Policies

• Registrar’s Office
• Confirmation Materials
  • Confirmation Materials Checklist
• Pre-Departure
  • Pre-departure Documents
• Policies
  • Academic Integrity
  • Academic Status
  • Alcohol & Drug Use
  • Appropriate Use of Technology
  • Attendance & Participation
  • Billing, Finance, & Refunds
  • Contact & Communication
  • Credit Hours
  • Email
  • Equal Education Opportunities
  • Family Education Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA)
  • Grading
  • Health Review
  • Housing
  • Late Assignments
  • Non-Academic Dismissal / Involuntary Leave
  • Public Right to Information
  • Research & Ethics in Field Study & Internships
  • Prohibited Activities
  • Sexual Harassment & Misconduct
  • Student Code of Conduct
  • Student Grievance
  • Visitors During the Program
  • Withdrawal
• Transcripts & Forms
• Student Resources

Billing, Finance, & Refunds

FEES
The SIT Study Abroad fee covers all scheduled program expenses during the period of enrollment. Students are expected to pay for the following additional expenses: domestic and international airfare to the program’s meeting site; food and lodging prior to arrival at the orientation site on the program start date; baggage insurance; fees for passports, visas, tourist cards, and identification cards; pre-program medical expenses (e.g., inoculations) and prophylactic medicines; travel expenses as part of the Independent Study Project; expenses for student books and supplies, tips, laundry, telephone, fax, and email expenses, postage, gifts, all alcoholic beverages and beverages that are not a customary part of meals, food outside of customary meals provided by the program, and all other such personal expenses.

PAYMENT
We must receive a nonrefundable confirmation deposit ($400 or $2,500, depending on the program), credited toward the student’s program fee, before a space on a program can be confirmed. The deposit may not be transferred to another term. Payment of the balance of the program fee is due: July 15 for fall semester programs; December 15 for spring semester programs; May 15 for summer programs. Students are expected to pay the program fee according to this schedule. If payment is not made on schedule, the student will be withdrawn for nonpayment. For enrolled participating students, insurance fees are included in the nonrefundable deposit as soon as a student begins the program.

SCHOOL BILLING
SIT Study Abroad maintains special billing relationships with some colleges and universities. These agreements facilitate the use of financial aid to cover the cost of SIT Study Abroad programs. The terms of the agreements vary by school. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of their home institution’s current billing policies and agreements.

LIABILITY AND STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY
It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that SIT Study Abroad has a correct mailing address at all times. Failure to review a Student Account Summary will not exempt the student from the responsibility to pay the balance on the assigned due date, nor will it exempt the student from late penalties, neither from World Learning Collection Policies and Procedures, nor from having a Bursar Hold or administrative hold which would restrict transcript access. Students are responsible for the payment of all financial obligations: this includes all costs associated with the collection of this debt, which, on a past due account can include collection fees, court costs, and legal fees.

DISMISSAL FOR NONPAYMENT OF FEES
Students are expected to pay their tuition fees in full as outlined in the Tuition and Fees Schedule Sheet. If payment is not made on schedule, the student will be administratively withdrawn for nonpayment. The refund policy above will apply in all such cases and collection procedures will be initiated.

REFUNDS

Refund Policy
It is the policy of SIT Study Abroad that students who withdraw from a program for any reason are entitled to a refund in accordance with federal and school policies, whether or not they are recipients of federal or institutional financial aid. The effective date of withdrawal is the date SIT is notified or the last date of association with the program, whichever is later. The period of enrollment for which the student is charged is defined by SIT Study Abroad as from the program start date to the program end date. Students who are dismissed from a program are not entitled to any refund.

Voluntary Withdrawal Refund Procedures
After acceptance to the program, refunds in the event of withdrawal will be made according to the schedule below. Refunds will be calculated from the time SIT is notified by the student or by the last date of association with the program, whichever is later. The amount of the total refund will be determined by the Office of the Registrar. After the refund amount has been determined, balances will be refunded or invoices issued for outstanding funds. Students withdrawing before the first 50% of the term is over will realize an adjustment of tuition, room, and board, excluding the nonrefundable deposit, according to the following schedule:

• Up to the day of the student’s departure from the U.S. or home country, 100% refund minus the confirmation deposit (either $400 or $2,500, depending on the program) and any airline cancellation fees (if SIT cancels the program) and penalties
• during the first 10% of the term | 90% refund of tuition, room, and board
• between 11% and 20% of the term | 80% refund of tuition, room, and board
• between 21% and 30% of the term | 70% refund of tuition, room, and board
• between 31% and 40% of the term | 60% refund of tuition, room, and board
• between 41% and 50% of the term | 50% refund of tuition, room, and board
• After 50% of the term | No refund of tuition, room, and board

If a student believes individual circumstances warrant an exception to these procedures, a written request with supporting documentation should be sent to the Office of the Registrar and copied to the dean of students.

Account Balance Refund Policy
When a student’s account shows a credit balance after the period of enrollment begins, the refund will be disbursed to the payee within 14 days of the date the credit balance occurs.