Subscriptions & Credits

Understanding subscription plans, credit packages, and how to manage your tutoring budget.

Last updated this week

Sentuent offers flexible payment options through subscriptions and one-time credit packages. Choose the option that best fits your tutoring needs and budget.

Understanding Credits

How credits work:

  • 1 credit = $15 base value
  • Packages and subscriptions offer discounts
  • Tutors set their own rates (typically 1-3 credits/hour)
  • Credits charged when session completes
  • Never expire
  • Fully refundable if unused

Check rates first: Review tutor rates before purchasing to ensure you buy the right amount.

Subscription Plans

Monthly subscriptions include automatic credit delivery and discounts:

Basic Plan - $55/month

  • 4 credits per month ($13.75/credit)
  • Save $5/month vs one-time purchase
  • Best for: 1 session per week

Standard Plan - $100/month (Most Popular)

  • 8 credits per month ($12.50/credit)
  • Save $20/month vs one-time purchase
  • Best for: 2 sessions per week

Premium Plan - $180/month

  • 16 credits per month ($11.25/credit)
  • Save $60/month vs one-time purchase
  • Session recording included
  • Priority booking
  • Best for: 4+ sessions per week or intensive study

All subscriptions include:

  • Credits added automatically each month
  • Unused credits roll over (never expire)
  • Cancel anytime
  • No commitment
  • Flexible upgrades/downgrades

One-Time Credit Packages

Purchase credits as needed without subscription:

Packages:

  • 4 credits - $60 ($15/credit)
  • 8 credits - $110 ($13.75/credit - 8% off)
  • 16 credits - $200 ($12.50/credit - 17% off)
  • Custom amount - Choose your own

Best for:

  • Trying out Sentuent
  • Irregular tutoring needs
  • Supplementing subscription
  • One-time intensive help (exam prep)

Comparing Options

Scenario: You want 8 sessions/month

Option 1: One-time purchase

  • Buy 8 credits for $110
  • Cost per session: $13.75 (if tutor charges 1 credit/hour)

Option 2: Subscription

  • Subscribe to Standard ($100/month)
  • Get 8 credits automatically
  • Save $10/month
  • Save $120/year

Winner: Subscription for regular students

Managing Your Subscription

Upgrading Your Plan

Need more credits?

Settings > Billing > Manage Subscription > Upgrade

What happens:

  • Prorated charge for additional credits
  • New tier starts immediately
  • Next bill reflects new tier

Example: Mid-month upgrade from Basic to Standard

  • Paid $55 for Basic (4 credits) on Dec 1
  • Upgrade to Standard ($100/month, 8 credits) on Dec 15
  • Charged $22.50 (half of $100 - $55 difference)
  • Receive 4 additional credits immediately
  • Next bill (Jan 1): Full $100

Downgrading Your Plan

Using fewer credits than expected?

Settings > Billing > Manage Subscription > Downgrade

What happens:

  • Change takes effect at next billing cycle
  • Keep all credits you've already received
  • Credit for overpayment applied to next bill

Timing: Downgrade before your renewal date to avoid being charged for higher tier.

Pausing Your Subscription

Need a break?

Settings > Billing > Manage Subscription > Pause

Options:

  • Pause for 1-3 months
  • Keep existing credits
  • No charges during pause
  • Resume anytime

Use cases:

  • Summer break
  • Winter holidays
  • Study abroad
  • Busy semester

Credits remain: Your existing credits don't expire during pause, but you won't receive new monthly credits.

Canceling Your Subscription

To cancel:

Settings > Billing > Manage Subscription > Cancel

Cancellation options:

  1. End of period: Access until current billing period ends, no refund
  2. Immediately: Prorated refund for unused time

What happens:

  • No future charges
  • Keep all credits you've already received
  • Credits never expire
  • Can resubscribe anytime

Auto-Reload

Ensure you never run out of credits:

Settings > Billing > Auto-Reload

How it works:

  1. Set minimum balance (e.g., 2 credits)
  2. Choose reload amount (e.g., 8 credits)
  3. Set monthly spend limit (e.g., $200)
  4. When balance drops below minimum, credits auto-purchased

Auto-reload example:

  • Your balance: 3 credits
  • You book a 2-credit session
  • Balance drops to 1 credit (below your 2-credit minimum)
  • System automatically purchases 8 more credits
  • New balance: 9 credits
  • You're charged $110

Combine with subscription: Use subscription for regular sessions + auto-reload as backup for busy weeks.

