Program Costs

To participate, each applicant is required to pay the following:

• Non-refundable application fee
• Non-refundable confirmation deposit (deducted from the total program cost)
• Refundable security deposit
• CEA Insurance for Study Abroad
• Program price of selected program

Group Programs

Students participating in a custom program with a professor or advisor from their home institution may be subject to different application and payment dates. These students should contact their group leader for details.

Application Fee

All applications must be submitted with a $75 Online application fee or a $95 Paper application fee (both non-refundable). Your application will not be processed without the application fee.

Confirmation Deposit

All applicants are required to pay a confirmation deposit. This deposit is non-refundable, unless CEA deems the applicant ineligible and the application is rejected (once completed application including required eligibility documents is received). Each student is responsible for ensuring their application is complete; confirmation deposit refunds will not be granted for incomplete applications.

This deposit is deducted from the total cost of the program. Your place in the program will not be held until your confirmation deposit is paid. If your program reaches enrolled capacity before you have paid your confirmation deposit you may be required to forfeit your original program selection or choose another program. Confirmation deposits will be due no later than the application closure date.

Semester, Trimester and Year Programs

Once admitted to a CEA program, your $500 confirmation deposit will be due immediately. Your application will become automatically inactive if your deposit is not received within 30 days of your acceptance date. CEA cannot guarantee your place on the program until the confirmation deposit is received. Further, if a program reaches enrolled capacity prior to the published closure date or prior to submitting your required confirmation deposit due to enrolled capacity being reached, your space will be automatically forfeited.

Summer and Short Term Programs

Summer and Short Term applicants are required to submit a $300 confirmation deposit with their application. Summer and Short Term applications will not be processed without this deposit.

Applications will become automatically inactive according to the following conditions:

• More than 30 days have passed since the acceptance date (excludes summer programs; see above)
• Program has reached enrolled capacity
• Application closure date has passed

CEA will reactivate applications on a case-by-case basis depending on availability. An additional $50 reactivation fee may apply.

Security Deposit

All applicants are required to pay a $300 refundable security deposit. The deposit is used to pay for any damages or charges that may be incurred during the program, including but not limited to, broken furniture, floor damage, lost keys, overdue library books, excessive cleaning, etc. Should the cost of damages or charges incurred during the program exceed the security deposit, students will be invoiced for any additional costs. CEA reserves the right to hold a student's security deposit and transcript until all utility bills and any outstanding vendor costs have been reviewed and assessed. Any unused portion of the security deposit is eligible to be refunded when:

• All onsite costs have been verified (housing repairs have been made, utility bills have been paid, etc.). Depending on program location, verification of costs can take up to 12 weeks.
• The CEA Arizona and international staff have verified there are no other outstanding damages or payment issues.
• Student has paid all outstanding balances due to CEA.

To receive the unused portion of the security deposit, students must:

• Fully complete and submit the CEA Re-Entry Evaluation within 30 days of the program end date. (The evaluation is web based and will be sent via email).
• Verify their current US mailing address. (Students may designate someone other than self as the payee using a US mailing address).
• Please note:
• Security deposit refunds will not be mailed or wired overseas.
• If the Re-Entry Evaluation is not completed within the specified time frame, the security deposit refund will be forfeited.

Multiple Program Deposits

Students participating in multiple programs are required to pay a security deposit for each program. To be eligible for refund of either deposit, students must complete and submit the required CEA Re-Entry Evaluation(s). As programs end at different times, the evaluations and refunds will be sent to separately.

CEA Insurance for Study Abroad

CEA requires that each participant purchase the CEA group insurance plan created specially for study abroad. Please review the CEA Insurance brochure or visit www.GoWithCEA.com/insurance for coverage details. Every participant must be covered for the duration of the program; there are no exceptions. The insurance is intended to supplement a student's existing health insurance. No refund of insurance is granted for early departure or dismissal from a CEA program. Contact your CEA advisor for additional details.

