Version 2026.11 · Effective 1 November 2026. This policy covers every payment to Filipino Institute (FI): K–12, professional programmes, reviews, pathways, events, services and the FI Store. By paying, you accept this policy and the terms of the programme you chose.
At a glance
- Pay only to the Filipino Institute company account shown in My FI.
- Verified payments are not refunded in cash. Approved refunds and adjustments become FI Credit.
- FI refunds in cash if FI cancels, if you paid twice or the wrong amount, or if the law or your payment provider requires it.
- K–12 is a one-year programme: after the second week of classes the full school year is due.
- Questions or requests: [email protected].
1. Paying FI
- From 1 December 2026, FI recognises only payments to the Filipino Institute company bank account shown in your My FI billing statement, or a payment method FI adds there later.
- FI never asks you to pay into a personal account, in cash, or through a teacher, agent or social media message.
- Use the learner’s My FI ID as the payment reference and upload your receipt in My FI. A payment counts once Finance verifies it, and FI emails an official receipt.
- Bank and transfer charges are paid by the sender. If FI receives less than the amount due, the difference is added to your next bill.
- If FI’s payment details ever change, FI announces it only in My FI and by email from [email protected]. Never trust a change sent by WhatsApp or social media.
- Payments more than 15 days late put class or course access on hold until paid. Your learner’s completed work and records are kept safe.
2. If you paid somewhere else
| Situation | Policy |
|---|---|
| Paid an FI finance officer’s personal account listed on SY 2026–2027 forms, before 1 Dec 2026 | Valid FI payment. Finance records it in My FI. |
| Paid a personal account from 1 Dec 2026 | Not recognised automatically. Email the receipt to info@; FI checks it once as goodwill. |
| Paid a partner centre for an enrolment through that centre | Valid. The centre’s terms apply, and the centre confirms the payment to FI. |
| Paid a partner centre for a direct FI enrolment | Recognised once FI receives the money from the centre. |
| Paid FI’s former UAE or Oman offices | See section 8, Former offices. |
| Paid a teacher, agent or staff member personally | Not an FI payment. Report it to info@; FI investigates. |
| Paid a fake page or scammer using FI’s name | Not an FI payment and not refundable by FI. FI gives a written confirmation for your bank or the police. |
| Paid in cash to anyone | Not accepted from 1 Dec 2026. |
| Paid twice, the wrong amount or with the wrong reference | Don’t pay again. FI corrects it: the extra is refunded or added to your next bill. |
| Paid for the wrong child or programme | Moved to the right one, no fee. |
| Bank reversal or chargeback without contacting FI first | Access is paused while FI responds to the bank with your signed agreement and receipts. |
3. FI Credit
- FI Credit is the value FI keeps for you when a refund or adjustment is approved. It shows in your My FI account and is confirmed by email within 5 working days.
- It does not expire.
- You can use it for any eligible FI programme or service, or give it to a family member.
- It cannot be exchanged for cash.
4. When FI refunds in cash
You get your money back to the original payment method if FI cancels a class, course or programme and cannot offer a suitable alternative; if you paid twice, paid the wrong amount or paid for the wrong service; or if the law or your payment provider requires a refund.
5. K–12 (Live Online and Self-Paced)
K–12 tuition is an annual commitment for one school year. The 12-payment option spreads that tuition across the year; it is not month-to-month enrolment. Full terms are in the K–12 Enrolment Agreement.
| If you withdraw (in writing)… | What happens |
|---|---|
| Before classes start | All payments become FI Credit, except the registration fee. |
| In the first week of classes | 90% of what you paid becomes FI Credit. |
| In the second week of classes | 80% of what you paid becomes FI Credit. |
| After the second week | The full year’s tuition is due. Remaining instalments continue on schedule. |
Before withdrawing, you can switch from Live Online to Self-Paced (the lower fee applies from the next month), pause for up to 1 month, or pass the paid place to a sibling or another family. Families in real hardship can ask Finance for a settlement plan. Transferees pay from their month of entry. K–12 Self-Paced lessons open one month at a time as you pay, or the whole term or year when paid in full. Families enrolled through a partner centre follow the centre’s terms.
6. Other programmes and services
| Service | Your options |
|---|---|
| Professional Diploma or Short Course, Self-Paced | Module 1 is free to try. After you pay, everything opens. Full FI Credit if you ask within 7 days and have not opened Module 2. One free switch to another course within 30 days. |
| Group Live or VIP 1:1 | Two modules open per payment. Unused sessions become FI Credit. Reschedule free with 24 hours’ notice; a missed session without notice counts as used. |
| Exam reviews (PRC, Bar, UPCAT, Pisay) | As Self-Paced or Live above, by the format you chose. |
| ETEEAP Portfolio Review | Full FI Credit before FI starts the review; none after. |
| Events | FI Credit up to 7 days before. You can always give your seat to someone else. |
| Attestation (through partners) | The partner’s terms apply. |
| Alumni services | Free. |
| FI Store | See the Store Terms. |
7. Discounts, referrals and third-party costs
- Sibling discounts and referral credits are price reductions, not cash. If one sibling withdraws, the discount for the others is recalculated from the next payment.
- A referral credit is added only after the referred family completes its first 2 weeks.
- Fees paid to schools, embassies, government offices, couriers or translators follow their own rules. FI cannot credit money it has already paid to them.
8. Former offices (UAE and Oman)
FI honours verified payments made to its former offices through free course completion, certificates or FI Credit, not cash. Claims are open until 19 November 2027.
| Situation | What FI offers |
|---|---|
| Paid and finished, certificate not released | FI verifies the record and issues the certificate free in My FI. |
| Paid but did not finish | Finish Free: complete the same or the closest course online, Self-Paced, at no cost. |
| Paid and does not want to study now | FI Credit for the value of the closest Self-Paced course, transferable to a family member. |
| Paid part of the fees | Finish after paying the balance at today’s Self-Paced price, or FI Credit for the amount paid. |
| No receipt, but your name is in FI’s records | Treated as verified. |
| No receipt and no record | Goodwill: 50% off one FI Self-Paced course. |
Claim through “Recover an Old FI Record” in My FI, or email [email protected] with your name, branch, course, batch or year, and any receipt.
9. How to ask
Email [email protected] with the learner’s full name, programme and payment reference(s). Tell us in writing if you want to cancel or withdraw; the date we receive your email is the date we use. We reply within 2 working days. If you disagree with the answer, see Complaints & Appeals.
See all FI policies. Nothing in this policy removes a remedy you are entitled to by law.