Fees & Refund Policy

Overview

This Fees & Refund Policy governs all payments made towards the International Diploma Course on Diplomacy, Strategy & Foreign Policy (the “Programme”), offered by Tillotoma Foundation (the “Foundation”). By enrolling in the Programme and remitting the course fee, the participant (the “Participant”) acknowledges having read, understood and accepted the terms set out below.

The course fee of ₹1,999 is a subsidised fee, generously underwritten by the Foundation so that structured, world-class education in diplomacy and international affairs remains accessible to motivated learners everywhere. Because places in each cohort are limited and faculty commitments are confirmed well in advance, the refund provisions below apply in all cases.

Standard Refund Policy — No Refund Within 10 Days of Commencement

Once payment of the course fee has been made, and the commencement date of the Programme falls within ten (10) days of such payment, the fee is, in all ordinary circumstances, strictly non-refundable. This is a firm commitment made necessary by the subsidised nature of the fee and the significant, irreversible planning that each confirmed place requires — faculty time, cohort composition and learning materials are all reserved in the Participant’s name.

Participants are therefore respectfully advised to consider their availability and readiness to commence the Programme before completing payment. A confirmed place is a personal commitment to the cohort, the faculty and the Foundation.

Exceptional Circumstances — Discretionary Partial Refund

The Foundation recognises that life does not always unfold according to plan. In genuinely exceptional circumstances — grave personal hardship, medical emergency or other serious and unforeseeable events — a Participant may submit a written refund request to the Programme Office.

For such a request to be considered at all, it must be received no fewer than seven (7) days before the published commencement date of the cohort. Requests received within seven days of commencement, or after the Programme has begun, cannot be entertained under any provision of this policy.

Where such a timely request is received, the grant of any refund rests entirely and solely within the discretion of the Programme leadership of the Foundation. Even where discretion is exercised in the Participant’s favour, any refund shall be limited to twenty per cent (20%) of the course fee paid, and shall in no event exceed that amount. The decision of the Programme leadership shall be final and binding in all matters of refunds.

Making a Request

Any refund request under the exceptional circumstances clause must be submitted in writing to vp@tillotomafoundation.org, quoting the Participant’s registered name, the cohort applied for, the date of payment and a clear statement of the exceptional grounds relied upon. Supporting documentation may be requested by the Programme Office before any decision is made.

Approved refunds, where granted, are processed to the original payment instrument and may take a reasonable period to reflect.

Transfer of Enrolment

In place of a refund, and subject to availability and the sole approval of the Programme leadership, a Participant may in exceptional cases be permitted to defer their confirmed place to a subsequent cohort. Such a deferral, if granted, shall be a gesture of accommodation and not a right, and may be exercised no more than once per Participant.

Changes to This Policy

The Foundation may revise this Fees & Refund Policy from time to time. The version in force at the time of the Participant’s payment shall govern that payment.

Contact

Questions about this policy may be addressed to the Programme Office at vp@tillotomafoundation.org.