Refund Policy

Policy

Lighthouse International School values transparency, fairness, and accountability in all financial matters. This Refund Policy ensures that all tuition and fee payments are managed consistently, in accordance with the school’s financial procedures and ethical standards.

The purpose of this policy is to:

• Outline the conditions under which tuition or fees may be refunded.
• Ensure parents and guardians clearly understand payment expectations and timelines.
• Maintain fairness and financial stability in line with school operations.
• Align with practices outlined on the Lighthouse International School Phuket website and with international education standards.

Procedures

1. General Principles – All tuition, registration, and other school fees must be paid according to the timelines stated on the school invoice or fee schedule.  A student’s place is confirmed only after full payment of the registration fee, annual fee and tuition fees (annually or termly) is paid. Refund requests must be made in writing to the school’s finance office and are subject to approval by the School Leadership Team.
   
2. Non-Refundable Fees – The following fees are non-refundable under all circumstances: Application fee, Registration Fees and other fixed one-off fees that are payable upon acceptance of an offer of admission.
   
3. Tuition Fee Refunds – If written notice of withdrawal is received at least 45 days before the start of term, then a full refund will be given that has been paid towards tuition. For example, if a withdrawal happens 45 days before the start of term 2, then a parent can get a refund for term 2. However, this does not include non-refundable fees, such as the annual or registration fee. For term 1, the period is 90 days. Once the term has begun, no tuition refunds are issued for that term. If the notice period is less than required, then no refunds will be granted. This includes cases of voluntary withdrawal, transfer to another school, or relocation. Exceptions may be considered in extraordinary circumstances (such as medical reasons or family emergencies) at the discretion of the Head of School.
   
4. Student Expulsion or Dismissal – In the case of expulsion or dismissal for behavioural or disciplinary reasons, no refund will be provided for any portion of fees paid.
   
5. Visa or Immigration Denial – If a student’s visa or entry permit to Thailand is denied before attending classes, tuition fees paid in advance (excluding the non-refundable registration and application fees) may be refunded in full, upon submission of official documentation from immigration authorities.
   
6. Refund Process – All refund requests must be submitted in writing to the Finance Office and include supporting documentation. Approved refunds will be processed within 30 business days from the date of approval. Refunds are made only to the original payer or account from which the funds were received. Refunds are issued in Thai Baht and may be subject to minor deductions for bank or transfer fees.
   
7. Mid-Year Enrolment – Students who enrol mid-term are required to pay tuition fees on a pro-rata basis, as determined by the Finance Office.
   
8. School Closure or Force Majeure – In the event of temporary school closure due to unforeseen circumstances (such as natural disasters, political unrest, or public health emergencies), tuition refunds will not be issued. The school will provide alternative learning arrangements, including online or blended delivery, to ensure educational continuity.
   
9. Communication and Transparency – All financial policies, including this Refund Policy, are available on the Lighthouse International School Phuket website and through the Admissions Office. Parents are encouraged to review the policy before completing registration and tuition payments.