Tutoring policies

Sessions and scheduling

• After your application is accepted, you may book a **free consultation** and, when agreed, **tutoring sessions** through our booking page (online scheduler).
• **Billing:** We charge for how long the session **actually lasted**, rounded to the **nearest 15 minutes** (for example 50 minutes → 45; 53 minutes → 60), up to **4 hours**. Online time is the Zoom meeting length. In-person time is the actual session length. Booking slots are reservations — the invoice is adjusted after the session when actual time is known.
• **Online** sessions use video (typically Zoom); the meeting link is on your calendar invite when you book online.
• **In-person** sessions are offered in the **Greater Portland, OR** metro; meeting location is confirmed when you book or on your consultation call. Listed in-person rates include a **$10/hr travel fee** for the metro.
• **Group tutoring** (2–5 students) uses per-student rates on the pricing page. The booking contact pays the total for the group (per-student rate × group size × billed session length).
• Recurring schedules (for example weekly, every two weeks, or twice per week) are set up through the scheduler when available, or confirmed by email.

Short-notice (rush) bookings

Payment

• **Preferred method:** **Zelle** (618-401-4880). We do not collect card payments on this website.
• When you book a paid session, your **confirmation email includes an invoice** with the amount due, payment methods, and a required memo (invoice #). An SMS invoice is sent when we have your phone number.
• Use the pricing calculator for an estimate based on level, online vs in-person, and duration. The final session charge is actual Zoom (or in-person) time rounded to the nearest 15 minutes.
• Include the **invoice #** (from your session email/SMS), **student name**, and **session date** in your Zelle payment memo — this enables automatic payment recognition.
• When we receive your bank payment alert, matching sessions are marked **Paid** automatically. You can still mark paid manually from your tutor email if needed.
• **Unpaid balance cap:** Students may not fall more than **2 hours** behind on unpaid session invoices (sessions that have already started). New bookings are declined until outstanding invoices are paid down.
• **Packages:** Require a **25% deposit** before booking, with the remaining balance invoiced after each session as package hours are used — or pay the package in full upfront. Materials unlock after the deposit (or full payment).
• Published hourly rates apply to new clients unless otherwise agreed in writing.
• Graduate-level work may be quoted individually on consultation.

Cancellations and rescheduling

• Please provide **at least 24 hours' notice** to cancel or to move a session to a **different day**.
• **Same-day rebooking (same calendar day):** You may move to a different available time **on the same day** as your original session at **no cancellation charge**, when that new time is open. This is a reschedule, not a cancellation. We do not add a rush premium solely because you shifted within the same day after already holding a confirmed booking for that day.
• **Moving to a different day with less than 24 hours' notice** before the original start is treated as a **late cancellation** of the original slot (that day is what we reserved). The original reserved session time **may be billed**. Booking the new day is a **new booking** — normal rates apply, including any short-notice (rush) premium if that new start is also close.
• **Pulling hours earlier (for example, cancel tomorrow and add time today):** If you move reserved hours to an **earlier** day or time and you **actually take those hours** when we can accommodate them, we treat that as a pull-forward — not a late cancellation of the later slot. You are billed for the hours when delivered. A short-notice (rush) premium may apply only to the **added** earlier time. If you cancel the later session **without** taking those hours earlier, normal cancellation rules apply.
• With **24 hours or more** notice, we will work to find another time at no cancellation charge.
• **Cancellations with no new booking** (less than 24 hours) or **no-shows** may be billed for the reserved session time, except in cases of genuine emergency — contact us as soon as possible.
• Use your scheduler confirmation email to reschedule or cancel when available, or contact us if you need help.

Missed sessions

Study materials license {#study-materials-license}

Materials and academic integrity

• We support learning in your courses; we do not complete graded work for you or violate your school's academic integrity policies.
• You are responsible for following your institution's rules regarding outside help.

Communication

• We use email (and optionally other channels you agree to) for scheduling and session-related communication.
• Please use contact information we provide; do not share passwords or account credentials.

Ending tutoring

Questions