Swiss Finance Academy

TERMS & CONDITIONS

PLEASE READ THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS ("TERMS") CAREFULLY BEFORE APPLYING TO OR ATTENDING ANY OF THE PROGRAMS OFFERED BY SWISS FINANCE EDUCATION GmbH OF SWITZERLAND ("SWISS FINANCE ACADEMY", "SWISS FINANCE INSTITUTE", "SWISS FINANCE SCHOOL", "SWISS FINANCE", OR THE "ACADEMY"). BY USING AND PARTICIPATING IN OUR SITES, INCLUDING APPLYING ONLINE TO OUR PROGRAM, YOU SIGNIFY THAT YOU HAVE READ THESE TERMS AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY AND COMPLY WITH THEM. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THESE TERMS, PLEASE PROMPTLY EXIT ALL SITES. SWISS FINANCE ACADEMY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY THESE TERMS AT ANY TIME WITHOUT ANY PRIOR NOTICE.

Students of Swiss Finance are expected to show both within and without the Academy such respect for order, morality, personal honor and the rights of others as is demanded of good citizens. Failure to do this will be sufficient cause for removal from our program(s).

Student Conduct:

Swiss Finance Academy students are expected to abide by all Swiss Finance Academy policies concerning student conduct. This includes following the laws and regulations of their host country. Additionally, the Academy students must fulfill their academic responsibilities by upholding the Academy's high academic standards. In accordance with these responsibilities, the Academy students must read and understand these policies, and agree to abide by them while at the Academy, and even beyond their participation at the Academy where applicable.

Academics:

In addition to their responsibilities as Swiss Finance Academy program participants, students have academic responsibilities. Swiss Finance Academy students are expected to remain academically eligible at the Academy. To remain eligible, students must achieve passing grades and comply with the 100% attendance policy, in addition to all other policies concerning eligibility. Ineligible students may not receive a transcript or a certificate, and may be dismissed at the sole discretion of Swiss Finance Academy. Swiss Finance Academy students are expected to maintain honest conduct in their academic affairs, personal affairs and agree to refrain from cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation, making of false or derogatory statements or any other dishonest conduct, including conduct that may hurt the reputation or integrity of the Swiss Finance Academy programs in any way.

Swiss Finance Academy students violating these policies will face appropriate disciplinary action, which may include dismissal from the program. Students dismissed from their program for academic, disciplinary, or conduct reasons will forfeit any and all academic transcripts, certificates and will receive no refund of any kind. Dismissal can take place at any time during the program and even after the program.

Post Program: Certificate, Alumni Groups and Memberships:

Swiss Finance Academy reserves full rights to monitor, grant, deny and suspend membership to its formal and informal alumni associations, clubs, gatherings and groups, both online and offline. Attending a program guarantees neither the certificate nor the membership to any Swiss Finance Academy group or organization unless the individual abides by the Academy's codes of conduct on a continuing basis. Swiss Finance Academy will examine any incident brought to its attention and determine the appropriate action at Swiss Finance Academy's sole discretion.

No individual or group can start a formal or informal, online or offline Swiss Finance Academy alumni or other organizational group without the prior written consent from the Academy.

Discrimination:

Swiss Finance Academy maintains a high standard of excellence by bringing together a community of highly qualified students, faculty, and staff. Student applicants are admitted to the Swiss Finance Academy training program on the basis of their academic, personal, and professional qualifications. Admissions decisions are made without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, veteran status, or disability. Our commitment to diversity is upheld throughout the course of our training programs. Discrimination by students, faculty, or staff against any member of the Swiss Finance Academy community based on any of the aforementioned characteristics will not be tolerated.

Honesty & Communication:

Swiss Finance Academy expects that students will be honest and forthcoming with other members of the Swiss Finance Academy community. In keeping with this expectation, any member of the community who observes a violation of any of the Swiss Finance Academy policies is required to report such violation to the Swiss Finance Academy president or Swiss Finance Academy formally designated onsite administrator (“Onsite Administrator”). Presently, Ms. Malgorzata Madej is the designated Onsite Administrator. The name of any student reporting a violation will be kept confidential upon that student’s request. Students are expected to provide honest answers to any questions posed to them by Swiss Finance Academy in the course of investigating such violations. Students are also expected to uphold the Academy's reputation at all times.

Swiss Finance Academy students are expected to conduct themselves with academic integrity. Dishonesty with regards to academic work, research, presentations, exams, and weekly peer evaluations is destructive to the values of Swiss Finance Academy, and is ultimately unfair to the majority of students who undertake the Swiss Finance Academy training program with a sense of integrity. When providing weekly peer evaluations, students are expected to be honest, candid, and complete in their assessments of their fellow students. Academic dishonesty will be grounds for immediate dismissal from the program.