Credit Rollover

How Rollover Works

Subscriptions:

  • Unused credits accumulate month-to-month
  • No limit on rollover
  • Never expire

Rollover example:

  • Month 1: Receive 8 credits, use 6, balance = 2
  • Month 2: Receive 8 credits, use 10, balance = 0
  • Month 3: Receive 8 credits, use 4, balance = 4

Total received: 24 credits Total used: 20 credits Remaining: 4 credits

One-time purchases:

  • No rollover concept (all credits available immediately)
  • Also never expire

Promotional Offers

First-Time Subscriber Discount

New subscribers get:

  • 50% off first month
  • Applies to any plan
  • Full credits for discounted price

Example:

  • Choose Standard plan ($100/month)
  • First month: $50 for 8 credits
  • Month 2+: Regular $100/month

Annual Subscription

Pay annually, save more:

Annual pricing:

  • Basic: $528/year (vs $660) - Save $132
  • Standard: $960/year (vs $1,200) - Save $240
  • Premium: $1,728/year (vs $2,160) - Save $432

Benefits:

  • Same monthly credits
  • One annual charge
  • Biggest savings
  • Can still cancel (prorated refund)

Student Verification Discount

Verified students save 15% on everything:

How to verify:

  1. Settings > Account > Student Verification
  2. Enter .edu email OR upload student ID
  3. Approval within 24 hours
  4. Discount applied automatically

Discounted pricing with verification:

  • Basic: $47/month
  • Standard: $85/month
  • Premium: $153/month

Stack with first-time discount: 50% off first month PLUS 15% off ongoing = huge savings!

Referral Bonuses

Refer friends, earn credits:

How it works:

  1. Share your referral link (Settings > Referrals)
  2. Friend signs up and completes first session
  3. You both get $10 (varies by promotion)
  4. Credits added automatically

No limits on referrals

Gifting Subscriptions

Give the gift of learning:

Purchase Credits > Gift Subscription

Options:

  • 1 month of any plan
  • 3 months prepaid
  • 6 months prepaid
  • 1 year prepaid

Recipient receives:

  • Email notification
  • Full subscription benefits
  • Credits added immediately

Billing Cycles

When You're Charged

Subscriptions:

  • Charged on signup date
  • Renews same day each month
  • Example: Subscribe on Dec 15 → renews 15th of each month

If day doesn't exist:

  • Subscribed on Jan 31 → renews on Feb 28 (or 29)
  • Then Mar 31, Apr 30, May 31, etc.

Changing Billing Date

Want different billing date?

Contact support@sentuent.com

Options:

  • Change to 1st or 15th of month
  • Prorated adjustment for first cycle
  • Future bills on new date

Failed Payments

What Happens

If subscription payment fails:

  1. Day 1: Retry immediately
  2. Day 3: Second retry + email notification
  3. Day 7: Final retry + account restricted
  4. Day 10: Subscription cancelled if still failing

Account restrictions:

  • Can't book new sessions
  • Existing sessions honored
  • Can update payment method

Resolving Failed Payments

To fix:

  1. Update payment method (Settings > Billing)
  2. Or manually pay outstanding balance
  3. Account restored immediately

Don't ignore: Failed payments can result in subscription cancellation and inability to book sessions.

Credit Expiration

Sentuent credits never expire!

However, promotional/bonus credits may have expiration:

  • Referral credits: 1 year
  • Promotional bonuses: Varies (shown when earned)
  • Gifted credits: No expiration

Track expiration: Settings > Billing > Credit Balance > View Details

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