Frequently asked questions
Who are your tutors?
High-achieving college students, mostly from George Mason University and other Northern Virginia colleges. Each one is interviewed, checked for strong grades in the subjects they tutor, and background checked.
What grade levels do you tutor?
Elementary, middle and high school students, plus students in introductory college courses.
Where does tutoring happen?
Online, at a public library near you, or at your home. In-home sessions cost $10 more per session to cover your tutor's travel.
How long is each session?
60 minutes, scheduled at a regular time that works for your family and your tutor.
How does billing work?
You're billed monthly, before that month's sessions, by card or bank transfer through our secure payment provider.
Is there a contract or enrollment fee?
No. There's no enrollment fee and no long-term contract. Cancel at least 3 days before your next billing date to stop the next charge.
What if we need to cancel a session?
Give us at least 24 hours’ notice and we’ll move the session to another time within the next 30 days (up to 2 sessions a month). Sessions canceled with less than 24 hours’ notice, or missed, count as used, since your tutor set that time aside for you. Emergencies happen, so each family gets one courtesy late cancellation a month.
What if our tutor cancels?
We always make it up, at a time that works for you, and it never counts toward your 2 reschedules.
Do unused sessions carry over?
Rescheduled sessions need to be used within 30 days. After that they expire, and unused sessions aren’t refunded if you stop your plan, so we’ll always remind you before they run out.
Can we change tutors?
Yes, anytime, at no cost. Just tell us what isn't working and we'll find a better match.
Can we try before paying?
Every family starts with a 15-minute consultation at no cost, where we talk through your student's needs and recommend a plan. After you enroll, the first session is covered by our first-session guarantee.
What if the first session isn't a good fit?
Let us know within 48 hours of your first session. We’ll match your student with a different tutor at no extra cost, or, if you’d prefer to stop, refund the remaining sessions for that month.
Can we tip our tutor?
Tips are never expected. If you'd like to thank your tutor, your monthly receipt includes an optional "Thank your tutor" link, and 100% of every tip goes to the tutor. Please don't tip in cash or through apps directly, so we can make sure it reaches them properly.
Do you offer reduced-cost tutoring?
We're building toward it. As we grow, the AtCollege Scholarship will set aside tutoring at no cost each month for local families who need it. Email us with the subject line "Scholarship" to ask or refer a student.
Want to talk it through?
Book a 15-minute consultation. We'll learn about your student and recommend a tutor and plan. No payment needed.