Terms and Tuition Refund Policy
You may request cancellation in any manner, but written request is recommended. Tuition refunds will be based on the date you cancel and the amount of program assignments completed, as follows:
1) You may cancel this Enrollment Agreement and receive a full refund of all monies paid to date if cancellation is made in writing to the President within five (5) business days [excluding Saturday, Sunday and state and federal holidays] after date of signature (the "Cancellation Period").
2) If you cancel after the cancellation period but before you submit any program assignment to the Sonoran Desert Institute for correction, you will be charged a registration fee of 20% of the program tuition or $200.00, whichever is less. All other monies will be refunded.
3) If you cancel after the cancellation period and after you have submitted at least one program assignment to the Sonoran Desert Institute for correction, your financial obligation will be a registration fee (see#2 above) and part of the tuition as follows:
A. Up to and including 10% of the program assignments, you are obligated for 10% of the tuition. (Tuition charges remaining after subtracting the non-refundable fee already retained)
B. If you complete 11% to 25% of the program assignments, you are obligated for 25% of the tuition.
C. If you complete 26% to 50% of the program assignments, you are obligated for 50% of the tuition.
D. If you complete more than 50% of the program assignments, you are obligated for the full tuition cost of the program.
All refunds will be paid within 30 days from the date that we receive the request.
In the event an amount equal to one payment is outstanding for more than ten (10) days, your total program price will become immediately due and payable if you do not cure the default within fifteen (15) days of our notice to you. You may notify the school of your intent to cancel by mail addressed to the Sonoran Desert Institute, 10245 East Via Linda, Suite 110, Scottsdale, Arizona 85258, Phone: 480-314-2102.
A written complaint may be made to the President of the school at the above address. The school will review the matter and respond within 30 days. If any questions or problems concerning this school have not been satisfactorily answered of resolved after exhausting the schools grievance procedure, the student may file a complaint with the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education. The student must contact the State Board at 1400 West Washington, Room 260, Phoenix, Arizona 85007; or (602) 542-5709 for further details.
If paying for your program by the simple payment plan, your first monthly payment will be due 30 days or more after your Enrollment Agreement is accepted. Other payments will be due on the same day of the month as your first payment. A monthly statement will be mailed to you prior to this date upon request. Under the law, you have the right to pay off the full amount due in advance. The total price for the program you select includes the complete program as described in our literature as of the date of this agreement, and all materials are yours to keep. (The Sonoran Desert Institute reserves the right to change program content and materials when it becomes necessary.) In no event shall the Sonoran Desert Institute be liable for any consequential, punitive, or multiple damages of any kind.
For students enrolling from outside the United States, tuition payments must be made in U.S. dollars only. International students are also responsible for payment of any applicable customs duties and fees on the lessons and other program materials. This includes the actual cost of shipping materials to their location.
The Sonoran Desert Institute will assist each graduate with placement skills development. The Sonoran Desert Institute does not guarantee job placement or employment. And, upon executing this agreement, I authorize the school to use my comments and feedback that I have provided about the school or its program(s) in their promotional literature or marketing material.
Upon successful completion of your program and financial obligation, you will be awarded an authorized diploma or completion certificate. Although refunds cannot be made after the twelve (12) month period allowed for completion of diploma programs, if your account is current, you will be allowed an extra six months to finish your studies.
NOTICE TO BUYER: This is a retail installment contract, and the truth in lending disclosures below applies. Do not sign this agreement before you read it, or if it contains any blank space. If this agreement is accepted, we will send you an endorsed copy. If this agreement is not accepted, all money you have paid will be promptly refunded. Any holder of this consumer credit contract is subject to all claims and defenses which the debtor could assert against the seller of goods or services obtained pursuant hereto or with the proceeds hereof. Recovery hereunder by the debtor shall not exceed amounts paid by the debtor hereunder.
IF YOU ARE UNDER 18: Your enrollment obligation must be guaranteed by having your parent, guardian, or responsible person over age 21 sign below. (Note: A guarantor's signature is not required if you are in the U.S. military service.) By signing below the guarantor guarantees the student's obligation under this enrollment agreement.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: All lessons, texts, and course materials are included in the tuition for the program you select. These materials are described in detail in the current literature of the Sonoran Desert Institute. At its sole discretion, the Sonoran Desert Institute reserves the right to substitute program materials deemed to be of equal or superior value. The program(s) you have selected is/are designed to be finished in one-to- 12 months or less, but you will be allowed up to six weeks to eighteen months, depending upon the program, if you need it. If you require more than 150 percent of the typical course length to complete your training, you may submit a written request to the Director of Education to extend this period up to an additional six months. Once you have completed your studies and paid your tuition in full, the Sonoran Desert Institute will award your diploma. We recommend the student be a high school graduate or the equivalent.
The catalog and student handbook dated 2005 or later is incorporated as part of this Enrollment Agreement and my signature on page 1 indicates that I have received a copy.
All student materials F.O.B. your residence.
Graduate Employment Opportunities and Practice Requirements:
Requirements to practice as a gunsmith or in a firearms related industry may vary from state to state and may also have federal requirements. You may check such criteria through the career resources on the SDI web site at www.sdi.edu [formerly: www.sonoranlearning.com]
Graduates who wish to work in the field may need to obtain a federal Firearms License (FFL). This is required if you wish to repair firearms for compensation. If you wish to repair personal firearms, an FFL is not required. If you work for a business that holds an FFL you may not need to individually hold an FFL.
Students who have had criminal convictions may not be eligible to obtain an FFL. The Prohibitions related to a criminal background and obtaining an FFL should be checked thoroughly with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and firearms.
SDI makes no representation, warranty, or guarantee that successful completion of this course of study will permit the learner to obtain federal firearms licensure. Learners, who enroll in an SDI program in a field for which professional practice requires any type of licensure or certification, are solely responsible for determining and complying with state, local, or professional licensure and certification requirements. These learners are also responsible for taking the steps necessary to satisfy those requirements.
Requirements change from time-to-time and it is best to check with the Federal Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (BATF) for the most current criteria. You can obtain this information at: http://www.atf.treas.gov/index.htm
