Withdrawal and Refund Policies
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Withdrawing from a study abroad program may result in financial responsibility for expenses already incurred on your behalf. Refund and withdrawal policies vary depending on the type of study abroad program.
If you are considering withdrawing, review the information below carefully and notify the Padnos Center for Global Experiences (PCGE) as soon as you have decided not to participate.
If you decide to withdraw from your study abroad program, you must notify PCGE immediately by submitting your withdrawal through the Study Abroad Application Portal (Via).
Prompt notification is important. Study abroad programs often require GVSU, host institutions, and program providers to make financial commitments on your behalf. Delaying your withdrawal may result in additional expenses that cannot be recovered.
Submitting your withdrawal in Via provides PCGE with official written notice of your decision to withdraw. Your withdrawal is not considered official until PCGE receives this notification. If applicable, you may also be responsible for notifying your host institution or study abroad provider.
Students who withdraw may be responsible for non-refundable fees, deposits, unrecoverable expenses, or other program costs. The amount of financial responsibility depends on the type of program, the timing of the withdrawal, and expenses that have already been incurred.
Review the policy for your program type below before withdrawing.
Students who withdraw from a program are responsible for all unrecoverable amounts. This includes money paid on the student's behalf for flights, excursions, payments to host institutions, and more. The $55 Application Fee is not refundable.
Program fee
Faculty-led programs require GVSU to make financial commitments on behalf of participants for expenses such as lodging, transportation, excursions, event tickets, airfare, third-party provider services, and other program-related expenses.
If you withdraw from a faculty-led program, you must notify PCGE immediately through Via. Your financial responsibility is based on the date of withdrawal and expenses that have already been incurred on your behalf.
Depending on when you withdraw, you may be responsible for:
- The $55 Application Fee
- The $100 Required Forms Deposit
- The $300 Program Commitment Deposit
- Unrecoverable expenses incurred on your behalf
- A percentage of the total program fee
- Up to 100% of the total program fee
Financial responsibility increases as the program approaches departure. Notifying PCGE immediately may allow the university to avoid or recover expenses that would otherwise become your responsibility.
Review the complete policy for application and commitment deadlines and the Spring/Summer, Fall, and Winter financial responsibility schedules.
Faculty-Led Program Commitment and Financial Responsibility Policy
Tuition
Tuition is separate from the faculty-led program fee. Students paying tuition to GVSU are subject to the university's established tuition payment and refund policies.
For additional information, visit: https://www.gvsu.edu/studentaccounts/
If you withdraw from an exchange program, you must notify PCGE immediately through Via. If you have already been accepted by or enrolled at your host institution, you may also be required to notify the host institution directly.
Withdrawal may result in financial responsibility for fees, deposits, or other expenses already incurred on your behalf.
Program fees
Most exchange programs do not require a program fee. For those programs requiring a program fee to be paid, refund policies vary based on the institution.
Students are responsible for understanding the withdrawal and refund policies that apply to their specific host institution and program. Contact PCGE if you have questions about the policy that applies to your exchange program.
Tuition
Students participating in a GVSU exchange program typically pay tuition to GVSU and are subject to the university's established tuition payment and refund policies. For additional information, visit: Student Accounts - Grand Valley State University
Deposit
Students who withdraw their study abroad application for any reason will forfeit the $100 deposit.
IS 380 Course Fee
Students who submit written notice of their intent to withdraw from study abroad by the first Friday of GVSU's semester will receive a refund of the IS 380 course fee. Students who submit written notice of withdraw from study abroad after the first Friday of the semester will not be eligible for a refund of the IS 380 course fee.
If you withdraw from a provider program, you must notify PCGE immediately through Via. You are also responsible for following the withdrawal procedures established by your study abroad provider or host institution.
Notifying PCGE does not automatically withdraw you from your provider or host institution. Students should contact their provider promptly to determine what additional withdrawal steps are required.
Program Fees (& tuition)
Provider programs establish their own withdrawal and refund policies. Depending on the timing of your withdrawal, you may be responsible for non-refundable deposits, unrecoverable expenses, cancellation fees, tuition, program fees, or other costs assessed by the provider or host institution.
Students are responsible for reviewing and understanding their provider's withdrawal and refund policy before committing to a program.
Deposit
Students who withdraw their study abroad application for any reason will forfeit the $100 deposit.
IS 380 Course Fee
Students who submit written notice of their intent to withdraw from study abroad by the first Friday of GVSU's semester will receive a refund of the IS 380 course fee. Students who submit written notice of withdraw from study abroad after the first Friday of the semester will not be eligible for a refund of the IS 380 course fee.