Students who no longer wish to participate in their Study in America program must notify the program faculty and Online & Extended Programs (extension@txstate.edu) in writing.
Drop and Refund Policy
Dropping a Study in America Program
SIA Program Fee Refund Policy
Online & Extended Programs advises participants to purchase trip insurance, including coverage for cancellations, delays, interruptions, and unforeseen changes in travel plans, to protect against personal financial loss.
Students may receive a refund for the program fee if they drop/withdraw within the refund schedule. The program fee refund policy is separate from the refund deadlines associated with course tuition costs.
The following policy applies to students that drop/withdraw from the course/program:
| Date of Drop | Drop Fees |
|---|---|
| 45 or more days prior to course start date | 100% of the program fee is refundable; student owes 0%. |
| 1-44 days prior to the course start date | 70% of the program fee is refundable; student owes 30%. |
| After the first start date of the course | 50% of the program fee is refundable; student owes 50%. |
Please note the course start date is the beginning of the term, not the first day of travel.
When a student drop occurs, OXP will report the applicable charges to TXST One Stop which will then be added to the student's Texas State tuition bill. It is important to understand that failure to resolve any outstanding balances will result in a registration hold or graduation hold.
The above scenario is also applicable in the event that a student does not officially report their decision to drop but decides not to participate and/or stops responding to program requirements such as submitting forms or attending pre-departure orientations.
Involuntary Student Withdrawal
Students dismissed from a program may lose all academic credit and will remain responsible for all program and tuition fees. Dismissed students will not be eligible for any refunds associated with their participation in the Study in America program.
Program Cancellation by Texas State
Texas State may cancel a program at any given time for unforeseen circumstances. Should a program be canceled, Texas State will collaborate with all our program providers and seek the maximum refunds possible. Students should regularly check the Study in America website for updates regarding the status of the programs.
Trip Insurance
While the university provides health and travel assistance insurance coverage for all students traveling, it is strongly recommended that participants purchase travel insurance to cover students from personal financial loss due to program or flight cancellations, trip interruptions, illness or injury, or any unforeseen changes in travel plans. Texas State will not be able to reimburse students for any expenses related to airfare, passport cost, etc. even if the program has been canceled by Texas State.
Course Fee Refund Policy
Refunds for a dropped extension course are given according to university policy for regular university courses on campus. Refer to the TXST One Stop for more information.
Appeal Requests
Texas State University is committed to providing students with the opportunity and resources to appeal requests for program fee refunds due to valid reasons beyond a student’s control. Appeal requests must be submitted within four weeks of the official drop date. Appeal requests must fall under one of two categories listed below. Appeal requests not related to these two categories will not be granted.
- Medical: This category is for a serious Illness or injury that develops after the student has committed to the program and thus will prevent the student from participating in their Study in America program. The medical withdrawal policy covers both physical health and mental health difficulties. A letter from an attending physician or a licensed counselor must accompany this request.
- Compassionate: This category is for those situations when extraordinary personal reasons occur, not related to the student’s personal physical or mental health. For example: care of seriously ill family member, death in the student’s immediate family, military duty, or unanticipated financial hardship. Relevant documents will be needed to support this appeal request.
Once an appeal request is made, Online & Extended Programs will review the request and supporting documentation in order to render a decision within five (5) business days. If the decision is to approve the request, the student will be notified of the decision and amount that could be given back via email. Note: Appeals are not guaranteed to be approved.
To proceed with your appeal, please contact extension@txstate.edu for assistance.