University of Northern Iowa Study Abroad

UNI Study Abroad on FacebookStudy Abroad BlogsE-mail Study Abroad

Home

Study Abroad Refunds Policy

Last revised on March 14th, 2012.

  • Important Refund Information:

Your study abroad program participation requires extensive, detailed advanced planning on part of the UNI Study Abroad Center (SAC). As a result, SAC sustains a number of expenses overseas well before you arrive in your study abroad destination. Some expenses, paid shortly after you agree to participate in the program, are based on the exact number of students who have confirmed participation in a program abroad. Other expenses are incurred on the basis of an overall group size. In all instances SAC is working with economically priced providers, governmental agencies and foreign institutions most of which do not issue refunds. For these reasons, if you withdraw from a program after we have paid an expense on your behalf, we will be forced to pass the cost on to you. In order to keep costs low, commitments for flights, hotels, cooperating agencies and organizations are frequently done months in advance of the trip, it is essential that students be aware of the financial commitments when signing up for a program.

  • How to Withdraw:

If you have applied to a study abroad program and need to withdraw, you must submit your signed Withdrawal Form to 28 Gilchrist in person, by mail or email (study-abroad@uni.edu) with your stated reason for withdrawal. We suggest you also request a staff member to make a copy of your form in our office for you to take with you. The hard copy of your form will be dated upon received by SAC staff. This date will be used to calculate a refund per this policy.

  • Study Abroad Application Fee ($65):

This is a non-refundable fee. Participants will receive a refund of the $65 application fee if their program is cancelled. In this case the fee will be refunded only to “active” participants of the cancelled program. Students who had withdrawn prior to program cancellation will not be refunded.

  • Study Abroad Mandatory Regents Fee:

Academic year: $500; Semester: $375; Short-term: $160; Non-Affiliate: $120. This fee is assessed to students once application is submitted and a student is accepted into the program. This fee is non-refundable, unless the program is cancelled. In this case the fee will be refunded only to “active” participants of the cancelled program. Students who had withdrawn prior to program cancellation will not be refunded.

  • Deposits or Down Payments:

Some programs may require various deposit payments. Refunds of deposits are not normally made. All refund decisions are made by the Director of Study Abroad Programs.

  • Semester Program Refund Policy:

Should circumstances force you to withdraw from the program prior to departure; you will receive a refund of applicable program tuition and fees according to the following schedule:

a) At least 8 weeks prior to the UNI first day of classes for the respective semester, you will receive a refund of 100% applicable tuition. The Study Abroad application fee, the mandatory Regents fee and applicable deposits will not be refunded.

b) Less than 8 weeks but at least 4 weeks prior to the UNI first day of classes for the respective semester, you will receive a refund of 65% of the applicable tuition and 100% of the UNI technology fee. The Study Abroad application fee, the mandatory Regents fee and applicable deposits will not be refunded.

c) Less than 4 weeks but at least 2 weeks prior to the UNI first day of classes for the respective semester, you will receive a refund of 15% of the applicable tuition and 100% of the UNI technology fee. The Study Abroad application fee, the mandatory Regents fee and applicable deposits will not be refunded.

d) Less than 2 weeks prior to the UNI first day of classes for the respective semester, you will receive no refund.

No refunds will be given for withdrawals during the course of the program.

  • Short-term Instructor-Led Program Refund Policy:

Should circumstances force you to withdraw from the program prior to departure; you will receive a refund of program expenses, applicable tuition and fees according to the following schedule:

a) After acceptance into the program and before the short-term program application deadline, you will receive a refund of 100% of applicable tuition and the mandatory Regents fee. The Study Abroad application fee, program expenses and applicable deposits will not be refunded.

b) After the short-term program application deadline and at least 8 weeks prior to the program’s first day, you will receive a refund of 100% of applicable tuition. The Study Abroad application fee, the mandatory Regents fee, program expenses and applicable deposits will not be refunded.

c) Less than 8 weeks prior to the program’s first day, you will receive no refund.

No refunds will be given for withdrawals during the course of the program.

NOTE: If a student who withdraws from a program at any point secures a suitable replacement, the student's refund of tuition, program expenses and applicable deposits will be considered on an individual basis. The Study Abroad application fee will not be refunded.

  • Non-Instructor Led Program Refund Policy:

Should circumstances force you to withdraw from the program prior to departure; you will receive a refund of applicable program tuition and fees according to the following schedule:

a) After the program application deadline and at least 8 weeks prior to the program’s first day, you will receive a refund of 100% of applicable tuition, housing, UNI technology fee, and the mandatory Regents fee. All program deposits for housing, etc. will be the responsibility of the student.

b) Less than 8 weeks but at least 4 weeks prior to the program’s first day, you will receive a refund of 65% of the applicable tuition and 100% of the UNI technology fee. The Study Abroad application fee, the mandatory Regents fee and applicable deposits will not be refunded.

NOTE: Non-instructor led program refunds that occur less that 8 weeks prior to the start of the program will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Since each program has varying expenses, please contact your Study Abroad Advisor in the case of withdrawal for more information. All program deposits for housing, etc. will be the responsibility of the student.

c) Less than 4 weeks but at least 2 weeks prior to the program’s first day, you will receive a refund of 15% of the applicable tuition and 100% of the UNI technology fee. The Study Abroad application fee, the mandatory Regents fee and applicable deposits will not be refunded. All program deposits for housing, etc. will be the responsibility of the student.

d) Less than 2 weeks prior to the program’s first day, you will receive no refund. All program deposits for housing, etc. will be the responsibility of the student.

No refunds will be given for withdrawals during the course of the program, unless indicated by the Study Abroad Advisor.

  • Additional information:
  1. If a Foreign Institution/Program does NOT accept you into the study abroad experience you have applied for, you will receive a refund of all but the Study Abroad application fee. Any deposit refunds, if applicable, will be based on the Foreign Institution refund policy.
  2. If a student is required to return to the U.S. after a program's commencement due to serious illness, death, or death within the immediate family: The Study Abroad Center will make every effort to refund recoverable costs to the student.
  3. If a student chooses not to participate in a program activity (such as a field trip, excursion, cultural event, included meals, etc.): No portion of the program cost will be refunded.
  4. If a student is dismissed from a program due to behavioral, academic, legal, or other related issues: No refunds will be given.
  5. UNI and its Study Abroad Center have no control over international events, and will not be responsible to refund any costs of losses of timely academic progress, associated with student travel or the cancellation of student travel. This will be the case whether:
    1. The student travel is not authorized;
    2. Authorization of travel is revoked;
    3. The student does not travel because of concerns for personal safety.