Springboard’s Money Back Guarantee: How It Works, Who Qualifies, and What Students Should Know

Table of Contents

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• Money Back Guarantee Eligibility
• Career Support
• The Details
• Advice for Students

As the job market evolves, Springboard’s approach highlights both the promise and the fine print behind money-back guarantees in the bootcamp space. Its updated Money Back Guarantee reflects how bootcamps are continuing to balance accountability with student outcomes, outlining clear eligibility criteria, timelines, and career-readiness milestones that students must meet to qualify for a refund if they don’t land a job within 12 months. The result is greater transparency about what students can expect – and what’s required – to take advantage of this “insurance policy.”

Can you explain the new Money Back Guarantee at Springboard?

The Money-back Guarantee (MBG) is an insurance-like offering where, if you complete all program requirements on time and still don't secure a qualifying job within 12 months of completing the program, Springboard will refund your tuition. Springboard guides students toward finding a job; if they follow the guidance, the company is confident they'll land one. If, for some reason, it doesn't work out, a refund is available – but this isn't a guarantee of a job without effort.

How does this guarantee align with Springboard’s overall mission and approach to career outcomes?

Springboard's approach centers on comprehensive career support throughout the learning journey. We aim to get students "Job Search Ready" before finishing the course so they can land interviews as fast as possible. The Money Back Guarantee reflects this commitment: it demonstrates confidence in the program's curriculum and career services while removing financial risk for students serious about career transition.

How do you see this guarantee differentiating Springboard from other online bootcamps or certificate programs?

The job market has become more challenging, and many competitors have scaled back or removed their tuition refund or Money Back Guarantee programs. Springboard, however, continues to stand firmly behind this promise.

Money Back Guarantee Eligibility

Who is eligible for the Money Back Guarantee?

The Money Back Guarantee is available for all Career Tracks except for the UI/UX Design Career Track. To be eligible at time of admission, you must: 

• hold a 4-year bachelor's degree (or have it by the 50% point of calendar time in the course) 

• be eligible to work in either the US or Canada for 2 years post-completion and be a current resident of the US or Canada 

• be 18 years or older 

• demonstrate English proficiency based on a third-party assessment after enrollment 

• be able to pass any background checks 

• be a Career Track-related job seeker not refunded from another Springboard course

One important note: A Money-back Guarantee is not required for acceptance. Students accepted to a program without an MBG are advised of their status before enrollment, and many students still enroll without an MBG and have success post-program.

Once enrolled, what does a student have to do to maintain eligibility for the guarantee? Are there specific milestones or career-services steps students must complete?

Money Back Guarantee students must complete all career units, projects, and seven career coaching calls to complete the program and maintain Money Back Guarantee eligibility. Students must arrive on time to calls with a camera and a microphone, review career units before booking coaching calls, create a Google Doc to take notes and save resources, and complete follow-up action items to build momentum in their job search.

Students must adhere to specific policies: no-shows or rescheduling with less than 24 hours' notice three or more times will forfeit Money Back Guarantee eligibility; attending calls unprepared (assignments not submitted or completed) will result in the coach canceling the call; and booking more than one call every two weeks will warrant calls being cancelled.

When students start their job search after completing the course, their progress will be reviewed regularly based on metrics like the number of job applications per week and networking events.

How does Springboard make sure students clearly understand the terms before enrolling? 

On our website, each course page links to detailed terms and conditions in the Money Back Guarantee section. When students enroll, they sign an agreement that clearly outlines these terms and conditions. Once enrolled, students create a profile where a dedicated page displays what’s expected of them to maintain eligibility for the Money Back Guarantee.

Career coaches also reiterate the expectations during their conversations with students.

Finally, during onboarding, students receive a handbook that includes a link to the Money Back Guarantee policy.

Career Support

What kind of career support does Springboard provide during this period to help students find a job before the guarantee expires?

Career Coaches support students throughout their entire journey from start to finish of the program. Career Services Managers assist when students reach out with questions. They oversee and work directly with coaching and support teams to ensure a successful and smooth experience.

The job search process includes self-assessment, personal branding (resume, cover letter, LinkedIn, portfolio), intentional networking (attending events, conducting informational interviews, building relationships), and successful interviewing skills (behavioral interviewing using the STAR technique, technical skill development, salary negotiations, and first 90-day strategy).

What’s the most common misconception about the Money Back Guarantee that you want to clarify? 

The biggest misconception is that we find jobs for students. In reality, we empower students to conduct an effective job search. We enable you to become capable of landing the right job – but you must do the work.

If students complete the projects, go through the career curriculum, create strong resumes, and network effectively, they put themselves in the best position to succeed.

The Details

How long is the guaranteed job search window, and when does it start?

The Money-back Guarantee window is 12 months following course completion. Eligibility is limited to on-time completion, which means completing 100% of the core curriculum within 6 or 9 months of the cohort start date, or 7 or 10 months if enrolled in a Foundations to Core (F2C) course – this includes time spent on pauses or extensions.

How does Springboard define a “qualifying job” for the purposes of the guarantee?

A “Qualifying Position” is defined as any role in the cybersecurity field as: 

1. A salaried employee or waged employee working an average of at least 30 hours a week, onsite or remotely; 

2. A full-time (30 or more hours per week) contractor, intern, or other compensated service provider relationship for 3 months or longer working onsite or remotely; or 

3. A paid onsite or remote contractor or internship has the potential to be extended or converted to a full-time role

If a student lands freelance or contract work – does that count?

A paid onsite or remote contractor or internship has the potential to be extended or converted to a full-time role.

What happens if a student doesn’t secure a qualifying job within the guarantee period?

Springboard will provide a refund if a student completes all program requirements on time and still does not secure a qualifying position within the 12-month job search period. Importantly, Springboard provides the same support, resources, and programming to all students, regardless of their MBG status.

Advice for Students

What do you say to skeptics who think these types of guarantees are just marketing tools?

We make real refunds – not often, but they do happen. If a student has diligently followed the course and career coaching but still doesn’t land a job, we honor our Money Back Guarantee.

If something were just a marketing gimmick, the terms and conditions would be hidden. We, on the other hand, make them clear and accessible everywhere.

What advice would you give to students considering a Money Back Guarantee program – what should they look for or ask before enrolling? 

Treat the Money Back Guarantee like an insurance policy. It’s not a promise that a job will be handed to you – students still have to put in the hard work. The guarantee exists to protect you if, despite your best efforts, you don’t secure employment.

Find out more and read Springboard reviews on Course Report. This article was produced by the Course Report team in partnership with Springboard.