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Financial, Withdrawal & Cancellation Policies

Affiliated, Exchange, & Unaffiliated Programs Policy

Northwestern Programs Policy

If you choose to withdraw from study abroad after submitting a study abroad confirmation form to confirm your participation, you must notify GLO in writing. You will need to contact your GLO adviser via email to confirm your withdrawal. 

You may also be withdrawn from study abroad for a variety of reasons including but not limited to: failure to comply with policies, not obtaining required entry documents prior to departure, returning from my program early, or being dismissed from my program for conduct, academic, legal, or other reasons.

The following financial and refund policies apply in cases of withdrawals, dismissals, and program cancellation.

Affiliated, Exchange, or Unaffiliated Programs

Withdrawal or dismissal from an affiliated, exchange, or unaffiliated program

You are bound by all billing, withdrawal, and refund policies set by your program and/or host institution. Any refunds of program fees and applicable deposits will be made according to the policies of your program and/or host institution, and not according to the standard Northwestern refund policy applied on campus or the financial and withdrawal policies for Northwestern programs outlined below. Monies forfeited through withdrawal or dismissal will not be credited toward tuition or fees for further studies at Northwestern, and financial aid is not available to cover any such charges or penalties. Student Finance may bill the balance due on the cost of the program to your Northwestern student account.

If you receive financial aid and/or loans, you should consult with the Financial Aid Office for information about how your withdrawal will affect your federal, state, and/or institutional aid. No financial aid is available to cover cancellation fees or other costs associated with program withdrawal or dismissal.

Cancellation of an affiliated, exchange, or unaffiliated program

Northwestern University reserves the right to suspend or cancel our affiliation with any program should such decisions be warranted by a change in health, safety, or other country conditions that impedes regular program delivery. Refer to the Undergraduate International Travel Policy for more information about Northwestern’s approach to undergraduate travel.

In the event of program cancellation due to health, safety, or other reasons, any refunds of program fees and applicable deposits will be made according to the policies of your program and/or host institution, and not according to the standard or the financial and withdrawal policies for Northwestern Programs outlined below. Northwestern will make reasonable efforts to obtain refunds from your program and/or host institution but cannot guarantee any refunds.

Note:

  • The Financial Aid Office will review program cancellations on a case-by-case basis for students who are receiving financial aid.
  • Because full refunds are often not possible, students may wish to consider purchasing trip cancellation insurance that can be obtained through many travel agents or insurance companies. Policies vary on when trip cancellation insurance must be purchased, so students should check with travel insurance providers for more details.

 

Northwestern Programs

Withdrawal or dismissal prior to the program's commencement

If you choose to withdraw from a Northwestern Program after confirming your participation, you must complete a withdrawal form.

The following financial and refund policies apply in cases of withdrawals and dismissals.  

You will be refunded the following percentage of the program fee (NU billable costs) based on the timing of your withdrawal: 

75% Withdrawal within 2 weeks of commitment deadline
50% Withdrawal between 2 weeks after the commitment deadline and 6 weeks before the program start date
25% Withdrawal 6 weeks before the program start date
0% No refunds for withdrawal less than 4 weeks before the program start date  

 Even if you have not yet paid the full program balance and do not attend the program, you will be responsible for paying any withdrawal fees. Therefore, in the case of voluntary withdrawals, it is in your best interest to notify GLO or GESI immediately upon making a decision to withdraw in order to minimize financial consequences. 

Northwestern is not responsible for costs that you pay directly including, but not limited to: passport and visa fees, vaccinations, airfare, and other transportation costs. 

 

Withdrawal or dismissal after the program's commencement

  1. No refunds will be issued after the program's commencement. Northwestern is not responsible for costs that you pay directly including, but not limited to: passport and visa fees, vaccinations, airfare, and other transportation costs. 
  2. If you are withdrawn or dismissed from the program due to conduct, academic, legal, or other related issues, no refunds will be issued.
  3. You are responsible for all expenses related to your early return from the program and may not be eligible to receive any academic credit depending on the timing of your withdrawal.
  4. If you choose not to participate in a pre-paid program activity (such as a field trip, excursion, cultural event, courses, included meals, etc.), no portion of the program cost will be refunded.

Cancellation of a Northwestern program

Northwestern University reserves the right to modify, suspend, or cancel any Northwestern program should such decisions be warranted by a change in health, safety, or other country conditions that impedes regular program delivery. Refer to the Undergraduate International Travel policy for more information about Northwestern’s approach to undergraduate travel.

In the event of program cancellation due to health, safety, or other reasons, Northwestern will make reasonable efforts to obtain refunds for recoverable program costs to participants but cannot guarantee any refunds. Unrecoverable program expenses cannot be refunded.

Note:

  • The Financial Aid Office will review program cancellations on a case-by-case basis for students who are receiving financial aid.
  • Because full refunds are often not possible, students may wish to consider purchasing trip cancellation insurance that can be obtained through many travel agents or insurance companies. Policies vary on when trip cancellation insurance must be purchased, so students should check with travel insurance providers for more details.

Scholarships & funding

Regardless of the time of your withdrawal or in case of program cancellation, program scholarships, fellowships, travel grants, or other funding awarded to you by GLO, GESI, or other Northwestern departments may be canceled. You are responsible for any balance due resulting from this loss of funding. If you receive financial aid and/or loans, you should consult with the Financial Aid Office for information about how your withdrawal will affect your federal, state, and/or institutional aid. No financial aid is available to cover cancellation fees or other costs associated with program withdrawal or dismissal.

To appeal the refund schedule above, submit this form no later than one month after your official withdrawal/cancellation date. Appeals for refunds will not be approved for reasons of failure to cancel or for non-attendance.