These General Terms and Conditions apply to the courses and services offered by Alliance française de Montpellier (French courses, accommodation, cultural activities, etc.) and purchased by the Student either directly from the School or from an intermediary (particularly an agent).

By signing the School’s enrolment form, the Student unreservedly accepts these General Terms and Conditions as well as the Internal Regulations to which they refer.

By forwarding the School’s enrollment form, the intermediary unreservedly accepts these General Terms and Conditions as well the Specific Terms and conditions as well as the Internal Regulations to which they refer.

When required, the General Terms and Conditions are supplemented by Specific Terms and Conditions which are inseverable from these General Terms and Conditions. In the event of a contradiction, the Specific Terms and Conditions will prevail.

1- TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF ADMISSION
In order to benefit from the services offered by the School, the Student must be at least 18 years old. The school only accepts a Student under 18 if they are more than 16 years old and with a parental consent letter and a copy of their parents’ certificate of insurance.

The Alliance française de Montpellier cannot be hold responsible for a visa/residence permit refusal on presentation of the Alliance française de Montpellier’s pre-enrolment/enrolment form.

2- FINANCIAL TERMS
In order to benefit from the services offered by the School, the following fees must be paid in Euros :

2.1 Enrollment fee
This enrollment fee allows the Student to be enrolled at the Alliance française de Montpellier and to participate in the courses for which he has applied and paid for. The enrollment fee is valid for one year from the first day of the course and for a duration of one year. It is not refundable.

2.2 Tuition fees.
As shown in the promotional material of the School (brochures, leaflets, website). A deposit of 50% of the total amount due is required at the time of the booking.

The Student/ Client shall pay all fees in full at least 3 weeks before the start of his course or at least 3 weeks before his arrival in the accommodation in case of a package.
The School will not offer discounts, refunds or reschedule lessons that fall on Holidays and Bank holidays. 

2.3 Cancellation fees
If the student/client cancels the course or the package, the Alliance française de Montpellier will deduce cancellation fees from the amount paid to the school (see below).

2.4 Coursebooks and workbooks are not included in the registration fees.

2.5 All bank charges are payable by the student/ client. Alliance française de Montpellier will not incur into any bank charges related to the payment of the student’s course or package. Bank charges invoiced to the student by the Alliance française de Montpellier will be payable by the student if the latter is the paying client. They will be invoiced and charged to the intermediary if the intermediary is the paying client.

2.6 Residence permits/visas: In order to be in compliance with the requirements of immigration authorities for the delivery of residence permits, students requiring a long stay visa for their studies in France must pay on registration a minimum of 12 weeks tuition fees of a 20-hour-per-week course.

3- Payment
All fees (enrollment fees, tuition fees, accommodation fees, cancellation fees and any other fees) must be paid in Euros:

The payment can be made either
" class=" by cheque payable in France
" class=" by bank transfer to the Alliance française de Montpellier’s account (please indicate the name of the Student on the Bank transfer)
Préciser ici les coordonnées bancaires
By credit card (Visa, Mastercard ou Eurocard),
" class=" in cash (Euros only)
Adresse électronique : info@af-montpellier.com
Adresse postale : Alliance française de Montpellier, La Devinière, 144, place du Québec, 34000 Montpellier.

4- Registration / enrolLment
4.1 For individuals
The student/client may enrol using any of the procedures listed below:
 By filling out our Enrolment Form available at the Alliance française de Montpellier’s website
 By post or email
 In person (Admissions Office).

The student must :
" class="Choose the course that best suits their needs
" class="Read and accept the General Terms and Conditions and the Specific Terms and Conditions
" class="Pay 50% of the total amount due, or the tuition and accommodation fees in full
In case of a late payment or a payment not complying with the deadline required by the Alliance française de Montpellier in its Terms and Conditions, the suitable level, course or time schedule cannot be guaranteed by the School.

Regardless of the enrollment procedure chosen, the student/client must come to our admissions office on the first day of classes and produce the following documents:
Any form of ID (identity card, residence permit or passport with a visa for the whole of the study period)
A picture
A parental consent letter for candidates aged from 16 to 17 years old.
" class="If applicable, proof of the deposit paid towards the tuition fees, proof of the fees paid in full or the confirmation of enrollment.

Right of Withdrawal

When a client enrols online or by post, they are entitled to a maximum of 7 working days to cancel their registration without justification. This is applicable from the date of the general terms and condition’s agreement. If the expiration of the withdrawal period falls on a non-working day, a holiday or a bank holiday, it will be extended till the next working day. The client who wants to exert his right of withdrawal is required to give written notice by registered letter with return receipt within the expected period to the following address: Alliance française de Montpellier, La Devinière, 144, place du Québec, 34 000 Montpellier.

4.2 For third-person payments (companies, organizations, Alliances françaises and all other legal entities)

The client can register by correspondence (fax or mail) or on site.
For the registration to be valid, the client must carry out the following formalities chronologically:

" class="Read the General Conditions of Registration and their annexes; return the signed and dated registration form
Email address : info@af-montpellier.com
Postal address: Alliance française de Montpellier, La Devinière, 144, place du Québec, 34000 Montpellier.
" class="Upon signing the registration form and accepting the general conditions, the third person accepts responsibility of the payment of all the tuition fees
" class="Upon receipt of the bill, pay the complete tuition and, if applicable, the accommodation fees by cheque (in Euros), bank transfer or credit card
The client and/or the student receives a notification from the Alliance française Montpellier confirming the registration.
The client must present him(her)self at the reception desk at Alliance française Montpellier on the first day of classes and provide the following documents:
An ID (identity card residence permit or passport with a current visa covering the duration of the studies)
A photo ID ; parental authorisation for candidates ages 16 to 17
A registration certificate

When a client enrols by post, they are entitled to a maximum of 7 working days to cancel their registration without justification. This is applicable from the date of the general terms and condition’s agreement. If the expiration of the withdrawal period falls on a non-working day, a holiday or a bank holiday, it will be extended till the next working day. The client who wants to exert his right of withdrawal is required to give written notice by registered letter with return receipt within the expected period to the following address: Alliance française de Montpellier, La Devinière, 144, place du Québec, 34 000 Montpellier.

