Our Policies

Unlike other plans, the AIFS student plan settles claims abroad, in your host country’s respective currency. This facilitates immediate access to treatment. Treatments must of course be documented and receipts obtained. The Program Director helps with administrative matters concerning claims. The Program Director arranges for students requiring treatment for more serious illnesses and accidents to receive immediate attention from the recommended university doctor and hospital in the area. 

The coverage includes the following:

1. Medical expenses while abroad: The insurance covers medical bills up to a maximum of $250,000 for each medically covered illness or accident abroad. Insured participants have no more than 52 weeks from the date or such illness or injury to incur costs and to submit a claim. Pre-existing complaints are covered up to a maximum of $500 only. Among items covered are treatment by a physician or surgeon, nurse fees, x-rays, ambulance, therapeutic services, operations, drugs and medicines prescribed by a physician, hospital room and board (semi-private accommodations). 
2. Mental health coverage: The insurance plan covers mental or nervous disorders up to $2,500 for outpatient treatment or up to $10,000 for inpatient treatment per lifetime. See Plan of Insurance brochure for further details. 
3. Baggage insurance:  Personal property is covered up to $3,000 with a $0 deductible. Electronic equipment to include laptops are covered up to $250. Some exclusions apply. Please see the Plan of Insurance for further details. 

In addition your plan provides for:

1. Emergency Medical Evacuation/Repatriation
2. Repatriation of Mortal Remains or Cremation
3. Trip Delay Benefit
4. Security Evacuation Benefit

The AIFS insurance program provides participants with a world-wide 24-hour emergency telephone assistance service. Multilingual help and advice may be furnished for the participant in the event of any emergency during the term of coverage. Assistance services include: Medical monitoring, prescription drug replacement/shipment, emergency message transmittals, coverage verification/payment assistance for medical expenses. Travel assistance services include: Obtaining emergency cash, travelers check replacement, lost/delayed luggage tracking, replacement of lost or stolen airline ticket, credit card/passport/important document replacement. 

To view the policy details and download a brochure go to www.culturalinsurance.com/cisi_forms.asp. 

Dates, prices and program descriptions on line constitute a part of the contract between AIFS and the participant. Your final itinerary provided prior to departure constitutes the actual program to be provided by AIFS. 

For international travel, airline liability for passenger baggage is usually limited. Passengers should request complete terms governing airline liability limitations for their journey upon receipt of final itinerary and/or check-in. It is the responsibility of the passenger to file claims for lost/damaged baggage directly with the airline(s). Equipment, routing and itinerary may be modified by the direct air carrier or by AIFS. Single plane service is not guaranteed. Alternative aircraft of any carrier may be substituted at any time, and aircraft may make additional stops. Such changes will not create a right to cancellation or refund. 

Comprehensive insurance/assistance package; specified travel as shown in the detailed itinerary; tuition fees and housing as specified in the itinerary; meals ONLY when specified in the program description; sightseeing and entertainment as specified; services of AIFS Program Directors and tips. 

Optional travel package, $95 nonrefundable application fee, passport fees or certain visa fees; transfers and travel in connection with independent travel; should you choose not to join the optional excursion(s), your independent travel obligations are not included in the program fee: (i) accommodations and meals during any independent travel period, including (ii) overnight accommodations and (iii) transfer to the airport prior to departure when a period of independent travel precedes the return flight; meals not listed in the program description; special beverages with meals; laundry; excess baggage charges (check with each airline for rules); textbooks; overnight and weekend optional excursions while at the university; overnight accommodations, meals and additional domestic transportation expenses in the U.S. due to rescheduled or delayed flights (sometimes paid by the airline); transportation from student’s home to point of international departure and back. 

Upon application, participants must send a payment of $95 by check or credit card (American Express, Visa or MasterCard) payable to the American Institute For Foreign Study. AIFS fees can be paid online by credit card. Visit www.aifsabroad.com for details. The $95 fee is non-refundable. Upon acceptance, you will be billed for a $500 deposit and then the balance of the program fee due November 15 (October 15 for Berlin, Dublin, and Galápagos programs). The optional excursions are due by the final payment deadline of each program. Any participant whose check is returned for any reason will be assessed a charge of $35. 

Students will be responsible for payment of any damages, campus related charges or other charges incurred in student or family residences while on the program and will be invoiced accordingly. Academic transcripts will be withheld until all fees are paid. 

AIFS reserves the right to make changes to departure dates and cities as may be required and to reverse an itinerary route. 

Departures are contingent upon adequate enrollment and are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. AIFS reserves the right to reassign participants to alternate departure cities listed on program pages. AIFS will notify participants whether a requested original departure is available no later than 30 days before departure. Destination cities may be changed as long as the change affects only the order of cities visited. 

Should AIFS Abroad cancel a program prior to departure for reasons within its control (including due to lack of enrollment), participants will be notified and options include options of: 

• Moving to another program location 
• Receiving credit towards another program or a full refund (including deposit.) This is the only unique situation where a non-refundable deposit can be returned. 

Should AIFS Abroad cancel a program (including once the program has started) for reasons beyond its control including but not limited to Acts of God, government actions (including those restricting travel), pandemics, fire, flood, explosion, earthquake, or other natural forces, war, civil unrest, accident, terrorism, any strike or labor disturbance, or any other event similar to those enumerated above (a “Force Majeure” Event) participants will receive no refund except for recoverable costs. 

Recoverable costs may include, but not are not limited to program fees (including tuition), housing, social/cultural activities/excursions, safety and security and administrative cost, or organized flights. 

Most of these costs are paid before the start of the program are not typically recoverable. In the event of cancellation AIFS Abroad will endeavor to obtain refunds from suppliers and pass any recovered costs on the participant. 

Students choosing to leave the program early for personal or other reasons are not entitled to any refund. Completion of academic credit will be determined on a case by case basis. Students dismissed for disciplinary reasons receive no refunds of any kind and forfeit all academic credit. 

There are no refunds for meals, accommodation, cultural activities/excursions, tuition or transportation missed by students for any other reasons other than those listed above once the program has started. 

Once the program has started, students who withdraw will receive no refund. In the unlikely event of AIFS cancelling a program while it is underway, students would receive a pro-rata rebate of recoverable fees paid to AIFS for the portion of the program. Students dismissed for disciplinary reasons receive no refunds of any kind and forfeit all academic credit.  

There are no refunds for meals, accommodation, cultural activities/excursions, tuition or transportation missed by students for any other reasons other than those listed above once the program has started. 

The Department of Education Stafford Student Loan Program offers funds to students whose families show financial need. Details about this and other aid awards are available from your home institution’s Financial Aid Office. 

Your college or university may agree to apply aid to your AIFS study program. If you plan to use your financial aid award to pay for all or part of your AIFS fees, you must: (1) Apply early at the Financial Aid Office on your campus. This will enable you to receive notification of your award and determine before the final AIFS payment deadline whether you will be financially able to participate; (2) Arrange to have documentation sent from the Financial Aid Office or lending institution to AIFS stating the amount of the award and date it will be disbursed. The AIFS Financial Aid Information Form, available from AIFS, must be completed by the financial aid officer at your institution or lending agency and returned to AIFS January Term Programs office in Stamford, CT, prior to the November 15 final payment deadline. 

Students who have their financial aid package modified or denied after the AIFS program begins are responsible for full payment. Failure to make immediate payment to AIFS will result in being administratively withdrawn. In this case, no refund or academic credit will be granted. 

AIFS programs may be eligible for V.A. tuition grants. 

Students may also charge all or a part of the program cost to American Express, MasterCard, or Visa. 

Students must indicate on the application their intention either to take an AIFS flight or to provide their own transportation to and from the program. Students changing from an AIFS flight to their own transportation prior to 75 days before departure pay a $100 change fee; less than 75 days prior to departure students are subject to a $250 penalty. Students who initially intended to provide their own transportation to and from the program may apply for a seat on AIFS flights subject to the following terms: 1) prior to 75 days before departure provided space is available; a $100 change fee is charged and 2) within 75 days before departure provided space is available; subject to a $250 penalty. Students changing from one departure city to another prior to 75 days before departure pay a $100 change fee for each change; within 75 days of departure students are subject to a $250 penalty in addition to any application fare differential provided space is available. 

Students are sent their final itinerary close to departure. 

Due to TSA regulations students wishing to travel on an AIFS flight must be sure to give their full name exactly as it appears on their passport. If students give an incomplete or incorrect name on their application, they will be responsible for any financial penalties incurred or flight tickets canceled. 

If you have selected the Ooptional AIFS Flight Travel Package, where permitted by the airline, you will be issued with an electronic ticket. Once confirmed, details of your flight information will be available to you at www.aifsabroad.com/login. You can check here at any time to get your flight information but should make a final check just prior to your departure. 

Housing on campus is not provided outside the actual program dates and students opting to travel independently before or after the program must make their own accommodation arrangements during these periods. However, housing is provided on campus for those not participating in optional weekend excursions that operate during the academic program. AIFS residences/offices do not have storage facilities for luggage during independent travel times 

For those who prefer a prearranged itinerary during independent travel time, AIFS organizes inexpensive study excursions. Some campuses also offer optional weekend excursions. The cost of these excursions is not included in January Term school fees. The deadline for optional excursion enrollment is October 15, regardless of the date of application. If you apply late and are on a wait list, you will not be able to enroll in optional excursions after October 15 unless AIFS can confirm availability. 

AIFS excursions allow free time for individual sightseeing and organized visits to points of interest by bus, train or air. A multilingual tour manager accompanies each group. Optional excursions are subject to a minimum enrollment of 10 unless otherwise stated in the program chapter. If not achieved, AIFS reserves the right to cancel the tour. Once paid for in the U.S. the fee for optional excursions is non-refundable unless AIFS cancels the excursion. 

You must obtain your own passport. We urge you to apply for (or renew) your passport as soon as you have decided to take part in the program. Some countries require passports be valid for six to seven months beyond the end of the program. 

Please consult the following website for more detailed information: http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/passports/apply.html 

Travelers not allowed to board at an airport because they do not have the correct or sufficient travel documents must assume all consequences. Failure to meet deadlines or obtain a visa does not constitute grounds for deviation from the standard refund policy. 

