Paying for Study Abroad/Away Programs

While we want to make studying abroad/away as affordable as possible for our students and to be accommodating as possible, a few rules are essential. It's important students are aware of these policies. When a program application is submitted, be aware of the guiding policy, so that misunderstandings can be avoided.

Deposit Amount

A $200 deposit and completed application paperwork is required to hold a student’s space on a study abroad/away program.
After a student makes an initial deposit and completes the application paperwork in Terra Dotta, the student will be contacted by the Study Abroad Office via AU email. The SAO will then confirm if they are accepted into the program and give the required next steps. All information provided in the online application to sign up is mandatory to complete prior to acceptance. This is because there is critical information to help guide the traveler on a variety of travel related concerns, including the financial terms and conditions that govern study abroad and study away programs.

Your Financial Aid & Study Abroad/Away

Your financial aid package can often be applied toward study abroad costs, including HOPE, Pell, federal loans, etc. Visit the Financial Aid webpage for some tips or contact your Financial Aid Counselor. It is recommended that you check with Financial Aid and your Academic Advisor before applying to a study abroad/away program.

We recommend you use our budget template when deciding which program to participate in. Fundraising is another option to assist with costs. There are many resources on how to get started and success tips.

Contact Us

Study Abroad Office

Summerville Campus

Allgood Hall

AH E134

706-729-2306

studyabroad@augusta.edu

Apply Now

2023-24 Withdrawal Policy

Students canceling or withdrawing after the 1st or 2nd payment deadline for the program are liable for fees in accordance with the withdrawal and refund schedule listed below. The Study Abroad Office will count the day AU receives written notification on the SAO Withdrawal Form as the date of cancellation.

- After initial online application completed and $200 deposit paid until the 1st payment deadline: $100 refunded

- After 1st payment deadline up until the program's 2nd payment deadline: Student expected to pay 25% of the advertised program cost even if the student has not paid anything else to the Study Abroad Office toward the program’s travel

- After 2nd payment deadline up until 30 days to program departure: Student expected to pay 50% of the advertised program cost even if the student has not paid anything else to the Study Abroad Office toward the program’s travel

- Less than 30 days to program departure: Student expected to pay 100% of the advertised program cost

NOTE: Students will be notified via AU email approximately 2 weeks prior as each deadline approaches in order to make necessary decisions about continuing participation.

Exceptions to this policy may be granted for circumstances beyond the students' control, including but not limited to:

Program cancellation (decision made by the SAO)
Medical emergency (must be processed and approved by the Dean of Students Office before SAO can honor the request)
Family or Financial Hardship emergency (must be processed and approved by the Dean of Students Office before SAO can honor the request)

Students who choose not to participate in a program activity, either mandatory or non-mandatory (e.g., field trip, excursion, cultural event, or identified housing) will not be refunded any portion of the program’s cost.

Students who request private accommodation or have other specific needs may be subject to additional charges to be paid to the Study Abroad Office if not coordinated in conjunction with the relevant department (ex. Testing & Disability Services, AU SCAPS, Dean of Students Office, etc.).

Students who voluntarily withdraw from a program after it has begun or leave before the official end date will receive no refund. In such cases, students may forfeit some or all course credit. Exceptions may be made in certain instances as discussed above.

Students who are dismissed from a program for disciplinary or academic reasons will receive no refund. In such cases, the student will also be responsible for all costs to return home and may forfeit some or all course credit depending on the time of withdrawal.

Programs that are not financially administered by the Study Abroad Office may have a different refund policy (i.e. USG Goes Global, CIS Abroad, Independent Student Travel). Students should inquire with their in-country contact or program provider for details on the terms of their specific refund policy.

If you would like to request a Payment Extension please complete the following form via Docusign for SAO consideration. We try to be flexible with the understanding that there is a timeline we must follow to pay vendors. Usually, extensions can be granted for a couple of weeks past the payment due date but will consider all requests on a case-by-case basis.

PAYMENT EXTENSION REQUEST FORM VIA DOCUSIGN

COMPLETE WITHDRAWAL FORM via Docusign

Transfers

If a student decides they would prefer to travel to another destination at another date and time they must check with the Study Abroad Office to see if this is allowable (based on timing and space availability).
The deposit will be transferred if, and only if, both study abroad/away programs are within the same fiscal year.
Deposits cannot be transferred to a program in a future fiscal year. No exceptions.

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