Cancellation/Refund Policy
The Office of International Programs (OIP) considers student safety one of its highest priorities. Therefore it is Florida Atlantic University’s policy to cancel any previously planned FAU sponsored summer/semester/academic year program in a location that is considered unsafe by the University or for which the U.S. State Department has issued a Travel Warning. The OIP reviews the U.S. State Department information regularly http://travel.state.gov and monitors other sources such as announcements from the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) to have the most current information about the countries where FAU students are or will be studying. FAU further reserves the right to cancel any program for any reason at our sole discretion, including without limitation under-enrollment.
If FAU cancels a program for any reason, the OIP will make reasonable efforts to refund recoverable costs to the participants. OIP cannot guarantee that any recoverable costs can be provided. If a program is canceled after the program has started instruction overseas, OIP will make reasonable efforts to assist students to complete the course work for the program. It is recommended that students consider purchasing trip cancellation insurance that can be obtained through many travel agents or insurance companies. Policies vary on when trip cancellation insurance must be purchased, so please check with the insurance provider for more details.
Other Refund Policy
If a student needs to withdraw from a program for personal or medical reasons they must do so in writing as soon as they have made the decision to withdraw from a program. Students will be responsible for the nonrefundable application fee, deposit, and any other expenses that have been paid on their behalf and are not recoverable. Such costs may include, but are not limited to pre-paid meals, pre-paid room reservation deposits, airline deposits, bus rental fees, payments for guides, etc. This means if the student has not yet paid the full program balance or does not attend the program, he/she may be responsible for paying those unrecoverable program costs. For these reasons students are encouraged to get Trip Cancellation Insurance and Trip Interruption Insurance.
For FAU summer programs:
Ø If a student cancels by February 15, all monies paid towards the program fee are refundable except the $100 nonrefundable application fee.
Ø If a student cancels between February 16 and March 15, all monies paid towards the program fee are refundable except the $100 nonrefundable application fee, $400 program deposit, and any other unrecoverable expenses already expended on behalf of the student.
Ø If a student cancels after March 15, only those monies not paid out on the students behalf can be refunded and will be handled on a case by case basis. Students will not be refunded the $100 application fee or program deposit.
Ø If a student cancels or withdraws from their program after its commencement for any reason, including academic or conduct, no refunds will be given. The university may consider exceptional circumstances on a case by case basis.
Ø No refunds will be given if a student does not participate in mandatory or non-mandatory program activity (such as field trips, excursions, cultural events, included meals, etc.).
Ø If a student is suspended just prior to the departure of their study abroad program and is no longer permitted to go under the universities academic policies, it does not release the student from their financial obligations.
For FAU semester/academic year programs:
Ø Students on FAU exchanges that cancel prior to the start of the overseas semester will forfeit the $100 nonrefundable application fee, any deposits, and any fees expended on the students behalf that are not recoverable by OIP or our exchange partners.
Ø If a student cancels, withdraws or is dismissed from their program after its commencement for any reason, including without limitation academic reasons, health matters or misconduct, no refunds will be given. The university may consider exceptional circumstances on a case-by-case basis.
Ø No refunds will be given if a student does not participate in mandatory or non-mandatory program activity (such as field trips, excursions, cultural events, included meals, etc.).
Ø Students on non-FAU programs must follow and abide by their programs cancellation and refund policies and may or may not have their fees refunded depending on the policy. Be sure that you know what the cancellation deadlines and policies are if you are on a non-FAU program. The $100 FAU application fee is not refundable.
Applicants will be required to sign and acknowledge receipt and acceptance of all FAU refund policies.