Passports are required of everyone traveling outside the U.S. on AIFS programs. Non-U.S. citizens may be required to obtain visas to enter certain countries. Non-U.S. citizens are responsible for securing visas needed and must allow several weeks—or months—for this process. 

Standards of conduct help to ensure satisfaction with the program. Because AIFS programs depend on the good will of host universities, you are required to observe campus regulations and customs relating to students at the university of your choice. AIFS, its Program Directors and coordinators are in charge of the welfare and behavior of students. Students are expected to cooperate with staff and accept responsibility for adult standards of behavior. Students must obey the laws of the host country. 

All participants on AIFS Abroad programs are held to academic and behavioral standards that are outlined in our Terms and Conditions and enrolled students will agree to a Code of Conduct. 

Many of the European institutions that AIFS works with award credits under the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). ECTS enables cooperating institutions to measure and compare a student’s performance and facilitates the transfer of credits from the European institution to the U.S institution. Every ECTS credit represents a particular amount of workload with, for example, 30 ECTS usually being awarded for a semester. 1 ECTS is equivalent to 25-30 hours of student work with the workload including independent study, research and seminars as well as classroom contact time. Many U.S. institutions use a 2:1 ratio when comparing ECTS and U.S credits with 2 ECTS = 1 credit. Ultimately it is up to the student’s home institution to decide how ECTS credits the student has been awarded should transfer into U.S credits for their degree program. AIFS recommends that students seek advice from their home institution and gain pre-approval for the courses that they wish to take at the European institution in order to ensure that they are taking the appropriate amount of credits and that credits awarded will transfer at the end of the program.

AIFS provides course syllabi from the foreign institution and recommends credits for each course. Recommended U.S. semester credits shown in parentheses next to each course are based on 15 contact hours per semester credit and are not a conversion of ECTS credits.

If you need to request additional transcripts please go to our Alumni page. 

If you have outstanding bills or campus related charges, your transcript will be withheld until accounts are settled. 

Credit assessment methods in international universities may not be comparable to those in a U.S. university. Grading may involve exams, papers, individual projects, class discussion or some combination of these. Although academic institutions abroad may grade on a variety of scales, admissions counselors and registrars at U.S. institutions are familiar with international grading systems and can convert grades. 

Students not currently enrolled at a U.S. college or university who cannot obtain advance approval for credit transfer are advised to enroll in a program at the AIFS Global Center in London, Salzburg, Florence or Rome, since Fairfield University is a U.S.-accredited university whose credits are usually accepted by other U.S. colleges and universities. They can also enroll in the American College of Greece Program. 

Credit assessment methods in foreign universities may not be comparable to those in a U.S. university. Grading may involve exams, papers, individual projects, class discussion or some combination of these. Although academic institutions abroad may grade on a variety of scales, admissions counselors and registrars at U.S. institutions are familiar with foreign grading systems and can convert grades.

Expect a delay in the issue of transcripts. Generally, you should receive your transcript 6 – 8 weeks after completion of the program. If a transcript must be sent to the U.S. by special delivery or express courier mail, the student must pay for this expense.

Included in the program fee, AIFS provides a medical and limited program/tuition package to its study abroad students through our insurance provider Cultural Insurance Services Int’l (CISI). CISI is the leader in providing the most comprehensive insurance coverage to the international education sector, currently providing insurance coverage, travel/technical/medical assistance and claim paying services to more than 150,000 international students and cultural exchange participants worldwide. The package covers students for the duration of their program, plus up to one month of independent travel after the program. AIFS regularly reviews and updates the insurance package and the details below are subject to change. Please see the AIFS website for the latest information. Students will receive an individual insurance policy describing the coverage in detail. Please check this carefully as some exclusions and limitations apply—for example pre-existing medical conditions are covered only up to $500.

Unlike other plans, the AIFS student plan settles claims abroad, in your host country’s respective currency. This facilitates immediate entry to a hospital for treatment. Treatments must of course be documented. The on-site staff helps with administrative matters concerning claims. Each campus has access to a doctor to handle minor ailments. The on-site staff arranges for students requiring treatment for more serious illnesses and accidents to receive immediate attention from the recommended university doctor and hospital in the area.

The AIFS insurance program provides participants with a world-wide 24-hour emergency telephone assistance service. Multilingual help and advice may be furnished for the participant in the event of any emergency during the term of coverage. Assistance services include: Medical monitoring, prescription drug replacement/ shipment, emergency message transmittals, coverage verification/payment assistance for medical expenses. Travel assistance services include: Obtaining emergency cash, travelers check replacement, lost/delayed luggage tracking, replacement of lost or stolen airline ticket, credit card/passport/important document replacement.

In addition your plan provides for:

1. Emergency Medical Evacuation/Repatriation
2. Return of Mortal Remains or Cremation
3. Trip Delay Benefit
4. Security Evacuation

Coverage is provided by the ACE American Insurance Company, a member of the Chubb Group of Companies. All claims are processed on a fast track basis by CISI staff.

The coverage includes the following:

1. Medical expenses while abroad: The insurance covers medical bills up to a maximum of $250,000 for each medically covered illness or accident abroad.. Preexisting conditions are covered up to $500. Among items covered are treatment by a physician or surgeon, nurse fees, x-rays, ambulance, therapeutic services, operations, drugs and medicines prescribed by a physician, hospital room and board (semi-private accommodations).
2. Mental health coverage: The insurance plan covers mental or nervous disorders up to $2,500 for outpatient treatment or up to $10,000 for inpatient treatment per lifetime. See Plan of Insurance brochure for further details.
3. Baggage insurance: Personal effects are covered up to $3,000. Coverage for electronic equipment such as laptops and computers is provided up to $250. Some exclusions apply. Please see the insurance policy for further details.
4. Medical cancellation insurance prior to departure: If after any scheduled payment has been made, but before departure, you are prevented from embarking on your trip because of either 1) covered accidental bodily injuries, disease or covered sickness for which you are under the care of a legally qualified physician or surgeon or 2) quarantine at the place of residence or epidemic in the area of travel, the plan will reimburse the insured a portion of payments in excess of the non-refundable deposit and application fee of $595 and any flight, tuition and housing cancellation fees.
5. Return Airfare expense: If you travel on an AIFS Study Abroad flight, this plan will cover the cost up to a maximum of $1,000 of your return air transportation on a regularly scheduled commercial flight (tourist class) to the original AIFS point of departure if you are unable to complete the program for any reason outlined under the program cancellation insurance. A certificate of illness from a physician, other than a relative or member of your household, is necessary in making claims.

Students also have the option of purchasing CFAR (cancel for any reason) and IFAR (interruption for any reason) package called Worldwide Trip Protection Plus. This coverage may be purchased to bolster your existing coverage with CISI as a program participant. There is no pandemic or epidemic exclusion written into this package so this coverage will provide an added layer of protection for COVID-19 or any other similar emergencies in the future. This coverage must be purchased within 21 days of paying ANY funds (either to your home university or to AIFS. Visit www.mycisi.com for details.

A non-refundable $95 fee must accompany your application. No application will be processed without it.

A non-refundable $500 tuition deposit is applied toward tuition fees and is payable upon student application. Places cannot be held without this deposit, which is non-refundable under any circumstances once a student has been confirmed.

AIFS fees can be paid online by credit card or electronic check.

Balance of fees are due April 1st for all programs. (January 31 for Berlin Internship, and March 15 for Barcelona session 1)

AIFS does not require a damage deposit. Students will be responsible for payment of any damages, campus related charges or other charges incurred in student or family residences while on the program and will be invoiced accordingly. Academic transcripts will be withheld until all fees are paid.

Fees include:

• Housing while on the AIFS Programs as described in individual program descriptions
• Comprehensive insurance/assistance package
• Tuition fees, registration fees and examination charges
• Orientation programs as described for specific program
• Certain field trips, excursions and cultural activities
• Membership in libraries and university student clubs as described for specific programs
• Official transcript

Fees do not include:

• Non-refundable application fee ($95)
• Meals unless specifically described for specific programs
• Optional AIFS Flight Package (round-trip flights and airport transfers) as described for specific programs
• Textbooks and laboratory fees
• Passport and visa fees
• Excess baggage charges
• Personal spending money
• Vacation travel or local transportation (unless noted in program description)

Most forms of federal, state and private financial aid or loans may be applied to AIFS study abroad programs with approval of your home institution. Details are available from your campus financial aid officer or study abroad advisor. If you plan to use your financial aid award to pay AIFS fees, you should apply early to meet aid application deadlines. Rules of eligibility are determined by federal, state and local authorities. The student must pay, by the final payment deadline, the program fee less approved financial aid or loans that will be disbursed after the payment deadline. The student must also pay by the payment deadline, the deposit, the optional flight package if selected, optional excursions, and any extra fees regardless of the amount of financial aid accepted. The student is responsible for ensuring that any outstanding balance is paid by the aid disbursement date. The student is responsible for full payment of fees regardless of any change to expected financial aid and or loan amounts.

NSEP (available for programs in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Latin America where language is part of the study program – many AIFS programs qualify). Gilman; Pell (federal) grants; SEOG (federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants); Federal loans—PLUS; Federal Perkins loans; Federal subsidized Stafford loans; Federal unsubsidized Stafford loans.

Other sources may include State aid (varies from state to state); Merit awards/scholarships from your institution; Merit awards/scholarships from community-based organizations; ROTC scholarships; Rehabilitation educational assistance; AIFS and Diversity Scholarships.

Round-trip airfare from a wide choice of cities is available for AIFS programs. To qualify for optional AIFS flights, students must meet application and payment deadlines.

Students failing to request flights upon application and/or meet deadlines will be required to pay a late transportation fee of $250 with any subsequent written flight request or make their own travel arrangements at their expense. Subsequent flight changes are subject to applicable fees. Availability of seats on flights is not guaranteed by the late fee, and students may be required to pay a fare differential.

Due to TSA regulations students wishing to travel on a flight booked by AIFS must be sure to give their full name exactly as it appears on their passport by the application deadline. If students give an incomplete or incorrect name, they will be responsible for any financial penalties incurred or flight tickets cancelled.

Students who miss a flight booked by AIFS to illness or due to a delay in receiving a student visa are responsible for any related flight change and ticketing fees.

