Student Policies

Eligibility

In order to be eligible to study abroad on any type of program, all RIT students must:

• Be matriculated at RIT. A student cannot audit a study abroad course;
• Be cleared by RIT’s Conduct and Conflict Resolution office;
• Not have a financial hold on their eServices account;
• Be in good academic standing and have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA at the time of application (students with lower GPAs may appeal and will be considered on a case-by-case basis);
• Meet any program specific eligibility requirements such as pre-requisites, class level, etc.
• Attend a mandatory Pre-Departure program

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, all faculty, staff, students and others participating in RIT study abroad/international travel must be fully vaccinated against COVID or have a valid RIT exemption. If you have a valid RIT exemption to the vaccination requirement please be advised that your ability to participate in RIT study abroad/international travel will be subject to any requirements imposed by a host country. RIT may be able to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with a valid RIT exemption, provided that they do not alter the nature of the educational experience for others participating in RIT study abroad/international travel, but it cannot change host country COVID requirements.

Please visit the RIT COVID-19 Vaccination Information website for more information.

Cancellation/Withdraw/Refund Policies

RIT Affiliate Programs

Students are subject to the withdraw/cancellation/refund policies of their affiliate provider. RIT has the right to deny student participation at any time and this may result in the student incurring financial penalties with the affiliate. Reasons may include but are not limited to: 

• Failing to attend/participate in all required meetings, classes and events such as Pre-Departure.
• Failing to remain in good academic standing or going on academic probation.
• Failing to resolve any RIT holds (such as Student Financial Services hold, etc.) which prevent RIT Global from billing or registering.
• Incurring a severe conduct violation which results in RIT administrators disqualifying student for participation.

Students who cancel or withdraw from an affiliate program prior to the first day of classes will receive a full refund of the RIT Administrative Program Fee. Students who withdraw on or after the first day of classes will not receive a refund for the RIT Administrative Program Fee.

RIT will not reimburse students for out-of-pocket expenses spent on any program such as flights, etc.

Failure to successfully complete the entire program could result in student failing course(s) or receiving a W for withdraw. Students are also responsible for understanding how their financial aid may be affected by these decisions.

RIT reserves the right to modify this policy at any time.

RIT Organized Study Abroad Programs (Global Campus, Faculty-Led, Exchange)

Once a student confirms their participation in an RIT organized program, they are billed a non-refundable deposit which is a portion of the total program fee. The following additional refund policies apply:

• Global Campus Programs
  • If a student withdraws 30 days or more from the first day of classes, the student shall be entitled to a refund of any program fees paid, except for the non-refundable deposit.
  • If a student withdraws fewer than 30 days before the first day of classes, in addition to the non-refundable deposit, the student is responsible for paying the remainder of the program fee but will not be responsible for paying RIT tuition for the program.
  • No refunds for the program fee, deposit or tuition will be granted on or after the first day of classes.
• Faculty-Led Programs
  • ​​​​​​​Travel enhancement faculty-led programs (travel usually takes place in term different than course for example Spring/Summer or Fall/Winter Break, includes Spring/Spring Break programs):
    • If a student withdraws 60 days or more before the published arrival date the student shall be entitled to a refund of any program fees paid, except for the non-refundable deposit. If the student withdraws fewer than 60 days before the published arrival date, in addition to the non-refundable deposit, the student is responsible for paying the remainder of the program fee. For these programs, tuition is part of semester load so, no tuition refund will be granted because no tuition was charged. No refunds will be granted on or after the published arrival date.
  • Summer faculty-led (Course and travel take place in summer term): If a student withdraws 30 days or more before the published arrival date the student shall be entitled to a refund of any program fees paid, except for the non-refundable deposit. If a student decides to withdraw from the program fewer than 30 days before the published arrival date, in addition to the non-refundable deposit, the student will also be responsible for paying the remainder of the program fee but will not be responsible for paying RIT tuition for the program. No refunds for program fee, deposit or tuition will be granted on or after the published arrival date.

All arrival dates will be published in the Compass.

• RIT Exchange Programs
  • Students are subject to the withdraw/cancellation/refund policies of the exchange provider for any fees paid directly to the provider. Students may withdraw from the program up until the first day of classes and receive a refund for RIT tuition for the program. Upon and after the first day of classes, there is no refund for tuition.
  • RIT does not reimburse students for any out-of-pocket expenses spent on any program such as flights, etc.

If a student fails to comply with the requirements of the program within the timelines stated above and therefore cannot participate in the overseas trip, they are responsible for paying the total program fee. These requirements could include but are not limited to:

• Failing to secure a passport or renew a passport if necessary.
• Failing to secure a visa if necessary.
• Failing to attend/participate in all required meetings, classes and events such as Pre-Departure.
• Failing to adhere to curricular requirements as outlined by the faculty director in the syllabus or otherwise.
• Failing to remain in good academic standing or going on academic probation.
• Failing to resolve any RIT holds (such as Student Financial Services hold, etc.) which prevent RIT Global from billing or registering.
• Incurring a severe conduct violation which results in RIT administrators disqualifying student for participation.

Failure to successfully complete the entire program (including any Rochester/online course work and the international travel portion) could result in student failing course(s) or receiving a W for withdraw. RIT has the right to deny student participation at any time. Students are also responsible for understanding how their financial aid may be affected by these decisions.

If RIT cancels an RIT organized program before the published arrival date, students will receive a full refund of tuition, program fee and deposit. RIT reserves the right to modify a program (including changes to location or course modality, etc.) before departure or during a program to accommodate emergencies. If RIT is forced to cancel a program after the published arrival date, RIT will make every effort to refund any recoverable expenses. RIT does not reimburse students for out-of-pocket funds spent on the program such as flights, etc. and which may have been impacted by RIT’s program modification.

If a student has to withdraw at any time due to an emergency or extenuating circumstance (such as a death in immediate family, severe illness leading to hospitalization, etc.) RIT Education Abroad will evaluate refund requests on a case-by-case basis. If a refund is recommended, it may not be granted until after the program ends.

RIT reserves the right to modify this policy at any time.