Program Price/Final Payment

CEA reserves the right to change program prices. Refer to the CEA website at www.GoWithCEA.com/prices for current pricing. Applicants will be subject to the price listed on the CEA website at the time a student's application is received. You must abide by all CEA application and confirmation policies/deadlines to keep your application active. Students who miss a CEA deadline may be subject to a higher price. Applicants who request to change their program are subject to the current prices listed on the CEA website at the time the student's program change request is approved.

All applicants will be sent a Student Account Statement with a Final Payment due date. This statement will detail the program price, insurance, refundable security deposit and any other costs (minus the confirmation deposit). Final Payment due dates will be set no later than the program's Withdrawal Date. Students must be paid in full and/or submit the required Financial Aid Forms (Financial Aid Disbursement Form and Student Financial Aid Agreement) to CEA by their Final Payment due date. If a student fails to make payment and/or submit the required Financial Aid forms by their Final Payment due date, they will be subject to a $300 Late Fee and may be withdrawn from their program (Please see Outstanding Balances section for more information).

Special Situations

• Academic Year Programs
  The Student Account Statement will reflect two amounts due and two separate due dates for the cost of an Academic Year Program:
  
  • The first amount due will reflect 60% of the program price, insurance, and security deposit (minus the confirmation deposit).
  • The second amount due will reflect the remaining 40% of the program price.
  
  
• Multiple Programs
  Students participating in multiple programs will receive a Student Account Statement detailing the individual program costs and the Final Payment due date for each program.

Payment Obligations

Withdrawal Dates

A Withdrawal Date is the last day a student can withdraw from a program and not be held responsible for full payment or be eligible for a refund (See Refund Policies section for more information). All Final Payment due dates will be set no later than the Withdrawal Date. All students must be paid-in-full and/or have submitted the required Financial Aid forms by the Withdrawal Date. Any student wishing to withdraw from their program must express their intent to withdraw in writing prior to the Withdrawal Date. All withdrawal notifications must be received via fax, mail or email. Verbal notification will not be accepted. Once a withdrawal notification has been received, CEA will acknowledge receipt of notification by sending a Withdrawal Confirmation email to the student. Any student that has not submitted payment and/or valid Financial Aid Forms by their Program Withdrawal Date may be withdrawn from their program for non-payment (Please See Outstanding Balances section for more information). Refer to the Program Info tab on your MyCEA Account for your program’s specific Withdrawal Date.

Refund Policies

Refund inquiries must be addressed to the CEA Headquarters located in Arizona. All refund decisions will be made by the CEA Arizona staff.

Application fees and confirmation deposits are always non-refundable. Students who withdraw in writing on, or prior to, their program Withdrawal Date are not responsible for final payment and may be entitled to a refund of payments already made to CEA, minus the application fee and confirmation deposit.

No refunds will be given to students who withdraw from their program after the Withdrawal Date or to students who are withdrawn by CEA for non-payment. Likewise, students who withdraw after the program Withdrawal Date are still 100% responsible for final payment, regardless of participation. Any student that leaves a CEA program early after arriving onsite will not be granted a refund.

Students using Financial Aid or loans are responsible for their entire program cost if their Financial Aid or loans are rescinded after their program Withdrawal Date or if they choose to withdraw after their program Withdrawal Date (Please see the Financial Aid and Outstanding Balances sections).

Special Situations:

• Academic Year Programs:
  Academic Year students who wish to withdraw at the end of the fall semester/trimester are still subject to CEA's academic year pricing structure (see Program Price/Final Payment section). Academic Year students should be aware of the withdrawal date for the winter and/or spring portion of their selected program. Notification in writing must be sent to the CEA Headquarters in Arizona, in addition to your CEA resident director (See Change of Program section). Students that have paid their AY program in full will receive a refund of the remaining 40% of the program price (spring portion) providing that their withdrawal notification is received prior to the spring semester withdrawal date. Any discount given will be forfeited.
  
