1. Policy Statement
Global Path operates on a zero-fee consultancy model. Our core mission is to remove financial barriers to international education. This policy clearly defines the nature of our free services, outlines the financial responsibilities that remain with the student, and establishes principles of transparency to prevent any misunderstanding regarding costs.

2. Scope
This policy applies to all educational consultancy services provided by Global Path to its registered students. It governs the financial understanding between the student and Global Path.

3. The Global Path “Free Service” Model
Core Principle: Global Path does not charge students fees for its expert counselling, application processing, visa guidance, or scholarship support.
Rationale: This model ensures our services are accessible to all qualified Zimbabwean students, regardless of their immediate financial capacity, aligning with our mission of equity and opportunity.

4. Services Provided Free of Charge
Global Path fully covers the cost of its professional advisory and administrative services, including:

• Personalized Counselling & Career Guidance: In-depth profile assessment and country/course/university selection.
• Application Process Management: Guidance on document preparation, form filling, personal statement review, and submission liaison.
• Scholarship & Financial Aid Guidance: Identification of suitable opportunities and application support.
• Visa Application Support: Step-by-step guidance on documentation, form completion, and interview preparation.
• Pre-Departure & Orientation Support: Advice on travel, accommodation, cultural adjustment, and settling in.

5. Student Financial Responsibilities
The student is solely responsible for all third-party payments required by external institutions. These are mandatory costs over which Global Path has no control. They include, but are not limited to:

• University Application Fees: Payable directly to each university applied to.
• Standardized Test Fees: For exams such as IELTS, TOEFL, SAT, GRE, GMAT (including test registration and possible score-sending fees).
• Visa Application Fees: Payable to the relevant embassy, high commission, or immigration authority.
• Tuition Fees & University Deposits: Payable directly to the institution upon acceptance.
• Other External Costs: Such as medical examination fees, credential evaluation fees (e.g., WES), courier charges, and travel insurance.

6. Transparency & Communication of Fees
To ensure absolute clarity:

• Prior Disclosure: Advisors must clearly explain and document all foreseeable third-party fees relevant to the student’s chosen destinations and universities at the beginning of the process.
• No Surprise Costs: Global Path will communicate promptly if any new, unforeseen external costs arise during the process.
• Direct Payment: Students will always be guided to make payments directly to the official accounts of universities, testing bodies, or embassies. Global Path will never collect these funds on behalf of any third party, except in explicitly stated and verifiable scenarios (e.g., a university portal requiring a single submission from an agent).

7. Non-Refundability of Free Services
As our core consultancy services are provided without charge, the concept of a “refund” for these services is not applicable. Our commitment is to provide diligent, professional, and ethical support throughout the agreed-upon process.

8. Ethical Clause
In the highly unlikely event that Global Path fails to deliver the core services outlined in Section 4 due to gross negligence or operational closure, the company’s liability will be limited to the completion of those services or a mutually agreed-upon resolution, not a financial refund.

9. Definitions

• Free Services: The professional advisory, guidance, and application management work performed by Global Path staff.
• Third-Party Fees: Mandatory payments levied by external institutions (universities, governments, testing agencies) as part of the study abroad application and enrollment process.

10. Policy Acknowledgment
All students will formally acknowledge in writing (via a Service Agreement) that they have read, understood, and agree to the terms of this Refund & Service Policy before engaging our services.

11. Policy Review
This policy is reviewed annually to maintain clarity and alignment with our mission and operational practices.