Afford

Things to Know about Financing Your Experience Abroad

With the exception of UWL and ISEP Exchange programs, where students pay UWL Resident Tuition, students pay host institution's tuition or a provider program fee for the term they are abroad. Students will be billed through their WINGS account, following the Cashier's deadlines for the correspondent term. However, there might be other fees that will need to be paid directly to host institutions or providers.
Several scholarships are available.
Most financial aid can be used for credit-bearing education abroad options endorsed by UWL, and every student is eligible for some type of financial aid- it depends on which type you are willing to accept.
Don’t rule out need based aid - Many students who think they don't qualify for need based aid actually do! Even if you have not received financial aid in the past, you should consider applying for financial aid (FAFSA) for the year in which you plan to go abroad.

Learn more about how to finance your experience abroad by checking out these helpful resources

"Will I be able to use my financial aid?"
The answer is most likely YES! Federal, state, and most institutional financial aid may be applied directly to the cost of your program as long as you are a degree-seeking student at UWL and the courses your are taking abroad will applied towards the credits required for graduation.

For general information about Financial Aid and your education abroad program, contact Shawn Stephany from the Financial Aid Office. You can contact Shawn at sstephany@uwlax.edu or 608.785.8832.

Non-UWL Students

Only students who are degree candidates at UWL can receive financial aid from the UWL Financial Aid Office. If you are a participant from another institution, you must ask your home campus' financial aid office to transfer your aid to La Crosse for the term(s) of your program. A formal, signed document between the two financial aid offices, called a "consortium agreement," must be completed. Procedures vary, so meet with your financial aid advisor at your home institution for more information on the steps to take.

There are many scholarships available for students. Some are available through the UWL Foundation Office; others through national and private providers. Students are encouraged to research scholarships and apply early while adhering to the application deadlines as well as scholarship deadlines. Students receiving private scholarships should check with their scholarship providers if their private scholarships can be applied towards their study abroad program.

I-Engage Scholarship

Every semester International Education & Engagement allocates money to students who are greatly involved in educating others about their home country/culture or who wish to study abroad/away. The money for these scholarships comes from the Student Association and the UW System Fund. One of purposes of this scholarship is to help students develop intercultural understanding and communication through participating in education abroad/away programs, and campus and community events.
Scholarship Awards: Varies

View more information about the I-Engage Scholarship HERE!

You will NOT be able to apply for the I-Engage scholarship until after you have committed to a study abroad program. Your education abroad advisor will send you the scholarship application after you attend your mandatory pre-departure orientation, which occurs in late April/early May (summer & fall programs) or late November/early December (winter & spring programs).

UWL Foundation Scholarships

The UWL Foundation administers a large number of scholarships established over the years by alumni and special friends of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Eligibility varies but all scholarships are applicable only to UWL students participating on UWL sponsored education abroad programs. Most applications for these scholarships are due by February 1st for programs taking place during the following academic year.

Gary Isakson Study Abroad Scholarship - Available to students in the school of CASSH.

Lloyd Meiners Fund in International Education - Support students engaged in international educational exchange with significant academic achievement.

Max Winter Memorial Scholarship In International Education - Established by Ken and Lynn Winter in memorial of their son, Max who was attending UW-L and was a participant in the Wisconsin-in-Scotland program. The scholarship is awarded to an outstanding student participating in the Wisconsin-in-Scotland program.

Harry W. Gardiner Endowment Fund in International Education - Harry Gardiner, emeriti faculty from 1974-1999 in the psychology department, established this scholarship to recognize academic achievement by psychology majors participating in education abroad programs through the International Education Program.

Thomas & Barbara MacGillvray Scholarship - Available to students studying abroad that graduated from a Midwestern high school.

Sara Sullivan LGBT Scholarship - Established by the Pride Center and Rainbow Unity for students interested in education abroad who identify within the LGBT community.

