FundingPips Evaluation Fee Refund: How It Works (2026)

FundingPips evaluation fee refund is a customer-acquisition feature that returns the original challenge purchase fee when you reach Master and request your first payout. As of April 2026, the refund is bundled into the first payout transaction — your first deposit arrives larger than pure profit share because it includes the fee being returned. Policy eligibility varies by challenge type and has shifted periodically, so confirming specifics at purchase is important.

I've been trading FundingPips since February 2025 — 14 months, 5 payouts, $6,800+ withdrawn cumulative. My first payout included the bundled eval fee refund, landing as a combined transaction of eval fee + trading profit. Worth double-checking your dashboard records to know exactly what portion was eval return vs profit share. This article walks through how the refund works, which challenges qualify, timing mechanics, and common questions.

For the payout system see the FundingPips payout rules article. For the complete firm assessment see the FundingPips main review.

How the refund works

As of April 2026, the standard FundingPips evaluation fee refund mechanics:

1. Purchase challenge at whichever price and account size
2. Complete evaluation — hit profit targets within drawdown rules, minimum days cleared
3. Reach Master — account activates as funded
4. Trade profitably on Master
5. Request first payout — refund bundles in automatically

The refund is automatic. No separate application. No support ticket required. When you request your first payout, the transaction amount includes both the profit share AND the original evaluation fee as a line item.

Example transaction

$50K 2 Step purchased for $280 evaluation fee (actual price varies, check purchase flow).

Pass evaluation → reach Master → trade for 14 days → request first Bi-Weekly payout.

• Profit earned: $1,200
• 80% profit share: $960
• Eval fee refund: $280
• Total first payout: $1,240

Every subsequent payout processes at the normal split without additional refund — the refund is a one-time event on first payout.

Which challenges qualify

As of April 2026, refund eligibility varies by challenge. Confirm at purchase:

Typically eligible:

• 1 Step — historically includes refund
• 2 Step (standard) — includes refund
• 2 Step (Option 1) — includes refund
• 2 Step (Option 2) — includes refund

Variable eligibility:

• 2 Step Pro — has varied across policy windows; confirm current terms
• Zero — typically NO eval fee refund (instant-funded structure merges fees differently)

Typically NOT eligible:

• (Giveaway) 1K Instant Account — promotional product, separate terms
• Promotional-period specialty challenges — depends on promo terms

The refund policy pattern: evaluation-based challenges qualify; instant-funded or giveaway accounts don't.

Why the refund exists

Evaluation fee refunds are a customer-acquisition and retention tool used by most major forex/CFD prop firms. The logic:

1. Reduces trader-perceived risk — if you pass the eval, the attempt was free
2. Incentivizes passing — the fee is only forfeited if you fail, encouraging disciplined trading
3. Aligns incentives — firm wants successful traders reaching Master; trader wants to pass

What it's NOT: a no-risk guarantee. If you fail the evaluation, the fee is lost. Refund is conditional on success.

Refund timing specifics

First payout only

The refund processes on the FIRST successful Master payout. Subsequent payouts don't include the refund — it's a one-time return.

Bundled with first payout

Refund doesn't process as a separate transaction. It's a line item within the first payout transaction. Your bank or crypto wallet sees one deposit that contains both components.

Dashboard breakdown

The FundingPips dashboard typically shows the refund as a separate line item in the payout record even though the bank transfer is one combined transaction. Worth noting: your "trading profit" total in the dashboard may show separately from "fee refund" for accounting clarity.

Processing time

Same as standard payouts — typically under 24 hours from request to bank account. The refund doesn't slow the payout.

Edge cases

Challenge reset

If you reset your challenge mid-evaluation (pay another fee for a fresh attempt), only one refund typically applies to the final successful purchase. Reset fees before passing are generally non-refundable. Policy may vary.

Account merge before first payout

If you pass evaluation, merge accounts, then request first payout — refund status for the merged account can be ambiguous. Some traders report refund processing normally; others report needing support clarification. Don't merge before first payout if refund eligibility is important to you.

Discount code effects

If you purchased with a discount code (VIBES for 20% off), the refund applies to the actual paid amount (post-discount), not the original list price. Example: $280 list, $224 post-VIBES-20% = $224 refund on first payout, not $280.

Promotional period challenges

Occasional promotional challenges ("Black Friday 50% off eval") may have altered refund terms. Read the promotional purchase page carefully — some promos substitute no-refund policies for the reduced purchase price.

Refund doesn't count toward scaling

As of April 2026, the evaluation fee refund is NOT counted as trading profit for scaling plan purposes.

Impact: Your first payout shows larger in bank deposit terms, but only the profit-share portion contributes to the 4 Launchpad rewards + 10% cumulative profit milestone.

Example: First Bi-Weekly payout of $1,240 total ($960 profit share + $280 refund). Scaling sees $960 toward cumulative profit, not $1,240. A $100K 1 Step account needs $10K cumulative profit for Launchpad — $960 from first payout contributes toward that, not the $280 refund.

