Policies

Below are the Policies for the 2025/2026 school year.  Updated May 25th  

Absence Policy: Please check your calendar carefully before committing to class enrollment.  In the event that your child is absent (for any reason: travel, dentist appointment, sickness etc.) no refund of tuition will be issued.  There are no make-up classes for any classes missed. 

Classes Canceled by the Center Of Creativity: In the event that a class day is canceled by Etta Mae or Aubrey, you will receive a full refund for the canceled day. 

How to Withdraw from a Camp or Workshop:  We kindly ask that you review your schedule carefully before enrolling, as our camps and workshops often fill quickly and maintain waitlists. If your plans change and you need to withdraw, please notify us at least 7 days before the camp start date to receive a voucher credit.

Camp Withdrawal Process:
Camp tuition is paid in two parts:

• A tuition deposit (due upon enrollment)

• A tuition balance (due on the first day of camp)

All tuition payments — including both the deposit and the balance — are non-refundable. However, we do offer voucher credits for Camp Tuition Deposits already paid. Vouchers are valid for one year and can be applied toward any camp, program, or workshop with available space. They are also transferable to family and friends. 

How to Redeem a Voucher for a Camp Tuition Deposit:
To redeem your voucher, please send an official cancellation request by email to Etta Mae at least 7 days before the camp’s start date and time.  Cancellation requests made after the 7-day window will not be eligible for voucher credit.

How to Withdraw from a 9-Month Homeschool Program: I understand that circumstances can change unexpectedly. While programs are planned with care and resources are committed in advance, I will always do my best to consider the needs of the families I serve. If you are experiencing financial hardship, please reach out; I’m open to discussing possible options and seeing if we can find a workable solution together.  Should you need to withdraw from a program, please follow the process outlined below:

Note: Program registration fees are non-refundable, non-transferable, and not considered part of program tuition.

To initiate a withdrawal, please submit your request in writing via email to: yellowsolarseed@gmail.com.  Email is the required method for all withdrawal communications.

Withdraw: 9-Month Payment Plan

Notice Requirement:

Please provide at least 3 weeks (21 days) notice before your intended withdrawal date. This allows me time to adjust plans and offer your space to another family.

• If notice is given 21 days or more in advance, no withdrawal fee will be charged.
  
  

• To avoid being charged for the upcoming month, it’s important to notify me before the end of the current month and before your next monthly payment is made, as no refunds will be issued for monthly tuition payments once received.

Withdrawal Fee:
If notice is given less than 21 days before the intended withdrawal date, a $150 withdrawal fee will be charged to help cover reserved time and resources.

Remaining Tuition Balance:
You are responsible for the tuition covering all classes your child was enrolled in up to the withdrawal date. Since tuition is evenly divided over the 9-month plan, you may still owe a remaining balance at the time of withdrawal.

Withdraw: 12-Month Payment Plan

Withdrawals Before the Program Start Date:
If you withdraw before the program begins, you will receive a full refund of all tuition paid, and no withdrawal fee will be charged. Please note: because summer tuition payments are made in advance (before the program starts), issuing refunds may create a hardship for the business and for my family.  Because of this, refunds may take several months to process. 

Withdrawals After the Program Start Date:
Please provide at least 3 weeks (21 days) notice prior to your intended withdrawal date.

• If notice is given 21 days or more in advance, no withdrawal fee will be charged.
  
  

• To avoid being charged for the upcoming month, please notify me before the end of the current month and before your next tuition payment is made, as no refunds will be issued for monthly tuition payments received after that point.

Withdrawal Fee:
If notice is given less than 21 days in advance, a $150 withdrawal fee will be charged.

Remaining Tuition Balance & Refunds:
You are responsible for tuition covering all classes your child was enrolled in up to the point of withdrawal. Since tuition is divided evenly over 12 months, you may still owe a remaining balance at the time of withdrawal.  If an overpayment has occurred due to summer tuition payments (June, July, August), a refund will be issued for the excess amount (please note: refunds may take several months to process).  

Lump Sum Tuition Option for our Homeschool Programs:  Families entering their second year in our homeschool programs are eligible to request the option of paying their tuition in a single lump sum payment.

Each year, we offer only three slots for Lump Sum Payment opportunities to our school community. To secure the Lump Sum Payment option for your family, payment must be completed during the summer months—either June, July, or August.  Additionally, families who pay Lump Sum by cash, receive a $100 tuition discount. Please note: if a student withdraws early, any refund issued will void the lump sum discount.

The Lump Sum Payment Option is best suited for families who are confident their child will remain enrolled for the duration of the school year.  Because this payment is made in advance, issuing refunds or reversing enrollment (although possible) creates a significant hardship for the business and for my family. If a withdrawal does occur, please be aware that the refund may take several months to process. To learn more about the withdrawal process, see “How to Withdraw from a 9-Month Homeschool Program”  listed above.  

Family Discounts: We warmly welcome families with multiple children in our programs.

• The first enrolled child pays full tuition

• The second enrolled child receives a 15% discount

• Any additional children enrolled receive a 20% discount

Financial Aid for Children:  When setting program fees, we strive to honor the value of our time, materials, and the depth we pour into each gathering, while keeping affordability in mind.

This being said, we would not want money to be the limiting factor in a child’s opportunity to experience an artful education.  

Prior to applying for financial aid, we kindly ask that you explore both extended family resources and possible outside funding opportunities such as grants.

If tuition is still a barrier for your family, we invite you to reach out and begin a conversation.  

A special note about financial aid for our Homeschool Programs: financial aid is awarded on a yearly basis.  Families applying for financial aid must submit their request within two weeks of enrollment. Every family awarded financial aid is required to participate in 1 community work trade day each semester (2 days per school year).  

To inquire about financial aid for one of our Camps or Homeschool Programs, please email Etta Mae with the following details:

• The name of the program or camp you are applying for.

• The total tuition amount of that program or camp.

• A brief statement about your financial need.

• List the scholarship amount you are requesting (a specific dollar amount).  If you are applying for one of our homeschool programs, please list the tuition amount you are able to pay each month.  There are 9 tuition payments throughout the school year (Sept -May).  

• If you have goods or services you might offer in trade, please include these as well.

• Any additional notes you wish to share to help us better understand your situation. 

While we cannot guarantee financial assistance, we are always open to exploring what might be possible together.

Referral Program:  If you know a family who might be interested in one of our offerings for children, we warmly invite you to share our contact information with them!  As a thank-you, you will receive a $25 credit toward your next payment once the new family enrolls.  Please remind your friends to mention your name when they sign up. To redeem your $25 credit, just let me know before you make your next payment.