  
• Multiple Program Students:
  Multiple program students who have confirmed their participation on multiple programs and wish to withdraw from one or more sessions are subject to CEA's withdrawal and refund policies for the cost of their remaining programs. Multiple program students should be aware of the withdrawal date for the remaining programs. Written notification must be sent to the CEA Headquarters in Arizona in addition to your CEA resident director (See Change of Program section). Any discount given is forfeited for the remaining sessions.

Program Changes

Students are allowed to change their selected program(s) (session and/or campus), one time prior to submitting their confirmation deposit. If a student would like to change a second time, he/she is required to submit a $50 Program Change Fee. Students who change their selected program(s) after paying their confirmation deposit are required to submit a $400 Program Change Fee. Notification of a program change must be received prior to the selected program's application closure date and the change will not be processed until any and all applicable fees are paid in full.

Academic Year students who are already onsite and wish to make a change to the winter/spring portion of their year program must notify CEA in writing prior to the application closure date of the winter/spring session. Multiple program students who are already onsite and wish to make a change to any remaining program must notify CEA in writing prior to the application closure date of their remaining program.

It is your responsibility to submit all program change requests to the CEA Headquarters in Arizona. All program change requests must be received via fax, mail or email. Verbal notification will not be accepted. If you are already abroad, you must also notify your CEA resident director. The CEA Arizona staff and your resident director will work together to facilitate approved changes, and notify campus administration and parents, if needed. If your change request is approved, CEA will acknowledge the program change by sending a Program Change Confirmation email to the student. Students who request to change their program must meet the eligibility requirements for their new program selection and must be accepted to that program. Students may be asked to submit additional documentation. Students are subject to the current prices at the time the student program change request is approved.

Students that wish to change their program to a term beyond CEA's current offerings may request to be held in a Pending status for up to one year beyond their previously selected term. All students must have submitted their confirmation deposit and request in writing. Once a program term becomes available, students will have 30 days to confirm selection in writing and submit updated application information and required documents.

Program Cancellation

CEA reserves the right to cancel or suspend a program as deemed necessary. In such a case, accepted applicants are given the choice of the following:

• Switching to a future program session
• Switching to a different CEA program site
• A full refund of all fees paid less the application fee

Please note: Please note: If a student chooses to switch to a future session or a different CEA program site, he/she is considered enrolled in that particular program and is subject to any policies and/or new payment obligations that apply.

Change in Program Structure

CEA makes every effort to ensure that programs operate as described in the published material. However, circumstances occasionally dictate that changes are necessary or advisable that may include but are not limited to staffing, excursions, immersion activities, academic options and/or housing options. CEA cannot guarantee any course selections made by students. Course availability may be changed by the host institution at any time. No refund or reduction of fees will be made as long as the altered arrangements are similar to the original arrangements as deemed by CEA. Determinations of similarity will be made at CEA’s sole discretion.

Payment Methods

All payments must be submitted to the CEA Headquarters in U.S. currency. CEA will not accept payments of any foreign currency or payments drawn on a foreign financial institution.

Payments to CEA can be made via check, E-check, credit card, money order or wire transfer. Cash payments will not be accepted. Checks and money orders should be made payable to CEA and mailed to:

Cultural Experiences Abroad (CEA)
2005 W. 14th St., Ste. 113
Tempe, AZ 85281-6977

Credit Card Payments

CEA accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. Students may submit up to a total of $5,000 via credit card(s) without being assessed a Processing Fee. Once a student reaches $5,000 in combined credit card payments, a 3% Processing Fee will be assessed to any future credit card payments (example: if a student wishes to submit $10,000 via credit card payment, $5,000 will be subject to a $150 fee (3%). Processing fees will be charged to the credit card being used at the same time payment is made.

Online Payments

Students may submit credit card and E-check payments online via their MyCEA Account.