The Lowe Family International Studies Scholarship in honor of Dr. Stephen Brokaw- for junior or senior marketing students admitted to the College of Business Administration.

For more information about other scholarships available through the UWL Foundation Office, please visit the UWL Foundation Website.

SAIIE Scholarships

The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse International Education & Engagement has provided experiences at the Spanish-American Institute of International Education (SAIIE) for many years. Specific scholarships are available for participants, with one SAIIE sponsored scholarship allowed per participant.

SAIIE Scholarships - APPLY HERE

Academic excellence scholarships are now available to all students participating in our SAIIE Program in Spain Students must have a minimum 2.5 GPA to be considered.

It is the goal of the SAIIE Academic Scholarship to make studying abroad and participating on the SAIIE study abroad program more financially attainable for students from all universities and colleges.

Deadlines:

Fall term: April 15
Spring term: October 15
Winter term: November 1
Summer: April 1

Max Award: $1,500

Gilman Scholarship

The Gilman Scholarship Program is an undergraduate grant program for U.S. citizens attending two-year or four-year college or universities to enable those who are Federal Pell Grant eligible to study or intern abroad. This allows the student to gain a global perspective to better prepare them to assume significant roles in the increasingly global economy.

View more information about the Gilman Scholarship.

Gilman-McCain Scholarship

The U.S. Department of State’s Gilman-McCain Scholarship provides awards for undergraduate child dependents of active duty service members to study or intern abroad on credit-bearing programs.

Boren Scholarship

Boren Scholarships, an initiative of the National Security Education Program, provide unique funding opportunities for U.S. undergraduate students to study less commonly taught languages in world regions critical to U.S. interests, and underrepresented in study abroad, including Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East. The countries of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are excluded.

Boren Scholars represent a vital pool of highly motivated individuals who wish to work in the federal national security arena. In exchange for funding, Boren Scholars commit to working in the federal government for at least one year after graduation.

View more information about the Boren Scholarship.

API Program Scholarship

API is a third-party provider that works with UWL. They have many programs all over the world, and they also offer great scholarships to UWL students. API will administer scholarship awards early in the application cycle, aiming at providing students with an award as early as within five days of acceptance to an API program. Semester students can be awarded up to $2000, and all Summer and Internship participants can be awarded up to $500.

Study Abroad Scholarship Search Engines and Databases

Study.com has developed a comprehensive scholarship guide to help you find and choose scholarships that fit your needs.

Links to a number of scholarship and grants for education abroad are available on the FinAid website. Below are a variety of websites to assist in funding your education abroad program.

Country or Program Specific Scholarships

Abroad 101 Scholarships
Abroad101's scholarships combine the two things they love: global citizenship and social media savvy. Scholarships are earned by students who compose a thoughtful and well-written essay, acquire a significant amount of Facebook "Likes" from people who vote for their entry, and have the academic credentials to gain admission to the program.

American-Scandinavian Foundation (ASF)
ASF offers fellowships (up to $23,000) and grants (up to $5,000) to individuals to pursue research or study in one or more Scandinavian country for up to one year. Over $300,000 was available for the 2013-14 competition. Awards are made in all fields.

Boren Awards are available for students interested in long-term linguistic and cultural study in less commonly taught languages. Available for undergraduate and graduate students.

Bridging Scholarships
Sponsored by the Association of Teachers of Japanese, Bridging Scholarships assists with travel and living expenses for education abroad in Japan.

British Council USA
Funding and scholarship opportunities for students studying in the United Kingdom.

BUTEX North American Scholarships
Open to all undergraduate students currently registered at an institution in the USA or Canada.

To be eligible to apply, you must have been offered an education abroad or exchange place at a BUTEX affiliated UK university. Your education abroad or exchange placement must be for a minimum of one semester. If you are not sure whether your host institution is BUTEX affiliated, check link to our list of members. The scholarship will be paid to the winners once they have arrived and registered at their host university.

