receipts, any written communications about withdrawal, and the date you requested to withdraw. Schools sometimes claim you didn't follow proper withdrawal procedures - documentation protects you.
⚠️ While this calculator provides accurate estimates based on applicable law, individual circumstances vary. For disputes involving significant amounts, consult with an attorney familiar with education law in your state.
The most common scenario is withdrawing partway through an academic term because the program isn't meeting your child's educational needs. Perhaps the curriculum quality doesn't match what was promised, the teacher-to-student ratio is different than advertised, or your child simply isn't thriving in the online format. In all these cases, you're entitled to a pro-rata refund for the unused portion.
If your family is relocating and the online school doesn't serve your new state, or you've found a better educational option, use this calculator to determine your refund entitlement. Schools cannot force you to complete a program that no longer serves your needs.
If the school materially breaches its enrollment agreement - for example, by failing to provide promised live instruction hours, not delivering curriculum materials, or eliminating programs your child was enrolled in - you may be entitled to a full or partial refund. Use the calculator as a starting point, but material breach may entitle you to more than the pro-rata amount.
If you're within 7 days of signing the enrollment agreement (or your state's specific cooling-off period), you're entitled to a full refund regardless of what the contract says. Act quickly - once this window closes, your rights become more limited.
Withdrawing before the first day of instruction triggers the most favorable refund rules. Under California law, schools can retain no more than $250 or 5% of tuition (whichever is less) for pre-start cancellations. If you've paid $15,000 and cancel before starting, you should receive at least $14,250 back.
If a school refuses a legitimate refund request, use this calculator to document what you're owed, then file a chargeback with your credit card company. Credit card disputes have strict timelines (usually 60-120 days from the charge), so act promptly if the school stonewalls.
The pro-rata refund principle is foundational to education consumer protection law: students should only pay for educational services actually received. If you pay for 180 days of instruction but only receive 90 days, you've paid for services you didn't get - and you're entitled to that money back. This principle appears in California Education Code, FTC regulations, and most state consumer protection laws.
This statute governs private postsecondary institutions but establishes principles that courts apply more broadly to K-12 online schools. Key provisions include: maximum $250 administrative fee for cancellations before instruction begins, pro-rata refund requirements for withdrawal after instruction begins, and prohibition on retaining tuition for instruction not delivered.
The Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act (ROSCA) regulates negative-option and automatic renewal billing. If your online school automatically renewed your enrollment without clear disclosure and affirmative consent, you may be entitled to a full refund of the auto-renewed period. California's Auto-Renewal Law (Bus. & Prof. Code §17600-17606) provides even stronger protections.
Every state has consumer protection laws prohibiting unfair and deceptive practices. Schools that advertise one set of services and deliver another, or that use misleading refund policies, may violate these laws. Violations can result in refunds plus additional damages, attorney fees, and penalties.
Many enrollment agreements contain "non-refundable" language or extremely restrictive refund policies. However, contract terms that violate consumer protection laws are unenforceable. Just because an agreement says "all fees are non-refundable" doesn't mean that's legally true. The calculator applies legal minimums regardless of what your specific contract states.
Cooling-off periods vary by state but typically range from 3-10 days after signing an enrollment agreement. During this period, you can cancel for any reason with a full refund. California provides 7 days for most service contracts. Check your specific state's laws, as some provide longer periods for educational services.
If a school substantially fails to perform its obligations under the enrollment agreement - for example, by eliminating promised programs, drastically reducing instruction hours, or failing to provide required credentials - you may have grounds for contract rescission and a full refund. Material breach claims can exceed normal pro-rata calculations.
Many parents see "non-refundable" in an enrollment agreement and assume they have no recourse. This is the biggest mistake. Contract terms cannot override consumer protection laws. Schools cannot legally retain tuition for services not rendered, regardless of what the agreement says. Always calculate your legal minimum refund, not what the school claims.