Dual Campus Students are responsible for their own travel arrangements from the first to the second campus. These students can purchase a round-trip flight with AIFS arriving at the first campus and departing from the second. Additional alternate return city/date fees apply.

Transfers to and from campus are included for students on the AIFS Flight Package, but only on the scheduled arrival/departure dates and from the local airport as indicated in the program-specific catalog chapters. Transfer from the arrival airport to campus is not included for students who miss their AIFS flight on the scheduled departure date and arrive at a different airport and/or on a date other than the scheduled arrival date and arrival city (including rescheduled flights booked through AIFS). Students who miss their flight must arrange their own transportation from the arrival airport to campus and incur all consequent costs. This includes, but is not limited to, students who miss a flight booked by AIFS due to illness or a delay in receiving a student visa.

Students who are scheduled to depart the U.S. on an AIFS flight that is cancelled or delayed due to inclement weather or airline-mechanical reasons will be met abroad and transferred to campus. Airport transfers are not included for students who make their own travel arrangements.

If you wish to change your return date, please note the following: All requests are subject to airline availability, and any additional fees assessed by the airline will be passed on to you. Date changes only are permitted, routing changes (change to departure and/or arrival city) are prohibited by the airlines. Additional fees/penalties may assessed by the airline and those will be passed along to you. Please visit your AIFS portal for further instructions after arrival on campus.

Tickets are subject to availability and are not transferable or endorsable to another airline. There are no refunds for any unused portion of a ticket. All tickets are subject to prevailing airline and government rules. Students choosing a flight requiring an overnight connection assume consequent extra costs, if incurred.

Students will receive preliminary itineraries after acceptance. Final itineraries and e-ticket information will be sent approximately two weeks prior to departure to participants who have met all requirements. Students failing to meet deadlines will be required to pay a late transportation fee of $250 or make their own flight arrangements at their expense. Availability of seats on the AIFS flights is not guaranteed by the late fee, and students may be required to pay a fare differential.

While return travel dates may be changed, tickets are good only for the airline issuing tickets. Passengers who miss a flight may take the next available one on the same airline, subject to airline approval. “No shows” do not receive a refund. Neither AIFS nor the airline will accept responsibility for missed connections from/to flights not booked by AIFS.

Passengers may not combine these tickets with other promotional fares or offerings of any type. Fares are subject to change without notice. However, once confirmed and fully paid, program prices are guaranteed.

Dates, prices and program descriptions in this catalog constitute a part of the contract between AIFS and the participant. Your final itinerary provided prior to departure constitutes the actual program to be provided by AIFS Study Abroad.

For international travel, liability for passenger baggage varies by airline. Passengers should request complete terms governing airline liability limitation from each airline of their journey upon receipt of final itinerary and/or at check-in. These allowances and policies are subject to change without notice. It is the responsibility of the passenger to file claims for lost/damaged baggage directly with the airline(s). Equipment, routing and itinerary may be modified by the direct air carrier or AIFS. Alternative aircraft of any carrier may be substituted at any time, and aircraft may make additional stops. Such changes will not constitute a right to cancellation or refund. Single plane service is not guaranteed. Please note we are unable to take requests for specific flights, upgrades or specific seats.

Housing on campus is not provided outside the actual program dates and students opting to travel independently before or after the program must make their own accommodation arrangements during these periods. However, housing is provided on campus for those not participating in optional weekend excursions that operate during the academic program. AIFS residences/offices do not have storage facilities for luggage during independent travel times. Your AIFS Protection Plus insurance plan covers you for up to one month during your period of independent travel after the program.

For those who prefer a prearranged itinerary during independent travel time, AIFS organizes inexpensive study excursions. Some campuses also offer optional weekend excursions. The cost of these excursions is not included in summer school fees. The deadline for optional excursion enrollment is April 1, regardless of the date of application. If you apply late and are on a wait list, you will not be able to enroll in optional excursions after April 1 unless AIFS can confirm availability.

AIFS excursions allow free time for individual sightseeing and organized visits to points of interest by bus, train or air. A multilingual tour manager accompanies each group. Details for optional study excursions appear in each chapter. Excursions are organized by AIFS Study Abroad staff of travel experts. Optional excursions are subject to a minimum enrollment of 10 unless otherwise stated in the program chapter. If not achieved, AIFS reserves the right to cancel the tour. Additional outings may be organized during the program and students who wish to participate in such activities should budget an extra $150-$250. Once paid for in the U.S. the fee for optional excursions is non-refundable except in the event of cancellation.

Information on visa requirements will be detailed in pre-departure information and can be found on-line.

A passport number and expiration date is needed for each visa application, so it is essential students have valid passports well in advance and meet enrollment deadlines.
Travelers not allowed to board at an airport because they do not have the correct or sufficient travel documents must assume all consequences. Failure to meet deadlines or obtain a visa does not constitute grounds for deviation from the standard refund policy.

Passports are required of everyone traveling outside the U.S. on AIFS programs. Non-U.S. citizens may be required to obtain visas to enter certain countries. For more information, check with the Washington, DC embassy for each country you will visit. Non-U.S. citizens are responsible for securing visas needed and must allow several weeks—or months—for this process.

Students should contact their doctor or Board of Health and the CDC Traveller’s Health to see if immunizations are needed. In an effort to keep our participants, staff, and host communities safe.

Many of the European institutions that AIFS works with award credits under the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). ECTS enables cooperating institutions to measure and compare a student’s performance and facilitates the transfer of credits from the European institution to the U.S institution. Every ECTS credit represents a particular amount of workload with, for example, 30 ECTS usually being awarded for a semester. 1 ECTS is equivalent to 25-30 hours of student work with the workload including independent study, research and seminars as well as classroom contact time. Many U.S. institutions use a 2:1 ratio when comparing ECTS and U.S credits with 2 ECTS = 1 credit. Ultimately it is up to the student’s home institution to decide how ECTS credits the student has been awarded should transfer into U.S credits for their degree program. AIFS recommends that students seek advice from their home institution and gain pre-approval for the courses that they wish to take at the European institution in order to ensure that they are taking the appropriate amount of credits and that credits awarded will transfer at the end of the program. 

AIFS provides course syllabi from the foreign institution and recommends credits for each course. Recommended U.S. semester credits shown in parentheses next to each course in this catalog are based on 15 contact hours per semester credit and are not a conversion of ECTS credits. 

Language levels are defined according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and will be listed on your transcript on completion of the program. 

CEFR organizes language proficiency into six levels (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2) which can be regrouped into three broad levels as below and can be further subdivided (e.g. B1.1, B1.2, B2.1, B2.2) according to the needs of the local institution. Your home institution in the U.S. will use these levels as a guide to define the equivalent level in the U.S. 

• Beginner: A1, A2/U.S. Level 100 
• Intermediate: B1, B2/U.S. Level 200-300 
• Advanced: C1, C2/U.S. Level 400 

When you complete your program, an official transcript will be sent to your home institution by AIFS. Transcripts for AIFS Global Education Centers in London, Florence, Rome and Salzburg are issued by Fairfield University and are sent to your home institution after the completion of the program. 

Students who are not currently enrolled in a U.S. College or university may want to consider the AIFS Global Education Center programs as the transcripts are issued by Fairfield University. The American College of Greece is also U.S. accredited making the credit transfer process easier. Cannes Semester programs will be transcripted by Chapman University in the US. 

If you need to request additional transcripts please go to our Alumni page. 

If you have outstanding bills or campus related charges, your transcript will be withheld until accounts are settled. 

Credit assessment methods in international universities may not be comparable to those in a U.S. university. Grading may involve exams, papers, individual projects, class discussion or some combination of these. Although academic institutions abroad may grade on a variety of scales, admissions counselors and registrars at U.S. institutions are familiar with international grading systems and can convert grades. 

Expect a delay in the issue of transcripts. Generally, your school should receive your transcript 6 – 8 weeks after completion of the program. If a transcript must be sent to the U.S. by special delivery or express courier mail, the student must pay for this expense. 

Coverage is underwritten by Crum & Forster Segregated Portfolio Company. All claims are processed on a fast track basis by CISI staff. 

The coverage includes the following: 

1. Medical expenses while abroad 
   The insurance covers medical bills up to a maximum of $250,000 for each medically covered illness or accident abroad. Pre-existing conditions are covered up to $500. Among items covered are treatment by a physician or surgeon, nurse fees, x-rays, ambulance, therapeutic services, operations, drugs and medicines prescribed by a physician, hospital room and board (semi-private accommodations). 
2. Mental health coverage 
   The insurance plan covers mental or nervous disorders up to $2,500 for outpatient treatment or up to $10,000 for inpatient treatment per lifetime. 
3. Baggage insurance 
   Personal effects are covered up to $3,000. Coverage for electronic equipment such as laptops and computers is provided up to $250. Some exclusions apply. 
4. Return Airfare expense 
   If you travel on an AIFS Study Abroad flight, this plan will cover the cost up to a maximum of $1,000 of your return air transportation on a regularly scheduled commercial flight (tourist class) to the original AIFS point of departure if you are unable to complete the program for any reason outlined under the program cancellation insurance. A certificate of illness from a physician, other than a relative or member of your household, is necessary in making claims. 

The AIFS insurance program provides participants with a world-wide 24-hour emergency telephone assistance service. Multilingual help and advice may be furnished for the participant in the event of any emergency during the term of coverage. Assistance services include: Medical monitoring, prescription drug replacement/shipment, emergency message transmittals, coverage verification/payment assistance for medical expenses. Travel assistance services include: Obtaining emergency cash, travelers check replacement, lost/delayed luggage tracking, replacement of lost or stolen airline ticket, credit card/passport/important document replacement. 

In addition your plan provides for: 

• Emergency Medical Evacuation/Repatriation 
• Return of Mortal Remains or Cremation 
• Trip Delay Benefit 
• Security Evacuation 
• 24/7 access to trained security specialists 

Students also have the option of purchasing CFAR (cancel for any reason) and IFAR (interruption for any reason) package called Worldwide Trip Protection Plus. This coverage may be purchased to bolster your existing coverage with CISI as a program participant. There is no pandemic or epidemic exclusion written into this package so this coverage will provide an added layer of protection for COVID-19 or any other similar emergencies in the future. This coverage must be purchased within 21 days of paying ANY funds (either to your home university or to AIFS). Visit www.mycisi.com for details. 