4.3 Specific formalities for underage students
Students under the age of 18 on the first day of the course must provide the School Admissions Office with a parental consent letter and a copy of their parents’ certificate of insurance.

4.4 Specific formalities to be completed by Students from outside the European Economic Area
Foreign Students from outside the European Economic Area must meet specific terms and conditions of admission if they intend to stay in France for more than three months.

4.4.1 Pre-enrolment certificate
Students who wish to study at Alliance française de Montpellier a school must include a pre-enrolment certificate (attestation de préinscription) with their visa application. Students will only be provided with this document if 50% of their tuition fees have been paid. This advance payment, which must be paid by bank transfer, is specifically for the named Student. It may not be transferred, particularly if the first student’s visa is refused.
Pre-enrolment certificates are issued to named Students and may not be transferred to other Students (particularly if a student’s visa is refused).

4.3.2 Definitive enrollment
Students will be definitively enrolled on presentation of a visa issued by the consulate in their country of origin (covering the entire study period) and on payment of the balance of their tuition fees.

5 – COURSE CANCELLATION / DEFERRALS

Cancellation and refund requests must be sent to the School in writing (by letter, fax or email). Cancellations and refunds are subject to certain criteria, as set out below.

5.1 Deferrals
5.1.1 Before the start of the course
The client will be allowed to postpone their registration for a maximum of 6 months. A single deferral will be granted, subject to the receipt of a written request at least 15 working days before the initial scheduled date of the course start.

5.1.2 After the start of the course
Once the course has started, no partial refund can be granted for classes not attended and no postponement can be allowed except under special circumstances whereby justification is provided (e.g. presentation of medical certificate stating incapacity to attend classes for more than 4 consecutive weeks). The deferral in this case must not exceed the period of 6 months after the date of course interruption.

5.1.3 All referrals are not refundable and not transferable

5.2 Cancellation by the Student

5.2.1 Cancellation before the course start date

5.2.1.1 The Client buys a French course only (and not a package)
The Alliance française de Montpellier will refund the full amount paid by the Client, minus a fixed amount to cover the various costs borne by the School as a result of the cancellation.
Students demanding the School to issue a pre-enrolment certificate and who cancel their enrolment due to a visa refusal will be required to pay a fixed fee of EUR 150.

5.2.1.2 The client buys a course package from the Alliance française de Montpellier
The package includes a language course, cultural activities and/or accommodation.
 If the cancellation request reaches the school more than 30 days before the scheduled start of the course (or before the arrival to the accommodation if applicable), the Alliance française de Montpellier will deduct a handling fee of 200 euros that will cover the costs the Alliance française de Montpellier will have incurred.
 If the cancellation request reaches the school between 29 and 8 days before the start of the course (or before the arrival to the accommodation if applicable), the Alliance française de Montpellier will deduct a handling fee of 250 euros
 If the cancellation request reaches the school less than 8 days before the start of the course (or before the arrival to the accommodation if applicable), the Alliance française de Montpellier will deduct a handling fee of 250 euros and the fees of one week of accommodation.

5.2.2 Cancellation after the course start

5.2.2.1 The Client buys a language course (non-package)
Once the course has started, no partial refund can be granted for classes not attended and no postponement can be allowed except under special circumstances whereby justification is provided (presentation of medical certificate stating incapacity to attend classes for more than 4 consecutive weeks). The student will be allowed a pro-rata refund of the tuition fees (excluding the annual registration fee) The deferral in this case must not exceed the period of 6 months after the date of course interruption.

5.2.2.2 The Client buys a package
If the expected arrival date (accommodation) or start date (courses and activities) has passed, no refund requests will be accepted except for severe illness or the passing of the student.
In case of severe illness, the student shall provide the Alliance française with a medical certificate as proof of his incapacity to do the course due to health issues.

5.2 Cancellation and amendments by the school

The Alliance française de Montpellier reserves the right to:

" class="Cancel a course before it starts when there are insufficient student numbers. In case no other similar course can be proposed, fees will be refunded in full. If this cancellation was to affect the chosen course in full, the annual registration fee will be reimbursed too.
The Alliance française reserves the right to change if needed the course times and schedule after prior notice.

6 – INSURANCE
The insurances that cover risks inherent to the trip and the stay are the client’s responsibility
The Alliance française is not liable for any loss, theft or damages that students may incur at the premises of The Alliance française, accommodation or during organised activities.
Health, accident and third-party insurance coverage must be purchased directly by the student
Underage students must produce a copy of their insurance certificate upon registration
 
7- Accommodation
The terms and conditions for the full accommodation offer are provided on request and can be found on the websites of The Alliance française de Montpellier.

8- Expulsion
In case of student misbehaviour, as outlined by the internal regulation of the Alliance française de Montpellier, the school reserves the right to expel the offending student without a refund.

25/03/2014 version