CEA Scholarships
The CEA Scholarship program has been specially designed to meet the needs and qualifications for a wide range of students. CEA values the different backgrounds and experiences that a diverse student body brings to the education abroad experience, and we have a wide variety of scholarship options to provide funding to as many students as possible. UWL students who have applied and been accepted to a CEA program are eligible to apply to any of the scholarships offered by CEA.

CIEE Scholarship
Students who have applied and been accepted to a CIEE program are eligible to apply for the following awards. The application is one simple click that automatically places you in consideration for every CIEE funding opportunity for which you are eligible. Apply today!

Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals (CBYX)
A yearlong fellowship to study and intern in Germany. CBYX is open to applicants in all career fields, though preference is given to students in vocational, technical, engineering, business, agricultural, and scientific fields. Students traditionally underrepresented in education abroad opportunities are especially encouraged to apply.

Students will study for a semester at a German university or university of applied sciences, intern for 5 months with a German company in the participant's career field, and stay with a German host family. Airfare, health insurance and a monthly living expense stipend is included as well as local in-country support throughout the program. Prior German language knowledge is not required, though it is preferred.

DAAD
The German Academic Exchange Service offers undergraduate scholarships to highly qualified undergraduate students for semester, year or short-term study, university language or summer courses, senior thesis research and/or internships in the Federal Republic of Germany.

Fulbright Scholarships
The Fulbright Program provides grants for Graduate Students, Scholars and Professionals, Teachers and Administrators from the U.S. and other countries.

GoOverseas
Full semester tuition, round trip flight and an accommodation stipend for a total of $15,000 available to a student studying abroad in New Zealand.

Institute of International Education (IIE)
Administers programs for international students, scholars, and study abroad students, including the Fulbright program, NSEP, and Freeman-ASIA Program.

Benjamin A Gilman International Scholarship for students who might otherwise not participate in study or intern abroad due to financial constraints. Awards up to $5,000 for U.S. students who are also receiving federal Pell Grant funding.
Chinese Ministry of Education is offering $10,000 scholarships through the China Scholarship Council, for American students to study at top universities in China.
Freeman-Asia Program aims to increase the number of American undergraduates who study in East and Southeast Asia by providing students with information and financial assistance.

ISEP Scholarships
Students participating in the ISEP program are eligible to apply for several scholarships with ISEP.

LIVFund (Learn, Intern & Volunteer in Latin America)
The LIVFund Scholarship has been designed for anyone who wants to learn, intern or volunteer abroad in Latin America and is seeking financial assistance to offset program or living abroad expenses. For more information, please visit the LIVFund website or e-mail info@livfund.org.

Marshall Scholarship
Awards up to forty scholarships each year to study within any field at the graduate or occasionally undergraduate level at a UK institution. Marshall Scholarships finance young Americans of high ability to study for a degree in the United Kingdom. They are funded by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and administered by the Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission (MACC) in the UK, for which the ACU provides the Secretariat.

National Science Foundation
Promotes and advances scientific progress in the United States by competitively awarding grants and cooperative agreements for research and education in the sciences, mathematics, and engineering.

Rotary Foundation Grants
The Rotary Foundation offers grants that support a wide variety of projects, scholarships, and training that Rotarians are doing around the world. See if you qualify for their global and travel grants!

Truman Scholarship Foundation
The mission of the Truman Scholarship foundation is to find and recognize college juniors with exceptional leadership potential, who are committed to careers in government, the nonprofit or advocacy sectors, education or elsewhere in the public service; and to provide them with financial support for graduate study, leadership training, and fellowship with other students who are committed to making a difference through public service.

Turkish Coalition of America (TCA)
TCA offers the TCAdvance Scholarship program for Turkish American students. A wide range of scholarships are also available for American minority students wishing to study in Turkey and support TCA's mission to build bridges between the U.S. and Turkey.

