We plan for the "what ifs" so that you don't have to worry. That's why our team of experts has curated a refund policy that keeps your best interest in mind.
This policy outlines refund eligibility and student responsibility in a variety of scenarios and is applicable to all study abroad and internship programs offered through IES Abroad and IES Internships and SAF. It does not include programming offered through IES Customized and Faculty-Led Programs.
Suspension of program prior to arrival
If IES Abroad suspends or cancels a program prior to its official arrival date for any reason other than a Force Majeure1 event, then IES Abroad will issue a full refund of monies then paid to IES Abroad to date for the program, including the Confirmation Deposit, to the paying party.
If IES Abroad suspends or cancels a program prior to its official arrival date due to a Force Majeure1 event, IES Abroad will issue a refund of all recoverable monies2 paid to IES Abroad to date.
Program Fee Terms
The “Program Fee” is inclusive of tuition, Housing Option 1, and travel health insurance for program duration.
The following terms will apply in the event of Student cancellation of enrollment or withdrawal from Program after confirmation. Notice of cancellation or withdrawal must be made in writing via email to the student’s IES Abroad Advisor. In such scenarios, refunds are available as follows:
| Written Notice of Withdrawal or Cancellation Received by IES Abroad | Student Financial Responsibility | Refund Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
More than 2 weeks before the official Program arrival date
| $500 non-refundable confirmation deposit | All other program fees paid to date are refunded |
Less than 2 weeks before the official Program arrival date
| 15% of total program fee (tuition, housing, health insurance) plus $500 non-refundable confirmation deposit | Any amount paid above the required charges may be refunded |
After the official Program arrival date
| 100% of the total program fee |
No refund, unless qualifying emergency withdrawal is approved |
Emergency Withdrawal approved in advance by IES Abroad Office of Student Life, Health and Safety.
| Calculated on a case-by-case basis, at the discretion of IES Abroad. | Only recoverable, unused costs may be refunded |
- All cancellations must be submitted in writing to the Student’s IES Abroad Advisor.
- Refunds are issued only to the original paying party.
- Emergency withdrawals require medical documentation and approval by the IES Abroad Office of Student Life, Health and Safety.
- The amount of any refund is determined at the sole discretion of IES Abroad.
Housing Fees
Housing Fees are refundable in only two instances:
- If a Student withdraws from their program, housing fees are refunded in accordance with the Program Fee Terms above.
- Approval of Independent Housing by IES Abroad, in accordance with IES Abroad form submission requirements. IES Abroad Housing fees are refundable only if a Student has submitted an Independent Housing approval form through the IES Abroad student portal before the posted deadline. If the Student submits an Independent Housing approval form through the student portal after the posted deadline, housing fees may be partially refundable, per the table below.
| Date of Independent Housing Form Submission | Student Financial Responsibility |
|---|---|
1-5 business days after the Independent Housing Form submission deadline
| Students will be charged 10% of the base housing fee |
6-10 business days after the Independent Housing Form submission deadline
| Students will be charged 25% of the base housing fee |
Over 10 business days after the Independent Housing Form deadline
| Students will be charged 100% of the base housing fee |
IES Abroad Internships Guarantee and Related Refund Policy
IES Internships guarantees students a placement in their fields of choice no later than 2 weeks before the program start date, as indicated on their internship application. If, after a Student’s full participation in the Internship Application process as outlined in the Internship Agreement, IES Abroad is unable to offer an internship placement the student will receive the option to receive either (1) a refund of the full amount paid to IES Internships OR (2) the chance to transfer to an IES Abroad program of comparable length and value in the same location (subject to satisfying applicable visa requirements and IES Internships’ academic program requirements).
- A student who declines an IES Abroad internship placement in the field of choice stated on their application will be subject to the same refund eligibility rules that apply to IES Signature programs, outlined throughout this policy in tables above and below.
- If a Student is dismissed from their internship by the Host Employer due to misconduct or violation of policy, no refund is available.
