FundingPips Refund Policy: Do You Get Your Fee Back?

FundingPips offers a refundable fee structure where you can get your evaluation cost back after your first successful payout—but only if you pass, get funded, meet the payout requirements, and specifically request it.

This isn't automatic, and it's not the same as a money-back guarantee if you fail. I've seen traders misunderstand this distinction and expect refunds after blowing evaluations, then get frustrated when support says no. Let me break down exactly how the refund process works, when you qualify, and what the realistic timeline looks like.

Quick heads-up: This article is based on my real experience with Fundingpips and the info available when I published/updated this. Things change in prop trading — rules, payouts, promos, all of it.

For the absolute latest, check Fundingpips website or their help center.

How the FundingPips Refund Actually Works

The refund is tied to successful trading, not to dissatisfaction. Think of it this way: FundingPips is essentially saying "prove you can trade profitably, and we'll give back your evaluation fee as a bonus." It's a retention incentive, not consumer protection.

The Qualification Requirements

To receive your fee refund, you typically need to:

1. Pass the evaluation challenge
2. Receive a funded account
3. Complete the minimum trading days on the funded account
4. Generate enough profit to request a payout
5. Successfully receive that first payout
6. Request the refund (it's not automatic)

Miss any step and the refund doesn't happen. A trader who passes evaluation but fails the funded account due to drawdown breach? No refund. A trader who gets funded but never reaches minimum payout threshold? No refund. It's completion-based, not participation-based.

Refund Amount and Timing

The refund equals your original evaluation fee—not a percentage, not a prorated amount, but the full cost you paid. If you bought a $300 evaluation, you get $300 back. Discounts you applied at purchase don't reduce the refund; you still get back what you actually paid.

Timing varies. The refund typically processes with or shortly after your first payout. Some traders report receiving it as a separate transaction, others see it bundled with their profit withdrawal. Either way, expect it within the same payout processing window—usually 1-5 business days after approval.

The Cooling-Off Period Question

Many traders ask: "What if I buy an evaluation and change my mind before trading? Can I get a refund then?"

This depends on your jurisdiction and FundingPips' current policy. In some regions (particularly the EU), consumers have a 14-day cooling-off period for online purchases where they can cancel and receive a refund without needing to provide a reason.

However—and this is important—once you start trading on the account, you've typically "consumed" the service and waived the cooling-off right. The evaluation is a digital service, and accessing it usually triggers the exemption from standard refund protections.

If you're in a jurisdiction with cooling-off rights and want to preserve them, don't log into the trading platform or place any trades until you're certain you want to proceed. Once that first trade executes, you're committed.

What Refund Requests Actually Look Like

Assuming you've qualified by completing your first payout, here's the typical refund process:

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Check your dashboard or account status to confirm you've received your first payout. Some firms require the payout to fully clear before processing refunds.

Step 2: Submit Request

FundingPips usually has a specific process for refund requests—either a form, a support ticket category, or instructions in your funded account documentation. Don't assume it happens automatically.

Step 3: Processing

The refund gets reviewed and processed. Timeline is typically similar to payout processing—a few business days. You might receive it via the same payment method as your payout or separately.

Step 4: Confirmation

You should receive confirmation when the refund is sent. If you don't see funds within the expected timeframe, contact support with your request details.

Scenarios Where Traders Expect Refunds But Don't Qualify

Let me be direct about situations that don't entitle you to refunds, even though some traders feel they should.

"I Failed Because of a News Spike"

Market volatility is not grounds for a refund. Whether you got stopped out by NFP, a flash crash, or unexpected central bank commentary—that's trading. The evaluation is testing whether you can manage risk in real market conditions, including volatile ones.

"My Strategy Stopped Working"

A strategy that performed well in backtesting but fails in live evaluation doesn't qualify for refunds. The evaluation fee covers access to live market execution, not guaranteed profitability.