The 7-day cooling-off period (in California and many states) provides an absolute right to cancel with full refund. Many parents don't learn about problems with an online school until a few weeks in. If you have concerns within the first week, strongly consider exercising this right - you can always re-enroll later if the issues are resolved.
Verbal withdrawal requests are hard to prove and easy for schools to dispute. Always send withdrawal notices via email (for the timestamp) AND certified mail (for legal proof). Include: your child's name and student ID, the date you're requesting withdrawal, and a clear statement that you expect a pro-rata refund.
Credit card chargebacks typically must be filed within 60-120 days of the charge. If you wait months to dispute a charge, you may lose this important remedy. File disputes promptly while also pursuing direct refund requests with the school.
If you're withdrawing because the school failed to deliver promised services, document everything: save screenshots of advertised services versus what was delivered, keep emails showing problems, note dates and details of specific failures. This documentation strengthens both refund requests and potential consumer protection claims.
Many online schools use auto-renewal billing. If you're withdrawing, ensure you also cancel automatic payments to avoid being charged for the next term. If you were already auto-charged without proper notice, that charge may be fully refundable under ROSCA and state auto-renewal laws.
If a school refuses a legitimate refund of $1,000-10,000, small claims court is often the best remedy. Filing fees are typically $30-100, you don't need a lawyer, and courts are generally sympathetic to education consumers. The threat of small claims often motivates schools to settle.
Send a professional refund request letter citing specific legal bases: California Education Code §94920, FTC regulations, and your state's consumer protection laws. Include your pro-rata calculation. A well-documented legal request often succeeds where informal complaints fail. I provide a template letter with this calculator.
If the school refuses your refund request, immediately file a chargeback with your credit card company. Provide: your refund calculation, copies of your written refund request and the school's response, any documentation of services not received, and applicable law citations. Chargebacks shift the burden to the school to justify keeping your money.
File complaints with: your state's Attorney General consumer protection division, the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint, your state's education licensing agency, and the Better Business Bureau. Regulatory complaints create a paper trail and sometimes prompt schools to resolve disputes to avoid investigation.
For amounts under your state's small claims limit ($10,000-$25,000 depending on state), small claims court is an efficient remedy. Many schools will settle once served with small claims papers rather than spend staff time appearing in court. The filing itself demonstrates you're serious about your rights.
If a school is systematically denying legitimate refunds, connecting with other affected families strengthens everyone's position. Online parent groups for specific schools often reveal patterns of problematic refund practices. Group complaints to regulators carry more weight.
Review your enrollment agreement for specific promises the school made: instruction hours, student-teacher ratios, specific courses or programs, credentials of instructors, etc. If the school failed to deliver on specific promises, cite these breaches in your refund request. Material breach can entitle you to more than the standard pro-rata refund.
If you were auto-renewed without proper disclosure and affirmative consent, you may be entitled to a full refund of the entire auto-renewed period. California's Auto-Renewal Law and federal ROSCA provide strong protections. Document exactly what disclosures you received (or didn't receive) at enrollment.
🧮 Use my COPPA Compliance Checker to evaluate whether the school is properly protecting your child's data privacy. My Auto-Renewal Compliance Checker helps identify if auto-renewal charges violated state or federal law.
Key California statutes governing online school refunds include: Education Code §94920 (refund calculations for private institutions), Business & Professions Code §17601-17606 (auto-renewal and cooling-off requirements), and Civil Code §1750 (Consumer Legal Remedies Act prohibiting unfair practices).
File complaints at: California Attorney General for CA-based schools, FTC for federal consumer protection violations, and your state's consumer protection office for interstate disputes.
Access my Education & Student Services demand letter templates for formal refund requests. These templates cite applicable law and provide a professional framework that gets results.
If you need to escalate to small claims court, I recommend your state court's self-help resources. California's Judicial Branch Small Claims page provides forms, filing instructions, and guidance for representing yourself.
