Here are a few of the most frequently asked questions our office receives from parents of GU students nominated to study abroad.
How are the costs billed for Georgetown-Approved Semester and Full Year Programs?
Overseas studies tuition and fees, health insurance, and administrative fees are billed through Georgetown's Office of Student Accounts. Please do not remit tuition payment to the overseas program! For programs in which room, board and/or transportation costs are included in the overall program cost, the charges will be billed to the student's Georgetown account, along with the tuition and fees for the overseas studies program. The initial charges invoiced may be an estimated amount, but adjustments to the student's account will be made when the actual charges are known. Please consult the Financial Information Sheet Link for site-specific details regarding program finances.
How are the costs billed for Georgetown Summer Study Abroad Programs?
Overseas studies program fees are billed through Georgetown's Office of Student Accounts. Payments should be made to Georgetown University and sent to:
Georgetown University - Office of Student Accounts White-Gravenor Hall 37th and O Streets, NW Washington, DC 20057-1908
How are the costs billed for Independent (IC-Status) NON-Approved programs?
Students on IC-Status programs will be billed for Georgetown tuition and the Education Abroad Insurance Plan through the Office of Student Accounts. Additionally, students on IC-status programs are responsible for submitting a program budget to their OS Advisor so that, in conjunction with Student Financial Services, Georgetown University can arrange for the disbursement of Georgetown, federal and state aid. Students on IC-Status programs must meet with their OS Advisor to review their Program Budget Sheet and to discuss which charges will be billed to their Georgetown accounts and which will be paid directly to the host institution or program provider.
What is the refund policy if my son or daughter cannot go abroad for a semester or full year program?
Students must notify the Office of International Programs in writing should they wish to withdraw. Should a student withdraw his/her nomination prior to the beginning of their program and after accepting placement by signing Form A: Program Acceptance, the student will be assessed a placement and processing fee of $300 and will be responsible for any non-recoverable program expenses incurred overseas. Should a student withdraw from overseas studies after the program's start date, refunds will be calculated from the date the Office of International Programs is notified in writing. Tuition refunds will be calculated in accordance with the Main Campus tuition refund periods listed in the Undergraduate Bulletin. The Office of International Programs will refund 100% of recoverable costs. No refunds will be given for non-recoverable expenses and the education abroad insurance fee. Georgetown University is not responsible for indirect costs paid directly by the student, including but not limited to passport fees, vaccinations, and transportation costs. Georgetown University reserves the right to cancel programs without prior notification; however, every effort will be made to provide participants with information on cancellations in a timely manner.
What is the refund policy if my son or daughter cannot go abroad for a summer study abroad program?
Once you have submitted an acceptance form and/or your program deposit, your place in the Georgetown Summer Program is confirmed. Voluntary withdrawals from the program must be made in writing to the Summer Program Coordinator. No refund is given for application fees and program deposits. Georgetown University will refund 100% of recoverable costs as determined by our host institutions. Refunds will be calculated from the date the Office of International Programs is notified in writing of the student's voluntary withdrawal. Georgetown University is not responsible for indirect costs incurred by the student, including but not limited to passport fees, vaccinations, and transportation costs.
Does financial aid travel with my student for semester and full year programs?
Students participating in Georgetown-APPROVED and IC-status semester and full year programs are eligible for financial aid. Financial aid packages are based on the actual tuition and fees for the specific program, administrative fees, GU Education Abroad Insurance, as well as the following estimated expenses: (Some fees may be incorporated into the tuition depending on the fee structure of the program); room and board; books and materials; round-trip airfare from east coast; and miscellaneous expenses such as student visa fees, local transportation, immunizations and anti-malarials, and any supplemental health insurance. Because Federal Work-Study funds cannot be used overseas, the aid package will not include a Federal Work-Study award. However, the amount of this award will be incorporated into other components of the student's aid package. Regardless of whether students study overseas or remain on campus, the family contribution calculated in a financial aid package is based on the assumption that most families will meet college costs with a combination of current income, savings, and long-term borrowing that is consistent with their financial ability over time. Students must follow normal procedures and deadlines for filing financial aid applications.
How does my student access surplus financial aid funds?
Speak with the appropriate financial aid advisor to find out if there will be surplus funds after the overseas tuition has been paid. For information regarding refunds, please visit the refund page for the Office of Student Accounts at http://www9.georgetown.edu/finaff/studentaccounts//Refunds/Index.html. Please note that the Office of Students Accounts will only mail the check to an address within the U.S which are not on campus. The timing is important. There must be confirmation that the student account has a surplus before the form is processed. This normally does not occur until after registration on-campus: late September (full-year and fall-only participants) or late January (spring-only participants). Accessing financial aid funds before these dates may cause an overdraft on the student's account.