"I Didn't Have Time to Trade"

Life happens. Job changes, family emergencies, health issues—all legitimate reasons you might not complete an evaluation. But FundingPips isn't an insurance product. The fee covers the opportunity to prove yourself; not using that opportunity doesn't entitle you to money back.

"The Spreads Were Wider Than Expected"

Execution quality complaints rarely result in refunds unless you can prove systematic platform malfunction. Normal spread widening during low liquidity or news events is expected market behavior.

"I Violated a Rule I Didn't Know About"

Ignorance of the rules isn't a refund justification. The terms are available before purchase. Traders are expected to read them. "I didn't know I couldn't trade news" won't reverse your failed evaluation.

Comparing FundingPips Refund Policy to Competitors

Not all prop firms handle refunds the same way. Here's how FundingPips stacks up:

FundingPips: Refundable fee after first successful payout. Must request. Full amount returned.

FTMO: Similar structure—refundable fee with first profit split. Well-established policy.

Topstep: Different model (subscription-based), refund structure varies.

The "refundable fee" model has become industry standard for traditional evaluation challenges. It's a selling point because it effectively makes the evaluation "free" if you succeed—but remember, most traders don't succeed. The firms aren't losing money on this policy.

Making the Refund Policy Work For You

Understanding the refund structure should inform your approach to the evaluation.

Don't Trade Recklessly Just Because "It's Refundable"

The refund only happens if you pass AND complete a funded payout. Trading aggressively because you think you'll "get the money back anyway" is backwards logic—you'll fail more often, pay more fees, and never see refunds.

Factor the Refund Into Your True Cost Calculation

If you're confident in your trading, the effective cost of FundingPips is lower than the sticker price. A $300 evaluation that gets refunded after your first $500 payout means you're actually up $500 total, not $200.

But be realistic about your pass rate. If you need three attempts to pass evaluations typically, your expected cost is 3x the fee minus the eventual refund—still 2x net.

Budget As If No Refund Exists

Mentally, treat the evaluation fee as a sunk cost. If you can't afford to lose it, you probably shouldn't be trading with that money. The refund is a bonus when it happens, not something to depend on.

Frequently Asked Questions About Refunds

Can I get a refund if I pass evaluation but decide not to trade the funded account?

Unlikely. The refund is tied to successful funded trading, not just passing the evaluation. If you pass and then abandon the funded account without reaching payout, you forfeit the refund opportunity.

What if I receive a payout but forget to request the refund?

Contact support. There may be a window to request retroactively, but don't count on it. Request the refund as soon as you're eligible.

Is the refund taxable income?

Generally, a refund of a fee you paid isn't taxable—it's a return of your own money. However, tax treatment varies by jurisdiction. If the firm characterizes it as a "bonus" rather than a refund, that might change things. Consult a tax professional if the amount is significant.

Can I get a partial refund if I fail near the profit target?

No. The refund is binary—you either qualify fully or you don't. Getting 90% to profit target doesn't earn you 90% of your fee back.

What happens to the refund if my funded account gets terminated for rule violation after I've requested it?

If the refund has already processed, you typically keep it. If it's pending when the account gets terminated, it may be canceled. Don't violate rules while waiting for your refund.

The Realistic Perspective

Here's the truth about prop firm refund policies: they sound better in marketing than they work in practice for most traders. The typical evaluation pass rate across the industry is somewhere between 5-15%. Of those who pass, a meaningful percentage fail the funded account before reaching their first payout.

That means maybe 3-10% of traders who purchase evaluations ever see a refund. The policy exists because it's a strong marketing angle and the firms know most people won't qualify.

This isn't a criticism—it's just math. If you're in the small percentage who trades profitably, the refund is a nice perk that effectively subsidizes your journey. If you're in the majority, you were always paying a non-refundable fee for the chance to prove yourself.

Go in with clear eyes. Trade to win, not to get your money back. If the refund happens, great. If it doesn't, you learned something and can try again with a clearer strategy.

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