Skip to main content

How Payments Work

This page explains how student payments flow through Voila's Stripe Connect integration — from booking requests to packages and recurring schedules.

Booking Requests​

When a student books a lesson with you:

  1. The student requests a slot and confirms.
  2. A temporary hold is placed on their card to secure the funds.
  3. You receive a notification with the booking request.
  4. Confirm the request, or decline to release the hold (if you don't respond, the request expires and the hold is released automatically).
  5. The student is officially charged once the lesson is no longer cancelable (based on your cancellation policy).

Session Packages​

Tutors can create session packages — multi-session bundles at a set price (e.g. 10 lessons for a fixed amount).

How packages work​

  1. Define packages on your per-language profile (e.g. "10 Conversation Sessions" at a price).
  2. A student purchases a package through your profile or chat.
  3. The full package price is charged at purchase.
  4. When you schedule or complete lessons with that student, you use a session from their package.
  5. The remaining session count decreases until the package is consumed.

Refunds on packages​

Package refunds are all-or-nothing. If a student requests a refund before any sessions are used, you can issue a full refund. Partial refunds for partially used packages are not automatic — contact Voila support for special cases.

Recurring Lesson Payments​

For students with recurring lesson schedules:

  1. Set up a recurring schedule (e.g. weekly on Tuesdays at 14:00).
  2. The student approves the recurring payment arrangement.
  3. Each occurrence is billed automatically according to the schedule.
  4. Either side can pause or cancel the recurring arrangement.

Recurring payments use the same Stripe payment method the student has on file. If a payment fails, both you and the student are notified.

Cancellations and Refunds​

ScenarioWhat happens
Tutor declines bookingPayment hold released. Student not charged.
Booking expiresPayment hold released. Student not charged.
Tutor cancels confirmed lessonStudent is refunded automatically.
Student cancels within policyStudent is refunded automatically (subject to your cancellation policy).
Student cancels outside policyNo automatic refund (tutor keeps the payment).
Calendar-driven cancellationIf a synced calendar event is deleted, the Voila lesson is cancelled and the student is refunded.

Payment Timing​

  • Authorisation hold — placed when the student submits a booking request. Holds expire if not captured within the provider's window.
  • Payment capture — occurs once the lesson is no longer cancelable. This finalises the transaction and officially charges the student.
  • Payout — Stripe transfers funds to your bank account on the standard Stripe payout schedule (typically 2-7 business days depending on your country).