DEPOSIT POLICY
A $200 deposit to confirm your space on a program is required within 1 week of acceptance. This deposit is fully refundable if a student chooses to withdraw before February 1st, 2024 (Summer Programs) or December 1, 2023 (Spring Break Programs).
Please note that deposits are the first payment towards tuition and not an extra fee.
TUITION BALANCE
- The tuition balance is due April 1st, 2024 (Summer Programs) or January 8, 2024 (Spring Break Programs)
- If registration occurs after April 1st (Summer Programs) or December 1 (Spring Break Programs), the tuition balance is due within 1 week of registration.
If you would like to discuss an individual payment plan, please get in touch with our admissions team.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Once a student is enrolled in a program, SStS begins to incur non-refundable expenses related to travel and project preparation. If a student decides not to participate in a program after enrolling, the following financial consequences will result:
- The $200 deposit is nonrefundable after February 1st, 2024 (Summer Programs) or December 1, 2023 (Spring Break Programs).
- Tuition is 50% refundable until 75 days before the program start date
- For cancellations within 75 days prior to the program start date through the conclusion of the program, tuition is non-refundable
- If SStS cancels a program, students may transfer to another program or receive a full tuition refund. SStS is not responsible for any costs (airfare and other expenses) incurred by the participant in preparing for the program.
As plans can change, we strongly recommend purchasing trip cancellation insurance for additional protection. Contact your insurance provider or refer to our website for options.
Program activities or sites may be altered or canceled due to any force majeure, including, but not limited to, weather, fires, inaccessibility, disease outbreaks or epidemics, governmental order or other such reasons, cultural sensitivities, or other conditions affecting the well-being of participants. Participants will be notified as soon as possible in the case of significant changes. SStS is not responsible for other expenses incurred including airfare, credit card fees, and any other costs, losses, or other damages. Trip insurance is highly encouraged.
TUITION
Tuition costs are all-inclusive except for airfare, personal expenditures (e.g. snacks, souvenirs, optional activities), and the items listed below. Medical and security evacuation services are included in tuition for international programs.
Additional items not included in tuition:
- Passport and visa fees
- Immunizations
- International airfare
- Baggage fees
- Transportation to and from the gateway city (international programs) or program location (U.S.-based programs)
- Travel insurance (Participants are responsible for purchasing their own travel insurance)
- Additional costs related to COVID-19
AIRFARE
International Programs (Outside of U.S.): All students are booked on a group flight together from the gateway city listed on the course page. SStS works with a travel provider to find the least expensive group fares. As a result, it is not possible to use airline miles or credit card benefits for international flights. All programs have an estimated airfare, but participants are responsible for any increase in airfares or taxes levied by the airline. All participants are responsible for arriving at the gateway city in the time frame provided by SStS. More details are provided upon enrollment.
Domestic Programs (U.S.-Based): All participants are responsible for organizing their own transportation to the arrival city. All participants are responsible for being in the arrival city in the time frame provided by SStS. Participants will be met at the airport of the arrival city by SStS course instructors. More details are provided upon enrollment.
PASSPORTS, VISAS, AND ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
All participants must have a valid passport for international travel with 6 months or more validity from the date of departure. Passports must also have valid pages left for visas and entry stamps. SStS is NOT responsible for checking the validity of your travel documents. All participants much check the validity of their travel documents.
Each participant is responsible for securing their own travel visa for programs when required. SStS will advise you on this process but is not responsible for obtaining the visa services. SStS also can not guarantee a visa will be granted to a participant.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Upon admission, participants will be expected to complete a Health History Form and have a Physical Exam performed by a physician. Additionally, participants will be expected to electronically sign all required paperwork, including an Acknowledgment and Assumption of Risk and Release and Indemnity Agreement, prior to departure.
TRAVEL EXPECTATIONS
We expect all participants to travel together, adhering to an identical itinerary. We will depart the United States as a group from a gateway city. Exemptions may be made for international students. Additionally, travel inevitably includes “the unexpected” (e.g. weather disruptions, transportation strikes, etc.). SStS will adjust the itinerary accordingly, making the best of uncontrollable situations. Due to the unknown variables in international travel, participants are asked not to make travel plans or to enroll in programs that start immediately after their return. SStS is not responsible for expenses incurred due to missed flights if the group is delayed in their return.
Insurance
Evacuation Insurance
SStS purchases an individual medical and security evacuation policy (Medevac) for each student through Global Rescue for international programs. These policies provide coverage for emergency medical evacuations and international security evacuations. Medevac insurance through Global Rescue does not cover medical expenses, only the cost of evacuation. For medical emergencies, accidents, and medical facility visits we highly recommend families purchase supplemental insurance policies (see below).
Medical Insurance (Injury or Illness)
All students must have medical insurance. Please note that your personal medical insurance may not cover the student’s medical expenses. Make sure to review your medical insurance to determine if coverage is appropriate or if a supplemental medical policy is necessary. At times, students may need to be taken to a medical facility for an injury or illness (i.e. gastrointestinal issue, sprained ankle, etc.). Each family is responsible for covering any medical expenses incurred in the treatment of these issues and for deciding if they would like to seek reimbursement through their private health insurance policy or supplemental insurance (see below). If an illness or injury results in additional travel or lodging expenses (i.e. a sprained ankle prevents a student from participating in a trek, making an additional flight and hotel room necessary), these costs are also the family’s responsibility. For medical emergencies, accidents, and medical facility visits, we highly recommend families purchase supplemental insurance policies (see below).
Supplemental Insurance
Families can purchase supplemental medical and cancellation insurance for travelers that potentially covers costs incurred due to illness, injury, political unrest, travel interruption, delays, etc. There are two main types of insurance to consider (Comprehensive Trip Insurance or Travel Medical). Comprehensive trip insurance normally covers cancellations, interruptions, hurricanes, medical emergencies, evacuation, lost, stolen, and delayed baggage, and more. This type of plan is the most popular because it fits the needs of most travelers.
Travel medical insurance normally covers medical emergencies, accidents, emergency evacuations, and repatriation. These plans do not cover trip cancellations.
If you want to work with SStS’ supplemental program insurance provider, you can find more information about comprehensive trip insurance on your Parent Dashboard or by clicking here. Please note that certain benefits and coverages (the Cancel for Any Reason Benefit) are subject to payment for your plan being received within 21 days of the initial payment or deposit for your program. Please see your individual plan details before making your program deposit. Supplemental insurance is highly encouraged.