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. Starting in Spring 2024, all IES Abroad standard* programs will abide by the same, updated, refund policy. For refund policies related to Fall 2023 and before, contact us.
It's important to note that IES Abroad’s refund policy may differ from your home school’s refund policy. In the event of a conflict, IES Abroad’s policy will supersede your home school’s policy. IES Abroad will issue any refunds that are due, if any, to the party who paid IES Abroad for those fees. You may be subject to different refund policies by your home school.
*"Standard" programs refer to programs offered through IES Abroad and IES Internships. They do not include programming offered through Customized & Faculty-Led Programs.
If IES Abroad suspends or cancels a program prior to its official arrival date, 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.
Students who cancel their enrollment, in writing to their IES Abroad Advisor, from an IES Abroad program at least 2 weeks before the program’s official published arrival date will receive a refund of the program fees then paid to IES Abroad to date, minus the $500 Confirmation Deposit.
Students who cancel their enrollment, in writing to their IES Abroad Advisor, from an IES Abroad program less than 2 weeks before the program’s official published arrival date will owe 15% of the total program fee (tuition, housing, and health insurance) plus the $500 nonrefundable confirmation deposit. If the student previously opted out of IES Abroad housing by submitting an approved Independent Housing form, they will owe 15% of the tuition and health insurance fees. Any refunds owed in excess of the 15% fee and the nonrefundable $500 deposit will be payable in all cases to the party who paid IES Abroad for the service in the first instance pursuant to IES Abroad’s Refund and Cancellation Policy.
Students cancelling their enrollment after the program’s official arrival date will owe the full program fee and receive no refund for monies paid to date.
Students cancelling their enrollment from a program due to the individual student or their immediate family member having a serious illness or injury after the program’s arrival date are eligible to receive recoverable cost refunds. All emergency withdrawals must be documented in writing by a physician and approved in advance in consultation with the IES Abroad Dean of Students Office in Chicago. The amount of any possible recoverable cost refund will be determined on a case-by-case basis at the sole discretion of IES Abroad. IES Abroad will issue all refunds to the party who paid IES Abroad for those fees as required under the IES Abroad Refund and Cancellation Policy.
IES Internships guarantees students a placement in their fields of choice, as indicated on their internship application. If we are unable to offer an internship placement in the student’s expressed fields of choice, based on interests, qualifications, and needs of the internship host(s), at least two weeks before the program start date, despite their participation in the process and satisfaction of all program requirements, then the student has the option to receive a refund of the full amount paid to IES Internships or 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).
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 not refundable if students are provided an 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.
Refunds will be calculated on a student-by-student basis on what IES Abroad is able to recover from each student’s housing and field trip vendors within 4 months of a program suspension, and any refunds will be payable in all cases to the party who paid IES Abroad in the first instance. In some instances, funds may not be in exact proportion to or pro-rated with the period of suspension. The amount of any possible recoverable cost refund will be determined on a case-by-case basis at the sole discretion of IES Abroad.
Any student who is dismissed from a program by IES Abroad after the arrival date for any reason forfeits the possibility of any refund, including without limitation a refund of used or unused expenses, as well as the comprehensive program fee.
Should actions by either the U.S. government or by a host-country’s government make it impossible, dangerous, unsafe or impracticable for some students to travel or study safely in their study abroad destination before a program’s start date, IES Abroad will strive to offer impacted students one of the below three options.
Participation in our program virtually, taking IES Abroad classes online, until it becomes possible to travel to the study abroad destination. Some partner university classes may not be available online.
Withdrawal from the program before the program start date and receive a full refund of the program fees then paid to IES Abroad to date, including the Confirmation Deposit.
Deferral to a subsequent term and applying the confirmation deposit to that term. Students who don’t enroll in the next term may be responsible for non-recoverable costs at IES Abroad’s discretion.
Refund Policy by Expense Type
More than 2 weeks before the arrival date: Refundable minus the $500 non-refundable confirmation deposit.
Less than 2 weeks before the arrival date: Refundable minus the $500 non-refundable confirmation deposit.
After the program start date: Not refundable if student is provided an option to continue pursuing credit.
More than 2 weeks before the arrival date: Refundable minus the $500 non-refundable confirmation deposit.
Less than 2 weeks before the arrival date: Refundable minus the $500 non-refundable confirmation deposit.
After the program start date: Not refundable.
Students withdrawing from IES Abroad housing after their program’s housing form submission deadline will be charged a $100 late fee plus unrecoverable housing costs incurred by IES Abroad.
More than 2 weeks before the arrival date: Refundable
Less than 2 weeks before the arrival date: Not Refundable
After the program start date: Not refundable
Not refundable after visa application is submitted to consulate as part of ACCeSS process.
Not refundable.
More than 2 weeks before the arrival date: Refundable.
Less than 2 weeks before the arrival date: Only recoverable costs actually recovered by IES Abroad will be refunded.
After the program start date: Only recoverable costs actually recovered by IES Abroad will be refunded.
Not refundable if the student received them.
Not refundable.
Not refundable.
This includes, but is not limited to things like keys, cleaning fees, damage to housing, etc. Not refundable.
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IES Abroad’s Crisis Management Team is still actively and closely monitoring the ongoing impact of COVID-19.
