Tuition Payment Options

[lidel]

Good day, all!

I am narrowing in on selecting a doctoral program, and I wanted some input on one of the things I'm a little hung up on. The Edgewood DBA from Upgrad requires one of these three payment options;

1 - Full payment upfront of the entire program tuition
2- Interest-free installments through "Splitit" which divides the payments monthly for the term of the program (2 years), but places a hold for the entire amount for your credit card.
3 - 50% of the total upfront and the remaining payable in eight equal payments over eight months. 

My concern with these is that historically, with my undergrad and Master's programs, I have had the option to pay the tuition at the beginning of each semester, which would allow me some flexibility if, for some reason, the program does not turn out to be as promised, or if for some reason I need to withdraw due to a life emergency or change of circumstances. In the unlikely event of a dispute, I figured this would give me some leverage, and I could always stop payments until resolved. This DBA program is brand new, and a few unknowns will only be sorted through once the program has begun. 

This payment system will require substantially more investment on the front end, and there is a "no refund" policy once the program has started. It is feeling like a bit of a red flag to me, but I may be overreacting, and that's why I wanted to ask for some opinions from all of you! 

Thanks in advance.

S