Refund Policy

Program and tuition fee refund insurance for non-medical reasons
The right to refunds is limited. All withdrawals must be in writing either by mail to AIFS College Division, Academic Year and Semester Programs, American Institute For Foreign Study, River Plaza, 9 West Broad Street, Stamford, CT 06902-3788 or by fax to 203.399.5597.

Refunds prior to the start of the program
For non-medical withdrawals, using the postmark or fax date of a student’s withdrawal letter as the official withdrawal date, the following applies:

If a student withdraws		he/she receives
After final payment deadline and more than 60 days before departure		All payments minus the non-refundable deposit and application fee of $845, insurance/assistance package fee of $475 and $1,000
After final payment deadline and 30 to 60 days before departure		All payments, minus the non-refundable deposit and application fee of $845, insurance/assistance package fee of $475 and 50% of the program fee
After final payment deadline and less than 30 days before departure		No refund

A refund policy similar to the above applies to a full-year student who has paid spring fees but wishes to withdraw at the end of the first semester/quarter. The start date for the spring semester/quarter is used.

In addition:

• If AIFS cancels a program, participants will be notified within 7 days and a full refund or, at the participant’s request, credit toward another program will be made within 14 days of cancellation. AIFS will not cancel a program less than 10 days before scheduled departure unless circumstances exist which make it impossible for it to continue.
  
  
• In the unlikely event that the U.S. State Department issues a travel warning which advises U.S. citizens not to travel to the program site, AIFS will:
  
  a.) suspend the program if it has not already started. In this case students will receive a full refund of all fees paid minus the non-refundable deposit and application fee of $845, the $475 insurance/assistance package fee and $1,000.
  
  b.) suspend the program and fly students home if the program is already in operation. Students returning home early because of a State Department warning will receive a pro-rata rebate for tuition, board and lodging for the portion of the program not delivered, less the non-refundable deposit and application fee of $845, the $475 insurance/assistance package fee and costs incurred flying home early.
  
  
• If a program undergoes major changes and participants elect in writing to withdraw from the program, a full refund of all payments except the non-refundable deposit and application fee of $845 and the $475 insurance/assistance package fee will be processed within 14 days of the cancellation. Major changes mean significant changes in program dates or destination cities. Minor alterations including reversed itineraries will not result in refunds.

Refunds once a program has started

• Students choosing to leave the program early for personal or other reasons are not entitled to any refund. Completion of academic credit will be determined on a case by case basis. Students dismissed for disciplinary reasons receive no refunds of any kind and forfeit all academic credit.
  
  
• There are no refunds for meals, accommodation, cultural activities/ excursions, tuition or transportation missed by students for any other reasons other than those listed above once the program has started.