A non-refundable $95 fee must accompany your application. No application will be processed without it. 

A non-refundable $500 tuition deposit is applied toward tuition fees and is payable upon acceptance. Places cannot be held without this deposit, which is non-refundable under any circumstances once a student has been confirmed. 

AIFS fees can be paid online by credit card or electronic check or wire transfer.

See above for all application and final payment deadlines.

AIFS does not require a damage deposit. Students will be responsible for payment of any damages, campus related charges or other charges incurred in student or family residences while on the program and will be invoiced accordingly. Academic transcripts will be withheld until all fees are paid.  

Fees include: 

• Housing while on the AIFS Programs as described in individual program descriptions 
• Comprehensive insurance/assistance package 
• Tuition fees, registration fees and examination charges 
• Orientation programs as described for specific programs 
• Certain trips, excursions and cultural activities as described in individual program descriptions 
• Membership in libraries and university student clubs as described in individual program descriptions 
• Official transcript 

Fees do not include: 

• Meals in most locations / programs 
• Non-refundable application fee ($95) 
• Housing and meals during semester breaks and spring vacation* 
• Optional AIFS Travel Package (round-trip flights and airport transfers) 
• Textbooks and laboratory fees 
• Passport and visa fees 
• Excess baggage charges 
• Personal spending money 
• Orientation programs during the second semester for full-year students 
• Vacation travel or local transportation (unless noted in program description) 

*Student housing and homestays may need to be vacated during semester and spring breaks. Please see your program information for more details. Although some campuses allow students to stay at the university, meals are not provided. Most students take advantage of the breaks to travel for additional enrichment and education. 

Students enrolling for a full year (two semesters) at the same campus receive a fee reduction of $1,000 towards their second semester fee as indicated in the program chapter. 

Students who wish to enroll for a full year at 2 different campuses will receive a reduction of $1,000 on the second semester fee. 

Students who wish to switch from one campus program to another in the second semester are advised to check the visa regulations with the consulate of the second program’s country before leaving the U.S. Many consulates may not give Americans a student visa unless they apply for the visa at a consulate in the U.S. and are not allowed (by their government) to issue a student visa more than three months before the start of the semester. As a result, some consulates require American students to return to the U.S. between semesters to obtain a student visa for the second semester (therefore, dual campus student may need to spend the December break in the U.S.).

If you decide that you would like to stay beyond the time indicated on your original application and study for a second semester, you must notify the US-based AIFS Program Advisor / Manager in the U.S. and the Program Director in writing three months prior to the start of the 2nd semester. As described above, you will receive an automatic fee reduction of at least $1,000 towards the second semester fee. 

If you wish to withdraw at the end of the first semester, you must notify the Program Director and AIFS in writing no later than four weeks before the first term ends. A revised invoice will reflect actual time spent on campus less non-refundable payments. AIFS students may not withdraw from a full-year program and arrange independent study at the same institution. 

Change in your status on the same campus may be implemented without extra charge up to one month before the program begins. Students requesting a change of status should write to their AIFS Program Advisor or Program Manager. Once abroad, all plans must be discussed with the Program Director well in advance of an impending change. There is no refund to students who leave one campus early or arrive at the other late because of differences in academic calendars. Students wishing to change campuses should be aware of differences in curricula and are responsible for notifying their home institution of any change. Transportation between campuses is the student’s responsibility. 

Students will have the option of purchasing additional trip cancellation or interruption insurance which allows them to protect their study abroad program. This policy includes options to cancel for any reason (CFAR) and interrupt for any reason (IFAR). Details of the Worldwide Trip Protector Plans with travel insurance underwritten by the United States Fire Insurance Company, rated A (Excellent) by A.M. Best 2019, are available on the Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) website – www.culturalinsurance.com. This coverage must be purchased within 21 days of paying ANY funds (either to your home university or to AIFS). Students may purchase their plan directly through the CISI website. 

Should AIFS Study Abroad cancel a program prior to departure for reasons within its control (including due to lack of enrolment) participants will be notified and a refund (less the application fee) or, at the participant’s request, credit toward another program will be made. 

Should AIFS Abroad cancel a program after the final payment deadline (including once the program has started) for reasons beyond its control including but not limited to Acts of God, government actions (including those restricting travel), pandemics, fire, flood, explosion, earthquake, or other natural forces, war, civil unrest, accident, terrorism, any strike or labor disturbance, or any other event similar to those enumerated above (a “Force Majeure” Event) students will receive no refund except for recoverable costs. 

AIFS Abroad pays the program costs, including but not limited to tuition, housing, social/cultural activities/ excursions, flight packages, safety and security and administrative costs before the start of the program and these costs are not typically recoverable. In the event of cancellation AIFS Study Abroad will endeavor to obtain refunds from suppliers and pass any recovered costs on to the student. 

AIFS Abroad will make arrangements to bring the students who have purchased the flight option back to the U.S. but students will be responsible for any additional flight fees charged by the airline(s). Students with the flight package that opt to make their own return flight arrangements, rather than have AIFS do so, will not receive any refund for the unused return flight included in the AIFS flight package. Once a flight has been changed by AIFS the student is responsible for the flight change fees. 

Different than if a student withdraws, or AIFS Abroad cancels a program, a university may choose to cancel travel through a specific date or restrict travel to specific locations. 

AIFS Abroad will not refund application fees for any cancellation or withdrawal. 

If the University requires Home School Approval we will be requesting that advisors approve or deny applications in the Advisor Portal by July 1. 

Should a university cancel a program (including once the program has started) for reasons beyond its control including but not limited to Acts of God, government actions (including those restricting travel), pandemics, fire, flood, explosion, earthquake, or other natural forces, war, civil unrest, accident, terrorism, any strike or labor disturbance, or any other event similar to those enumerated above (a “force majeure” event) participants will receive no refund except for recoverable costs. 

Recoverable costs may include, but not are not limited to program fees (including tuition), housing, social/cultural activities/excursions, safety and security and administrative cost, or organized flights. Most of these costs are paid before the start of the program and are not typically recoverable. In the event of cancellation AIFS Abroad will endeavor to obtain refunds from suppliers and pass any recovered costs on to the participant. 

Students choosing to leave the program early for personal, medical or other reasons are not entitled to any refund. Completion of academic credit will be determined on a case by case basis. Students dismissed for disciplinary reasons receive no refund of any kind and forfeit all academic credit. 

There are no refunds for meals, accommodation, cultural activities/excursions, tuition or transportation missed by the students. In addition, the student is responsible for any additional flight fees if they have purchased a flight with AIFS that needs to be changed to an earlier return date. 

NSEP (available for programs in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Latin America where language is part of the study program – many AIFS programs qualify). Gilman; Pell (federal) grants; SEOG (federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants); Federal loans 

PLUS; Federal Perkins loans; Federal subsidized Stafford loans; Federal unsubsidized Stafford loans. 

Other sources may include: State aid (varies from state to state); Merit awards/scholarships from your institution; Merit awards/scholarships from community-based organizations; ROTC scholarships; Rehabilitation educational assistance; AIFS and Diversity Scholarships. 

Transfers to and from campus are included for students on the AIFS Travel Package, but only on the scheduled arrival/departure dates and from the local airport as indicated in the program-specific catalog chapters. Transfer from the arrival airport to campus is not included for students who miss their AIFS organized flight on the scheduled departure date and arrive at a different airport and/or on a date other than the scheduled arrival date and arrival city (including rescheduled flights booked through AIFS). Students who miss their flight must arrange their own transportation from the arrival airport to campus and incur all consequent costs. This includes, but is not limited to, students who miss an AIFS flight due to illness or a delay in receiving a student visa. 

Students who are scheduled to depart the U.S. on an AIFS organized flight that is cancelled or delayed due to inclement weather or airline-mechanical reasons will be met abroad and transferred to campus or will work with the AIFS Staff to arrange alternate transportation with reimbursement options. Airport transfers are not included for students who make their own travel arrangements. 

Students will receive preliminary itineraries after acceptance. Final itineraries and e-ticket information will be sent closer to departure to participants who have met all requirements. Students failing to meet deadlines will be required to pay a late transportation fee of $250 or make their own flight arrangements at their expense. Availability of seats organized by AIFS is not guaranteed by the late fee, and students may be required to pay a fare differential. 

While return travel dates may be changed, tickets are good only for the airline issuing tickets. Passengers who miss a flight may take the next available one on the same airline, subject to airline approval. “No shows” do not receive a refund. Neither AIFS nor the airline will accept responsibility for missed connections from/to flights not booked by AIFS. 

Passengers may not combine these tickets with other promotional fares or offerings of any type. Fares are subject to change without notice. 

Dates, prices and program descriptions in this catalog constitute a part of the contract between AIFS and the participant. Your final itinerary provided prior to departure constitutes the actual program to be provided by AIFS Study Abroad. 

For international travel, liability for passenger baggage varies by airline. Passengers should request complete terms governing airline liability limitation from each airline of their journey upon receipt of final itinerary and/or at check-in. These allowances and policies are subject to change without notice. It is the responsibility of the passenger to file claims for lost/damaged baggage directly with the airline(s). Equipment, routing and itinerary may be modified by the direct air carrier or AIFS. Alternative aircraft of any carrier may be substituted at any time, and aircraft may make additional stops. Such changes will not constitute a right to cancellation or refund. Single plane service is not guaranteed. Please note we are unable to take requests for specific flights, upgrades or specific seats. 

You must obtain your own passport. You should apply for (or renew) your passport as soon as you decide to study abroad. Some countries require passports to be valid for six months or a year beyond the end of the program. 

Please consult the following website for more detailed information: www.travel.state.gov/passport. 

Non-U.S. citizens: It is your responsibility to research and obtain any necessary travel documentation for your program, including visas (if applicable). 

You should have your valid passport by the application deadlines for your program. 

Visa requirements and deadlines vary depending on the location and length of stay. Please contact your Program Advisor or Program Manager upon acceptance to the program for more information.

