Remaining flexible while studying abroad is nothing new—flights get canceled, plans change, and opportunities for new adventures can pop up unexpectedly. Staying on your tiptoes can often give you a better view of the world around you, but 2020 has certainly left many eager to keep their feet flat on the ground.
You might be studying abroad by the end of the year!
Now that 2021 is here, it’s time to start planning (hoping, wishing, praying) for your next adventure! While health and safety should still be the top priorities, the cost of study abroad programs doesn’t have to be. *GASP* But how can that be? One word: Refunds.
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Is study abroad refundable right now? Should I book a program?
We totally get how nerve-wracking it can be to invest financially in a study abroad program right now. What if the whole world shuts down again? Is study abroad even refundable?? Actually, yes!
Program providers have met this unprecedented challenge head-on and have evolved their refund policies and their health and safety protocols to reflect the current circumstances. Flexibility is the name of the game here! While the nitty-gritty details may vary from provider to provider, there are some overarching policies to expect.
Many providers have pushed back their withdrawal date (AKA, the last day you can withdraw from a program and not be held responsible for full payment) in order to allow students more time to consider their options and make a final decision. Students are also given the option to switch programs or defer to another term if their program is canceled.
Time to talk about the elephant in the (Zoom) room—what if my program gets canceled while I’m abroad? Admittedly, refunds get a little trickier once your program starts. In the event that your program is suspended or canceled while you are abroad, many providers have pledged to refund all recoverable funds.
This can vary greatly and depends on how far into the program you are and whether or not the program provider’s in-country partners have a flexible refund policy.
9 study abroad providers offering refunds in 2021
There are immense benefits to studying abroad through a third-party provider (we’re talking about those organizations that aren’t your university study abroad office), particularly in today’s times where the additional assistance, assurance, and guidance offered by providers are especially needed. Read on to learn more about what flexible study abroad options providers are offering for 2021.
Editor’s Note: All information was accurate at the time of publication. Please submit inquiries to individual providers to confirm current policies.
1. SIT Study Abroad
Pre-departure: SIT will offer a full refund, excluding the $50 application fee, in the event that they decide to cancel your program or if you decide to withdraw. There is no withdrawal deadline! You can change your mind right up to the program start date. You also have the option to transfer to another program or defer to a future term.
Abroad: If a program cannot continue due to an outbreak in your location, SIT will attempt to change locations. Students will not be charged for any transfer of location. You also have the option to continue your studies on another SIT program or complete coursework online. SIT won GoAbroad’s 2020 Innovation in Crisis Response Award for Operation Bring Our Students Home.
- Where? Uganda, Rwanda, and Iceland
- Learn more about SIT policies
- Read SIT reviews
2. CIS Abroad
Pre-departure: CIS Abroad will notify you at least 60 days before the start of the program if they decide to cancel, and they will also provide a full refund. You also have the option to defer to a future term. If you choose to do this, any deposits and documents will be transferred to your new program. If you decide to change your plans, you can still get a full refund up to 22 days before the program starts! After that, partial refunds are still available depending on the amount of notice you provide.
Abroad: If your program is canceled or suspended, CIS will recoup and refund all recoverable costs. This does not include tuition, as CIS will continue classes online.
- Where? Czech Republic, Spain, and Ireland
- Learn more about CIS Abroad policies
- Read CIS Abroad reviews
3. CIEE
Pre-departure: CIEE will make all final decisions about the viability of programs at least 30 days prior to the start date. Additionally, CIEE has developed the College Program Assurance Advantage for the January, Spring, and Summer 2021 terms. This guarantees students a full refund, including program and confirmation deposits, should you decide to withdraw or if CIEE cancels the program. It also grants students the option to select an equivalent program (cost/duration) in the same term, or defer to another term. You have up until 14 days before the start date to make your decision.
Abroad: If your program is suspended, CIEE will work to recoup all recoverable fees and also provide students with numerous options to continue their studies. These options differ depending on the nature of your program as well as the flexibility of your university’s academic requirements.
