Student Handbook

New Fire International Academy (NFIA) exists to raise apostolic, prophetic, and pastoral leaders who carry the gospel of Jesus Christ with biblical depth, doctrinal soundness, and Spirit-led power. We are a faith-based theological institution operating under religious exemption, training students from certificate through doctoral programs and a dedicated School of Episcopacy.

Every student is considered a minister-in-training. Your studies are not merely academic — they are formative. Treat them as a sacred trust.

• • Reverence: Approach Scripture, instructors, and fellow students with honor.
• • Integrity: All quizzes, papers, and projects must be your own work. AI tutors are for study and clarification — never to write your assessments for you.
• • Respect: No abusive, slanderous, or doctrinally divisive language in chats or messages.
• • Confidentiality: Prayer requests, testimonies, and personal stories shared in live class remain in the room.
• • No predatory conduct: Romantic solicitation, financial schemes, and unsolicited ministry promotion to fellow students are prohibited.
• • Doctrinal alignment: Disagreement is welcome; mockery of the academy's apostolic statement of faith is not.

Violations are reviewed by the Dean of Students and may result in warning, probation, or dismissal without tuition refund.

• • Course load: Each semester contains the courses unlocked for your division.
• • Module structure: Each course = 10 graded modules + 2 live instructor sessions.
• • Quizzes: Required at the end of every module. Best score is recorded.
• • Pacing: Modules should be completed in sequence; do not leave any unfinished at semester end.
• • Make-up work: Coordinate directly with the Office of the Registrar via your portal inbox.

Module passing score: 70%. Semester passing average: 75%. Failure to meet the semester average requires a mentoring session with your division instructor before promotion.

• • Self-paced modules: Complete on your schedule within the semester window.
• • Live Classroom: Two scheduled sessions per course are expected. Recordings are available, but live attendance is strongly preferred.
• • Extended absence: Notify the Dean of Students via your portal inbox if you'll be absent more than 14 days.
• • Inactivity: Accounts with no portal activity for 60 days may be paused by the registrar.

• • Maintain a daily devotional life — Scripture reading, prayer, and worship.
• • Submit to your local church's pastoral covering. NFIA does not replace the local church.
• • Practice fasting and intercession during exam weeks and ordination tracks.
• • Steward your gifts: serve in your local context as you grow in knowledge.

• • Your donation/investment is paid through your selected plan in the Donation/Investment tab.
• • Late payments trigger official notices and, after the 15th of the month, portal suspension until the balance is current.
• • Honorary Doctoral candidates follow the same financial covenant (see Section 7a).
• • Balances may be applied to the next term at administrative discretion (see Refund Policy in Section 11).

The Honorary Doctoral is conferred upon ministers, marketplace leaders, and servants of the Kingdom whose life, character, and labor demonstrate doctoral-level fruit. It is not a shortcut around academics — it is a recognition of mantle, ministry, and maturity already walked out, paired with a written body of reflection submitted to the academy.

Donation/Investment

The program is based on a required donation/investment of $1,875.00 USD. This donation/investment covers your student regalia, administrative fees, and graduation gift. Available plans:

• • Down Payment — $500.00 to secure enrollment and your Convocation seat.
• • 6 Payments — 6 × $312.50 monthly.
• • 3 Payments — 3 × $625.00 monthly.
• • Paid in Full — $1,875.00 in one payment.
• • One-Time $500 Payment — single contribution toward the balance.

All plans must be paid in full by August 31st in order to participate in Convocation.

Criteria for Graduation (Conferral)

• • Complete the application and submit a current ministerial/professional résumé or CV.
• • Provide two letters of recommendation (one from a covering pastor or apostolic leader).
• • Submit the required written reflection / capstone paper as outlined in the application portal.
• • Upload a profile photo and a doctoral announcement headshot.
• • Sign the Honor Code and this Student Handbook acknowledgment.
• • Maintain a credible walk of faith and good standing with a local church.
• • Donation/investment paid in full by August 31st.
• • Final approval and sign-off by the Chancellor and Academy Board.

Your portal records (profile, grades, payments, messages) are stored securely and visible only to you and authorized academy staff. We never sell your information. Communications sent through the portal are subject to review by the Dean of Students.

We follow the New Testament pattern of correction (Matthew 18, Galatians 6:1). Discipline steps may include: private counsel → written warning → academic probation → temporary suspension → administrative withdrawal. Restoration is always the goal.

• • Complete all required courses for your division with a passing average.
• • Submit final capstone (Bachelor's and above) to your division instructor.
• • Settle all donation/investment balances.
• • Doctoral and Episcopacy candidates complete oral examinations with the academy board.
• • Diplomas and credentials are issued by the Office of the Chancellor.

All donations/investments made to New Fire International Academy — including tuition, program fees, and Honorary Doctoral contributions — are considered a sacrificial investment into the Kingdom mission of the Academy and are therefore generally non-refundable. By submitting payment, you acknowledge and agree to the following terms:

Honorary Doctoral — No Refunds: There are no refunds on the Honorary Doctoral degree. Your donation/investment holds your place until you have completed your requirements for graduation. If you do not complete the requirements in time, you will be moved to the next graduation cycle — your donation/investment carries forward and is not refunded.

• • Down payments (including the $500 Honorary Doctoral down payment) are non-refundable, as they secure your enrollment, regalia order, and Convocation seat.
• • Monthly installment payments already made are non-refundable once processed.
• • Withdrawal before Convocation: If a candidate withdraws or is administratively removed before Convocation, paid balances may, at the sole discretion of the Chancellor, be applied as credit toward a future term or program — but will not be refunded in cash.
• • Regalia & administrative fees (a portion of every Honorary Doctoral donation/investment) are non-refundable once ordered or processed.
• • Duplicate or erroneous payments (proven processing errors) will be refunded in full within 14 business days of written notice.
• • Disputes / chargebacks filed without first contacting the academy in writing may result in dismissal from the program and forfeiture of all credentials in process.

Refund requests for proven processing errors must be submitted in writing to the Office of the Registrar through the portal messaging system within 30 days of the transaction.