Students should regard themselves as informal ambassadors of the U.S. during their stay abroad. People from other countries base their opinion of the U.S. on the way American students and visitors behave. The excellent relations AIFS enjoys with its associated universities are based on the high regard the universities have for AIFS students who have studied with them previously. Future students are expected to live up to this reputation. AIFS reserves the right to communicate with students’ home institutions and/or parents on matters related to student behavior, health, safety or academic performance. 

All participants on AIFS Abroad programs are held to academic and behavioral standards that are outlined in our Terms and Conditions and enrolled students will agree to a Code of Conduct. 

Many of the European institutions that AIFS works with award credits under the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). ECTS enables cooperating institutions to measure and compare a student’s performance and facilitates the transfer of credits from the European institution to the U.S institution. Every ECTS credit represents a particular amount of workload with, for example, 30 ECTS usually being awarded for a semester. 1 ECTS is equivalent to 25-30 hours of student work with the workload including independent study, research and seminars as well as classroom contact time. Many U.S. institutions use a 2:1 ratio when comparing ECTS and U.S credits with 2 ECTS = 1 credit. Ultimately it is up to the student’s home institution to decide how ECTS credits the student has been awarded should transfer into U.S credits for their degree program. AIFS recommends that students seek advice from their home institution and gain pre-approval for the courses that they wish to take at the European institution in order to ensure that they are taking the appropriate amount of credits and that credits awarded will transfer at the end of the program. 

AIFS provides course syllabi from the foreign institution and recommends credits for each course. Recommended U.S. semester credits shown in parentheses next to each course are based on 15 contact hours per semester credit and are not a conversion of ECTS credits. 

If you need to request additional transcripts please go to our Alumni page.  

If you have outstanding bills or campus related charges, your transcript will be withheld until accounts are settled.  

Credit assessment methods in international universities may not be comparable to those in a U.S. university. Grading may involve exams, papers, individual projects, class discussion or some combination of these. Although academic institutions abroad may grade on a variety of scales, admissions counselors and registrars at U.S. institutions are familiar with international grading systems and can convert grades.  

Students not currently enrolled at a U.S. college or university who cannot obtain advance approval for credit transfer are advised to enroll in a program at the AIFS Global Center in London, Salzburg, Florence or Rome, since Fairfield University is a U.S.-accredited university whose credits are usually accepted by other U.S. colleges and universities. They can also enroll in the American College of Greece Program. 

Credit assessment methods in foreign universities may not be comparable to those in a U.S. university. Grading may involve exams, papers, individual projects, class discussion or some combination of these. Although academic institutions abroad may grade on a variety of scales, admissions counselors and registrars at U.S. institutions are familiar with foreign grading systems and can convert grades. 

Expect a delay in the issue of transcripts. Generally, you should receive your transcript 6 – 8 weeks after completion of the program. If a transcript must be sent to the U.S. by special delivery or express courier mail, the student must pay for this expense. 

Included in the program fee, AIFS provides a medical and limited program/tuition package to its study abroad students through our insurance provider Cultural Insurance Services Int’l (CISI). CISI is the leader in providing the most comprehensive insurance coverage to the international education sector, currently providing insurance coverage, travel/technical/medical assistance and claim paying services to more than 150,000 international students and cultural exchange participants worldwide. The package covers students for the duration of their program, plus up to one month of independent travel after the program. AIFS regularly reviews and updates the insurance package and the details below are subject to change. Please see the AIFS website for the latest information. Students will receive an individual insurance policy describing the coverage in detail. Please check this carefully as some exclusions and limitations apply—for example pre-existing medical conditions are covered only up to $500. 

Unlike other plans, the AIFS student plan settles claims abroad, in your host country’s respective currency. This facilitates immediate entry to a hospital for treatment. Treatments must of course be documented. The on-site staff helps with administrative matters concerning claims. Each campus has access to a doctor to handle minor ailments. The on-site staff arranges for students requiring treatment for more serious illnesses and accidents to receive immediate attention from the recommended university doctor and hospital in the area. 

The AIFS insurance program provides participants with a world-wide 24-hour emergency telephone assistance service. Multilingual help and advice may be furnished for the participant in the event of any emergency during the term of coverage. Assistance services include: Medical monitoring, prescription drug replacement/ shipment, emergency message transmittals, coverage verification/payment assistance for medical expenses. Travel assistance services include: Obtaining emergency cash, travelers check replacement, lost/delayed luggage tracking, replacement of lost or stolen airline ticket, credit card/passport/important document replacement. 

In addition your plan provides for: 

1. Return of Mortal Remains or Cremation 
2. Emergency Medical Evacuation/Repatriation
3. Trip Delay Benefit 
4. Security Evacuation 

All claims are processed on a fast track basis by CISI staff. 

The coverage includes the following: 

1. Medical expenses while abroad: The insurance covers medical bills up to a maximum of $250,000 for each medically covered illness or accident abroad. Preexisting conditions are covered up to $500. Among items covered are treatment by a physician or surgeon, nurse fees, x-rays, ambulance, therapeutic services, operations, drugs and medicines prescribed by a physician, hospital room and board (semi-private accommodations). 
2. Mental health coverage: The insurance plan covers mental or nervous disorders up to $2,500 for outpatient treatment or up to $10,000 for inpatient treatment per lifetime. See Plan of Insurance brochure for further details. 
3. Baggage insurance: Personal effects are covered up to $3,000. Coverage for electronic equipment such as laptops and computers is provided up to $250. Some exclusions apply. Please see the insurance policy for further details. 
4. Medical cancellation insurance prior to departure: If after any scheduled payment has been made, but before departure, you are prevented from embarking on your trip because of either 1) covered accidental bodily injuries, disease or covered sickness for which you are under the care of a legally qualified physician or surgeon or 2) quarantine at the place of residence or epidemic in the area of travel, the plan will reimburse the insured a portion of payments in excess of the non-refundable deposit and application fee of $595 and any flight, tuition and housing cancellation fees. 
5. Return Airfare expense: If you travel on an AIFS Study Abroad flight, this plan will cover the cost up to a maximum of $1,000 of your return air transportation on a regularly scheduled commercial flight (tourist class) to the original AIFS point of departure if you are unable to complete the program for any reason outlined under the program cancellation insurance. A certificate of illness from a physician, other than a relative or member of your household, is necessary in making claims. 

Students also have the option of purchasing CFAR (cancel for any reason) and IFAR (interruption for any reason) package called Worldwide Trip Protection Plus. This coverage may be purchased to bolster your existing coverage with CISI as a program participant. There is no pandemic or epidemic exclusion written into this package so this coverage will provide an added layer of protection for COVID-19 or any other similar emergencies in the future. This coverage must be purchased within 21 days of paying ANY funds (either to your home university or to AIFS. Visit www.mycisi.com for details. 

A non-refundable $150 fee must accompany your application. No application will be processed without it. 

A non-refundable $500 tuition deposit is applied toward tuition fees and is payable upon student application. Places cannot be held without this deposit, which is non-refundable under any circumstances once a student has been confirmed. 

AIFS fees can be paid online by credit card or electronic check. 

Balance of fees are due April 1st for all summer programs (January 31 for Berlin Internship, and March 15 for Barcelona session 1) and by April 1 for May programs.

AIFS does not require a damage deposit. Students will be responsible for payment of any damages, campus related charges or other charges incurred in student or family residences while on the program and will be invoiced accordingly. Academic transcripts will be withheld until all fees are paid. 

Fees include: 

• Housing while on the AIFS Programs as described in individual program descriptions 
• Comprehensive insurance/assistance package 
• Tuition fees, registration fees and examination charges 
• Orientation programs as described for specific program 
• Certain field trips, excursions and cultural activities 
• Membership in libraries and university student clubs as described for specific programs 
• Official transcript 

Fees do not include: 

• Non-refundable application fee ($150) 
• Meals unless specifically described for specific programs 
• Optional AIFS Travel Package (round-trip flights and airport transfers) as described for specific programs 
• Textbooks and laboratory fees 
• Passport and visa fees 
• Excess baggage charges 
• Personal spending money 
• Vacation travel or local transportation (unless noted in program description) 

Most forms of federal, state and private financial aid or loans may be applied to AIFS study abroad programs with approval of your home institution. Details are available from your campus financial aid officer or study abroad advisor. If you plan to use your financial aid award to pay AIFS fees, you should apply early to meet aid application deadlines. Rules of eligibility are determined by federal, state and local authorities. The student must pay, by the final payment deadline, the program fee less approved financial aid or loans that will be disbursed after the payment deadline. The student must also pay by the payment deadline, the deposit, the optional flight package if selected, optional excursions, and any extra fees regardless of the amount of financial aid accepted. The student is responsible for ensuring that any outstanding balance is paid by the aid disbursement date. The student is responsible for full payment of fees regardless of any change to expected financial aid and or loan amounts. 

NSEP (available for programs in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Latin America where language is part of the study program – many AIFS programs qualify). Gilman; Pell (federal) grants; SEOG (federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants); Federal loans—PLUS; Federal Perkins loans; Federal subsidized Stafford loans; Federal unsubsidized Stafford loans. 

Other sources may include State aid (varies from state to state); Merit awards/scholarships from your institution; Merit awards/scholarships from community-based organizations; ROTC scholarships; Rehabilitation educational assistance; AIFS and Diversity Scholarships. 

Round-trip airfare from a wide choice of cities is available for AIFS programs. To qualify for optional AIFS flights, students must meet application and payment deadlines. 

Students failing to request flights upon application and/or meet deadlines will be required to pay a late transportation fee of $250 with any subsequent written flight request or make their own travel arrangements at their expense. Subsequent flight changes are subject to applicable fees. Availability of seats on flights is not guaranteed by the late fee, and students may be required to pay a fare differential. 

Due to TSA regulations students wishing to travel on a flight booked by AIFS must be sure to give their full name exactly as it appears on their passport by the application deadline. If students give an incomplete or incorrect name, they will be responsible for any financial penalties incurred or flight tickets cancelled. 

Students who miss a flight booked by AIFS to illness or due to a delay in receiving a student visa are responsible for any related flight change and ticketing fees. 

Dual Campus Students are responsible for their own travel arrangements from the first to the second campus. These students can purchase a round-trip flight with AIFS arriving at the first campus and departing from the second. Additional alternate return city/date fees apply. 

