Attendance Policy
To graduate and receive program benefits, students must attend at least 80% of class time.
What this means
- The program totals 30 class sessions over 8 weeks: 28 standard 2-hour sessions during Weeks 1 through 7, Monday through Thursday, plus two extended 4-hour sessions during Thanksgiving week.
- Week 8 classes are Monday and Tuesday only, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
- The full program includes 64 total class hours.
- Students must complete at least 52 of the 64 hours to meet the 80% attendance requirement.
Lateness and early departure
- Grace period: Arriving within the first 15 minutes of class still counts as full attendance.
- Beyond 15 minutes: Students receive credit only for the actual hours attended if they arrive late or leave early.
You can be up to 15 minutes late without it counting against you. Beyond that point, you are credited only for the time you are actually in class. Across the full program, you must complete at least 52 of the possible 64 hours.
Sign-in
Attendance will be tracked through program sign-in using a QR code. Additional sign-in details will be provided by the program. Students are responsible for signing themselves in and out.
If a student has trouble signing in or out, the instructor must be notified immediately before the student leaves class so attendance can be recorded another way. Attendance issues cannot be reported after the fact.
Students who do not meet the 80% attendance requirement will not receive a tablet or completion certificate.
All coursework must be completed by the end of Week 8 to receive applicable program benefits.
Tablet & Completion Certificate
Students who meet the program's attendance and coursework requirements will receive a tablet and completion certificate.
Eligibility
- Meet the 80% attendance requirement, with a minimum of 52 of 64 class hours.
- Complete all coursework by the end of Week 8.
- Students who do not meet these requirements are not eligible to receive a tablet or completion certificate.
No returns are required except as specifically noted by the program.
Graduation
The Graduation Day date and time have not yet been finalized. Program leadership may also provide additional graduation requirements before completion of the cohort.
Current graduation requirements
- Meet the 80% attendance requirement.
- Complete all coursework by the end of Week 8.
Students who do not meet the 80% attendance requirement will not receive a tablet or completion certificate.
Makeup Work Policy
Because this is an 8-week program and students have ongoing access to course material, there are no makeup classes.
If a student misses a class, the work for that week may be completed the following week.
Business Registration (Week 8)
Week 8 includes business registration activities involving WDFI, EIN, and UEI registration.
The program will not cover the cost of registration for students who do not meet the 80% attendance requirement, even if that student's coursework and assignments are complete.
Weather Closures
If class is cancelled due to weather, students will receive attendance credit for that session. The cancellation will not count against the student's attendance record.
Voluntary Withdrawal
If a student voluntarily drops out of the program, the student will not receive program benefits, including the tablet and completion certificate.
Dismissal Policy
A student may be dismissed from the program for conduct-related reasons, including:
- Poor attitude or disrespectful behavior toward instructors, staff, or fellow students.
- Disruption of class or the learning environment.
- Failure to follow program rules and expectations.
A dismissed student will not receive program benefits, including the tablet and completion certificate.
Program Cost
This is a no-cost program. Students are not responsible for tuition, materials, or program fees.
The program and its benefits, including tablets and other program supports, are made possible through grant funding for the current program cycle.
Benefits are not guaranteed beyond the current funding period and may be modified or discontinued for future cohorts based on funding availability.
Code of Conduct
All participants are expected to:
- Treat instructors, staff, and fellow students with courtesy and respect.
- Arrive prepared and ready to participate in class activities and discussions.
- Refrain from disruptive behavior, including use of cell phones or other distractions during instruction.
- Follow all program rules and instructions from facilitators and staff.
Appeal Process
A student dismissed for conduct-related reasons may submit a written appeal to the Program Director within 5 business days of the dismissal decision.
The Program Director, in consultation with program leadership, will review the appeal and provide a final decision within 5 business days. The Program Director's decision is final.
Non-Discrimination / Equal Opportunity
Word of Hope Ministries does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, religion, or any other protected status in admission to, or treatment within, this program.
No Guarantee of Outcomes
Completion of this program does not guarantee funding, loan approval, business success, or any specific financial outcome. Participants are responsible for their own business decisions and results.
Data Sharing With Funders
Participant information, including attendance records, program outcomes, and business registration status, may be shared with program funders for grant reporting and compliance purposes.
Right to Modify Policies
Word of Hope Ministries reserves the right to modify these policies at any time. Participants will be given reasonable notice of any changes.
Photo / Media Release
By participating in this program, students may be photographed or recorded for use in Word of Hope Ministries marketing materials, grant reporting, or promotional content unless the student notifies Word of Hope Ministries in writing that they decline to be photographed or recorded.
Liability Waiver
Participation in this program, including all classes, activities, and events, is voluntary. Word of Hope Ministries is not liable for any loss, injury, or damages arising from a participant's involvement in the program.
No Legal, Financial, or Professional Advice
Information and statements provided by instructors, facilitators, and program materials are for educational purposes only and do not constitute legal, financial, tax, or other professional advice.
Participants should consult a qualified professional, such as an attorney, accountant, or financial advisor, before making business, legal, or financial decisions.
Recording of Class Sessions
Participants may not audio or video record class sessions. This policy protects the privacy of fellow participants and the intellectual property of facilitators' course content.
Acknowledgment & Signature
By signing the program acknowledgment, the participant confirms that they have read, understand, and agree to abide by the policies outlined in the DBDP Program Policies.