Additionally, students are expected to respect the property, both physical and intellectual, of Swiss Finance Academy and of its suppliers, partners, other students, faculty, and staff. Instances of theft, unauthorized use of, or damage to property will not be tolerated, and Swiss Finance Academy reserves the right to take disciplinary or legal action in such cases.

Professionalism:

One of Swiss Finance Academy’s goals is to offer its students a deep insight into the fast-paced and competitive corporate world, especially in the investment banking and consulting industries, as well as in entrepreneurship. Students are expected to conduct themselves as one would in a responsible, respectful and professional workplace. Behaviors such as skipping class, arriving late to class or to meetings and wearing inappropriate attire such as tattered jeans or revealing clothing are not acceptable. Students are expected to approach the training program as they would approach a job – with discipline, mutual respect, and professionalism.

All students are prohibited from visiting other students' residence halls after 10 PM. Because students work in teams and the academic performance and professionalism of each student influences the experience of all other students in the training program, all students are also strictly prohibited from staying overnight at a residence hall other than their own, including on weekends. Violation of this policy will result in immediate dismissal from the program and no refund of any kind will be issued.

Participation:

Swiss Finance Academy students must come prepared for class and for team project meetings on each occassion. They are expected to make meaningful contributions to class and to team project discussions, and a failure to do so may result in a negative grade adjustment. Likewise, superior contributions to class and to team project discussions may result in a positive grade adjustment.

Sexual and Racial Harassment Policy:

Swiss Finance Academy seeks to sustain an environment that is free from sexual and racial harassment and sex and race discrimination, both inside and outside the classroom. Such conduct is an impediment to the educational goals of Swiss Finance Academy, and will not be tolerated. Any Swiss Finance Academy student who believes that (s)he has been sexually or racially harassed is encouraged to speak with the Swiss Finance Academy president or Onsite Administrator so that appropriate action may be taken. Sexual or racial harassment by a student of any other participant of the Swiss Finance Academy training program will be grounds for immediate dismissal from the training program.

Drugs and Alcohol:

The use of non-prescription drugs and misuse of prescription drugs are expressly prohibited under any circumstances.

Alcohol consumption is forbidden at most times during the course of the program and this policy is proactively enforced so that violators are immediately sent home. Specific policy details are as following. Because students work in teams and the academic performance of each student influences the experience of all other students in the training program, Swiss Finance Academy prohibits the consumption of alcohol on weekdays from Sunday evening to Friday evening both on and off campus, and on weekend evenings if regular classes are being held on the following day. The Academy also prohibits the consumption of alcohol at many non-academic weekends, including the weekend of the MBA panel, the career panel weekends and reading periods. The Academy also reserves the right to prohibit the consumption of alcohol at all times. Even on one or two occasions during the 3-week period when responsible use of alcohol may be permitted, the Academy prohibits consumption of alcohol after midnight. SFA security and other personnel periodically inspect on-campus as well as off-campus locations to strictly enforce the no-alcohol policy. Even a single instance of failure to abide by this policy typically results in immediate dismissal from the training program and removal from SFA facilities, and no refund of any kind is issued. Swiss Finance Academy, however, retains discretion in making the final decision. During the very limited times and events at which the consumption of alcoholic beverages has been expressly permitted by Swiss Finance Academy, students are expected to set an example of responsible alcohol use. At all times, the consumption and possession of alcoholic beverages is strictly forbidden in all Swiss Finance Academy facilities, including but not limited to dorm rooms, classrooms, common areas, and dining areas.

Via strict enforcement of its alcohol and other policies that allow focus on professional and academic development, Swiss Finance Academy is able to offer a highly rigorous and well-respected academic as well as professional experience to its students, an experience that we believe is not offered by other training and study abroad programs.

Responsibility:

At the completion of the program, Swiss Finance Academy students must read and comply with all pre-departure and check-out instructions before departing from Swiss Finance Academy facilities including chalets, hotels, and dorm rooms.

Students are prohibited from engaging in high risk sports activities during the course of the program, such as (including but not limited to) para gliding, white water rafting and ice skiing.

Recommendation Letter and Applicant Statement of Confidentiality:

In order to allow receipt of candid evaluations, it is a requirement for applying to Swiss Finance Academy that the Applicant waive his rights to the recommendation letter. The Applicant understands that recommendation letters will not become part of his or her permanent records. The recommendation letter will be treated as confidential to the officers and faculty of Swiss Finance Academy. The Applicant waives his or her right of access to it and understands he or she will not be able to see it under any circumstances. The student is not entitled to see the materials in his or her record, including the evaluation.

