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Confirmation Policy for Study Abroad Participation

In the spring 2019 semester, all students accepted to study abroad in Wheaton programs will be assessed a $500 non-refundable confirmation fee. This fee must be paid at the time of final confirmation of study abroad participation. This fee will be applied to your Wheaton student account fees once you are officially enrolled.

For students who elect to withdraw from a study abroad program AFTER final confirmation has been given to the Center for Global Education but BEFORE the commencement of the study abroad program, this fee, in addition to any unrecoverable costs such as airfare and program deposits, is non-refundable.

Beginning fall 2019 and thereafter, all students who withdraw from their study abroad program at any point AFTER final confirmation has been given to the Center for Global Education will be assessed a $500 cancellation fee.  This fee will be applied to your Wheaton student account immediately.

In addition, any unrecoverable costs such as airfare and program deposits, will be charged to their Wheaton student account.

Students with any questions or concerns regarding this policy should contact a staff member in the Center for Global Education.

Center for Global Education Refund Policy for Semester Programs

Wheaton College incurs many costs as it prepares for students to be involved in study abroad programs each semester. Many of these costs cannot be recovered if students withdraw from program participation after electronically signing the Wheaton College Study Abroad Confirmation of Enrollment,  confirming participation in a Wheaton study abroad program. In order to protect the integrity of the study abroad process, the financial commitments of the College and the interests of all program participants, we are obliged to observe the following policies on refunds:

  • Students who withdraw from their study abroad program at any point AFTER final confirmation has been given to the Center for Global Education will be assessed a $500 cancellation fee.  This fee will be applied to your Wheaton student account immediately.
  • Students who officially withdraw prior to the date of departure from the United States will be charged all unrecoverable costs that the Center for Global Education has incurred or for which commitments have been made.
  • Students who officially withdraw after arrival in the host country would be accountable for the entire fee assessable for the intended program. Exceptions to this rule would apply ONLY in the following circumstances:
    • Death of an immediate family member (defined as parent/guardian or sibling)
    • Terrorism, civil unrest in vicinity of program, or act of war as defined by the Center for Global Education and the Global Education Advisory Committee.
      Students meeting any of these criteria would receive a 100% refund minus unrecoverable costs.
  • Every effort will be made to accommodate students into regular classes at the Wheaton campus if they return due to war or acts of terrorism. If such students are unable to receive credit for the work completed at the host institution prior to departure, and if Wheaton is unable to accommodate students in comparable coursework, students will be refunded 100% minus unrecoverable costs.
  • Merit Scholarships and financial aid may not be used to cover charges arising from a student’s failure to participate in the program.
  • Financial aid recipients who withdraw from their program after arrival in the host country are subject to the federal refund requirements. Financial aid eligibility is recalculated based on the portion of program attended and fund rules. This may create an unanticipated balance due to the college. Students may contact Student Financial Services by phone or email ([email protected]) to discuss the impact of program withdrawal on their semester costs.
  • Final decisions regarding refunds will be made by the Office of Student Financial Services.
  • Refunds or charges will be reflected on the Wheaton student bill.

This policy is an exception to Wheaton’s regular refund policies and applies to students participating in Wheaton approved study abroad programs.

Refund Policy for Faculty-Led Short-term Programs

The refund policy for students attending Wheaton faculty-led short-term programs is slightly different than the above policy. This policy is an exception to Wheaton’s regular refund policies and applies to students participating in Wheaton Faculty-Led programs

Wheaton College incurs many costs as it prepares for students to be involved in study abroad programs each semester.  Many of these costs cannot be recovered if students withdraw from program participation after signing the Wheaton College Study Abroad Contract confirming participation in a Wheaton study abroad program.  In order to protect the integrity of the study abroad process, the financial commitments of the College and the interests of all program participants, we are obliged to observe the following policies on refunds:

  • Students who officially withdraw, voluntarily or involuntarily, prior to the date of departure from the United States may receive a 100% refund minus any unrecoverable costs that the Center for Global Education has incurred or for which commitments have been made.
  • Students who are sent home due to disciplinary action will not receive a refund.
  • Students who officially withdraw after arrival in the host country would be accountable for the entire fee assessable for the intended program. Exceptions to this rule would apply ONLY in the following circumstances:
    • Death of an immediate family member (defined as parent/guardian or sibling)
    • Terrorism, civil unrest in vicinity of program, or act of war as defined by the Center for Global Education and the Global Education Advisory Committee.
      Students meeting any of these criteria would receive a 100% refund minus unrecoverable costs.
  • Merit Scholarships and financial aid may not be used to cover charges arising from a student’s failure to participate in the program.
  • Final decisions regarding refunds will be made by the Center for Global Education.
  • Refunds or charges will be reflected on the Wheaton student bill.

Administrative Fee for a Non-Wheaton Short-Term Study Abroad Program

Students participating in a Non-Wheaton Approved short-term study abroad program (January or summer) will be charged a non-refundable $250.00 administrative fee. This fee is charged for services provided to students by the Center for Global Education. These services include, but are not limited to, assistance with program selection, advising before, during, and after study abroad, as well as transfer credit review and approval. This fee will be applied to the Wheaton College student account during regular billing cycles.

Wheaton College Policy Regarding Scholarships

Outside sources of funding can significantly reduce a student’s debt burden and work commitment over the years. For those reasons, we encourage students to investigate as many alternative funding sources as possible. If Wheaton has not been able to meet the full amount of a student’s need-based financial aid eligibility, outside scholarships may be used first to replace any unmet eligibility. If the scholarship amount exceeds the amount of unmet eligibility, we will reduce the “self-help” portion of the package (work-study and/or student loan). Only when all self-help has been eliminated will we have to reduce the grant portion of the package.

Students and families should research private scholarships through as many means as possible. The best sources are within the student’s local community and high school. Students may use the internet to research a myriad of scholarship opportunities.