For scaling mechanics see the FundingPips scaling plan guide.

If your refund doesn't appear

Uncommon but possible. Troubleshooting sequence:

1. Verify your challenge is refund-eligible. Check the dashboard terms or original purchase email for eligibility confirmation.
2. Confirm this IS your first Master payout. Refund is first-payout-only. If you took a previous payout that wasn't tagged as first, the refund may have processed there.
3. Check dashboard breakdown. The refund may be a line item within the payout you received but not highlighted clearly.
4. Contact support with your account ID, challenge purchase details, and first-payout transaction ID. Support typically resolves within 24 hours.

Most missing-refund cases are misunderstandings (challenge wasn't eligible, or refund processed in a way the trader didn't notice). Genuine firm-side errors on refunds are rare.

Refund vs rewards comparison

The bottom line

FundingPips evaluation fee refund is a standard customer-acquisition feature that returns the original challenge purchase price on first successful Master payout for eligible challenge types as of April 2026. The refund bundles into the first payout transaction — your first deposit arrives larger than pure profit share because it includes the fee return. Eligibility varies: 1 Step, 2 Step (standard), and 2 Step options typically qualify. 2 Step Pro varies. Zero typically doesn't qualify due to its instant-funded structure. Promotional and giveaway challenges have separate terms. The refund doesn't count toward scaling plan rewards — only actual trading profit contributes to the 4 Launchpad rewards + 10% cumulative profit milestone. Confirm your specific challenge's refund status at purchase or via support. Use promo code VIBES for 20% off at checkout (which reduces the purchase price AND the future refund amount proportionally). For payout mechanics see the FundingPips payout rules article. For scaling details see the FundingPips scaling plan guide. For the complete firm assessment see the FundingPips main review.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does FundingPips refund the evaluation fee?

Yes on eligible challenge types. FundingPips refunds the evaluation fee on first successful Master payout as of April 2026. The refund bundles into the first payout transaction — meaning your first check is larger than pure profit share. Policy has shifted periodically. Confirm specifics for your specific challenge at purchase time.

When is the FundingPips evaluation fee refunded?

At first successful Master payout. The refund isn't a separate transaction — it bundles into the first payout you request after passing evaluation and reaching Master status. If your first payout is $1,000 of profit share, the actual deposit you receive is $1,000 + eval fee (e.g., $1,280 total).

Which FundingPips challenges include evaluation fee refund?

Historically 1 Step and 2 Step challenges include the refund on first payout. 2 Step Pro has varied. Zero typically doesn't include eval fee refund because it's instant-funded (the Master fee and eval fee structures merge differently). Promotional challenges and giveaway accounts (like the (Giveaway) 1K Instant) have separate refund terms. Check your specific challenge's terms at purchase.

How do I claim the FundingPips refund?

You don't need to claim it separately. The refund processes automatically with your first Master payout if your challenge qualifies. Request your first payout through the dashboard as normal — the bundled refund appears in the transaction. If the refund doesn't appear and you believe your challenge qualifies, contact support with your account ID and challenge purchase details.

Can I get a FundingPips refund if I don't pass the evaluation?

No. The refund is conditional on reaching Master (passing evaluation) and requesting a successful first payout. Breached evaluation accounts don't qualify for evaluation fee refund — the fee is the cost of attempting the challenge. This is standard across most prop firms with eval-fee-refund policies.

Does the FundingPips refund count toward scaling?

No. The refund is a fee reimbursement, not trading profit. Scaling plan reward counting requires actual trading profit — the refund component of your first payout doesn't count toward the 4 Launchpad rewards or 10% cumulative profit threshold. Only the profit share portion of your first payout contributes to scaling milestones.

What if the FundingPips refund policy changes before I get my first payout?

Refund policies typically apply to the terms in effect at challenge purchase, not at payout. If you purchased when the refund was included for your challenge type, the refund should process even if the firm updates policy later. This is contract-terms-at-purchase standard. If in doubt, contact support before first payout to confirm your specific account's refund status.

Is the FundingPips refund taxed?

Tax treatment depends on your jurisdiction. The refund is technically a return of the original purchase (not trading income), so many jurisdictions don't treat it as taxable income. However, tax classification varies by country and your personal tax situation. Consult a tax advisor in your jurisdiction — this article isn't tax advice.

Can I use my FundingPips refund to buy another challenge?

The refund is returned to your payout method (bank account or crypto wallet) as part of the first payout transaction. You can do whatever you want with the funds, including buying another FundingPips challenge. There's no restriction on using the refund for repeat purchases. Traders who plan to scale across multiple challenges often do exactly this.

How much is the FundingPips evaluation fee?

Varies by challenge type and account size. FundingPips doesn't publish per-size pricing on the help center — you need to open the purchase flow to see current fees. Typical ranges: $5K accounts $25-$50, $25K accounts $100-$200, $50K accounts $250-$400, $100K accounts $500-$700, $200K accounts $1,000+. Use promo code VIBES at checkout for 20% off any challenge.