Disciplinary Action:

Swiss Finance Academy students are required to abide by all the policies. Additional policies may be set by Swiss Finance Academy onsite program directors to ensure student safety, academic achievement, and good relations with the community. Depending on the severity of the violation or incident, the Academy will employ one or more of the following disciplinary actions: a formal report, a verbal warning, a written warning, and immediate removal from the program and program site without any warning, including from housing. Swiss Finance Academy program directors will assess any incidents and determine the appropriate disciplinary action at their sole discretion. Swiss Finance Academy reserves the right to contact a student’s home university and family with regards to any disciplinary action. Students dismissed from their program will be ineligible for any academic transcripts or certificates and will receive no refund of any kind.

Payment, Cancellation and Reimbursement:

There are two application methods: Regular Decision (RD) and Early Decision (ED).

RD applicants are required to submit a $40, non-refundable Application Fee at the time of application.

There is no application fee for ED applicants; they are, however, required to submit a $300 Pre-Enrollment Deposit. If an Early Decision applicant is offered admission, the Pre-Enrollment Deposit is credited towards the overall program fees, and this $300 Pre-Enrollment Deposit becomes immediately non-refundable. The Pre-Enrollment Deposit is refunded if, and only if, the applicant is not offered admission to the program or the applicant has documented visa issues that prevent him/her from entering the host country where the program is being held.

Withdrawal of an already submitted application, whether by a Regular Decision or Early Decision applicant, for any reason other than a documented visa issue will not result in reimbursement of the Application Fee or Pre-Enrollment Deposit under any circumstances.

In the event that an applicant is not offered admission to the program or in the case of visa issues that prevent program attendance, reimbursement of any Pre-Enrollment Deposit will be made promptly within 3 business days.

All accepted students are required to make an Enrollment Deposit of $900. The $300 Pre-Enrollment Deposit submitted by Early Decision applicants is credited towards this amount. The Enrollment Deposit is then credited towards the overall program fees.

In the event a student attends the program without paying the full fees as is required, the Academy reserves a right to charge his or her credit card on file for the full fees that are outstanding. These fees become fully non-refundable on the first day of the program. In the event of cancellation prior to the program start date, Swiss Finance Academy reserves the right to retain up to 50% of overall program fees to be applied towards administrative costs and any non-refundable costs for travel, meals, housing or learning facilities paid by the Academy in anticipation of the enrolled student’s program attendance. The remaining 50% of the program fees are applied solely towards program tuition, and will be refunded upon request at any time prior to the program start date. There will be no refunds on or after the program start date.

Acceptance of the Terms of Participation:

With their signed registration or through the submission of the online registration form, participants declare their agreement with the Terms and Conditions.

Program Changes:

Swiss Finance Academy reserves the right to change the dates, location, faculty and any other aspect of the program, and cancel any programs for any reason at Swiss Finance Academy's sole discretion. In case program dates are changed or programs are cancelled, a full refund will be issued upon applicant's request. Applicant may also request an option to enroll in a different program. In case location is changed for any reasonable cause, with reasonableness determined solely by Swiss Finance Academy, the enrolled participant will be expected to attend the new location and not be eligible for a refund.

In case a program is cancelled for any reason, Swiss Finance Academy can not be held liable for any loss, including but not limited to, advance flight purchase expense or any other transportation expense incurred by anyone.

Content, Structure, and Nature of Program:

Swiss Finance Academy reserves all rights to conduct the program in any way or manner it deems fit. This includes, but is not limited to, classroom instruction, choice of instructors, course content, extracurricular and athletic activities, accommodation, events, social activities, etc. After enrollment, participant will not be eligible for a refund under any circumstances, even if there are any subsequent changes to the Program’s content, structure, or nature.

Prospective participants and participants are required to go through the Swiss Finance Academy admissions office if they wish to speak with a faculty member. Sending emails directly to our faculty or alumni without our prior consent is strictly prohibited.

Internship or Employment:

This is not an offer of employment of any kind to anyone by Swiss Finance Academy, its partners, clients, or affiliated companies. Although Swiss Finance Academy may sometimes assist participants in obtaining internships or employment, no guarantees or promises of any kind are made to anyone.

Health insurance:

All participants are fully responsible for their health, safety, and accidental insurance(s) to cover their participation in any and all aspects of the Swiss Finance Academy programs. Swiss Finance Academy will not be held responsible for any athletic, personal, or other injury that may arise for any reason at any time. All participants assume full personal responsibility for purchasing their own medical, accidental, and other insurance that may be needed.

Safety Regulations:

Participants are obligated to observe all safety regulations of Swiss Finance Academy and of the official security personnel. In addition, participants must also respect all safety rules imposed by the owners or operators of venues.

