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Study Abroad/Away Payment Policies

At AU, we strive to make studying abroad/away as affordable and accommodating as possible for all students. It is equally important for students to be aware of our financial policies and their implications, especially for our AU Study Abroad & Away programs. Students should pay close attention to all the guiding policies when submitting an application to avoid any misunderstandings or surprises.

Payments & Funding

Withdrawals & Refunds

Transfer to Different Program

Program Payments & Funding Resources

Application Deposit - Save your Spot

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 and requested within the program application is mandatory to complete prior to acceptance. The application includes critical information, including the financial terms and conditions that govern study abroad and study away programs.

Program Fee Payments

AU Study Abroad & Away Programs

Students accepted to a Study Abroad/Away program are required to make payments toward the Program Fee through the online application portal.
Payment deadlines vary by individual program. Please check your application or the program page for details.
- See below for our Withdrawal & Refund Policy conditions and deadlines.
Program fees are determined by travel-related costs, which often include: airfare, housing, global health insurance, group meals, excursions.
The advertised cost for AU Study Abroad/Away programs is estimated and subject to change. Billable program costs are updated in each student application.
Tuition & fees are billed separately by AU based on credit hours and academic term.

Affiliated & other non-AU Programs

Students who are accepted to a non-AU study abroad program are required to make payments according to policies set by the host program provider/institution.
Program fee structures and Payment deadlines vary by individual program. Please check with the host program provider/institution for more information.
Tuition & fees are billed by the host program provider/institution.
- The exception is USG Goes Global - students accepted to a USGG program are billed by AU for tuition & fees based on credit hours and academic term.

Financial Aid & Fundraising

Financial Aid

Your financial aid package can often be applied toward study abroad costs, including HOPE & Zell Miller, the Pell Grant, federal loans, and private loans (only as a final option).
Visit the Financial Aid webpage for more information; contact your Financial Aid Counselor
We recommended that you meet with Financial Aid and your Academic Advisor before applying to a study abroad/away program.

Personal Fundraising

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

Scholarships for Study Abroad

Track down active scholarships and grants to help fuel your study abroad goals! Check out our Scholarships Guide for a comprehensive list of Internal (AU-based) and External (national) funding opportunities. Contact us for expert guidance and pro tips for your applications: studyabroad@augusta.edu.

Important Forms

PAYMENT EXTENSION REQUEST FORM

If a student would like to request a payment extension, please email Office Coordinator, Amy Chase, a completed payment extension request form. We do our best to accommodate, with the understanding that there is a timeline we must follow to pay vendors. Extensions can usually be granted for a couple of weeks past the payment due date. All requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.

PROGRAM WITHDRAWAL FORM

Continue reading below for the Withdrawal & Refund Policy terms & conditions.

Withdrawal & Refund Policy

If you need more time to make the program payments, please submit a Payment Extension Request for consideration.

Refunds & Deadlines

All student deposits made to the Study Abroad Office toward a Study Abroad/Away program are non-refundable.

Any additional payments made toward a Study Abroad/Away program are refundable if a student withdraws from a program before the deposit deadline of their program (minus their deposit). Students wishing to withdraw and receive a refund must submit a signed and completed Withdrawal Form to the Study Abroad Office prior to the deposit deadline of their program. After the deposit deadline of their program, any and all payments toward a Study Abroad/Away program are non-refundable, except in qualifying extenuating circumstances, which require supporting documentation.

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

Program Cancellation: If a program is cancelled, a decision made by the Study Abroad Office, students will be refunded in full. Students will also be given the opportunity to transfer their deposit and any other payments made to the cancelled program to another program of their choice.
Extenuating Circumstances: Extenuating circumstances are events or situations that are unexpected, sudden, and beyond a person’s control. Qualifying extenuating circumstances are a personal or family medical issue, death of a relative, activation of military duty, unforeseen changes in financial aid package or in personal finances due to unforeseen circumstances, such as parent unemployment or high medical bills, and/or legal issues or immigration status issues that might keep the student from studying abroad. See below for the required documentation.

Qualifying Extenuating Circumstance	Required Supporting Documentation
Physical or mental health circumstances that prevent you from studying abroad.	Letter from a licensed physician indicating that you cannot study abroad due to health circumstances.
Family medical emergencies, such as surgery, diagnosis of long-term illness, and hospitalization.	Letter from a licensed physician
Illness or death of an immediate family member (parent, grandparent, guardian, sibling, child, spouse, or registered domestic partner).	Letter from a licensed physician or death certificate.
Activation of military duty.	Official letter from superior officer.
Unforeseen changes in financial aid package or in personal finances due to unforeseen circumstances, such as parent unemployment or high medical bills.	Official letter documenting change in financial aid package, unemployment letter, or copy of medical bills.
Legal issues or immigration status issues that might keep you from studying abroad.	Letter from licensed attorney or ISSS.

FYI . . .

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.

Transferring to a Different Program

If a student decides they need or desire to participate in a different program than originally selected, they must notify the Study Abroad Office.
- Feasibility of program transfer based on application timing and space availability.
The application deposit will be transferred only if both study abroad/away programs are within the same fiscal year (July -> June of following year).
- Deposits cannot be transferred to a program in a future fiscal year. No exceptions.