Frequently Asked Questions
The following information will help to answer any questions that you might encounter in the registration process. If you have a question that is not covered here, please contact us.
What is the cost of registration?
The registration cost is $165 for individuals who register prior to February 1, 2010. (After that, the registration cost will be $180.) Student registration is $80. Organized groups (of six or more people) qualify for a group rate of $150 per person.
What is included in a Festival registration?
A Festival registration includes all concurrent sessions and all plenaries. The registration fee does not include meals, lodging, and tickets for the evening concerts and performances.
What are my payment options?
We accept check, credit card, or PayPal.
When I select the pay-by-credit-card option, I am brought to a PayPal site. Is my information secure?
Yes, you can be assured that your personal information and credit card information are protected. If you prefer not to provide your credit card information online, however, please select the pay-by-check option, which will allow you to submit your registration information online and follow up by mailing in a check to complete the registration process.
Do I have to sign up for a PayPal account in order to pay with a credit card?
If you do not have a PayPal account, you can still register with a credit card.
How do I get a receipt?
If you choose to pay by credit card, PayPal will send payment confirmation by e-mail. That e-mail will serve as your official receipt.
If you choose to pay by check, a confirmation e-mail will be sent once we receive payment. That e-mail will serve as your official receipt.
I received two registration confirmations from the Festival. Will I be charged twice?
If you return to the Festival registration page after being redirected to PayPal, you may receive two confirmation e-mails from the Festival office. You will only be charged once if this occurs.
How much is registration if I can attend Festival for only one day?
We are not able to provide reduced registrations for people who can attend Festival 2010 for only one day. Full registration is required to attend Festival sessions.
What is your cancellation policy?
Please note that if you are unable to attend the Festival and notify us by March 15, 2010, we will refund 85 percent of your registration fee. After that we will refund 50 percent. Note, however, that we are unable to issue any refunds after April 5, 2010. Cancellation requests must be received in writing (either by postal or electronic mail). Please include your full mailing address.
If I am not a Calvin student, do I still qualify for the student rate?
Yes. Undergraduate, graduate, and part-time students from any school qualify for the student registration rate.
Who is eligible for the Calvin discount ($80)?
Calvin faculty, staff, emeriti (and spouses) are eligible for the Calvin rate.
Do you offer any discounts on registration?
Scholarships are available for Calvin Honors Program students, Calvin Theological Seminary students, Calvin English majors and minors, and Calvin alumni.
We also offer discounts for teachers bringing student groups and for other organized groups (from libraries, schools, churches, book clubs, writing groups, etc.) with six or more members. Please visit our group discount page for more information.
What do I do if I have received a scholarship or am planning to apply for one?
Please submit your scholarship application form to the appropriate office first and wait for approval. If your application is approved, you will then be given a code that can be entered into the online registration form. Please do not register for the Festival until you have received approval—and a registration code—from the appropriate office.
My group would like to take advantage of one of your group discount programs. How do we register as a group?
If you would like to take advantage of a group discount, please e-mail the Festival office at ffw@calvin.edu.
Do I need to decide on my hotel accommodations prior to registering?
If you will be utilizing Festival’s free shuttle service to selected area hotels, you will need to indicate on the registration form which hotel you will be staying at. If you will not be using the shuttle service, however, you do not need to indicate your hotel choice.
What if I am unable to register online?
Please call the Festival office at 616.526.6770, and we will be more than happy to assist you with your registration.