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Tuition & Payment Info

Sliding Fee Scale

Sitar Arts Center is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization.  In support of the Center’s mission, it is our policy that each semester 80% of our students are from low-income households, defined as 50% or less of the median household income for the greater Washington, DC area. The median income varies depending upon the household’s number of people.

Family tuition is determined on a sliding fee scale in order to ensure that the programs remain affordable for all families of the community. The Center does not make a profit from student tuition or fees, which serve as a small contribution to the greater cost of each student’s arts education.

It is the highest priority of Sitar Arts Center to provide a tuition scale that is affordable to everyone and that no one will ever be turned away because of inability to pay.

Tuition Payments and Billing

Tuition is offered on a sliding fee scale.  At least 50% of the total tuition payment, including a one time per school year $25 family registration fee, is due at the time of registration.  There are two payment plan options available, and payment is due at the listed dates.  If there is a balance from a previous semester, it must be paid before registration can be completed for a new semester.  

Sitar Arts Center reserves the right to dismiss any student due to multiple absences, frequent tardiness, overdue payments, disciplinary reasons and/or noncompliance with Sitar Arts Center policies.

Class Cancellations

If a class or workshop has insufficient enrollment, Sitar Arts Center reserves the right to cancel it. In some cases, under-enrolled classes may proceed if approved by Sitar Arts Center.

Schedule Changes, Withdrawals, Refunds and Dismissals

All cancellations and schedule changes such as “add/drops” must be made in writing to register@sitarartscenter.org. Verbal notices or requests from students and parents cannot be accepted.  

If we receive a student’s withdrawal notice for online classes one week prior to the first week of classes, Sitar Arts Center will refund 75% of the tuition, not including the $25 registration fee. If withdrawal notice is given once classes have begun, there will be no refunds given. 

Refunds less than $5.00 will be refunded to the family in the form of a tuition voucher. Vouchers can be used to pay for another class registration for any member of the household.

Adding classes may result in an additional payment. Families will receive a phone call or email notice notating any balances on the family account.  All accounts must be resolved before the next registration period.