Transfers to and from campus are included for students on the AIFS Travel Package, but only on the scheduled arrival/departure dates and from the local airport as indicated in the program-specific catalog chapters. Transfer from the arrival airport to campus is not included for students who miss their AIFS flight on the scheduled departure date and arrive at a different airport and/or on a date other than the scheduled arrival date and arrival city (including rescheduled flights booked through AIFS). Students who miss their flight must arrange their own transportation from the arrival airport to campus and incur all consequent costs. This includes, but is not limited to, students who miss a flight booked by AIFS due to illness or a delay in receiving a student visa. 

Students who are scheduled to depart the U.S. on an AIFS flight that is cancelled or delayed due to inclement weather or airline-mechanical reasons will be met abroad and transferred to campus. Airport transfers are not included for students who make their own travel arrangements. 

If you wish to change your return date, please note the following: All requests are subject to airline availability, and any additional fees assessed by the airline will be passed on to you. Date changes only are permitted, routing changes (change to departure and/or arrival city) are prohibited by the airlines. Additional fees/penalties may assessed by the airline and those will be passed along to you. Please visit your AIFS portal for further instructions after arrival on campus. 

Tickets are subject to availability and are not transferable or endorsable to another airline. There are no refunds for any unused portion of a ticket. All tickets are subject to prevailing airline and government rules. Students choosing a flight requiring an overnight connection assume consequent extra costs, if incurred. 

Students will receive preliminary itineraries after acceptance. Final itineraries and e-ticket information will be sent approximately two weeks prior to departure to participants who have met all requirements. Students failing to meet deadlines will be required to pay a late transportation fee of $250 or make their own flight arrangements at their expense. Availability of seats on the AIFS flights is not guaranteed by the late fee, and students may be required to pay a fare differential. 

While return travel dates may be changed, tickets are good only for the airline issuing tickets. Passengers who miss a flight may take the next available one on the same airline, subject to airline approval. “No shows” do not receive a refund. Neither AIFS nor the airline will accept responsibility for missed connections from/to flights not booked by AIFS. 

Passengers may not combine these tickets with other promotional fares or offerings of any type. Fares are subject to change without notice. However, once confirmed and fully paid, program prices are guaranteed. 

Dates, prices and program descriptions online constitute a part of the contract between AIFS and the participant. Your final itinerary provided prior to departure constitutes the actual program to be provided by AIFS Study Abroad. 

For international travel, liability for passenger baggage varies by airline. Passengers should request complete terms governing airline liability limitation from each airline of their journey upon receipt of final itinerary and/or at check-in. These allowances and policies are subject to change without notice. It is the responsibility of the passenger to file claims for lost/damaged baggage directly with the airline(s). Equipment, routing and itinerary may be modified by the direct air carrier or AIFS. Alternative aircraft of any carrier may be substituted at any time, and aircraft may make additional stops. Such changes will not constitute a right to cancellation or refund. Single plane service is not guaranteed. Please note we are unable to take requests for specific flights, upgrades or specific seats. 

Housing on campus is not provided outside the actual program dates and students opting to travel independently before or after the program must make their own accommodation arrangements during these periods. However, housing is provided on campus for those not participating in optional weekend excursions that operate during the academic program. AIFS residences/offices do not have storage facilities for luggage during independent travel times. Your AIFS Protection Plus insurance plan covers you for up to one month during your period of independent travel after the program. 

For those who prefer a prearranged itinerary during independent travel time, AIFS organizes inexpensive study excursions. Some campuses also offer optional weekend excursions. The cost of these excursions is not included in summer school fees. The deadline for optional Summer excursion enrollment is April 1 regardless of the date of application. If you apply late and are on a wait list, you will not be able to enroll in optional excursions after April 1 unless AIFS can confirm availability. 

AIFS excursions allow free time for individual sightseeing and organized visits to points of interest by bus, train or air. A multilingual tour manager accompanies each group. Details for optional study excursions appear in each chapter. Excursions are organized by AIFS Study Abroad staff of travel experts. Optional excursions are subject to a minimum enrollment of 10 unless otherwise stated in the program chapter. If not achieved, AIFS reserves the right to cancel the tour. Additional outings may be organized during the program and students who wish to participate in such activities should budget an extra $150-$250. Once paid for in the U.S. the fee for optional excursions is non-refundable except in the event of cancellation. 

Information on visa requirements will be detailed in pre-departure information and can be found on-line. 

A passport number and expiration date is needed for each visa application, so it is essential students have valid passports well in advance and meet enrollment deadlines. 

Travelers not allowed to board at an airport because they do not have the correct or sufficient travel documents must assume all consequences. Failure to meet deadlines or obtain a visa does not constitute grounds for deviation from the standard refund policy. 

Passports are required of everyone traveling outside the U.S. on AIFS programs. Non-U.S. citizens may be required to obtain visas to enter certain countries. Non-U.S. citizens are responsible for securing visas needed and must allow several weeks—or months—for this process. 

Students should contact their doctor or Board of Health and the CDC Traveller’s Health to see if immunizations are needed. In an effort to keep our participants, staff, and host communities safe. 

Many of the European institutions that AIFS works with award credits under the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). ECTS enables cooperating institutions to measure and compare a student’s performance and facilitates the transfer of credits from the European institution to the U.S institution. Every ECTS credit represents a particular amount of workload with, for example, 30 ECTS usually being awarded for a semester. 1 ECTS is equivalent to 25-30 hours of student work with the workload including independent study, research and seminars as well as classroom contact time. Many U.S. institutions use a 2:1 ratio when comparing ECTS and U.S credits with 2 ECTS = 1 credit. Ultimately it is up to the student’s home institution to decide how ECTS credits the student has been awarded should transfer into U.S credits for their degree program. AIFS recommends that students seek advice from their home institution and gain pre-approval for the courses that they wish to take at the European institution in order to ensure that they are taking the appropriate amount of credits and that credits awarded will transfer at the end of the program.

AIFS provides course syllabi from the foreign institution and recommends credits for each course. Recommended U.S. semester credits shown in parentheses next to each course in this catalog are based on 15 contact hours per semester credit and are not a conversion of ECTS credits.

Language levels are defined according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and will be listed on your transcript on completion of the program.

CEFR organizes language proficiency into six levels (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2) which can be regrouped into three broad levels as below and can be further subdivided (e.g. B1.1, B1.2, B2.1, B2.2) according to the needs of the local institution. Your home institution in the U.S. will use these levels as a guide to define the equivalent level in the U.S.

• Beginner: A1, A2/U.S. Level 100
• Intermediate: B1, B2/U.S. Level 200-300
• Advanced: C1, C2/U.S. Level 400

When you complete your program, an official transcript will be sent to your home institution by AIFS.

Rome and Salzburg are issued by Fairfield University and are sent to your home institution after the completion of the program.

Students who are not currently enrolled in a U.S. College or university may want to consider the AIFS Global Education Center programs as the transcripts are issued by Fairfield University. The American College of Greece is also U.S. accredited making the credit transfer process easier. Cannes Semester programs will be transcripted by Chapman University in the US.

If you need to request additional transcripts please go to our Alumni page.

If you have outstanding bills or campus related charges, your transcript will be withheld until accounts are settled.

Credit assessment methods in international universities may not be comparable to those in a U.S. university. Grading may involve exams, papers, individual projects, class discussion or some combination of these. Although academic institutions abroad may grade on a variety of scales, admissions counselors and registrars at U.S. institutions are familiar with international grading systems and can convert grades.

Expect a delay in the issue of transcripts. Generally, your school should receive your transcript 6 – 8 weeks after completion of the program. If a transcript must be sent to the U.S. by special delivery or express courier mail, the student must pay for this expense.

Coverage is underwritten by Crum & Forster Segregated Portfolio Company. All claims are processed on a fast track basis by CISI staff.

The coverage includes the following:

1. Medical expenses while abroad
   The insurance covers medical bills up to a maximum of $250,000 for each medically covered illness or accident abroad. Pre-existing conditions are covered up to $500. Among items covered are treatment by a physician or surgeon, nurse fees, x-rays, ambulance, therapeutic services, operations, drugs and medicines prescribed by a physician, hospital room and board (semi-private accommodations).
2. Mental health coverage
   The insurance plan covers mental or nervous disorders up to $2,500 for outpatient treatment or up to $10,000 for inpatient treatment per lifetime.
3. Baggage insurance
   Personal effects are covered up to $3,000. Coverage for electronic equipment such as laptops and computers is provided up to $250. Some exclusions apply.
4. Return Airfare expense
   If you travel on an AIFS Study Abroad flight, this plan will cover the cost up to a maximum of $1,000 of your return air transportation on a regularly scheduled commercial flight (tourist class) to the original AIFS point of departure if you are unable to complete the program for any reason outlined under the program cancellation insurance. A certificate of illness from a physician, other than a relative or member of your household, is necessary in making claims.

The AIFS insurance program provides participants with a world-wide 24-hour emergency telephone assistance service. Multilingual help and advice may be furnished for the participant in the event of any emergency during the term of coverage. Assistance services include: Medical monitoring, prescription drug replacement/shipment, emergency message transmittals, coverage verification/payment assistance for medical expenses. Travel assistance services include: Obtaining emergency cash, travelers check replacement, lost/delayed luggage tracking, replacement of lost or stolen airline ticket, credit card/passport/important document replacement.

In addition your plan provides for:

• Emergency Medical Evacuation/Repatriation
• Return of Mortal Remains or Cremation
• Trip Delay Benefit
• Security Evacuation
• 24/7 access to trained security specialists

Students also have the option of purchasing CFAR (cancel for any reason) and IFAR (interruption for any reason) package called Worldwide Trip Protection Plus. This coverage may be purchased to bolster your existing coverage with CISI as a program participant. There is no pandemic or epidemic exclusion written into this package so this coverage will provide an added layer of protection for COVID-19 or any other similar emergencies in the future. This coverage must be purchased within 21 days of paying ANY funds (either to your home university or to AIFS). Visit www.mycisi.com for details.

A non-refundable $150  fee must accompany your application. No application will be processed without it.

A non-refundable $500 tuition deposit is applied toward tuition fees and is payable upon acceptance. Places cannot be held without this deposit, which is non-refundable under any circumstances once a student has been confirmed.

