Terms and Conditions

Rules

All participants in the Study Group USA Higher Education LLC program admitted directly to the university are subject to the rules of the university in which they are enrolled. Students must assume full responsibility for compliance. Rules governing alcohol, controlled drugs and other serious offenses will be strictly enforced. Applicants are reminded that international students in the United States must comply with both the letter and the spirit of the law in order to retain valid student visas. Violations of such laws will render the participant liable for immediate dismissal from the program and repatriation to the home country, if not legal prosecution for violation of the laws of the state or federal jurisdictions involved. The obligation to pay the tuition and fees by the due date is unconditional. No portion of such fees so paid or outstanding will be refunded or cancelled notwithstanding the subsequent absence, suspension, expulsion, dismissal or withdrawal of the student for any reason. Admission is subject to eligibility and availability.

Progression

Progression at the end of any given semester is dependent on successfully passing all courses in that semester. Partner institutions may have additional requirements for progression. The University reserves the right to impose additional academic requirements post arrival (such as minimum grade point average) before a student is formally admitted into a particular program of study.

Participant responsibility

The price for the Study Group USA Higher Education LLC program does not include the following expenses:

  1. Personal spending money.
  2. Insurance for pre-existing medical conditions, i.e., ailments which exist prior to arrival in the U.S.
  3. Meal and housing costs during the few times the university is officially closed – usually limited to the Thanksgiving holiday in late November, the Christmas holiday (which normally lasts about four weeks) and Spring vacation (approximately 10 days).
  4. University textbooks and other necessary school supplies.
  5. Air fare to and from U.S. domestic airport closest to the university campus in the United States (a round trip ticket is required).
  6. Extra costs for ESL which may be required by a student whose English language proficiency is inadequate.

Payment Policy

Students are required to pay a $3000 deposit directly to Study Group USA Higher Education LLC before they receive an I-20 form from the university. Students accepted by an institution after the billing due date are required to pay their tuition immediately upon receipt of the student visa, and are required to pay their bill in full prior to their departure for the United States, or within thirty days of deposit, whichever comes first. Students with outstanding balances may have a hold placed on their account and/or may be barred from attending classes until payment is made in full.

Payments

Payment of a confirmation deposit in the amount of $3000 is required and may be made to Study Group using a number of payment options via our PayOnline platform. Access to this platform can be found at xxxxxx using your unique student access code.

Payment of the balance of tuition and ancillary fees will be made directly to the partner following the partner payment policies and procedures. Refer to the following site for payment deadlines and process.

https://admissions.wwu.edu/tuition-expenses

Certain payment options will carry a processing fee of 2.5%. We reserve the right to alter this charge from time to time. If you choose to pay in your local currency a foreign exchange rate will apply. The applicable exchange rate can be viewed online as at the time and date of the payment.

Bank charges and commission for both the sending and receiving banks should be paid by the sender of funds or they will be applied to the student’s account.

Pre-arrival Cancellation Policy

Students who withdraw prior to arrival on campus and prior to paying full tuition and ancillary fees are subject to the Study Group USA Higher Education LLC cancellation policies. This pre-arrival refund policy applies to the pre-arrival confirmation deposit only. The $3000 pre-arrival confirmation deposit will not be refunded under the following circumstances:

  1. The student cancelled after being issued an I-20 and there are no exceptional circumstances (ie. documented evidence of bereavement in family or serious illness).
  2. Evidence of student error or fraud in visa application.

The $3000 pre-arrival confirmation deposit will be refunded less a $500 non-refundable administration charge in the following circumstances:

  1. The student cancelled prior to the course start date and was not issued an I-20.
  2. The student cancelled prior to course start date, was issued an I-20 and there are exceptional circumstances (ie. documented evidence of bereavement in family or serious illness).
  3. Student is issued a visa too late to attend classes and does not defer.

The $3000 pre-arrival confirmation deposit will be fully refunded in the following circumstances:

  1. The university partner cancelled the program the student was enrolled in.
  2. The student’s visa application was not approved and there is documented evidence that it was not due to fraud or student error.

Deferral Policy

If an applicant is accepted by Study Group USA Higher Education LLC, dba International Study Center receives a Visa too late to begin classes in time, the applicant may defer to the next intake. All funds received will be applied to the next intake and will not be refunded. If the applicant does not wish to defer, Study Group will refund all monies paid, less a $500 non-refundable administration fee. Applicants can defer once.

Non-refundable administration charges: The following are the non-refundable charges referenced above:

  1. Registration fee: $350
  2. Courier fee: $150

Cancellation may occur when the student provides a written notice of cancellation by email, mail, hand delivery, or verbal notification to the Study Group USA Higher Education LLC, dba International Study Center’s Admissions Center.

Damage and Liability

Any reference in these terms to liability of students shall also infer liability on the parent or financial sponsor, and such liability is joint and several. Students are responsible for payment for any damage caused by them to Study Group USA Higher Education LLC/institution property, including fixtures and fittings in University- approved accommodation. Occupants of shared accommodation are jointly and severally liable for the proper care of rooms, fixtures and fittings and the University reserves the right to recover costs for damage or exceptional cleaning.

