Refund and Withdrawal Guidelines
Last revised on May 18, 2020
The Study Abroad Center (SAC) sustains a number of expenses overseas well before you depart for your study abroad destination. During the planning process for every program, SAC works with private providers, governmental agencies, and foreign institutions, most of which do not issue refunds. For these reasons, if you withdraw from a program as a “committed” participant, these expenses will be your responsibility. It is essential that students be aware of these financial commitments in advance when committing to a program.
Non-Refundable Fees
Study Abroad Application Fee ($100)
This is a non-refundable fee. This fee is only transferable to another program in the same term if the participant is not yet in the “committed” stage. This fee is non-transferrable from term to term. These terms are: Fall, Academic Year, Winter Break, Spring, Spring Break, and Summer.
Participants are required to pay the $100 application fee online in the pre-decision stage.
This fee is to cover processing costs and will not be refunded even if the program is canceled.
Study Abroad Mandatory Regents' Fee
This fee is assessed to students once the applicant is in the “committed” status. This fee is non-refundable unless the program is canceled. The fee will be refunded only to “committed” participants of the canceled program. Students who withdraw prior to program cancellation will not be refunded.
- Academic year: $500
- Semester: $400
- Short-term & Summer School: $200
- Non-UNI Sponsored Programs: $400
Participants are billed the Study Abroad Mandatory Regent’s fee on their U-Bill at the time of term billing. Participants that withdraw during the “committed” stage will be billed at the time of withdrawal.
Timeline of Withdrawal & Financial Responsibility for Tuition & Applicable Fees
The following charts outline the timeline for withdrawals from a study abroad program for the respective program types as well as the financial responsibility of the student with regard to tuition and applicable fees. Note, the above-mentioned “Non-Refundable Fees” are the financial responsibility of the participant and not included in the charts.
Program Types:
- Exchange
- Partnership/Regents
- Faculty-led Programs
- Non-UNI Programs
Exchange Programs: Exchange programs will follow UNI's refund policy.
Partnership/Regent Programs: If the Study Abroad Center has paid any foreign institution tuition and fees on behalf of the student, the student will be charged the full amount of what SAC has already paid out. This will be determined on a case-by-case basis. UNI Technology fee will follow UNI's refund policy.
Non-UNI programs: Students participating in Non-UNI Programs, in which the students pay program fees directly to the provider, must work directly with that provider to obtain any possible refunds. The SAC will have no involvement in the process of securing refunds from Non-UNI program providers. The Technology Fee refund will follow the UNI's refund policy.
Faculty-led Programs:
| Faculty-led Program Participants | |
|---|---|
|
Timeline of Withdrawal
(prior to UNI first day of classes for respective term)
|
Financial Responsibility for Tuition and Applicable Fees |
| While in “pending documents” status | You will not be considered part of the program, therefore you will not be charged mandatory Regents’ fee, UNI tuition and fees, or program expenses |
| While in “accepted” status | You will not be considered part of the program therefore you will not be charged mandatory Regents’ fee, UNI tuition and fees, or program expenses |
| While in “committed” status | You will be responsible for mandatory Regents’ fee, UNI tuition and fees, and program expenses. No refunds will be given for withdrawals in this status |
| No refunds will be given for withdrawals during the course of the program. | |
| If a student who withdraws from a program at any point secures a suitable replacement student applicant that applies and commits to the program, the student's refund of tuition, program expenses, and applicable deposits will be considered on an individual basis. In such cases, the application fee will not be refunded. | |
Billing in “Committed” Status Prior to UNI First Day of Classes for the Respective Term
Students will be billed the Study Abroad Mandatory Regent’s Fee, CISI insurance, and any applicable program fees/tuition immediately after withdrawal.
Additional Guidelines for ALL Programs
UNI Study Abroad Center has no control over weather-related events, natural disasters, airline delays and/or cancellations, international events, pandemic/epidemic, and will not be responsible to refund any cost related to the program. If a student does not travel because of perceived concerns for personal safety, no portion of the program cost will be refunded.
If a student is dismissed from a program due to disciplinary, academic, legal, or other related issues, no refunds will be issued.
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. These are packaged pieces to an itinerary and cannot be individually charged or selectively refunded.
Once a student is in the “committed” status and withdraws or ceases participation in the program due to, but not limited to serious illness, death, or death within the immediate family, the participant/guardian must contact the Study Abroad Center immediately for assistance and advice. It is advised to file a claim to their travel and/or health insurance provider(s).
Once a student is in the “while abroad” status and ceases participation in the program due to, but not limited to serious illness, death, or death within the immediate family, the participant/guardian must contact the Study Abroad Center immediately for assistance and advice. It is advised to file a claim to their travel and/or health insurance provider(s).
If a student's participation in study abroad is "rejected" by UNI and/or the foreign institution, no portion of the program cost will be refunded.
If a student’s ability to travel is not authorized or is revoked, no portion of the program cost will be refunded.
Study Abroad Center attempts to minimize the cost impact of a student’s withdrawal from our programs. If a student wishes to appeal the amount owed as a result of their withdrawal, they need to submit a written letter to the Director of the Study Abroad Center (103 East Bartlett) indicating their intentions and attach any supporting documentation. This letter should include an explanation detailing their withdrawal decision. Appeal letters must be received within 5 business days of the written withdrawal request.