Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing and using the Smarter Skills website (www.smarterskills.org) and enrolling in our educational programs, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service and all applicable laws and regulations. If you do not agree with any part of these terms, you may not use our services.

2. Educational Programs and Enrollment

Program Requirements

Students must meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Complete the enrollment application truthfully and accurately
• Pay tuition fees according to the selected payment plan
• Maintain satisfactory progress throughout the program
• Comply with all program policies and code of conduct

Enrollment Process

Enrollment is subject to approval by Smarter Skills. We reserve the right to reject any application at our discretion. Upon acceptance, students will receive access to course materials and the student portal within 3-5 business days.

3. Tuition and Payment

Payment Methods

We accept payment through Stripe (credit/debit cards), PayPal, and Affirm (installment plans). All payments are processed securely through third-party payment processors.

Refund Policy

Students may withdraw and receive a full refund within 14 days of enrollment. After this period:

• Days 15-30: 50% refund of tuition
• After 30 days: No refund available
• Career Transition Grant eligibility is forfeited upon withdrawal

4. Career Transition Grant Program

Program Overview

The Career Transition Grant provides financial support awarded after graduation to help students transition into their new careers. This program emphasizes delayed gratification and rewards both program completion and long-term commitment. Grant amounts are determined by two factors:

• Time Enrolled: Longer enrollment periods qualify for higher grant amounts
• Behavior Module Completion: Completing all four mandatory behavior modules increases your grant within your tier
• Grants are awarded AFTER program completion and graduation, not during enrollment
• Grant funds are typically disbursed within 30-45 days after application approval
• Early withdrawal or failure to complete the program forfeits grant eligibility entirely

Grant Tiers Based on Enrollment Duration

Your eligible grant amount increases with your time enrolled in the program:

• 0-6 Months: $3,000 (no behavior module bonus at this tier)
• 6-12 Months: $3,000 base + up to $1,500 behavior module bonus = Up to $4,500
• 12-18 Months: $3,000 base + up to $3,000 behavior module bonus = Up to $6,000
• 18-24 Months: $3,000 base + up to $4,000 behavior module bonus = Up to $7,000
• 24+ Months: $3,000 base + up to $5,000 behavior module bonus = Up to $8,000 (Maximum)

Example: A student enrolled for 18 months who completes all four behavior modules would receive $7,000. A student enrolled for 10 months who completes 2 out of 4 behavior modules would receive approximately $3,750 ($3,000 base + 50% of the $1,500 behavior bonus).

Behavior Modules Requirement

To qualify for the enhanced $8,000 grant, students must successfully complete all four mandatory behavior modules:

• Time Management & Productivity (4 weeks, 8-10 hours)
• Professional Communication (4 weeks, 8-10 hours)
• Growth Mindset & Resilience (4 weeks, 8-10 hours)
• Financial Literacy & Planning (4 weeks, 8-10 hours)

Each module includes learning materials, assessments, and a final project. Students must achieve a passing grade on all module assessments to qualify for the enhanced grant. Behavior modules become available after completing main program coursework.

Grant Uses

Career Transition Grant funds may be used for:

• Student loan repayment and debt reduction
• Business startup expenses and equipment purchases
• Bill payment and living expenses during career transition
• Internship expenses, job search costs, interview travel, and professional attire
• Professional certifications, licenses, and continuing education

Grant Eligibility and Disbursement

IMPORTANT: Career Transition Grant eligibility requires:

• Successful completion of all program coursework, projects, and assessments
• Meeting graduation requirements and maintaining satisfactory academic progress
• Completion of all four behavior modules (for $8,000 enhanced grant)
• Submission of grant application form with accurate banking information
• Compliance with all program policies and code of conduct

Grant disbursement typically occurs within 30-45 days after application approval. Students who withdraw before graduation, fail to complete required coursework, or violate program policies forfeit all grant eligibility. Smarter Skills reserves the right to withhold or revoke grants in cases of academic dishonesty, misconduct, or misrepresentation.

Withdrawal and Grant Forfeiture

Students who withdraw from their program for any reason before graduation forfeit all Career Transition Grant eligibility, including both the base $3,000 grant and enhanced $8,000 grant. There are no partial grants for incomplete programs. Students who are dismissed for academic or conduct violations also forfeit grant eligibility. This policy emphasizes the delayed gratification model and rewards program completion.

5. Course Materials and Intellectual Property

All course materials, including videos, documents, quizzes, and assignments, are the intellectual property of Smarter Skills or our educational partners (including Udemy). Students are granted a limited, non-transferable license to access materials for personal educational use only.

Students may not:

• Share, distribute, or resell course materials
• Record, screenshot, or copy materials without permission
• Use materials for commercial purposes
• Remove copyright or proprietary notices

6. Student Conduct and Academic Integrity

Students are expected to maintain high standards of academic integrity. Prohibited conduct includes:

• Plagiarism or submitting work that is not your own
• Cheating on assessments or assignments
• Sharing answers or collaborating when individual work is required
• Harassment or disrespectful behavior toward staff or other students

Violations may result in warnings, suspension, or expulsion without refund.

7. Certificates and Credentials

Upon successful completion of a program, students will receive a certificate of completion from Smarter Skills. Certificates are contingent upon:

• Completing all required coursework and assessments
• Achieving minimum passing grades
• Fulfilling all financial obligations
• Maintaining good standing throughout the program

8. Disclaimers and Limitations of Liability

No Employment Guarantee

While we provide career support and job placement assistance, Smarter Skills does not guarantee employment, specific salary outcomes, or career advancement. Job market success depends on many factors beyond our control.

Service Availability

We strive to maintain continuous access to our website and student portal, but we do not guarantee uninterrupted service. We are not liable for temporary outages, technical issues, or third-party service disruptions.

Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Smarter Skills shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages arising from your use of our services, including but not limited to lost profits, data loss, or changes to grant amounts.

9. Modifications to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms of Service at any time. Significant changes will be communicated to enrolled students via email. Continued use of our services after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated terms.

10. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms of Service are governed by the laws of the United States. Any disputes arising from these terms or your use of our services shall be resolved through binding arbitration in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association.

11. Contact Information

If you have questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us at: