Membership Agreement

This Membership Agreement (“Agreement”) is a binding contract between Haze Zhou Educational Consulting LLC, doing business as Tributaries Educational Consulting (“Tributaries EC,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) and the individual or family enrolling in a membership plan (“Client,” “you,” or “your”). By completing the registration process and subscribing to any membership tier, you agree to the terms of this Agreement.

1. Membership Tiers and Services

1.1 Overview
Tributaries EC offers four membership tiers: Free, Foundations, Comprehensive, and Complete. Each tier builds on the one below it. The specific services, session counts, and response times for each tier are described in Sections 1.2 through 1.5.

All session counts described below are per month unless otherwise noted. Session lengths are measured in minutes. Session and meeting counts that are not used in a given month do not roll over to subsequent months.

1.2 Free Tier
Price: No charge
The Free tier provides access to educational resources and community content. Free tier members do not receive one-on-one consulting, tutoring, or coaching services. The Free tier includes:

Full access to the resource library, including planning checklists, grade-specific timelines, financial aid guides, research worksheets, study skills toolkits, essay examples and prompts, application tracking tools, and scholarship databases
Weekly newsletter with school information, scholarship alerts, planning tips, and deadline reminders
Access to free webinars and on-demand webinar recordings
Monthly Q&A sessions
Member updates

1.3 Foundations Tier
Price: $75 per month, or $750 per year (annual billing includes two months free)
The Foundations tier includes everything in the Free tier, plus personalized guidance and financial aid support.

Monthly Support

One 30-minute planning meeting per month focused on personalized guidance and next steps
48-hour messaging response time

Financial Aid Guidance
At least two dedicated sessions annually for financial aid planning and applications at all levels, including K-12 financial aid, FAFSA and CSS Profile for undergraduate, and graduate school funding

Resources and Learning

Full access to resource library
Premium webinar access and recordings
Weekly newsletter

1.4 Comprehensive Tier
Price: $200 per month, or $2,000 per year (annual billing includes two months free)
The Comprehensive tier includes everything in the Foundations tier, plus enhanced meeting structure, coaching and tutoring, academic planning, and application support.

Enhanced Meeting Structure

Monthly 30-minute planning meetings, with every third month replaced by a 60-minute Deep Dive session customized to the student’s grade level
24-hour messaging response time

Coaching and Tutoring

One 45-minute individual session per month
One 45-minute small group session per month
Sessions may be used for academic support, test prep strategies, study skills, or application coaching

Academic and Extracurricular Planning

School list development for all levels (K-12, undergraduate, graduate, transfer) with 8 to 12 balanced options
Course selection and academic planning
GPA trajectory planning and basic transcript review
Extracurricular strategy and activity selection
Summer program research and recommendations
Application timeline and deadline management

Essay and Application Support

Essay brainstorming and topic development
Two rounds of feedback per application cycle (school, summer program, or independent program annually)

Financial Aid Guidance

Financial aid support at all levels (K-12, undergraduate, graduate)
Basic award letter review
Financial aid timeline management

1.5 Complete Tier
Price: $500 per month, or $5,000 per year (annual billing includes two months free)
The Complete tier includes everything in the Foundations and Comprehensive tiers, plus premium support, expanded coaching and tutoring, in-depth planning, comprehensive application support, and portfolio and talent development services.

Premium Meeting Structure

Monthly 45-minute strategy sessions, with every third month replaced by a 60-minute Deep Dive session
Priority 24-hour messaging response time

Expanded Coaching and Tutoring

Approximately 40 sessions during the school year (generally alternating between 20 individual and 20 small group sessions, excluding holidays and breaks), each 45 minutes in length
Sessions may be used for comprehensive academic support, test prep, study skills, executive functioning, or application coaching

In-Depth Academic and Extracurricular Planning

Comprehensive school list development with detailed fit analysis for each institution
Deep research on programs, opportunities, and campus culture
Multi-year academic roadmapping (four-year high school plans, college trajectories)
Advanced course selection strategy and GPA optimization
Detailed transcript analysis and improvement planning
Learning differences accommodation planning and advocacy
Comprehensive extracurricular strategy with leadership pathway development
Activity timeline and progression planning
Summer program strategy with application support
Independent research and gap year planning
Campus visit planning with school-specific interview preparation
Application management and tracking across all deadlines

Comprehensive Essay and Application Support

Full essay development from brainstorming through final draft
Up to six rounds of feedback per application cycle (school, summer program, or independent program annually)
Personal narrative development and positioning
Activity list development and optimization
Mock interview practice and preparation (up to three per cycle)
Talking points and strategy development
Recommendation letter strategy

Enhanced Financial Aid and Scholarship Services

Comprehensive financial aid support at all levels (K-12, undergraduate, graduate)
Award letter analysis and comparison
Financial aid negotiation and appeal strategy
Merit scholarship research and positioning
Scholarship application strategy and timeline

Portfolio and Talent Development

Portfolio planning and development guidance (arts, STEM, specialized talents)
Competition strategy for academic or creative work
Project mentoring for research or creative endeavors

1.6 Services Overview
The following is a summary of the service categories available through Tributaries EC. Not all services are available at all tiers. The specific services included in each tier are described in Sections 1.2 through 1.5. Services not included in your tier may be available through a tier upgrade or a custom project engagement.

School Selection and Applications

School list development at all educational levels: K-12 (public, private day, boarding), undergraduate, graduate, and transfer, with reach, match, and safety breakdown and fit analysis
Specialized pathways including boarding schools, international universities, alternative routes, and gap year programs
Application support including timeline management, strategy development, and platform guidance (Common App, Coalition, UC, school-specific systems), and completion assistance
Campus engagement including visit planning, virtual tours, interview preparation (on-campus and alumni), and post-visit debrief

Academic Support and Test Preparation

Planning services including course selection, multi-year roadmapping, GPA strategies, transcript analysis, and learning differences support
Tutoring across a wide range of subjects including mathematics, sciences, humanities, AP and IB coursework, and essay and creative writing. Subject availability depends on instructor capacity and may vary.
Study support including study skills, executive functioning, time management, organization, and note-taking
Test preparation for SAT, ACT, AP, IB, SSAT, ISEE, TOEFL, and IELTS, including test anxiety coaching

Extracurricular and Enrichment Strategy

Strategic planning including activity selection, leadership pathway development, and timeline and progression planning
Summer opportunities including program research, list development, applications, and informal experiences
Independent work including research mentoring (STEM and humanities), creative project support, and internship guidance
Gap year program selection, planning, and applications

Writing and Application Materials

Essay support including brainstorming, drafting, line editing, and final review for academic essays, application essays (personal statements and supplements), and scholarship essays
Application materials including activity lists, résumés, extracurricular explanations, and positioning strategy
Writing development including creative writing, academic writing skills, and composition fundamentals

Interview Preparation and Communication

Interview preparation including general skills, mock interviews, school-specific preparation, alumni interviews, scholarship and graduate school interviews, and recorded interview coaching
Communication strategy including talking points, response frameworks, and presentation skills
Recommendation support including recommender selection, request templates, and information packets for recommenders

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Applications and forms including K-12 financial aid, FAFSA, CSS Profile, state aid, and graduate funding (assistantships, fellowships, grants)
Strategy and optimization including award letter analysis and negotiation, appeals, and aid maximization planning
Scholarships including merit and need-based research, local and community opportunities, and application support and strategy
Specialized support including employer tuition benefits and partnership with Tributaries FP for complex financial situations
Workshops including group sessions for FAFSA and CSS Profile completion

Portfolio and Talent Development

Arts portfolios including visual arts, performing arts (auditions), and media arts (film, photography, digital)
STEM portfolios including research documentation, résumés, and project presentation
Athletics including recruitment strategy, highlight videos, and NCAA/NAIA eligibility
Competitions including academic, STEM, and creative competition strategy and preparation
Professional development including personal branding, LinkedIn optimization, and portfolio presentation coaching

Specialized Populations and Pathways

Transfer students including community college pathways, articulation agreements, and credit evaluation
Adult learners including credential mapping, degree completion, career transitions, and prior learning assessment portfolios
Study abroad and international university applications
Specialized populations including neurodiverse and twice-exceptional learners, first-generation students, and immigrant and refugee families
Career services including career exploration, transition planning, professional roadmaps, and internship and job search support

Group Programs and Enrichment

Small group coaching including writing skills, study skills, application workshops, test prep groups, and academic writing
Creative enrichment including writing contests with feedback, newsletter publication, discussion groups, and reading and book clubs
Critique and feedback groups including portfolio critique circles, STEM research roundtables, and essay review sessions
Structured programs including single-session intensives, multi-part courses, and semester or year-long programs as offered
Webinar library with free on-demand access to recordings and premium content available to paid subscribers

Resource Library and Communications

Resource library including planning checklists, grade-specific timelines, financial aid guides, research worksheets, study skills toolkits, essay examples and prompts, application tracking tools, and scholarship databases
Weekly newsletter with school information, scholarship alerts, planning tips, and deadline reminders
Templates including email templates, request forms, and communication tools

1.7 Changes to Tiers and Services
Tributaries EC reserves the right to modify the services included in any tier. If we make material changes to your current tier, we will notify you by email at least 30 days before the changes take effect. You may cancel your subscription before the changes take effect if you do not agree to the modified terms.

Tributaries EC may also introduce new services, group programs, or structured programs from time to time. These may be included in existing tiers or offered as add-on services. We will communicate any new offerings to active members.

2. Registration and Accounts

2.1 Eligibility
Membership accounts may only be created by individuals 18 years of age or older. Members enrolling on behalf of a minor student represent that they are the parent or legal guardian of that student and have the authority to consent to the collection and use of the student’s personal information. For paid membership tiers created on behalf of a child under 13, by creating an account, executing the subscription payment transaction, and consenting via the COPPA Direct Notice, the parent or guardian provides verifiable parental consent to the collection, use, and storage of the student’s personal information as described in the Privacy Policy, including for purposes of compliance with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Free Tier accounts are exclusively for parents or students aged thirteen and older; the submission of data pertaining to a child under thirteen within the Free Tier is strictly prohibited and any such data will be immediately deleted.

Students ages 13 and older may use the website independently, including accessing resources, reading content, participating in group sessions, and attending one-on-one sessions without a parent or guardian present, once a parent or guardian has created the account and consented to services on their behalf. Students ages 13 and older may not create their own accounts.

Students under the age of 13 may not use the website independently. All website activity for students under 13 must be conducted by a parent or guardian on the student’s behalf. Students under 13 may not participate in group sessions. A parent or guardian must be present during all one-on-one sessions involving a student under 13.

Parents and guardians may review, request changes to, or request deletion of their child’s personal information at any time by contacting us at contact@tributariesEC.com. A parent or guardian may also refuse to permit further collection of a child’s information. If further collection is refused, the child’s access to services that depend on that information may be limited or discontinued.

2.2 Account Creation
All members, including free tier members, must create an account with a valid email address and password. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activity that occurs under your account.

2.3 Intake Questionnaire
Paid members are required to complete an intake questionnaire during the registration process. The information provided is used to prepare for your initial consultation and to tailor our services to your family’s needs. Providing accurate information is your responsibility.

3. Billing and Payment

Sections 3 through 7 of this Agreement apply to paid membership tiers only (Foundations, Comprehensive, and Complete). Free tier members are not subject to billing, payment, refund, or cancellation terms.

3.1 Payment Terms
All paid memberships are billed in advance through Stripe. By subscribing, you authorize Tributaries EC to charge the payment method on file for the applicable membership fee.

3.2 Billing Cycles

Monthly subscriptions are billed on the same date each month, beginning on the date of enrollment.
Annual subscriptions, if offered, are billed as a single payment at enrollment and renew annually. Annual billing includes two months free (ten months paid at the monthly rate).

3.3 Auto-Renewal
Subscriptions automatically renew at the end of each billing period unless canceled by you before the renewal date. You may cancel the automatic renewal at any time by logging into your account dashboard and clicking the cancellation button. For annual subscriptions, an automatic renewal reminder will be sent to the email address on file no fewer than thirty (30) days and no more than sixty (60) days prior to the renewal billing date. It is your responsibility to keep your email address current and to cancel before the renewal date if you do not wish to continue. Failure to receive a reminder due to an outdated email address does not entitle you to a refund for a renewal charge. You may cancel at any time through your account or by contacting us.

3.4 Price Changes
Tributaries EC may adjust membership pricing. Any price increase will be communicated to you by email at least 30 days before it takes effect. If you do not cancel before the new pricing takes effect, your continued subscription constitutes acceptance of the updated price.

Clients on annual billing will not be subject to a price increase during their current annual term. Any price change will take effect at the next renewal.

3.5 Failed Payments
If a payment fails, we will attempt to process it again and notify you by email. If payment is not resolved within 14 days, your membership may be suspended until the balance is settled. Continued non-payment may result in termination of services.

4. Scheduling and Sessions

4.1 Scheduling
Sessions and lessons are scheduled through Simply Schedule Appointments. Clients are responsible for booking their sessions within the scheduling availability provided.

