Refund Policy

Toronto Five Star Homestay Programs Inc.
REFUND POLICY

The following terms and conditions govern Toronto Five Star Homestay Programs Inc. (“Five Star”) policy for Student refunds and the obligations of the Host Families associated with this refund policy. This refund policy applies in addition to Five Star’s terms and conditions. Capitalized terms used herein, but not otherwise defined, shall have the meaning provided to them in Five Star’s terms and conditions.

I. Non-Refundable Standard Service Fees

  • • The following Five Star fees are prepaid, and non-refundable (“Standard Service Fees”), unless expressly set out in this policy:
    • Homestay Registration, Placement and Orientation Fee - $300
    • Custodianship Registration Fee - $250
    • Fees charged in connection with the application for a Guardianship - $250
    • Bank, Wire Transfer, and Administration Fees incurred by Five Star in connection with the placement

II. Cancellations Relating to Homestay Bookings

  • The Standard Services Fees are non-refundable once the Student has accepted a Homestay booking.
    Cancellation Prior to Arrival
  • If a Student cancels a Homestay booking 60 days prior to the schedule commencement of the Homestay, they will be granted a full refund of all amounts paid for the Homestay booking, less the amount of the Standard Service Fees.
  • If a Student cancels a Homestay booking between 59 and 30 days prior to the scheduled commencement of the Homestay, they will be granted a refund of all amounts paid for the Homestay booking less 2 months of Homestay accommodation fees and the Standard Service Fees.
  • If a Student cancels a Homestay booking between 29 and 7 days prior to the scheduled commencement of the Homestay, they will be granted a refund of all amounts paid for the Homestay booking less 3 months of Homestay accommodation fees and the Standard Service Fees.
  • If a Student cancels a Homestay booking after 7 days prior to the scheduled commencement of the Homestay, all amounts paid for the Homestay booking will be non-refundable.
  • If a Student wishes to change Host Families after a booking has been confirmed but prior to the scheduled commencement date, a service fee charged to the Student, the amount of which will be confirmed by Five Star prior to change being approved.
    Cancellation After Arrival
  • A Student, who has booked and pre-paid a Homestay of a duration less than 8 weeks, will not receive a refund of any amounts if they cancel their Homestay booking after arrival.
  • A Student who has booked and pre-paid a Homestay of a duration equal to or longer than 3 weeks, may cancel the Homestay booking after arrive by providing at least 4 weeks prior written notice. A cancelation fee of $285 will charged to the Student.
  • If a Student wishes to change Host Families after the scheduled commencement date, the Student must provide two (2) week’s advance written notice. Where the change occurs sooner two weeks, a service fee will be charged to the Student, the amount of which will be confirmed by Five Star prior to change being approved.
  • In the event that a Student is required to leave the Homestay booking because of the Student’s failure to obey Five Star or the Host Families’ rules, or a breach of law, policy or regulation as determined at the discretion of Five Star, all amounts paid for the Homestay booking will be non-refundable.
  • Notwithstanding the above, Five Star recognizes that in some cases there may be extenuating circumstances or medical issues that result in cancellation of all or part of a Five Star Homestay booking. Any such requests shall be provided to Five Star with supporting documentation from a medical professional or other authoritative body at the time of the refund request. Five Star may grant such refund requests on a case-by-case basis, at its sole and absolute discretion.

III. Cancellations Relating to Airport Pickup Fees

  • Any fees charged for pick up of a Student at the airport (“Airport Pickup Fees”) less any applicable Standard Service Fees, are fully refundable if the Student provides Five Star with notice in writing of cancellation at least 48 hours before the scheduled arrival time.
  • If the Student’s arrival details change (for example, arrival date or flight number changes) and Five Star is not notified both by email and by phone (call +1-647-923-9300) at least 24 hours before the initial scheduled arrival time, a second Airport Pickup Fee will be charged to the Student.
  • Students who do not arrive at the airport as scheduled, without prior notice, will not receive a refund of the Airport Pickup Fees.
  • If a Student does not arrive at the airport as scheduled, or if the Student’s arrival details change and the Student does not notify Five Star of the change as required above, Five Star will use reasonable efforts to accommodate a new pick up time, provided an additional Airport Pickup Fee is paid in full.

IV. Cancellations related to Guardianship Booking

  • The $250 fee charged in connection with the application for a Guardianship is non-refundable.
  • Any prepaid Guardianship fees (“Guardianship Fees”) are non-refundable, except if the Student’s Visa is refused and a copy of rejection letters from the Canadian Immigration Office and the Student’s applied institution are provided to Five Star prior to the scheduled commencement of the Homestay.
  • For requests to change the Guardian after arrival, any fees paid in connection with the first three (3) months of Guardianship will not be refunded. The balance of any prepaid Guardianship fees will be refunded to the Student provided a new Guardian is an approved Guardian of the Student’s educational institute and evidence of same is provided to Five Star.

V. Cancellations related to High School Program
  • The Standard Service Fees and $1,000 deposit are non-refundable once the Student has been presented with a Host Family that meets the Five Star standards.
  • If a Student cancels prior to being presented with a Host Family that meets the Five Star standards, the Student will be refunded the amount it has paid less a cancellation fee of $500 and the Standard Service Fees.
  • No refund shall be given for cancellation requests received after a Host Family has been accepted by the Student.
  • In the event a Student is expelled from its school (for reasons that do not involve breaking any laws and it has been determined the student is not a danger to itself or others) that Student will be offered at least one other school option from Five Star to be transferred too. If this option is not accepted within 24 hours of the option being provided, then the Student will be expelled from the High School Program and will have to leave the Homestay provided by Five Star within 48 hours. In the event of such expulsion, no refund shall be given.
  • In the event a Student is expelled from its school for reasons that do involve breaking any laws or it has been determined the Student is a danger to itself or others, the Student will be expelled from the High School Program and will have to leave the Homestay provided by Five Star within 48 hours. In the event of such expulsion, no refund shall be given.

VI. Cancellations for Student Residences
  • The Standard Services Fees are non-refundable once the Student has accepted a student residence booking.
  • If a Student cancels a student residence booking at least 15 days prior to the scheduled commencement of the booking, they will be granted a refund of all amounts paid for the Homestay booking less 2 weeks of accommodation fees and the Standard Service Fees.
  • Fees will be adjusted to cover the early arrival of students. Students can be refused entry to the homestay / residence for late or unpaid fees.

VI. General

All notices of cancellations and requests for changes to accommodations should be submitted in writing in advance. All refunds and charges are calculated from the date that notification was received.

A cancellation is defined as a situation in which the Student decides not to use the accommodation booked through Five Star. A change is defined as a situation in which the Student decides to switch from one accommodation booked by Five Star to another accommodation booked by Five Star, or if a Student decides to shorten their Homestay.

Five Star reserves the right to modify or terminate this Refund Policy, at any time, in its sole discretion. If Five Star modifies this Refund Policy, we will post the modification on our website or provide you with notice of the modification. Requests for refunds made before the effective date of the modification will be processed according to the Refund Policy that was applicable at the time the request for the refund was made.