TMA's monthly payment plan is a convenient way to spread out the cost of the full semester or full year's tuition over equal monthly installments. It is important to understand that this is not a 'pay-as-you-go' arrangement. By agreeing to this method, you acknowledge that monthly payments are a method of fulfilling your full financial commitment for the term over time. This means that whether or not the student continues attending lessons, our strict withdrawal policy still applies. Tuition for the entire term remains due and monthly payments will continue as scheduled. This policy ensures consistency for all clients and faculty, and allows us to reserve your student's place, plan staffing, and maintain the quality of our programs. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. Even with the monthly payment plan, our withdrawal policy still applies. 

No, The Music Academy offers this arrangement as a convenience and service to our clients and does not disincentivize the monthly plan by adding additional fees. We recommend using a DEBIT CARD to remove the 3% card surcharge. (If you choose to use a credit card as your preferred payment method, this will incur an additional 3% fee). A Please note that in the self-booking process, the very initial payment must be paid with a debit or credit card. After the first payment is made, the preferred payment method can be updated to Bank Account for all future invoices, if preffered. We do not accept check, money order, or bank Bill Pay for monthly payments; those methods are only available to students who wish to pay for the semester in full. We no longer accept Venmo payments.

Here is an overview of our Payment Methods:

Online Options:

• Credit Card - incurs 3% fee

• Debit Card - no additional fee

• Bank Account - no additional fee (first payment must be paid with credit card; all future invoices may be made with Bank Account)

Alternative Payment Options - Available only when paying upfront, for the entire term in full.

• Check

• Cash

• Money Order

• Bank "Bill Pay"

Using a DEBIT CARD will remove the 3% surcharge fee! After the intial payment is made with a card, you may also switch to Bank Account for future monthly billing, if that is preferred.

*When booking a trial or enrolling in a monthly payment plan online, the initial payment must be made using a debit or credit card. This policy is enforced by Opus to protect The Music Academy, as ACH (bank account) transactions require up to five business days to clear, whereas credit card payments are authorized instantly. After the first payment is completed, you may update your preferred payment method to a bank account.

Trial Lessons: Payment is due at the time of booking via Opus1. We no longer accept check, cash, or Venmo payments for Trial Lessons.

Weekly Private Lessons:

• Monthly Auto-Billing: Initial payment is due at the time of booking and includes your first month of lessons as well as the annual registration fee. Future invoices will be auto-billed on the 1st of the month in which lessons are scheduled. Auto-billing will conclude at the end of term. If auto-billing is not successful, and payment is not received within 7 days, a $20 late fee will be applied. If the balance is not paid by 14 days, future lessons will be suspended until payment and all fees are received. Lessons missed during the suspension will be forfeited and not eligible for make-up lessons. 

• Full Semester Payment: Full tuition and registration fee are due by the time of the first lesson. If payment is not received within 7 days, a $20 late fee will be applied. If the outstanding invoice is not paid by 14 days, lessons will be suspended until payment and all fees are paid. Lessons missed during the suspension will be forfeited and not eligible for make-up lessons.