While this calculator and these resources provide general guidance, every situation is unique. I offer consultations on education consumer disputes, enrollment agreement review, and refund negotiations for California clients. For out-of-state matters, I can provide general guidance on consumer protection principles.
❓ Comprehensive answers to common questions about online school tuition refunds and withdrawal rights.
Under California Education Code Section 94920, private postsecondary schools cannot retain more than the lesser of $250 or 5% of tuition if you withdraw before starting classes. After starting, schools must provide pro-rata refunds for the portion of the program not completed, minus reasonable administrative fees typically capped at $250. Many states have similar protections, and the FTC prohibits retaining payment for services not rendered as an unfair practice.
Yes, you're entitled to a pro-rata refund for the unused portion of your tuition. If you paid for a full year ($12,000) and withdraw halfway through, you're entitled to at least $6,000 back minus any reasonable administrative fees. Schools cannot keep tuition for services not rendered - this violates both California law and FTC regulations. The key is acting promptly and documenting your withdrawal in writing.
Under California Business & Professions Code Section 17601-17606 and similar state laws, you have the right to cancel an enrollment agreement within 7 days (or your state's specified period) without any penalty. This applies regardless of what the contract says about refunds. Schools must provide clear written notice of this right in the enrollment agreement. If they didn't, your cooling-off period may be extended.
Calculate your pro-rata refund by: (1) determining the percentage of the program remaining (days remaining ÷ total program days), (2) multiplying total tuition by that percentage, and (3) subtracting any permitted fees (typically capped at $250 or 5% of tuition, whichever is less). Use the calculator above for an automatic calculation that applies legal minimums.
Separate registration and materials fees may be non-refundable if: (1) they were clearly disclosed as non-refundable before payment, (2) they represent actual costs incurred by the school, and (3) the amounts are reasonable. However, schools cannot use inflated "fees" to circumvent refund requirements. If registration fees seem excessive relative to actual administrative costs, they may be challengeable.
If a school refuses a legitimate refund, you can: (1) file a complaint with your state's Attorney General consumer protection division, (2) report to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint, (3) file a complaint with your state's education licensing agency, (4) dispute the charges with your credit card company (if paid by card), and (5) consider small claims court for amounts under your state's limit. Often, a formal demand letter citing applicable law resolves the matter.
Credit card chargebacks typically must be filed within 60-120 days of the charge, depending on your card issuer. Attorney General complaints generally have no strict deadline but are stronger when filed promptly. Statute of limitations for lawsuits varies by state but is typically 2-4 years for contract claims and consumer protection violations. Don't delay - the sooner you act, the stronger your position.
Yes, the FTC regulates online schools under multiple laws including ROSCA (Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act) for auto-renewal billing, the FTC Act prohibition on unfair and deceptive practices, and truth-in-advertising rules. Schools that retain tuition for services not rendered or use deceptive refund policies may face FTC enforcement actions. File complaints at ftc.gov/complaint.
If a school automatically renewed your enrollment without clear disclosure and your affirmative consent, you may be entitled to a full refund of the entire auto-renewed period. California's Auto-Renewal Law (Bus. & Prof. Code §17600-17606) and federal ROSCA require: clear disclosure of auto-renewal terms, your affirmative consent, and easy cancellation procedures. Violations can result in full refunds plus penalties.
If the school closes or eliminates the program your child was enrolled in, you're entitled to a full refund of unused tuition at minimum. You may also have claims for breach of contract and reliance damages (costs incurred in reliance on the school's representations). Document everything and act quickly if you learn of a school closing - assets may be limited.
Generally, academic failure doesn't entitle you to a refund - the school provided the educational services, and academic outcomes vary. However, if the school promised specific outcomes (like graduation guarantees) or if expulsion was improper (due process violations, discrimination), you may have grounds for a refund claim. Review your enrollment agreement carefully for any performance guarantees or outcome promises.
Need help with a tuition refund dispute, enrollment agreement review, or consumer protection claim against an online school? I offer consultations for California clients on education consumer law matters.