4.2 Session Format
All sessions and lessons are conducted virtually via Zoom unless otherwise agreed in writing. Tributaries EC reserves the right to change the video conferencing platform with reasonable notice.

4.3 Unused Sessions
Session and meeting allocations are provided on a monthly basis (or as otherwise specified for your tier). Unused sessions do not roll over to subsequent months. It is the client’s responsibility to schedule and use allocated sessions within each period.

4.4 Cancellations and Rescheduling
Cancellation and rescheduling of sessions, lessons, and group lessons are governed by the Refund and Cancellation Policy, which is incorporated into this Agreement by reference.

5. Upgrades, Downgrades, and Tier Changes

5.1 Upgrading
You may upgrade your membership tier at any time. Upgrades take effect immediately. Your billing will be adjusted on a prorated basis for the remainder of the current billing period.

5.2 Downgrading
You may downgrade your membership tier at any time. Downgrades take effect at the beginning of the next billing period. You will retain access to your current tier’s services through the end of the current billing period. No prorated refunds are issued for downgrades.

6. Custom Projects

Tributaries EC offers custom projects for families with needs that fall outside the standard tier structure or that require a level of service beyond what a tier includes. Examples include emergency school placements, short-term admissions support for a specific deadline, single-application assistance, transfer support, or other time-sensitive engagements.

Custom projects are available to both members and non-members.

Scoping and Pricing
Each custom project is individually scoped based on the family’s needs, timeline, and complexity. After an initial consultation, Tributaries EC will provide a written project agreement that includes:

A description of the services to be provided
The project timeline and any applicable deadlines
The total project fee or hourly rate, as applicable
Payment schedule, including any deposit requirements
Refund terms specific to the project

No work begins on a custom project until both parties have agreed to and signed the project agreement.

Relationship to Membership
Custom project fees are separate from and in addition to any membership subscription fees. If a custom project client is also a member, the membership continues independently, and services provided under the custom project do not count against or replace the member’s tier allocations.

Custom project clients who are not members do not receive access to membership benefits (resource library, newsletters, webinars, group sessions, or messaging) unless they separately enroll in a membership tier.

7. Cancellation and Refunds

All cancellation and refund terms are governed by the Refund and Cancellation Policy, available at https://www.tributariesec.com/refund-and-cancellation-policy and incorporated into this Agreement by reference.

Key provisions include:

A 30-day, no-questions-asked refund guarantee for all new clients. If a refund is issued under this guarantee, access to all services terminates immediately upon issuance of the refund.
Monthly subscriptions may be canceled at any time. Standard (non-refund) cancellations take effect at the end of the current billing period, and the client retains access to services through that date.
Annual subscriptions have a partial refund schedule as described in the Refund and Cancellation Policy. Any refund issued under the annual refund schedule terminates access immediately.

8. Client Responsibilities

By enrolling in a membership, you agree to:

Provide accurate and complete information during registration and throughout the consulting engagement.
Attend scheduled sessions or cancel with at least 24 hours notice.
Communicate openly and in good faith with your consultant about your family’s goals, concerns, and circumstances.
Maintain a respectful and professional relationship with all Tributaries EC staff, instructors, and other members.
Ensure that the student (if a minor) participates in the process as appropriate to their age and developmental level.
Maintain current payment status.

9. Our Responsibilities

Tributaries EC agrees to:

Provide the services described for your membership tier in a professional and timely manner.
Respond to client communications within the response time specified for your tier.
Maintain the confidentiality of your personal and student information in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Act in the best interest of the student’s educational well-being.
Communicate any changes to services, pricing, or policies with reasonable advance notice.

9.1 Non-Discrimination
Tributaries EC is committed to serving all families regardless of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic status, family structure, or immigration status. We believe every student deserves access to thoughtful educational guidance, and we do not discriminate in the provision of our services.

10. No Guarantee of Outcomes

Tributaries EC provides guidance, support, and expertise to help families navigate educational decisions. We do not guarantee admission to any school, program, or institution, nor do we guarantee scholarships, financial aid awards, test scores, or any other specific outcome. Admissions and financial aid decisions are made by third-party institutions and are outside our control.

11. Intellectual Property

All content provided through Tributaries EC memberships, including but not limited to guides, worksheets, checklists, webinar recordings, blog posts, and other educational materials, is the intellectual property of Tributaries EC and is provided for your personal, non-commercial use only.

You may not reproduce, distribute, share, resell, or publicly display any Tributaries EC content without prior written consent. Your membership grants you a personal, non-transferable license to access and use the content for the duration of your active membership.