Exclusivity of Participation:

An admission offer or enrollment is only valid for the original applicant. The admission is in no way transferable or otherwise trade-able.

Intellectual Property:

Faculty and students must respect all intellectual property rights. All Swiss Finance Academy materials, including those used during the training program, are the intellectual property of Swiss Finance Academy and/or of the authors of the materials, and may not be distributed to or shared with third parties via any form of media without the express written permission of Swiss Finance Academy.

No business, association, agency, or individual, including students, shall record, produce, publish, give, sell, or otherwise distribute to others any recording made during any course presentation without the prior written consent of the instructor and/or presenter and the Swiss Finance Academy president. This policy applies to any recording in any medium, including handwritten or typed notes. The sole exception is the sharing of notes among currently enrolled students for the purpose of individual or group study or for other non-commercial purposes that may reasonably arise from participation in the course. For the avoidance of any doubt, audio and video recording of Swiss Finance Academy faculty, staff, or instructors is strictly prohibited.

Students infringing on Swiss Finance Academy’s intellectual property rights will be immediately expelled from the training program and from the housing facilities, and no refund will be issued under any circumstances. Swiss Finance Academy will have exclusive intellectual property rights to all content that is created during the program, including, but not limited to, student presentations, academic work, research, student portraits, and program photographs.

Sanctions and Liability:

Non-compliance with and violations of the terms of participation, or any misconduct, may lead to appropriate sanctions and may lead to the exclusion from the program. No refund will be issued in such instances. Swiss Finance Academy's decision will be final and cannot be challenged. Participants are fully liable for damages that result from the disregard of safety regulations as well as the rules of the owner of the venue.

You are aware that participation in the program may require living in mountain chalets or other housing in the Swiss Alps or elsewhere, transportation to class, program activities, and meals involving automobile, bus, and van transportation on mountain or city roads with sometimes poor visibility and other accidental risks. You are also aware that the program may offer optional extracurricular activities including but not limited to evening and weekend trips outside of the main program area to neighboring cities, countries and Swiss or other villages, and outdoor sport and other activities including but not limited to biking, wine tasting, restaurant visits, hiking and running, sailing, and other similar risky activities.

You are also aware that these activities involve inherent risks, dangers and hazards, including but not limited to: traffic and transportation of all sorts; changing weather conditions; variation or steepness in terrain; exposed rock, earth, ice, trees, or other natural objects; motor vehicles, equipment, pedestrians, cyclists, negligence on the part of the School or their staff; and negligence on the part of other School participants or other persons.

You are also aware that the risks, dangers and hazards referred to above exist throughout the program and off of the School’s main premises or other premises and that many are unmarked. You freely assume and fully accept all such risks, dangers, and hazards both on and off School premises and the possibility of personal injury, death, property damage, or loss resulting therefrom. In consideration of the Academy permitting your participation in the program, you hereby agree as follows:

(1) TO WAIVE ANY AND ALL CLAIMS that you may have against the Academy and all its directors, officers, employees, agents, staff members whether or not compensated by program, and representatives (all of whom are hereinafter referred to as the RELEASEES);

(2) TO RELEASE THE RELEASEES FROM ANY AND ALL LIABILITY for any loss, damage, injury or expense that you, or that your next of kin may suffer as a result of his/her participation in the Academy, and the use of any rental equipment, due to any cause whatsoever, INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF THE RELEASEES;

(3) TO HOLD HARMLESS & INDEMNIFY THE RELEASEES from any and all liability for any property damage or personal injury to any third party resulting from your participation in this program;

(4) That this release of liability shall be effective and binding upon your heirs, next of kin, executors, administrators and assigns in the event of your death.

YOU DECLARE THAT YOU HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THIS AGREEMENT PRIOR TO PROCEEDING WITH YOUR APPLICATION TO THE PROGRAM AND PRIOR TO ATTENDANCE TO THE PROGRAM, AND THAT YOU ARE AWARE THAT BY SIGNING IT, YOU ARE WAIVING CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS WHICH YOU MAY HAVE AGAINST RELEASEES.

You declare that you have also read and understand the cancellation policy including the section that outlines that there are no refunds after the program start date for any reason (please note that if a student is sent home for unacceptable behavior, or is injured and not able to participate for the remainder of their session, Swiss Finance Academy cannot offer a refund).

Advertising:

Any and all advertising by a participant of any product or service during the course of the program without explicit written permission from Swiss Finance Academy is strictly forbidden.

Applicable Law and Jurisdiction:

These Terms and Conditions are governed and will be interpreted in accordance with Swiss courts. The Swiss courts shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any claim or dispute which might arise out of or in connection with these terms and conditions. The Swiss courts shall also have exclusive jurisdiction with regards to all other disputes.