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Withdrawal and Refund Policies

Withdrawal and Refund Policies

Withdrawal Policy

Any student withdrawing from a study abroad program must notify the Study Abroad Office in writing (study_abroad@ncsu.edu).

  • A withdrawal notification is required due to academic or disciplinary misconduct.
  • Notifying a program director alone will not constitute withdrawal; the Study Abroad Office must also be notified in writing.

Refund Policies

See Billing, Payments, and Fees for an explanation of fees.

  • The Setup Fee is non-refundable.
  • Starting spring 2025, the Setup Fee is transferable to an alternate program at a student’s request.
    • Students should proactively contact the office to request that we transfer the Setup Fee; please do not submit an additional fee and refund request.
  • The Study Abroad Fee is only refundable when:
    • a program is cancelled before the program start date,
    • a student is denied acceptance by a host institution or
    • a student is denied a visa/residency permit by the host country.
  • For student withdrawals occurring before the program start date, the Study Abroad Fee is transferable to a future term.
    • Students may request a Study Abroad Fee transfer for an application after acceptance and commitment.
Timeline of Student WithdrawalProgram Cost Owed
Upon commitment until 60 days prior to program start date$500
59 to 45 days prior to the program start date25%
44 to 15 days prior to the program start date50%
14 days to 1 day prior to program start date90%
On or after the program start date100%
  • Even if the program cost has not yet been billed, students will be responsible for the relevant portion of the program cost.
  • The refund chart is only relevant to the program cost. For the setup fee and study abroad fee, see the refund policies above.
  • Programs not financially administered by the Study Abroad Office may have a different refund policy. Poole Global group programs follow a different Poole Global Refund Policy. Students should inquire with their primary program-specific contact for details on the terms of their refund policy.
  • Students who choose not to participate in a program activity, either mandatory or non-mandatory (e.g., field trip, excursion, cultural event, or identified housing), will not be refunded any portion of the program cost.
  • For Summer Start ABROAD/FYI programs, students are financially responsible for any airline fees or penalties should they withdraw after airfare has been arranged.
  • Students pay NC State tuition to the Cashier’s Office and are subject to the NC State Cashier’s Office policies.
  • Direct Enroll, Affiliate, and Third-Party Programs that are not financially administered by the Study Abroad Office may have a different refund policy. Students should inquire with the primary program-specific contact for details on the terms of their refund policy.

The Study Abroad Office will not refund any monies paid to outside institutions, organizations, or entities (e.g., application fees, tuition or program costs, housing or airfare). Students should contact the outside institution, organization, or entity with questions regarding refund policies.

  • Students have the right to request a refund of a study abroad program cost via the University refund application. Read the full page for details and to ensure your refund application is complete. Applications should include substantiated documentation of extraordinary circumstances such as medical reasons, unexpected employment changes, death in the immediate family, or University error.
  • Refund applications must be submitted within 8 weeks of the date of withdrawal. The Study Abroad Office will review the application and inform the student of the decision.
  • As noted above, the Study Abroad Setup Fee ($75) and Study Abroad Fee (due at the time of commitment) are non-refundable and not eligible for the University refund application process.