12. Confidentiality

Tributaries EC treats all client information as confidential. We will not disclose your personal or student information to third parties except as described in our Privacy Policy, as required by law, or with your explicit consent.

Clients agree to maintain the confidentiality of any proprietary materials, strategies, or tools shared by Tributaries EC during the consulting engagement.

13. Use of AI-Assisted Tools

Tributaries EC uses artificial intelligence tools, including but not limited to Anthropic’s Claude and Zoom AI features, to support our operations. These tools may be used to assist with drafting communications, reviewing educational documents, preparing session notes, developing planning materials, and other tasks related to service delivery.

Client data shared with AI tools is not used for model training. We select AI tools that offer appropriate data handling practices and do not retain client data beyond the immediate processing need.

The use of AI-assisted tools is a standard part of our service delivery. By enrolling in services, you consent to the use of AI tools as described in this section and in our Privacy Policy. If you have questions about how AI tools are used in connection with your engagement, please contact us.

14. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Tributaries EC’s total liability to you for any claims arising out of or related to this Agreement or our Services is limited to the total fees you have paid to Tributaries EC in the 12 months preceding the claim.

Tributaries EC is not liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages arising from the use of our Services, including but not limited to damages related to admissions decisions, financial aid outcomes, or educational placements.

15. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Tributaries Educational Consulting and its owners, employees, consultants, and contractors from any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, or expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from your use of our Services, your violation of this Agreement or any referenced policy, or your violation of any rights of a third party.

16. Service Interruptions and Force Majeure

Tributaries EC is not liable for delays or failures in service delivery caused by events beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, severe weather, public health emergencies, government actions, utility or internet outages, or the illness or incapacity of key personnel.

In the event of a prolonged service interruption lasting more than 14 consecutive days, Tributaries EC will, at its discretion, provide affected clients with a billing credit, an extension of services, or a prorated refund for the period of interruption. Tributaries EC will communicate with affected clients as promptly as circumstances allow and will resume services as soon as reasonably practicable.

Short-term interruptions (14 days or fewer) will be addressed through reasonable rescheduling efforts as described in the Refund and Cancellation Policy.

17. Dispute Resolution

Informal Resolution: The parties will first attempt to resolve any dispute informally by contacting Tributaries EC at contact@tributariesEC.com. Most concerns can be resolved through direct communication.
Mediation and Arbitration: If informal resolution is unsuccessful, the parties agree to submit the dispute to binding mediation administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) or the Maine Association of Mediators. If mediation proves unsuccessful, any unresolved controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be settled by binding arbitration administered by the AAA in accordance with its Consumer Arbitration Rules. Judgment on the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. You expressly waive your right to bring representative or class action claims against Tributaries Educational Consulting.
Governing Law: This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Maine, without regard to conflict of law principles.

18. Termination

18.1 Termination by Client
You may terminate this Agreement at any time by canceling your subscription through your account or by contacting us at contact@tributariesEC.com. Cancellation terms are governed by the Refund and Cancellation Policy.

18.2 Termination by Tributaries EC
Tributaries EC reserves the right to terminate or suspend your membership at any time for cause, including but not limited to:

Violation of this Agreement or any referenced policy.
Non-payment of fees.
Conduct that is abusive, threatening, or disruptive to staff, instructors, or other members.
Misuse or unauthorized distribution of Tributaries EC content or materials.

If we terminate your membership for cause, any refund will be at our sole discretion.

19. Modifications to This Agreement

Tributaries EC may update this Agreement from time to time. The updated version will be posted on our website with a revised date. If we make material changes, we will notify active members by email before the changes take effect. Your continued use of our Services after notification constitutes acceptance of the updated Agreement.

20. Severability

If any provision of this Agreement is found to be unenforceable or invalid, the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.

21. Entire Agreement

This Agreement, together with the Privacy Policy, Disclaimer, Terms of Use, Refund and Cancellation Policy, and Inclusion and Accessibility Statement, constitutes the entire agreement between you and Tributaries EC regarding your membership. This Agreement supersedes any prior agreements or understandings, whether written or oral.

22. Contact

If you have questions about this Agreement, contact us at:
Tributaries Educational Consulting
Email: contact@tributariesEC.com

Acceptance
By creating an account and subscribing to a membership tier, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by this Membership Agreement, the Privacy Policy, Disclaimer, Terms of Use, Refund and Cancellation Policy, and Inclusion and Accessibility Statement.