Program Refund Policy

CIS Abroad has worked with international partners to create refund and withdrawal policies that limit the financial impact on students and families should a student’s plan to travel change. Read below for our policies for short-term (Maymester, Summer, and January) and semester/year-long programs.

Short-term Program Refund Policy (Maymester, Summer, January)

(January 2024 and beyond)

Pre-Departure

Because CIS Abroad makes financial commitments on behalf of our participants well in advance of the program start date, refunds can only be made in accordance with the terms listed below. 1) A participant who withdraws voluntarily will receive the following refund:
  • 100% refund of total program costs 46 days prior to the start (arrival) date of the program* 
  • 50% refund of total programs costs 45-31 days prior to the start (arrival) date of the program.*
  • Withdrawing less than 30 days prior to program start: No refund.
  • Note: All voluntary withdrawals must be made in writing (email is fine) to CIS Abroad.
*Exclusions:
  • $90 non-refundable application fee
  • Any bank fees paid
A non-refundable $500 confirmation deposit is due upon acceptance or at the application deadline, whichever is earlier, for the following programs:
  • Ireland, Limerick
    • Summer in Limerick
  • Italy, Florence & Italian Coast
    • January in Florence - Florence University of the Arts
    • Summer in Florence
    • Maymester on the Italian Coast
    • Summer on the Italian Coast
    • Intern on the Italian Coast
  • Scotland, Stirling
    • Summer in Scotland
  • Spain, Barcelona 
    • Intern in Barcelona
    • Maymester in Barcelona 
    • Summer in Barcelona - Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
    • Summer in Barcelona - Universitat de Barcelona
    • Summer in Barcelona - Business & Creative Industries
  • Thailand, Bangkok & Chiang Mai
    • Intern in Bangkok
    • Intern in Chiang Mai

    Semester/Year-long Program Refund Policy

    (January 2024 and beyond)

    Pre-Departure

    Because CIS Abroad makes financial commitments on behalf of our participants well in advance of the program start date, refunds can only be made in accordance with the terms listed below. 

    1) A participant who withdraws voluntarily before will receive the following refund:
    • 100% refund of total program costs 61 days prior to the start (arrival) date of the program* 
    • 50% refund of total programs costs 60-31 days prior to the start (arrival) date of the program.*
    • Withdrawing less than 30 days prior to program start: No refund.
    • Note: All voluntary withdrawals must be made in writing (email is fine) to CIS Abroad.
    *Exclusions: 
    • $90 non-refundable application fee 
    • Any bank fees paid
    A non-refundable $1,000 confirmation deposit is due upon acceptance or at the application deadline, whichever is earlier, for the following programs:
    • Australia, Newcastle & Gold Coast
      • Semester in Newcastle - University of Newcastle
      • Semester on the Gold Coast - Bond University
    • Italy - Florence
      • Semester in Florence - Florence University of the Arts
    • Japan - Tokyo
      • Semester in Tokyo - Toyo University
    • Spain - Barcelona
      • Semester in Barcelona - Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
      • Semester in Barcelona - Universitat de Barcelona
      • Semester in Barcelona - Business and Creative Industries 
      A non-refundable $3,000 confirmation deposit is due upon acceptance for the following programs:
      • Veterinary Science Semester in Thailand
      2) Special Circumstances: In the case of serious documented illness, all recoverable costs** will be refunded, less any program deposits. Any serious illness that causes a participant to withdraw must be documented by a licensed U.S. physician with notification sent to CIS Abroad. 
      3) Deferral option: CIS Abroad knows how important it is to be able to make changes to your program in these uncertain times. If you choose to defer your program to a future term please talk to your Program Enrollment Coordinator about which deposits and documents you’ve submitted carry over to your new application.

      Once Abroad (On the Program)

      Once your program has started, if for any reason you withdraw or the program is suspended or canceled, CIS Abroad will always recoup and refund you any recoverable costs**. Whether due to your home university policy or if CIS Abroad must suspend or cancel a program for health and safety reasons, our team works hard to make sure you get back any funds that have not already been committed to your experience abroad. Your $90 application fee is non-refundable, as it goes toward making sure our staff are always there to help you – we love our team and we know you do, too! **What costs are recoverable? Costs are incurred throughout the lifecycle of a study abroad experience – pre-departure, while on site and post-completion. Additionally, many of our partners require payments up front. While we work to create the most flexible terms we possibly can, each partner has their own refund policies. If the costs for your program upon withdrawal/cancellation have already been realized on resources that cannot be recovered, or if a partner’s refund policy does not allow for the return of the full pre-paid fee, we may be limited in our ability in what we can recover.

      Exceptions:

      In the case of expulsion from the host institution or deportation from the host country, or any other withdrawal that is a result of a participant’s breach of the CIS Abroad code of conduct, no refund will be given.

      Additional Trip Protection Insurance Available

      In the event that you want additional protection for any of the above amounts that are non-refundable, we would recommend you consider purchasing trip protection insurance, aka CFAR/IFAR insurance.

Additional Financial Resources

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