Withdrawals, Changes, and Refunds Policy
CCSA acknowledges that circumstances may arise that require participants to adjust or cancel their study abroad plans. While we strive to offer flexibility and support, it is essential to have a clear policy in place to manage withdrawals fairly and consistently. Therefore, if a participant withdraws from the program, regardless of the reason, the following policy applies:
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Notification: Participants must notify CCSA in writing of their intention to withdraw as soon as the decision is made to minimize impact on the student and program. It is not sufficient to notify your professor or home school; you must notify CCSA directly.
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Refunds: CCSA will assess eligibility for any refund based on the schedule outlined below, which takes into account non-refundable deposits, administrative fees, and payments made to vendors.
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Alternative Payment Arrangements: Individuals with alternative arrangements, including financial aid, scholarships, or payment plans, are also subject to the withdrawal schedule.
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Future Programs: Participants who withdraw due to extenuating circumstances may be eligible to apply a portion of their payment to a future program.
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Involuntary Withdrawal: Participants whose involvement is involuntarily canceled by CCSA or others due to failure to maintain good standing or fulfill required conditions for participation (such as possessing a valid passport or visa) are obligated to pay the balance according to the withdrawal schedule outlined below.
Withdrawal Schedule
Deposit | Not refundable. Exceptions made for students who are denied, in which case a $30 processing fee will be retained and the remainder refunded. |
Late Application Fee | Not refundable. |
Withdrawal After First Payment Deadline | Participant is liable for 25% of the program fee; owed even if they did not complete the first payment. |
Withdrawal After Final Payment Deadline | Participant is liable for 50% of the program fee in addition to any non-recoverable payments made on the participant's behalf; owed even if they did not complete the final payment. |
Withdrawal 21 or Fewer Days before Program Start Date | Participant is liable for 100% of the program fee. |
In addition to the program fee owed according to the table above, any additional non-recoverable costs will be charged. These include, but are not limited to:
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Group flight
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Onsite transportation
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Lodging
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Class activities
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Single room supplement
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Optional trip fees
Please be advised that changes requested after the first payment deadline may incur fees. While this allows for customization of your experience, additional charges may apply. These include, but are not limited to, the following:
Item | Change Fee | Withdrawal - Refund |
|---|---|---|
Group Flight | $50 fee plus airline change fee; no changes after first payment deadline. | Participant is liable for 100% after first payment deadline. |
Single Room Supplement | $50 plus cost of the change; no changes after first payment deadline. | Participant is liable for 100% after first payment deadline. |
Optional Excursion Cost | $50 plus cost of the change; no changes after final payment deadline. | Participant is liable for 100% after final payment deadline. |
Program Cancellation
CCSA reserves the right to cancel a program due to war, political unrest, terrorism, natural disasters, low enrollment, unforeseen circumstances, updated CDC guidelines, or a travel advisory issued by the U.S. State Department. If a program is canceled due to circumstances beyond CCSA's control, we will make every effort to refund any recoverable costs. However, applicants should be aware that not all costs may be fully refundable, depending on third-party provider policies.
If CCSA cancels an individual course within a program, the applicant will automatically be transferred to their alternate course choice and will be notified promptly of the change. If both the primary and alternate courses are canceled, and the applicant chooses not to participate in another available course, a full refund of all payments made to date will be provided. This refund will be issued if the student confirms their withdrawal within five business days after receiving notification of the course changes.
The standard withdrawal schedule will apply if the student does not confirm their withdrawal within this five-day window. In such cases, CCSA will refund all fees except the $30 processing fee as outlined in the policy above.