AIFS fees can be paid online by credit card or electronic check or wire transfer.

See above for all application and final payment deadlines.

AIFS does not require a damage deposit. Students will be responsible for payment of any damages, campus related charges or other charges incurred in student or family residences while on the program and will be invoiced accordingly. Academic transcripts will be withheld until all fees are paid.

Fees include:

• Housing while on the AIFS Programs as described in individual program descriptions
• Comprehensive insurance/assistance package
• Tuition fees, registration fees and examination charges
• Orientation programs as described for specific programs
• Certain trips, excursions and cultural activities as described in individual program descriptions
• Membership in libraries and university student clubs as described in individual program descriptions
• Official transcript

Fees do not include:

• Meals in most locations / programs
• Non-refundable application fee ($150)
• Housing and meals during semester breaks and spring vacation*
• Optional AIFS Travel Package (round-trip flights and airport transfers)
• Textbooks and laboratory fees
• Passport and visa fees
• Excess baggage charges
• Personal spending money
• Orientation programs during the second semester for full-year students
• Vacation travel or local transportation (unless noted in program description)

*Student housing and homestays may need to be vacated during semester and spring breaks. Please see your program information for more details. Although some campuses allow students to stay at the university, meals are not provided. Most students take advantage of the breaks to travel for additional enrichment and education.

Students enrolling for a full year (two semesters) at the same campus receive a fee reduction of $1,000 towards their second semester fee as indicated in the program chapter.

Students who wish to enroll for a full year at 2 different campuses will receive a reduction of $1,000 on the second semester fee.

Students who wish to switch from one campus program to another in the second semester are advised to check the visa regulations with the consulate of the second program’s country before leaving the U.S. Many consulates may not give Americans a student visa unless they apply for the visa at a consulate in the U.S. and are not allowed (by their government) to issue a student visa more than three months before the start of the semester. As a result, some consulates require American students to return to the U.S. between semesters to obtain a student visa for the second semester (therefore, dual campus student may need to spend the December break in the U.S.).

If you decide that you would like to stay beyond the time indicated on your original application and study for a second semester, you must notify the US-based AIFS Program Advisor / Manager in the U.S. and the Program Director in writing three months prior to the start of the 2nd semester. As described above, you will receive an automatic fee reduction of at least $1,000 towards the second semester fee.

If you wish to withdraw at the end of the first semester, you must notify the Program Director and AIFS in writing no later than four weeks before the first term ends. A revised invoice will reflect actual time spent on campus less non-refundable payments. AIFS students may not withdraw from a full-year program and arrange independent study at the same institution.

Change in your status on the same campus may be implemented without extra charge up to one month before the program begins. Students requesting a change of status should write to their AIFS Program Advisor or Program Manager. Once abroad, all plans must be discussed with the Program Director well in advance of an impending change. There is no refund to students who leave one campus early or arrive at the other late because of differences in academic calendars. Students wishing to change campuses should be aware of differences in curricula and are responsible for notifying their home institution of any change. Transportation between campuses is the student’s responsibility.

Students will have the option of purchasing additional trip cancellation or interruption insurance which allows them to protect their study abroad program. This policy includes options to cancel for any reason (CFAR) and interrupt for any reason (IFAR). Details of the Worldwide Trip Protector Plans with travel insurance underwritten by the United States Fire Insurance Company, rated A (Excellent) by A.M. Best 2019, are available on the Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) website – www.culturalinsurance.com. This coverage must be purchased within 21 days of paying ANY funds (either to your home university or to AIFS). Students may purchase their plan directly through the CISI website.

Should AIFS Study Abroad cancel a program prior to departure for reasons within its control (including due to lack of enrolment) participants will be notified and a refund (less the application fee) or, at the participant’s request, credit toward another program will be made.

Should AIFS Abroad cancel a program after the final payment deadline (including once the program has started) for reasons beyond its control including but not limited to Acts of God, government actions (including those restricting travel), pandemics, fire, flood, explosion, earthquake, or other natural forces, war, civil unrest, accident, terrorism, any strike or labor disturbance, or any other event similar to those enumerated above (a “Force Majeure” Event) students will receive no refund except for recoverable costs.

AIFS Abroad pays the program costs, including but not limited to tuition, housing, social/cultural activities/ excursions, flight packages, safety and security and administrative costs before the start of the program and these costs are not typically recoverable. In the event of cancellation AIFS Study Abroad will endeavor to obtain refunds from suppliers and pass any recovered costs on to the student.

AIFS Abroad will make arrangements to bring the students who have purchased the flight option back to the U.S. but students will be responsible for any additional flight fees charged by the airline(s). Students with the flight package that opt to make their own return flight arrangements, rather than have AIFS do so, will not receive any refund for the unused return flight included in the AIFS flight package. Once a flight has been changed by AIFS the student is responsible for the flight change fees.

Different than if a student withdraws, or AIFS Abroad cancels a program, a university may choose to cancel travel through a specific date or restrict travel to specific locations.

AIFS Abroad will not refund application fees for any cancellation or withdrawal.

If the University requires Home School Approval we will be requesting that advisors approve or deny applications in the Advisor Portal by July 1.

Should a university cancel a program (including once the program has started) for reasons beyond its control including but not limited to Acts of God, government actions (including those restricting travel), pandemics, fire, flood, explosion, earthquake, or other natural forces, war, civil unrest, accident, terrorism, any strike or labor disturbance, or any other event similar to those enumerated above (a “force majeure” event) participants will receive no refund except for recoverable costs.

Recoverable costs may include, but not are not limited to program fees (including tuition), housing, social/cultural activities/excursions, safety and security and administrative cost, or organized flights. Most of these costs are paid before the start of the program and are not typically recoverable. In the event of cancellation AIFS Abroad will endeavor to obtain refunds from suppliers and pass any recovered costs on to the participant.

Students choosing to leave the program early for personal, medical or other reasons are not entitled to any refund. Completion of academic credit will be determined on a case by case basis. Students dismissed for disciplinary reasons receive no refund of any kind and forfeit all academic credit.

There are no refunds for meals, accommodation, cultural activities/excursions, tuition or transportation missed by the students. In addition, the student is responsible for any additional flight fees if they have purchased a flight with AIFS that needs to be changed to an earlier return date.

NSEP (available for programs in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Latin America where language is part of the study program – many AIFS programs qualify). Gilman; Pell (federal) grants; SEOG (federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants); Federal loans

PLUS; Federal Perkins loans; Federal subsidized Stafford loans; Federal unsubsidized Stafford loans.

Other sources may include: State aid (varies from state to state); Merit awards/scholarships from your institution; Merit awards/scholarships from community-based organizations; ROTC scholarships; Rehabilitation educational assistance; AIFS and Diversity Scholarships.

Transfers to and from campus are included for students on the AIFS Travel Package, but only on the scheduled arrival/departure dates and from the local airport as indicated in the program-specific catalog chapters. Transfer from the arrival airport to campus is not included for students who miss their AIFS organized flight on the scheduled departure date and arrive at a different airport and/or on a date other than the scheduled arrival date and arrival city (including rescheduled flights booked through AIFS). Students who miss their flight must arrange their own transportation from the arrival airport to campus and incur all consequent costs. This includes, but is not limited to, students who miss an AIFS flight due to illness or a delay in receiving a student visa.

Students who are scheduled to depart the U.S. on an AIFS organized flight that is cancelled or delayed due to inclement weather or airline-mechanical reasons will be met abroad and transferred to campus or will work with the AIFS Staff to arrange alternate transportation with reimbursement options. Airport transfers are not included for students who make their own travel arrangements.

Students will receive preliminary itineraries after acceptance. Final itineraries and e-ticket information will be sent closer to departure to participants who have met all requirements. Students failing to meet deadlines will be required to pay a late transportation fee of $250 or make their own flight arrangements at their expense. Availability of seats organized by AIFS is not guaranteed by the late fee, and students may be required

While return travel dates may be changed, tickets are good only for the airline issuing tickets. Passengers who miss a flight may take the next available one on the same airline, subject to airline approval. “No shows” do not receive a refund. Neither AIFS nor the airline will accept responsibility for missed connections from/to flights not booked by AIFS.

Passengers may not combine these tickets with other promotional fares or offerings of any type. Fares are subject to change without notice.

Dates, prices and program descriptions in this catalog constitute a part of the contract between AIFS and the participant. Your final itinerary provided prior to departure constitutes the actual program to be provided by AIFS Study Abroad.

For international travel, liability for passenger baggage varies by airline. Passengers should request complete terms governing airline liability limitation from each airline of their journey upon receipt of final itinerary and/or at check-in. These allowances and policies are subject to change without notice. It is the responsibility of the passenger to file claims for lost/damaged baggage directly with the airline(s). Equipment, routing and itinerary may be modified by the direct air carrier or AIFS. Alternative aircraft of any carrier may be substituted at any time, and aircraft may make additional stops. Such changes will not constitute a right to cancellation or refund. Single plane service is not guaranteed. Please note we are unable to take requests for specific flights, upgrades or specific seats.

You must obtain your own passport. You should apply for (or renew) your passport as soon as you decide to study abroad. Some countries require passports to be valid for six months or a year beyond the end of the program.

Please consult the following website for more detailed information: www.travel.state.gov/passport.

Non-U.S. citizens: It is your responsibility to research and obtain any necessary travel documentation for your program, including visas (if applicable).

You should have your valid passport by the application deadlines for your program.

Visa requirements and deadlines vary depending on the location and length of stay. Please contact your Program Advisor or Program Manager upon acceptance to the program for more information.

Students should regard themselves as informal ambassadors of the U.S. during their stay abroad. People from other countries base their opinion of the U.S. on the way American students and visitors behave. The excellent relations AIFS enjoys with its associated universities are based on the high regard the universities have for AIFS students who have studied with them previously. Future students are expected to live up to this reputation. AIFS reserves the right to communicate with students’ home institutions and/or parents on matters related to student behavior, health, safety or academic performance.

All participants on AIFS Abroad programs are held to academic and behavioral standards that are outlined in our Terms and Conditions and enrolled students will agree to a Code of Conduct.

