School Policies
CORNERSTONE REAL ESTATE ACADEMY
1. Mission Statement
Cornerstone Real Estate Academy is committed to providing comprehensive, high-quality real estate education to adults pursuing successful careers as real estate salespersons, brokers, appraisers, and property managers. Instruction is provided by qualified and experienced instructors in a professional learning environment designed to support student development and success.
2. Governing Body and Faculty
Members of the Academy's governing body and faculty may be contacted during regular business hours at (803) 422-9110.
3. Location of Office and Classrooms
3.1 School Location and Delivery Format
Cornerstone Real Estate Academy operates as an online and distance-learning real estate school.
Office telephone: (803) 876-8338.
3.2 Classroom Size
When classroom-based courses are offered, enrollment will be limited to no more than thirty (30) students per class. This limitation is intended to promote effective instruction, meaningful student participation, and appropriate instructor-to-student interaction.
3.3 Accessibility and Compliance
When in-person classroom courses are offered, the Academy will use facilities that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to students with disabilities as applicable.
4. Operating Hours
4.1 Staff Availability
Academy staff are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
4.2 Course Hours and Scheduling
Course hours vary by course and may not correspond with Admissions Office hours. Course schedules will be provided to prospective and enrolled students. Courses are offered throughout the year.
4.3 Holidays
The Admissions Office is closed, and courses are not conducted, on Christmas and Easter.
5. Corporate Structure
Cornerstone Real Estate Academy is privately owned and operated. The Academy is not affiliated with any real estate brokerage company.
6. Tobacco Policy
Smoking and the use of chewing tobacco are prohibited inside the school building. Students who choose to use tobacco products must do so outside the building and are expected to dispose of cigarettes and related materials properly.
7. Alcohol Policy
7.1 Alcohol Consumption
The possession or consumption of alcohol by students on school premises is prohibited.
7.2 Intoxication
Any student who arrives at class while visibly intoxicated will not be permitted to attend class.
7.3 Repeated Violations
Students who repeatedly report to class while intoxicated may be subject to expulsion from the Academy.
8. Mobile/Cell Phone Policy
8.1 Use During Instruction
Cell phones and other personal mobile devices may not be used during instructional periods.
8.2 Use During Breaks
Students may use cell phones during scheduled breaks. A ten (10) minute break will generally be provided approximately every fifty (50) minutes.
8.3 Disruptive or Repeated Use
Students who repeatedly use a cell phone during instructional periods may be asked to leave the class.
9. Perfume and Cologne Policy
9.1 Fragrance Restriction
To help protect students and instructors who may have allergies or fragrance sensitivities, students may not wear perfume or cologne while attending class.
9.2 Removal from Class
A student who arrives wearing perfume or cologne may be asked to leave the classroom until the fragrance has been removed or is no longer present.
9.3 Deodorant
The use of deodorant is permitted and encouraged.
10. Tuition Policy
10.1 Payment of Tuition
Tuition must be paid in full before the scheduled start date of the course.
10.2 Transfer of Tuition
Once a course has begun, tuition paid by one student may not be transferred or assigned to another student.
10.3 Accepted Forms of Payment
The Academy accepts cash, personal checks, certified checks, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. The Academy does not offer financial aid or financing.
10.4 Dishonored Checks
A dishonored or returned check is subject to a $35.00 service charge, in addition to any fees assessed by the financial institution.
10.5 Certificates Issued Before Payment Clears
If a student's check is dishonored after a course completion certificate has been issued, the certificate will be invalidated.
11. Course Accreditation
All courses offered by Cornerstone Real Estate Academy are reviewed and accredited by the South Carolina Real Estate Commission.
12. General Admissions and Attendance Policy
12.1 Age and Educational Requirements
Students must be at least eighteen (18) years of age and possess a high school diploma or a General Educational Development (GED) credential.
12.2 Class Size Limitations
For courses subject to a classroom enrollment limit, only the first thirty (30) students who have paid tuition in full are guaranteed a seat.