Withdrawal Post-arrival/variation of degree programs

Students who withdraw from any program of study after arrival on campus will be subject to the Study Group partner withdrawal policies regarding dropping and/or withdrawing from classes. The policies, procedures, deadlines and topics related to tuition liability and receiving refunds are at the following websites:

http://www.wwu.edu/registrar/registration/policies/student_responsibilities.shtml

Once the student has commenced the first semester of their University program, if: (a) the University's ability to deliver programs or other services in accordance with the descriptions provided is compromised by circumstances beyond the control of the University (e.g. third party industrial action), the University will use all reasonable endeavors to minimize disruption as far as it is practical to do so; (b) the Program is cancelled or substantially varied from that described in the prospectus for reasons other than circumstances beyond the institution's reasonable control, the University will use reasonable endeavors to provide a suitable replacement program, but cannot guarantee to do so. If the student does not wish to accept the replacement program, the student shall be entitled to withdraw from the program. In the event of such withdrawal the University shall make an appropriate refund of tuition fees. Depending on the point at which the withdrawal takes place, the University reserves the right to retain fees or charges to cover the tuition or services which the student has actually received.

Publicity

Students (and their parents or guardians, where applicable) agree that their images and sound, details and achievements may be used in any media for promotional purposes without written consent or notification. This includes permission to pass them on to third parties (agents, publications, etc.) at our discretion as long as the images are used to publicize Study Group programs.

Data protection

Any information provided to Study Group USA Higher Education LLC may be held on computer and shall be used by Study Group USA Higher Education LLC in accordance with US law, including FERPA, HIPAA, and ADA. Study Group USA Higher Education LLC is an Equal Opportunity provider. Information provided to Study Group USA Higher Education LLC is held and processed for the purpose of administering your application, and may be carried forward to your official student record, which holds data in electronic and paper form on your personal details, academic and administrative history and on relevant financial transactions. After you leave, the parts of your student record which the University needs to retain will be archived. Some information will also be processed for the purpose of managing our relationship with you as an alumnus. Other information will be destroyed. Throughout, your personal data will be held in accordance with current US data protection law.

Variation

No variation to these conditions is valid unless agreed in writing and approved by the Finance Director, Study Group Higher Education North America, provided always that the Study Group USA Higher Education LLC reserves the right to make any addition, amendment or alteration to these conditions upon giving one semester's written notice of such change to all affected students.

Communication

Please supply Study Group USA Higher Education LLC with personal e-mail addresses and mobile telephone numbers prior to arrival, in order that communication, to include transmission of student reports, may be maintained at all times. Please also advise of any changes as they occur.

Applying for a visa

Once a student has been accepted, they will be provided with an I-20 from the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, issued by the participating University. This form will be sent upon receipt of deposit. An I-20 form is required to start the process of obtaining a student visa to enter the United States. You will also be required to present financial documentation to the U.S. Consular Office in your country. We advise you to have a letter from your parents, financial sponsor or other source of support stating their responsibility for your expenses throughout. A bank statement or letter verifying their financial ability to cover your expenses should also be provided. We recommend that all students apply for their visa as soon as possible and notify Study Group USA Higher Education LLC directly once your visa status is known. Please notify your agency when you have made an appointment, and notify your counselor with the outcome of that appointment.

Agreement and release

I apply to enroll the person named as a student of Study Group USA Higher Education LLC. I agree to pay all fees incurred by the student as they become due, and either give the required notice of cancellation or to pay the required fees in lieu of notice. I agree to abide by the terms and conditions of Study Group USA Higher Education LLC. I give permission for the administration of first aid and appropriate non-prescription medication to my child, and give permission to Study Group USA Higher Education LLC and designated college representatives to seek medical, dental or optical treatment when required. I am the parent or legal guardian named. We do hereby authorize Study Group USA Higher Education LLC and its assigned agents, and any designated program representative, as agents of the undersigned parents, to consent to any x-ray examinations, anesthetic, medical or surgical diagnosis or treatment, or hospital care which is deemed advisable by, and is rendered under, the general supervision of any licensed physician or surgeon, whether such treatment or diagnosis is rendered at the office of said physician or surgeon or at a hospital. It is understood that this authorization is not given in advance of any specific diagnosis, treatment or hospital care being required, but is given to provide authority and power on the part of aforesaid agents to give specific consent to any and all such diagnoses, treatments, or hospital care which the aforementioned physician or surgeon, in the exercise of her/his best judgment, may deem advisable.

We waive and release all claims against Study Group USA Higher Education LLC and its agents for any injury, loss, damage, accident, delay or expense resulting from the applicant's participation in the program. We also release Study Group USA Higher Education LLC and its agents and agree to indemnify them with regard to any financial obligations or liabilities that the applicant may personally incur or any damage or injury to the person or property of others that the applicant may cause while participating in this program. We understand that the program begins with the outbound flight to the United States and terminates when the return flights lands. We realize that any airline's liability for loss or damage to baggage or property, or for death or injury, is limited by the terms outlined by the airlines. We also understand that it is our responsibility to obtain a passport and any required visa.

We understand that Study Group USA Higher Education LLC is not responsible for any loss or injury suffered by the applicant at any time while participating in the program, including but not limited to losses or injury suffered during periods of independent travel or absence from the program. If the applicant becomes ill or incapacitated, Study Group USA Higher Education LLC or its agents may take such action as it considers necessary, including securing medical treatment and transporting the applicant home at his/her own expense. We release Study Group USA Higher Education LLC from all liability related to such actions. We understand that the applicant's participation in the program may be terminated at the discretion of Study Group USA Higher Education LLC without any refund of fees and that the applicant may be sent home at his/her expense if he/she does not adhere to the U.S., State, and local laws and University rules.

We agree to accept full responsibility for personal expenses, books, any required additional language training and round trip air fare. In the event that Study Group USA Higher Education LLC or its agents advances or loans any funds to the applicant or incurs special expenses on his/her behalf, we agree to make immediate repayment to Study Group USA Placement LLC. We understand that this Agreement cannot be modified except in writing signed by Study Group USA Higher Education LLC.