Unlike other plans, the AIFS student plan settles claims abroad, in your host country’s respective currency. This facilitates immediate access to treatment. Treatments must of course be documented and receipts obtained. The staff on the ground helps with administrative matters concerning claims. Staff will arrange for students requiring treatment for more serious illnesses and accidents to receive immediate attention from the recommended university doctor and hospital in the area. 

The coverage includes the following:

1. Medical expenses while abroad: The insurance covers medical bills up to a maximum of $250,000 for each medically covered illness or accident abroad. Insured participants have no more than 52 weeks from the date or such illness or injury to incur costs and to submit a claim. Pre-existing complaints are covered up to a maximum of $500 only. Among items covered are treatment by a physician or surgeon, nurse fees, x-rays, ambulance, therapeutic services, operations, drugs and medicines prescribed by a physician, hospital room and board (semi-private accommodations). 
2. Mental health coverage: The insurance plan covers mental or nervous disorders up to $2,500 for outpatient treatment or up to $10,000 for inpatient treatment per lifetime. See Plan of Insurance brochure for further details. 
3. Baggage insurance:  Personal property is covered up to $3,000 with a $0 deductible. Electronic equipment to include laptops are covered up to $250. Some exclusions apply. Please see the Plan of Insurance for further details. 

In addition your plan provides for:

1. Emergency Medical Evacuation/Repatriation
2. Repatriation of Mortal Remains or Cremation
3. Trip Delay Benefit
4. Security Evacuation Benefit

The AIFS insurance program provides participants with a world-wide 24-hour emergency telephone assistance service. Multilingual help and advice may be furnished for the participant in the event of any emergency during the term of coverage. Assistance services include: Medical monitoring, prescription drug replacement/shipment, emergency message transmittals, coverage verification/payment assistance for medical expenses. Travel assistance services include: Obtaining emergency cash, travelers check replacement, lost/delayed luggage tracking, replacement of lost or stolen airline ticket, credit card/passport/important document replacement. 

To view the policy details and download a brochure go to www.culturalinsurance.com/cisi_forms.asp. 

Dates, prices and program descriptions online constitute a part of the contract between AIFS and the participant. Your final itinerary provided prior to departure constitutes the actual program to be provided by AIFS. 

For international travel, airline liability for passenger baggage is usually limited. Passengers should request complete terms governing airline liability limitations for their journey upon receipt of final itinerary and/or check-in. It is the responsibility of the passenger to file claims for lost/damaged baggage directly with the airline(s). Equipment, routing and itinerary may be modified by the direct air carrier or by AIFS. Single plane service is not guaranteed. Alternative aircraft of any carrier may be substituted at any time, and aircraft may make additional stops. Such changes will not create a right to cancellation or refund. 

Comprehensive insurance/assistance package; specified travel as shown in the detailed itinerary; tuition fees and housing as specified in the itinerary; meals ONLY when specified in the program description; sightseeing and entertainment as specified; services of on-site AIFS Staff and tips. 

Optional travel package, $150 nonrefundable application fee, passport fees or certain visa fees; transfers and travel in connection with independent travel; should you choose not to join the optional excursion(s), your independent travel obligations are not included in the program fee: (i) accommodations and meals during any independent travel period, including (ii) overnight accommodations and (iii) transfer to the airport prior to departure when a period of independent travel precedes the return flight; meals not listed in the program description; special beverages with meals; laundry; excess baggage charges (check with each airline for rules); textbooks; overnight and weekend optional excursions while at the university; overnight accommodations, meals and additional domestic transportation expenses in the U.S. due to rescheduled or delayed flights (sometimes paid by the airline); transportation from student’s home to point of international departure and back. 

Upon application, participants must pay a $150 application fee online. AIFS fees can be paid online by credit card. Visit www.aifsabroad.com for details. The $150 fee is non-refundable. Upon acceptance, you will be billed for a $500 deposit and then the balance of the program fee due based on the schedule listed above. The optional excursions are due by the final payment deadline of each program. Any participant whose check is returned for any reason will be assessed a charge of $35. 

Students will be responsible for payment of any damages, campus related charges or other charges incurred in student or family residences while on the program and will be invoiced accordingly. Academic transcripts will be withheld until all fees are paid. 

AIFS reserves the right to make changes to departure dates and cities as may be required and to reverse an itinerary route. 

Departures are contingent upon adequate enrollment and are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. AIFS reserves the right to reassign participants to alternate departure cities listed on program pages. AIFS will notify participants whether a requested original departure is available no later than 30 days before departure. Destination cities may be changed as long as the change affects only the order of cities visited. 

Cancellation by AIFS Abroad

Should AIFS Abroad cancel a program prior to departure for reasons within its control (including due to lack of enrollment), participants will be notified and options include options of: 

• Moving to another program location 
• Receiving credit towards another program or a full refund (including deposit.) This is the only unique situation where a non-refundable deposit can be returned. 

Should AIFS Abroad cancel a program (including once the program has started) for reasons beyond its control including but not limited to Acts of God, government actions (including those restricting travel), pandemics, fire, flood, explosion, earthquake, or other natural forces, war, civil unrest, accident, terrorism, any strike or labor disturbance, or any other event similar to those enumerated above (a “Force Majeure” Event) participants will receive no refund except for recoverable costs. 

Recoverable costs may include, but not are not limited to program fees (including tuition), housing, social/cultural activities/excursions, safety and security and administrative cost, or organized flights. 

Most of these costs are paid before the start of the program are not typically recoverable. In the event of cancellation AIFS Abroad will endeavor to obtain refunds from suppliers and pass any recovered costs on the participant. 

Students choosing to leave the program early for personal or other reasons are not entitled to any refund. Completion of academic credit will be determined on a case by case basis. Students dismissed for disciplinary reasons receive no refunds of any kind and forfeit all academic credit. 

There are no refunds for meals, accommodation, cultural activities/excursions, tuition or transportation missed by students for any other reasons other than those listed above once the program has started. 

Once the program has started, students who withdraw will receive no refund. In the unlikely event of AIFS cancelling a program while it is underway, students would receive a pro-rata rebate of recoverable fees paid to AIFS for the portion of the program. Students dismissed for disciplinary reasons receive no refunds of any kind and forfeit all academic credit.  

There are no refunds for meals, accommodation, cultural activities/excursions, tuition or transportation missed by students for any other reasons other than those listed above once the program has started. 

The Department of Education Stafford Student Loan Program offers funds to students whose families show financial need. Details about this and other aid awards are available from your home institution’s Financial Aid Office. 

The Participant’s home college or university may agree to apply aid to an AIFS study program. If the financial aid award is being considered to pay for all or part of AIFS fees, participants must:

(1) Apply early at the Financial Aid Office on home campus. This will enable them to receive notification of award amount and then determine before the final AIFS payment deadline whether participation is possible;

(2) Arrange to have documentation sent from the Financial Aid Office or lending institution to AIFS stating the amount of the award and date it will be disbursed. The AIFS Financial Aid Information Form, available from AIFS, must be completed by the financial aid officer at the participant’s home institution or lending agency and returned to AIFS prior to the final payment deadline. 

Students who have their financial aid package modified or denied after the AIFS program begins are responsible for full payment. Failure to make immediate payment to AIFS will result in being administratively withdrawn. In this case, no refund or academic credit will be granted. 

AIFS programs may be eligible for V.A. tuition grants. 

Students may also charge all or a part of the program cost to American Express, MasterCard, or Visa. 

Students must indicate on the application their intention either to take an AIFS flight or to provide their own transportation to and from the program. Students changing from an AIFS flight to their own transportation prior to 75 days before departure pay a $100 change fee; less than 75 days prior to departure students are subject to a $250 penalty. Students who initially intended to provide their own transportation to and from the program may apply for a seat on AIFS flights subject to the following terms: 1) prior to 75 days before departure provided space is available; a $100 change fee is charged and 2) within 75 days before departure provided space is available; subject to a $250 penalty. Students changing from one departure city to another prior to 75 days before departure pay a $100 change fee for each change; within 75 days of departure students are subject to a $250 penalty in addition to any application fare differential provided space is available. 

Students are sent their final itinerary close to departure. 

Due to TSA regulations students wishing to travel on an AIFS flight must be sure to give their full name exactly as it appears on their passport. If students give an incomplete or incorrect name on their application, they will be responsible for any financial penalties incurred or flight tickets canceled. 

If you have selected the optional AIFS Travel Package, where permitted by the airline, you will be issued with an electronic ticket. Once confirmed, details of your flight information will be available to you at www.aifsabroad.com/login. You can check here at any time to get your flight information but should make a final check just prior to your departure. 

Housing on campus is not provided outside the actual program dates and students opting to travel independently before or after the program must make their own accommodation arrangements during these periods. However, housing is provided on campus for those not participating in optional weekend excursions that operate during the academic program. AIFS residences/offices do not have storage facilities for luggage during independent travel times 

For those who prefer a prearranged itinerary during independent travel time, AIFS organizes inexpensive study excursions. Some campuses also offer optional weekend excursions. The cost of these excursions is not included in January Term school fees. While the deadline for optional excursion enrollment is specific to the final payment deadline for each program they tend to be popular and some fill prior to payment deadline date. AIFS does not guarantee space on excursions, so interested participants should sign up accordingly.

AIFS excursions allow free time for individual sightseeing and organized visits to points of interest by bus, train or air. A multilingual tour manager accompanies each group. Optional excursions are subject to a minimum enrollment of 10 unless otherwise stated in the program chapter. If not achieved, AIFS reserves the right to cancel the tour. Once paid for in the U.S. the fee for optional excursions is non-refundable unless AIFS cancels the excursion.

Participants must obtain their own passport. We urge travelers to apply for (or renew) a passport as soon as the decision is made to take part in the program. Some countries require passports be valid for six to seven months beyond the end of the program.

Please consult the following website for more detailed information: http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/passports/apply.html 

Travelers not allowed to board at an airport because they do not have the correct or sufficient travel documents must assume all consequences. Failure to meet deadlines or obtain a visa does not constitute grounds for deviation from the standard refund policy. 

Passports are required of everyone traveling outside the U.S. on AIFS programs. Non-U.S. citizens may be required to obtain visas to enter certain countries. Non-U.S. citizens are responsible for securing visas needed and must allow several weeks—or months—for this process.