Financial Aid

All students who will be using Financial Aid to finance their CEA program must submit the “Financial Aid Disbursement Form” to their campus Financial Aid Office for completion and return it to CEA prior to their Final Payment Due Date. If the financial aid will be processed by a private lending institution then the Financial Aid Disbursement Form must be submitted to the private lender who will be processing the aid. This form indicates the amount of aid the student expects to receive, the approximate disbursement dates and to whom the check will be made payable. The Final Payment Due Date of the portion Financial Aid will cover will be deferred until the student’s verified disbursement date. It is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements for payment of financial aid funds to CEA within two weeks of the disbursement date indicated on the Financial Aid Disbursement Form. Students that do not submit the required Financial Aid forms to CEA prior to their final payment due date will be subject to a $300 late fee (see Outstanding Balances section).

Student Financial Aid Disbursement Form

All students who will be using Financial Aid to finance their CEA program must submit the “Financial Aid Disbursement Form” to their campus Financial Aid Office for completion and return it to CEA prior to their Final Payment Due Date. If the financial aid will be processed by a private lending institution then the Financial Aid Disbursement Form must be submitted to the private lender who will be processing the aid. This form indicates the amount of aid the student expects to receive, the approximate disbursement dates and to whom the check will be made payable. The Final Payment Due Date of the portion Financial Aid will cover will be deferred until the student's verified disbursement date. It is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements for payment of financial aid funds to CEA within two weeks of the disbursement date indicated on the Financial Aid Disbursement Form.

Financial Aid Agreement Form

All students who will be using Financial Aid to finance their CEA program must also submit the “Financial Aid Agreement Form” to CEA prior to their Final Payment Due Date. In signing this form the student acknowledges responsibility for payment of the total program cost. In the event that financial aid funds are not received or disbursed, students assume full responsibility for payment of all program costs to CEA. The student must indicate on this form what arrangements have been made to facilitate payment of Financial Aid funds to CEA. If payment of financial aid funds is not received by CEA within 14 days of the disbursement date indicated on the Financial Aid Disbursement Form a $300 Late Fee will be assessed. If payment is not received within 30 days the student may be removed from the program, without refund of fees paid, and liable for any outstanding balance. In addition, transcripts will be held until the balance is paid in full. If any portion of the student's program cost is not covered by Financial Aid then that portion is due by the student's original Final Payment Due Date; it will not be deferred. The Financial Aid Disbursement Form and the Student Financial Aid Agreement must be submitted to CEA by the Final Payment Due Date with payment of any program cost not covered by Financial Aid funds. Any student failing to submit these forms along with payment will be subject to a $300 Late Fee. The confirmation deposit cannot be deferred. Students are required to pay the confirmation deposit by the assigned due date. Students should be aware that payment of program fees not covered by financial aid or not paid due to the financial aid being rescinded by the home institution is the responsibility of the individual student and must be paid-in-full by the assigned payment due dates. Participants who begin their program on a financial aid deferment plan and withdraw after their program's specified Withdrawal Date, but before their financial aid is disbursed, are responsible for payment of the full program cost to CEA as specified in the Payment Obligations section.

Outstanding Balances

Students who have not paid in full and/or submitted the required Financial Aid forms by the assigned due dates will be subject to a $300 Late Fee. Any student that has not submitted Payment and/or valid Financial Aid Forms by their Program Withdrawal Date may be withdrawn from their program for non-payment. The student may be held responsible for any program costs already incurred by CEA on their behalf. Students who have made payment arrangements with CEA, including financial aid deferment arrangements, and fail to pay per the terms of the agreement will also be subject to a $300 Late Fee and withdrawal from their program, even if the student is already abroad. Students who are withdrawn for non-payment will be removed from all university classes and housing abroad. The withdrawn student will also forfeit all refundable deposits. In addition, any transcripts will be withheld from the student until any outstanding balance is paid in full.

CEA reserves the right to transfer any outstanding balance to a collections agency authorized for collection by CEA, which will affect the credit rating of the student and will cause additional collections fees to be assessed.