Policies

Please note that SAI cancellation policies may differ for students attending SAI programs from a home school that has a billing arrangement with SAI (in which student’s partial or full SAI payment is made to their home school instead of SAI).

Undergrad, Gap, High School & Career Programs

Check-in day is considered the start of the term. The application fee and enrollment deposit are not refundable at any time. Further program cost liability is based on the date on which SAI receives a cancellation request using the online SAI Cancellation & Deferment Request Form. If a cancellation request is received 76 or more days before check-in day, a full refund is provided (minus the non-refundable enrollment deposit and application fee). If a cancellation request is received 75 days or less before check-in day, students are liable for the following penalties:

• 75 – 45 days before the start of term: 30% of the program cost
• 44 – 8 days before the start of term: 50% of the program cost
• 7 days or less before the start of term: 100% of the program cost

Program cost includes all costs associated with enrollment (including program add-ons and any optional or additional fees).

Failure to meet any travel requirement, including obtaining a passport or visa, is not considered grounds for a refund of SAI program fees, either paid or owed.

Enrollment Deferment
Students who have confirmed their enrollment with payment of program deposits may defer their enrollment to a future term that starts within one calendar year of the original term by submitting the online SAI Cancellation & Deferment Request Form. The form must be submitted 76 days or more prior to the original program start date. Students who subsequently cancel their enrollment for the term to which they deferred are liable for the enrollment cancellation penalty of higher value (either the original or current term).

Housing-Only Cancellation
If a student chooses to cancel their Housing Request to seek independent housing, the following cancellation policy applies, based on the date that SAI receives the Independent Housing Request Form. Please note that by withdrawing from housing, students relinquish any access to SAI housing throughout the program.

• 76 days or more before the start of term: student receives an 85% reduction in housing services cost.
• 75 days or less before the start of term: student is liable for 100% of the housing services cost.

Program Cancellation
SAI does not determine course offerings abroad nor is SAI responsible for course or program cancellations made by host schools. The host schools reserve the right to cancel courses/programs up to four weeks prior to the start of the term should the minimum number of required students for a course or program not be met. If a course/program is canceled prior to program start, students will be offered an alternate course/program. In certain circumstances SAI may be able to offer a deferment on enrollment, allowing students to register for a future term. However neither SAI nor the host schools are responsible for any fees incurred due to program cancellation (including airfare charges). For this reason, SAI strongly recommends that students always select an alternate course/program and/or purchase travel and tuition insurance.

Should a program be canceled because of Acts of God, war, terrorism, strikes or other labor actions, acts of government authorities, acts by persons who are not employees of SAI Programs, pandemics, epidemics or other health threats after the program start date, no refund amount can be guaranteed, although SAI Programs will make reasonable efforts to seek refunds from third parties for costs not yet incurred.

Master’s & Postgrad Programs

Orientation day is considered the start of the term. The application fee and enrollment deposit are not refundable at any time. Further program cost liability is based on the date on which SAI receives a cancellation request using the online SAI Cancellation & Deferment Request Form. If a cancellation request is received 46 or more days before the start of the term, a full refund is provided (minus the non-refundable application fee and confirmation deposit). If a cancellation request is received 45 days or less before the start of the term, students are liable for the following penalties:

• 45 – 30 days before the start of term: 10% of the program cost
• 29 – 8 days before the start of term: 50% of the program cost
• 7 days or less before the start of term: 100% of the program cost

If either the Consulate refuses a student visa (written proof required), the host school cancels a course, or if a student has applied for a loan and been denied (written proof required) $1,000 of the enrollment deposit will be refunded. The remaining enrollment deposit is not refundable.

SAI does not determine course offerings abroad nor is SAI responsible for course or program cancellations made by host schools. The host schools reserve the right to cancel courses/programs should the minimum number of required students for a course or program not be met, up to:

• Elisava: two weeks prior to the start of the term
• All others: four weeks prior to the start of the term

In certain circumstances SAI may be able to offer a deferment on enrollment, allowing students to register for a future term. However neither SAI nor the host schools are responsible for any fees incurred due to program cancellation (including airfare charges). For this reason, SAI strongly recommends that students purchase travel and tuition insurance.

Should a program be canceled because of Acts of God, war, terrorism, strikes or other labor actions, acts of government authorities, acts by persons who are not employees of SAI Programs, pandemics, epidemics or other health threats after the program start date, no refund amount can be guaranteed, although SAI Programs will make reasonable efforts to seek refunds from third parties for costs not yet incurred.

Refunds for Enrollment Cancellation: Refunds are issued within 4 weeks of enrollment cancellation, in the same form the payment was made (check, credit card, or e-check). Refund checks are issued to the student (unless requested otherwise), while credit card and e-check refunds are issued to the card used for the payment.

Refunds for Security Deposits: Security deposits, less any charges, are refunded within 90 days of program completion. Students are invoiced for any charges that exceed the amount of the security deposit. Security deposit refunds are issued via a mailed check made out to the student. In the event that a refund check must be re-issued, a $30 re-issue fee is deducted from the replacement check.

Returned Payments: Returned payments will be charged a $25 fee for processing.

SAI believes that study abroad is an opportunity to engage with new cultures, challenge assumptions, develop intercultural understanding, and contribute meaningfully to local and global communities. SAI maintains that every member of this community deserves to feel respected, supported, safe and empowered. We share responsibility for creating an environment where learning, exploration and personal growth can flourish.

The principles that guide our SAI community and Code of Conduct are:

Empathy, Empowerment, Advocacy, Accountability and Community Care

All SAI program participants are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with SAI’s principles, and abide by SAI and host school rules, as well as host country and local laws.

Examples of Behaviors Consistent with the SAI Code of Conduct:

• Respect cultural differences, identities, beliefs, and lived experiences.
• Recognize the impact of your words and actions on others.
• Report safety concerns or situations that may place individuals at risk.
• Take ownership of academic and personal goals.
• Engage actively in academic, cultural and community opportunities.
• Acknowledge your actions and their impact.
• Make decisions that support well-being and safety.
• Follow local laws and regulations.
• Seek help when challenges arise.
• Respect host institution and housing expectations.

Examples of Behaviors Inconsistent with the SAI Code of Conduct

Certain behaviors are fundamentally inconsistent with the principles of the SAI community and may result in intervention or disciplinary action, including:

• Harassment, discrimination, or bullying such as physical, verbal, relational, cyber, sexual and prejudicial.
• Sexual misconduct.
• Threatening, violent, abusive or retaliatory behavior.
• Reckless conduct that endangers oneself or others.
• Drug use or distribution.
• Property damage, theft, vandalism and/or misuse.
• Violations of local law.
• Failure to comply with essential health and safety requirements.
• Alcohol-related misconduct.

Failure to comply with the SAI Code of Conduct may lead to: probation, mandatory interventions such as a care plan, behavioral agreements, fines, removal from SAI Viva Experience activities and/or housing, notification to a student’s home school, or immediate removal from the Program.

The consequences imposed will depend on the circumstances, severity of the concern, impact on others and the student’s willingness to engage constructively in the process. SAI reserves the right to take immediate action when student conduct presents a risk to health, safety, welfare or the educational environment. The SAI Conduct Board and/or Program Lead has the authority to determine appropriate consequences, including probation, removal from housing and/or activities or removal from the Program.

Students in breach of the Code of Conduct remain responsible for all Program fees, travel costs, housing expenses and other financial obligations associated with their participation or removal.