Question 1

What is Luminao?

Accepted Answer

Luminao is a marketplace that connects high school students with verified current college students for essay coaching and application help. Think of it as peer-to-peer mentorship for the college process.

Question 2

How do I get started?

Accepted Answer

Create a free account, browse mentor profiles, and book your first session. No payment required until you book.

Question 3

Do I need an account to browse mentors?

Accepted Answer

You can browse mentors on the public site without logging in, but you'll need an account to message or book a session.

Question 4

How do I find the right mentor?

Accepted Answer

Filter by school, focus area, and price. Read each mentor's bio, see their sample essays, and check reviews from other students. Most students book a first session to see if the fit is right.

Question 5

What happens in a session?

Accepted Answer

Sessions are 1-hour live video calls. You and your mentor discuss your essay, brainstorm ideas, or go through a draft together. You set the agenda.

Question 6

Can I work with multiple mentors?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Some students use different mentors for different essays or schools. There's no limit.

Question 7

What if I'm not happy with a session?

Accepted Answer

Contact us within 24 hours and we'll issue a full refund. No questions asked.

Question 8

What payment methods do you accept?

Accepted Answer

We accept all major credit and debit cards via Stripe. Apple Pay and Google Pay are also supported.

Question 9

When am I charged?

Accepted Answer

You're charged when you confirm a booking. If the session doesn't happen, you're refunded automatically.

Question 10

Is there a subscription?

Accepted Answer

No. Luminao is pay-per-session for students. There are no monthly fees.

Question 11

Who are the mentors?

Accepted Answer

All mentors are verified current college students at accredited US universities. They verify their enrollment through their official .edu email address. We do not allow alumni, non-students, or external tutors.

Question 12

Is this ethical and academically honest?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Mentors help students brainstorm, find their voice, and give feedback on structure and storytelling — the same role a parent, teacher, or school counselor might play. Students write their own essays. We have a strict academic integrity policy and mentors agree to it before joining.

Question 13

How does payment work?

Accepted Answer

You pay per session at the mentor's listed rate. There are no subscriptions or long-term commitments. You can pay by card and receive a receipt for every booking.

Question 14

Can I see what happens in a session?

Accepted Answer

Sessions are private between the student and mentor and are not recorded. We encourage students to share their session notes and the feedback they received with parents.

Question 15

What if we're not satisfied?

Accepted Answer

Contact us within 24 hours of any session and we'll make it right with a full refund, no questions asked.

Question 16

Is my child's information safe?

Accepted Answer

We collect only the minimum information needed to run the platform. Payment is handled by Stripe. We never sell personal data. See our privacy policy for details.

Question 17

Who can become a Luminao mentor?

Accepted Answer

Any student currently enrolled at an accredited US college or university with an official .edu email address. There's no GPA requirement or specific major requirement.

Question 18

How do I verify my enrollment?

Accepted Answer

You sign up using your .edu email address. The email domain is verified automatically — no documents needed.

Question 19

Is there an application process?

Accepted Answer

No application or interview required. Sign up with your .edu email, complete your profile, and you're live on the marketplace.

Question 20

Do I need teaching experience?

Accepted Answer

No. You just need to have gone through the college application process yourself. Students want authentic peer advice, not formal instruction.

Question 21

How do I set my rate?

Accepted Answer

You choose your own rate during profile setup and can change it at any time, within Luminao's price caps.

Question 22

How much can I earn?

Accepted Answer

You keep 80% of every order — essay edits and video sessions alike. What you make depends on the rate you set and how many sessions you take.

Question 23

How much does Luminao take?

Accepted Answer

A flat 20% on every order; you keep the other 80%. For example, a $60 video session earns you $48, and a $50 essay edit earns you $40.

Question 24

How do I get paid?

Accepted Answer

Earnings are paid to your connected bank account via Stripe within 2 business days of a completed session. Connect a bank account in your profile settings.

Question 25

Can I set my own schedule?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You open time slots on your Luminao calendar and close them whenever you want. Students can only book slots you've made available.

Question 26

What do I do in a session?

Accepted Answer

Sessions are 1-hour video calls. The student sets the agenda — usually brainstorming, essay review, or supplement writing. You give honest feedback from your own experience.

Question 27

Am I responsible for helping students cheat?

Accepted Answer

No. Our academic integrity policy is clear: mentors give feedback and guidance, students write their own essays — the same role played by school counselors and English teachers. All mentors agree to this policy at sign-up.

Question 28

What if a student doesn't show up?

Accepted Answer

If a student misses their booked session without cancelling in advance, you're still paid for the session.

Question 29

Can I cancel a session?

Accepted Answer

You can cancel sessions up to 24 hours in advance at no penalty. Late cancellations (under 24 hours) are noted on your profile.

Question 30

How many students can I work with?

Accepted Answer

As many as you want. There's no minimum or maximum. Most active mentors take 3–6 sessions per week.

Frequently asked questions