Hardship and Risk of Persecution
Policy statement
Katagraph Institute has a duty to ensure operating costs are met in order to continue offering its content. Katagraph Institute sets its enrolment fees at a level intended to balance its desire to be affordable alongside its need to secure sufficient operating capital, and to promote its courses to future prospective students.
Katagraph Institute recognises that some people will not be in a position to pay enrolment fees, either through hardship or the risk of persecution. Where that is the case, this policy sets out the approach to providing access to course material to students on a no-cost basis.
Hardship
Katagraph Institute defines hardship as: when a person’s income is below or very close to their essential living costs, such that enrolment fees could not be paid at all or without risking financial harm.
This definition is intended to cover anybody with a low income who, without support, would not be able to study. This might include people who are unemployed or retired.
This definition is not intended to include somebody who could afford to pay enrolment fees after a period of saving. It is also not intended to include people who use their disposable income on other activities or non-essential items. Prospective students who would save or make other sacrifices should remember that the cost of delivering the course will not disappear, but will instead be transferred to Katagraph Institute.
Katagraph Institute will award a hardship fee waiver to somebody who can’t afford to enrol, and whose alternative course of action would be to not study.
Students are offered a range of payment options, including the option to pay in interest-free instalments. Those who may have the ability to fund their own study are encouraged to prayerfully consider their commitment to their chosen course, and what non-essential sacrifices they could make.
Risk of persecution
Katagraph Institute defines risk of persecution as: when it is reasonably likely that a person’s engagement with the course will result in physical, emotional, mental or other significant harm or abuse.
This definition is intended to cover people living in countries where Christianity is, or effectively is, illegal. It is also relevant to those living in comparatively safe countries, but whose personal or family circumstances pose similar risks.
Where payments or records of payments to Katagraph Institute would pose a legitimate threat of persecution, Katagraph Institute will waive enrolment fees in the interests of that person’s safety.
Students at risk of persecution should take advice on the best ways to keep themselves safe during their course of study, which may include disabling emails from Katagraph Institute. For advice on this, please contact the Student Support team.
Awarding of financial support
Prospective students may choose to apply for a financial waiver when selecting their preferred payment method.
Applications are accepted on a good-faith basis. Katagraph Institute will not ask for evidence to support the request, because circumstances will vary. Accepting requests at face value is intended as a measure to respect the privacy, dignity and – in the case of risk of persecution – safety of applicants.
The sustainability of such an approach is dependent on the honesty of applicants, claiming for support only under circumstances for which they are entitled to it.