Five money terms need careful review before payment: clear admissions payment timing terms, refund wording, the cancellation window, exceptions, and written proof of notice. Compare each term against the signed private pay agreement. Ask about unclear language before funds move.
First, find the full amount and each due date. Ask whether any part is a deposit or advance payment. Second, read the refund wording word by word. Look for terms such as refundable, nonrefundable, earned, or forfeited. Ask when the program says each payment becomes earned. Request an example using your planned payment date. The example should show amounts before and after cancellation. It should also state who sends any refund. Do not rely on a spoken estimate.
Third, find the last time to cancel. Fourth, list each exception and who can approve it. Fifth, learn what counts as valid notice. A policy may require a certain delivery method. Ask whether email, portal, mail, or another method counts. Get the answer in the written agreement. Ask what happens if admission does not occur. Ask what happens if plans change before arrival. These questions do not assume a refund is due. They show how the written rule works.
- 1. Mark every payment deadline.
- 2. Circle all refund words.
- 3. Write the cancellation cutoff.
- 4. List each written exception.
- 5. Confirm valid notice methods.