effective january 1, 2025

AFC POLICY FOR ADULT GROUP CLASSES

PLACEMENT TEST

New students are invited to take our FREE placement test. The AFC Director will assess your test and recommend a French class that corresponds to your level of proficiency.

REGISTERing FOR A CLASS

Class registration takes place online. Please register online by the Friday prior to the beginning of each session (our academic calendar). Anyone can register for our classes, you do not have to be an member, however, members enjoy reduced tuition rates and other benefits.

Students who pay by check still need to submit their registration online and by the required deadline (please do not send your registration via regular mail).

PAYMENTS

Payment can be made online or by check (preferred) mailed to the AFC office. We accept cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover Card, and American Express. A $35 processing fee will be charged for checks returned for insufficient funds. 

LATE FEe

Any registrations received after registration closing (the Friday before each session) will incur a late fee of $25.

PRO-RATED TUITION

Prorated tuition is offered to members only and for 90-minute and 120-minute-long group classes only. Short classes and other specialty classes are excluded. This must be arranged via email with the Director by the Friday before the session starts. Pro-rating is offered for both online and in-person classes.

Students can elect to take 6 or 7 classes within a session (8 group classes) and must specify which classes they will miss. There is no proration available for 5 group classes or less.

DISCOUNTED TUITION

For students who take 2 separate group courses during the same session, we offer a 20% discount on the course with the lowest tuition rate. This discount does not apply to short group classes and short-term specialty classes (60 minute-classes).

REFUNDS, credits and withdrawals

In view of our not-for-profit status and our commitment to offering courses as affordably as possible, we apply the following policy: we offer 100% tuition refunds for courses canceled by the AFC. 

Tuition will be refunded to students who formally* withdraw from class BEFORE the first class of the session begins. It will include a $15 administrative fee. Alternatively, a 100% credit can be applied to future sessions.  Credits expire after 1 year.  No credit/refund is issued for withdrawal for any reason after the first class in the session.

*Any refund or credit request must be submitted in writing to the Director before the first class of the session.

For online classes: no refund or credit are given due to individual technical difficulties. The AFC provides IT support to students who experience login problems but cannot guarantee access to class if IT issues originate from students’ computer. As we strive to offer a seamless online experience for all AFC students, sometimes technology does not cooperate. When access to classes cannot be guaranteed because of technological issues from our end, we will give you a credit for missed classes (e.g.: a systematic problem when the majority of students in class cannot log in for class). However, we will not credit or refund students who cannot access classes because of their own technological difficulties. We are more than happy to provide support with log in whenever we can, however because we are a small non-profit organization and given the difficult circumstances, we have been facing due to COVID, we cannot afford to give credits each time a student has a technical issue. Moving our classes online has increased our operating costs significantly.

CANCELLATION POLICY

We reserve the right to cancel classes if necessary, without advanced notice. Courses are typically cancelled due to insufficient enrollment, or unavailability of an instructor. If your course is cancelled, you will be notified by email and given the option to transfer to another class, to receive a credit, or to be fully refunded. 

INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY

If Charlottesville City Public schools are closed, opening late, or closing early due to inclement weather, AFC classes will be on the same schedule. In the event of bad weather conditions, students should either check their email for a message from us or call the office to confirm the schedule for the day. Make-up classes will be scheduled and announced by email. Please note: this policy does not apply to online classes.

HOLIDAY CLOSINGS

If classes are cancelled because of a national holiday, the class will be rescheduled within the same session by the instructor and students. 

MAKEUP NOTES FOR ABSENTEES

Please notify your teacher if you are going to be absent from class. Students who miss a class will receive their class assignments from their teacher by email. For online classes: students have access to their missed class materials on our content management platform (Apolearn).

TRANSFERS

If you feel you have been placed in the incorrect class level please talk to your teacher and contact the Director. We will work with you to get you into the class that is the best fit for you.

TEXTBOOKS

Payment must be received before books are distributed. Books are non-refundable once they have been picked up or received by mail. You can conveniently buy textbooks from the AFC or purchase them on your own.