- Where? The Netherlands, Germany, and Australia
- Learn more about CIEE policies
- Read CIEE reviews
4. IES Abroad
Pre-departure: If IES Abroad cancels your program, you will receive a full refund. If you withdraw more than 14 days prior to the start date, you are still entitled to a full refund, including the confirmation deposit. After this point, IES Abroad will only refund you whatever recoverable costs they can.
Abroad: If IES Abroad suspends the program during the term, you will receive a refund of recoverable costs only. Tuition is only considered refundable if it is not possible to continue taking courses online for credit, and if those costs can be recovered.
- Where? Morocco, South Africa, Japan, and more
- Learn more about IES Abroad policies
- Read IES Abroad reviews
5. ISA
Pre-departure: If ISA is required to cancel or suspend your program before your program start date, you will receive a full refund. ISA also offers the option to transfer all paid fees to a different ISA program at a new location or attend your preferred program at a later term. If you decide not to go abroad, ISA has extended its withdraw dates. These new deadlines and refund policies vary depending on the program and can be found in your ISA Student Portal.
Abroad: If ISA has to cancel a program while it’s already running, they cannot guarantee a refund but will try to recover any program costs that can be returned, as well as provide options to complete the academic requirements of your program.
- Where? Colombia, Vietnam, and New Zealand
- Learn more about ISA policies
- Read ISA reviews
6. CAPA The Global Education Network
Pre-departure: CAPA will make a decision on whether the program will run no less than 30 days prior to the start of the program. If CAPA cancels, then they will issue a full refund minus the $95 application fee. If you decide to withdraw, you are entitled to a full refund up to 45 days prior to the program start date. You can still receive a 50% refund up until 21 days prior to departure, but after this point no refund is possible.
Abroad: If CAPA cancels the program while students are abroad, students will receive a refund for any recoverable program costs, including a prorated portion of their housing. Because courses and internships will be transitioned online, the tuition and internship portion of the program fee is non-refundable.
- Where? Italy, England, and Ireland
- Learn more about CAPA policies
- Read CAPA reviews
7. API
Pre-departure: If API cancels your program prior to departure, they will offer a full refund or assist you in finding a new location. All cancellation decisions will be made 60 days prior to the start of the program, leaving plenty of time to get excited about another destination! If you withdraw anytime up to 31 days before the program starts, you will receive a full refund, excluding the $150 application fee and $400 confirmation deposit. After this point, any withdrawals will receive at most a 50% refund of program fees (excluding the previously mentioned application fee and deposit).
Abroad: No refunds if a program is cancelled or suspended after the program start date. However, API is currently working to provide students with better insurance options for financial protection.
- Where? Spain, Portugal, and France
- Learn more about API policies
- Read API reviews
8. IFSA
Pre-departure: If IFSA cancels your program, they will refund all program fees including the $500 deposit. IFSA will also issue a full refund of all program fees, including the deposit, to students who withdraw before their program’s deadline. Deadlines can be found on each program’s homepage.
Abroad: If your program must be canceled once it already starts, IFSA cannot offer a full refund, but they will try to gather as many recoverable costs as possible.
- Where? Italy, Argentina, and Mexico
- Learn more about IFSA policies
- Read IFSA reviews
9. CEA Study Abroad
Pre-departure: If your program is canceled, CEA will provide a full refund, minus the $95 application fee. You also have the option to switch to a future term! If you change your mind, you’ll receive a full refund, excluding the application fee and the $500 confirmation fee, as long as you decide by the withdrawal date. Deadlines vary from program to program, but you can still get a 20% refund up to 21 days prior to departure.
Abroad: Since CEA pays for housing, excursions, and other in-country essentials ahead of time, refunds are most likely not possible should your program be canceled during the term.
- Where? Spain and France
- Learn more about CEA policies
- Read CEA reviews
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Book your program with peace of mind!
Travel is allllll about flexibility.
COVID-19 may have thrown a wrench in your 2020 globetrotting dreams, but things are looking up for next year! Innovative solutions, such as flexible refund policies and online study abroad alternatives, are making sure that this life-changing experience continues to be accessible. Get ready for some awesome new adventures in the New Year!
COVID-19 Resources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- World Health Organization
- Overseas Advisory Council (OSAC)
- U.S. Department of State’s COVID-19 Travel Alert
Explore the Covid Travel Resource Hub on GoAbroad.com
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