Financial, Withdrawal & Cancellation Policies

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.

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 above. 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.

You will be responsible for paying a $1,000 cancellation fee (or, in the case of non-Northwestern students, will forfeit the $1,000 non-refundable deposit) plus any unrecoverable program costs that GLO or GESI has incurred on your behalf at the time of withdrawal. Such costs may include, but are not limited to: pre-paid tuition, pre-paid meals, pre-paid housing or room reservation deposits, airline deposits or airline tickets, bus rental fees, and/or payments for guides.

Even if you have not yet paid the full program balance and do not attend the program, you will be responsible for paying any unrecoverable program costs. 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 unrecoverable expenses made on your behalf.

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

1. You will be responsible for all unrecoverable program costs. Any refunds will be made according to the program's policies, which are dictated by the policies of the host institution(s) and contracted service provider(s). Depending on the date of withdrawal, it is possible that no refunds will be given.
2. If you withdraw from the program due to serious illness, death, or death within the immediate family, GLO or GESI will make reasonable efforts to refund - or seek refunds of - recoverable costs and to assist with arrangements for full or partial academic credit. Depending on the circumstances, it is possible that no refunds or credit will be granted.
3. If you are dismissed from the program due to conduct, academic, legal, or other related issues, no refunds will be given.
4. If you are withdrawn or dismissed due to conduct, academic, legal or other related issues, no refunds will be given.
5. You are responsible for all expenses related to your early return from the program and may not be eligible to receive any academic credit from the program.
6. 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.

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.

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.