Suspension of Program After Arrival
If IES Abroad suspends a program after its official arrival date, IES Abroad will issue recoverable cost refunds to the paying party for housing and field trips, but only if and when IES Abroad has recovered actual refunds from its vendors.
Tuition is deemed fully earned once instruction begins and is not refundable if students are provided the option to continue pursuing courses for credit, either in person or online.
In cases where IES Abroad is not able to provide an option for students to continue pursuing credit online or in person, students will be eligible for a refund of recoverable tuition costs with respect to the courses they started but were unable to pursue either online or in person.
All refund determinations are final once issued and are not subject to appeal.
Dismissal of Student
Any student who is dismissed from a program by IES Abroad after the arrival date for any reason is ineligible for any refund, including without limitation a refund of used or unused expenses, as well as the comprehensive program fee.
Actions by Government in Host Country
Actions by a host country’s government may constitute a force majeure event. In such cases, refund eligibility is governed by Force Majeure terms, and any refunds are limited to recoverable costs in accordance with this policy.
Additionally, IES Abroad will endeavor to offer impacted students one of the following options:
- Virtual Participation: Participation in the program virtually, including enrollment in IES Abroad courses online, until it becomes possible to travel to the program destination. Some partner university courses may not be available online.
- Withdrawal Prior to Program Start: Withdrawal from the program before the program start date, with eligibility for a refund limited to recoverable costs, as determined in accordance with this policy and the Force Majeure provision above.
- Deferral: Deferral to a subsequent term, with application of the confirmation deposit to that term. Students who do not enroll in the subsequent term may be responsible for any non‑recoverable costs incurred by IES Abroad, at IES Abroad’s discretion.
Additional Charges (not included in Base Program Fees)
IES Abroad’s refund policy will supersede your home school’s refund policy. IES Abroad will issue any refunds that are due under our policy to the party who paid IES Abroad directly. Funds returned to student may vary subject to the refund policy of your home school.
The table below summarizes how the refund policy applies to specific categories of fees. All refunds are subject to the recoverability of costs and are determined at the sole discretion of IES Abroad.
| Fee Category | Timing / Conditions | Refund Treatment |
|---|---|---|
Supplemental Housing Fees: 2+ weeks
| More than 2 weeks before the official program arrival date | Refundable minus the $500 non‑refundable confirmation deposit |
Supplemental Housing Fees: Less than 2 weeks
| Less than 2 weeks before the official program arrival date | Refundable minus a 15% retention and $500 confirmation deposit |
Supplemental Housing Fees: After program start date
| After the program start date | Not refundable |
Visa ACCeSS (visa preparation) Fee ($175)
| Upon submission of visa application to the Consulate | Not refundable |
Consular Visa Fees
| Upon submission of visa application to the Consulate | Not refundable |
Optional Field Trips and Excursions: 2+ weeks
| More than 2 weeks before the official program arrival date | Refundable, subject to nonrecoverable costs |
Optional Field Trips and Excursions: Less than 2 weeks
| Less than 2 weeks before the official program arrival date | Refundable only after deduction of the 15% retention and $500 confirmation deposit, subject to recoverable costs |
Optional Field Trips and Excursions: After program start date
| After the program start date | Not refundable |
Books
| If received by the student | Not refundable |
Transportation Passes
| At any time | Not refundable |
Loans to Students
| At any time | Not refundable |
Outstanding Student Charges
| At any time | Not refundable |
1Force majeure events include, but are not limited to: acts of God, natural disasters, pandemics, epidemics, war or regional conflict resulting in State Department Level 4 designation in program location, terrorism, civil unrest, government actions, border closures, visa restrictions, public health emergencies, transportation disruptions, labor strikes, or any other events beyond IES Abroad’s reasonable control. IES Abroad reserves the right to modify, postpone, suspend, or cancel programs and services without liability for non‑recoverable costs. Non‑recoverable costs, including but not limited to tuition/administrative fees of foreign institutions and payments retained by housing vendors, are not refundable.
2Recoverable amounts are determined solely by IES Abroad, and contingent on IES Abroad’s actual ability to recover monies from vendors already paid for program components.