The UCA Office of Education Abroad must pay a variety of charges to its international partner institutions and organizations to hold places for education abroad students. Careful planning goes into developing education abroad programs and the Office of Education Abroad incurs a number of expenses overseas well before a student arrives to his/her education abroad destination. Other program expenses are incurred before the program begins based on the estimated or in some cases exact number of participants. Therefore, it is not possible for payments or charges to be refunded in-full if a student chooses to withdraw from a program. In order to withdraw from a Education Abroad program, students must submit the Education Abroad Withdrawal Form.
- If you withdraw from a UCA Education Abroad program after the program officially begins, you will not be refunded any of the program costs or application fees, including housing and airline tickets, unless and until the service provider reimburses us or releases us from our financial obligation.
- If you are receiving financial aid and withdraw from a education abroad program, you must contact the UCA Financial Aid Office immediately as it may affect your financial aid package.
- The Study Abroad Fee is non-refundable.
- The Office of Education Abroad recommends that students purchase refundable airline tickets (when applicable) and/or trip cancellation insurance to safeguard against losses or penalties should a program be canceled or dates changed.
- The Office of Education Abroad assumes no responsibility for such losses or penalties and the University of Central Arkansas reserves the rights to alter, change or revise schedules, credits and costs.
UCA Faculty Led & Language Immersion Programs (including Bear Boots on the Ground Alternative Spring Break Program)
All program cost payments are non-refundable, including future payments posted to student’s UCA account. To be exempt from future program charges not yet due, the Education Abroad Withdrawal Form must be received by the Office of Education Abroad at least ONE (1) full business day prior to the payment due date. Students are obligated to pay current/past due payment installments, but may be exempt from payment of future program installments, excluding the application fee and any portion of the program cost which is unrecoverable. This may require the student to pay part of the program cost, even if he or she does not attend the program. It is in the student’s best interest to submit the Education Abroad Withdrawal Form to the Office of Education Abroad immediately upon making the decision to withdraw.
- Once a student has been accepted by the faculty program director, the student must submit a $500 deposit at the UCA Student Accounts Office. All deposits once made are non-refundable.
- If a student voluntarily withdraws from a education abroad program after the program officially begins, NO money will be refunded.
- If a student is required to withdraw from a education abroad program for academic or conduct reasons after the program officially begins, NO money will be refunded.
- Students in any program who choose not to participate in a program activity, either mandatory or non-mandatory, (such as a field trip, excursion, cultural event, etc.) will NOT be refunded any portion of the program cost.
UCA Semester / Year Exchange Program
Students who withdraw their application before decisions are made will not be refunded any associated program fees or the UCA Study Abroad Fee. Any additional portions of application charges are subject to the refund and payment policies of the respective organizations.
Non-UCA Affiliated Programs (Independent Direct Enroll)
- The Office of Education Abroad will NOT provide any refunds for the any fees paid to the host institution or education abroad provider for ANY reason.
- Please contact the host institution or education abroad provider with questions regarding refund policies.
- A denial letter from the host institution or education abroad provider must be submitted in order to process refund of application fees or international insurance.
- The Study Abroad Fee is non-refundable.
Other Important Refund Information
The Office of Education Abroad encourages participants to purchase trip cancellation insurance to safeguard against losses or penalties should a program be canceled or its dates changed. The Office of Education Abroad and the University of Central Arkansas reserves the rights to alter, change or revise schedules, credits and costs.
Tuition & Fees
Please note that program fees are not the same as tuition. Program fees may range from the non-refundable deposit upwards. Tuition and fee refunds follow the schedule outlined by the UCA Student Accounts Office: www.uca.edu/studentaccounts