Course Policies

The Fine Print

Last update: May 27, 2025

Scholarship policy

Accessibility is central to our mission. We offer partial scholarships—up to 40% off tuition—to approximately 38% of students. This support is designed to ease financial strain while preserving the long-term sustainability of our programs. We do not offer scholarships beyond this threshold.

Our tiered scholarship model of 10-40% reflects the varying degrees of need within our community and are offered on a first come first served basis. Please be aware there are a limited number of scholarships available per tier, with the higher end reserved for students facing genuine financial hardship—circumstances beyond their control such as chronic illness, single caregiving with limited income, recent job loss, or significant currency disparity.

We ask all applicants to reflect honestly on the distinction between sacrifice and hardship. Sacrifices—like adjusting spending, using savings, or seeking help from family—can be uncomfortable, but can be a valuable part of the journey. In contrast, hardship involves structural constraints that limit one's ability to contribute.

Lifestyle choices—such as choosing an alternative way of living—do not inherently constitute hardship. As the Lojong slogan “Don’t transfer the ox’s load to the cow” reminds us, we’re invited to carry what we’re capable of rather than unconsciously offloading it.

If this training would only be possible with a a greater than 40% scholarship, it may be a signal that the timing isn’t right. This work asks for a certain level of resourcing—internally and externally—as part of the commitment to deep transformational practice.

We do not currently offer work/study positions, as the energy required to manage students in these positions often outweighs the benefit to the learning field.

Before applying, please review the scholarship and financial discernment section in the application document. By applying, you affirm that this support is essential to your participation.

Thank you for helping us uphold a training culture rooted in clarity, compassion, and integrity.

Stowaway policy

A commitment to communication and ethical conduct in our training is valued and appreciated. Therefore, we do not allow family members, friends, partners, or any other individuals to "stow away" out of the site of the camera during Zoom sessions. By participating in this way, individuals are engaging in an action that lacks honesty. We ask all participants to honor these guidelines and ensure that only registered students are present during our sessions. If arrangements or requests need to be made, please reach out at hello@planetarydharma.com

Access to Recordings and Content Use Policy

All live sessions are recorded and made available in the membership library for the duration of the course. This ensures that if you are unable to attend a session in real time, you can still engage with the full content at your own pace.

The materials and recordings provided in our programs are intended solely for the personal use of registered and paying students. Sharing, distributing, or granting access to course content—including recordings, documents, or login credentials—to anyone outside of the enrolled student body is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate removal from the program without refund.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in maintaining the integrity of the learning container and honoring the collective investment of all participants.

Student Dismissal Policy

Planetary Dharma reserves the right to dismiss a student from our courses at the discretion of the lead teachers and the Sangha Care Committee if behaviors arise that are deemed unacceptable or disruptive to the learning environment. This may include, but is not limited to, actions such as dishonesty, harassment, or behavior that undermines the integrity of the community. Additionally, if we determine that certain practices are contraindicated for any conditions not fully illuminated during the application process, we reserve the right to reassess participation. In contraindicated cases, either a partial or full refund would be given to the dismissed student. Our priority is to ensure a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment for all participants, and these measures are in place to protect the well-being of the entire community.

withdrawl/refund Policy

We understand that life circumstances can change, and we aim to respond with compassion and clarity. If you need to withdraw from the program, please notify us in writing before the official withdrawal deadline, which is published clearly at the time of enrollment. In such cases, we will determine the appropriate tuition owed based on our refund policy.

Please note: Deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable. If you cancel on or before the withdrawal deadline, your deposit will be forfeited and any remaining tuition paid will be refunded. Cancellations after the deadline will result in the forfeiture of all payments made.

Payment plan policy

At Planetary Dharma, we are committed to offering accessible, high-integrity training opportunities. To support a wide range of financial needs, we offer payment plans that allow students to spread their tuition across multiple months. Enrolling in a payment plan represents a good-faith agreement to fulfill the full tuition obligation over time, in exchange for access to the complete course experience.

We understand that life circumstances can change, and we aim to respond with compassion and clarity. If you find yourself needing to withdraw from the program, we ask that you notify us in writing before the official withdrawal deadline, which is clearly published at the time of enrollment. In such cases, we will work with you to determine the appropriate tuition owed based on our refund policy. However, after the withdrawal deadline has passed, the full tuition becomes non-refundable, and the full payment plan obligation remains in effect. By that point, access has been granted, resources have been committed, and the program container is fully underway. Please note: Initiating a chargeback or disputing a payment after the withdrawal deadline violates the terms of your enrollment agreement. Doing so undermines the trust-based relationship we seek to cultivate and may result in the immediate and permanent loss of access to current and future programs with Planetary Dharma.

Students using payment plans are responsible for ensuring that sufficient funds are available for each scheduled payment and that their payment method remains valid. If a payment fails, our system (powered by Squarespace) will automatically notify you via email, prompting you to update your information. After 10 days of unresolved failed payments, student access to the membership area is automatically revoked. If this occurs, continuing in the program will require paying the remaining balance in full.

We appreciate your integrity and accountability in upholding these agreements, which help us sustain an equitable and trustworthy learning environment for all.

Intellectual Property policy

© 2025 Planetary Dharma. All rights reserved. No part of the Planetary Dharma material (website, audio transcripts, video, slides, pdf’s or teachings in any media format) may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law. Only certified facilitators, who have completed the FIT track, are authorized to use the materials. Unauthorized use of our intellectual property is a violation of our terms and will be addressed accordingly. We appreciate your respect for the teachings and commitment to maintaining their integrity.