12.3 Tuition Requirement
All tuition must be paid in full before the course begins.
12.4 English-Language Literacy and Interpretation
Course materials and instruction are provided in English. Students who are unable to read or understand English are responsible for arranging their own interpretation or language assistance.
12.5 Time Allowed for Course Completion
Enrollment is valid for one hundred eighty (180) days. Students must complete the applicable course within that period. Students who do not complete the course within 180 days will be required to re-enroll.
12.6 Attendance Requirement
Students must be present during all scheduled class periods. Any required instructional time that is missed must be made up in accordance with Academy requirements.
13. Updates to Student Contact Information
13.1 Changes to Contact Information
Students are responsible for notifying the Academy in writing of any change to their telephone number, email address, or mailing address.
13.2 Reliance on Information Provided
Until written notice of a change is received, the Academy will continue to use the contact information originally provided by the student.
14. Academic Integrity
14.1 Standards
Cornerstone Real Estate Academy maintains strict standards of academic integrity and expects all students to complete their coursework and examinations honestly and independently.
14.2 Examples of Academic Integrity Violations
- Cheating on examinations or assessments;
- Copying another person's work;
- Falsifying identity, records, or other data;
- Destroying or stealing Academy property or the property of another student; and
- Stealing, obtaining, or improperly possessing examination questions.
14.3 Notification of Violations
The Academy will notify a student of an alleged academic integrity violation within three (3) business days.
14.4 Disciplinary Consequences
Depending on the nature and seriousness of the violation, disciplinary action may include a warning, suspension, or expulsion.
14.5 Invalidation of Certificates
A course completion certificate may be invalidated if an academic integrity violation is determined to have occurred.
15. Student Conduct
15.1 General Expectations
Students are expected to conduct themselves in a professional and respectful manner, demonstrate appropriate courtesy and manners, and avoid behavior that interferes with instruction or the learning environment.
15.2 Examples of Inappropriate Conduct
- Violation of Academy policies;
- Harassment, persistent annoyance, or other inappropriate conduct directed toward another person;
- Destruction of Academy property or the property of another person; and
- Disruptive behavior that interferes with instruction or the learning environment.
Students who engage in inappropriate or disruptive conduct may be subject to expulsion from the Academy.
16. Tuition and Course Dates
16.1 Tuition Changes
Tuition rates are subject to change without prior notice.
16.2 Promotional Discounts
Published tuition amounts do not necessarily reflect temporary promotional discounts that may be offered by the Academy.
16.3 Inclusive Course Costs
No additional course costs will apply beyond the tuition amount listed for the course.
16.4 Course Completion Period
Students have one hundred eighty (180) days from the date of enrollment to complete the applicable course.
17. Refund and Reinstatement Policy
17.1 Courses Cancelled by the Academy
If Cornerstone Real Estate Academy cancels a course, enrolled students will receive a full refund of one hundred percent (100%) of tuition paid for that course.
17.2 Student Cancellation — Live, In-Person, or Hybrid Courses
A student who cancels before the scheduled class start date may receive a ninety percent (90%) refund of tuition paid. A ten percent (10%) processing fee will be retained. The refund request must be submitted by email before the class begins.
17.3 Online Self-Paced Course Refunds
A student enrolled in an online self-paced course may receive a one hundred percent (100%) refund when both of the following conditions are satisfied:
- The refund is requested within thirty (30) days of enrollment; and
- The student has completed fifty percent (50%) or less of the course.
No refund will be issued once the student has completed more than fifty percent (50%) of the course or after a course completion certificate has been issued.
17.4 No Refund After Course Start Date
For live, in-person, and hybrid courses, no refund will be issued after the scheduled class start date.
17.5 One Complimentary Date Change
A student may request one (1) complimentary rescheduling of the course date, provided the new date is within six (6) months of the original course date. Once the original course start date has passed, no refund will be issued, even if the student has rescheduled the course.
17.6 Reinstatement After Six Months
A student whose enrollment has expired after six (6) months may be reinstated at fifty percent (50%) of the original tuition amount.