UAS7
A consortium of seven leading German Universities of Applied Sciences that promotes an innovative scholarship program SIP (Study & Internship in Germany). In cooperation with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), they grant prestigious SIP Scholarships for one academic year starting in the fall each year. The program consists of a full academic semester at one of the UAS7 universities in Germany and a 6-month internship with a German company or research institute.

Other Scholarships & Financial Opportunities

Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship for New International Students

Students can apply for this scholarship after they receive an offer of admission, as long as they have a GPA of 3.0 on a 4-point scale. (in Vietnam, this would be a 7 on a 10-point scale). The scholarship amount is up to USD $5,000, and it’s renewable each year as long as the student maintains a UW-La Crosse GPA of 3.0.
- UWL Admissions will notify eligible accepted students of the application process in their acceptance email.

UW-La Crosse Foundation Scholarships (available annually)

Scholarships are awarded based on a variety of criteria. We recommend searching by keywords such as “international”, the student’s academic program, and other characteristics that describe them https://uwlax.academicworks.com/. Scholarship applications are typically due by February 1 to be awarded for the following year. Admitted students apply for these scholarships now, and they will be awarded in Fall 2024.

On-Campus Employment

International students can work up to 20 hours per week, but many work fewer hours depending on their class schedule and availability. Most positions pay between USD $9-12
Two example opportunities include:
- A position as a Resident Assistant in one of our residence halls. Compensation is paid in the form of free housing, and meals.
- A great job opportunity is to work in dining services. They pay an estimated USD $12 per hour, including a free meal with each shift, and give students an additional USD $100 on their meal plan.

UW-La Crosse Scholarship Resource Center

For additional scholarship resources for international student

Funding for U.S. Study by the Institute of International Education

Hagan Scholarship Foundation - UWL is an eligible institution.

Administrative Fees & Program Costs

Administrative Fees - All Programs

Administrative Fees

UWL charges administrative fees on all study abroad/away programs. These fees are billed to students' WINGS accounts in addition to their program expenses and need to be paid during the billing period in which the student studies abroad/away.

Fees vary based on program type and length and cover all services related to the administration of international education at UWL.

Any withdrawal after students commit, for any reason, will result in them paying all non-recoverable and non-refundable costs, including the UWL administrative fees.

Please see the tables below to determine the additional administrative fees for each program.

*Direct Enroll & Provider Programs (including API, CEA, ISA CIEE, SAIIE, UW-Platteville, University of Minnesota, ISEP)¹**
Term	Academic Year	Fall/Spring Semester	Summer	Winter
Application Fee	50	50	50	50
Administrative Fee²	1000	1000	500	500
Emergency Fee	100	100	100	100
TOTAL	1150	1150	650	650
*Note: International Health Insurance Required through CISI (UWL will enroll student)	varies	varies	varies	varies

*Exchange Programs (including ISEP, HESSEN, & National Student Exchange)¹**
Term	Academic Year	Fall/Spring Semester	Summer	Winter
Application Fee	50	50	50	50
Administrative Fee²	1500	1500	750	750
Emergency Fee	100	100	100	100
TOTAL	1650	1650	900	900
*Note: International Health Insurance Required through CISI (UWL will enroll student)	varies	varies	varies	varies

Virtual Programs¹
Term	Full-time	Part-time	Other Virtual Programs
Application Fee	50	50	50
Administrative Fee²	500	250	100
TOTAL	550	300	150

Faculty-Led Programs¹
Term	ALL
Application Fee	50
Administrative Fee²	500
Emergency Fee	100
TOTAL	450 - 650
*Note: International Health Insurance through CISI Required (UWL will enroll student)	varies

Field Studies & Department Sponsored Programs¹
Term	ALL
Application Fee	50
Administrative Fee²	100
Emergency Fee	100
TOTAL	250
*Note International Health Insurance through CISI Required (UWL will enroll student)	varies

Educators Abroad¹
Term	ALL
Application Fee	50
Administrative Fee	250
Emergency Fee	100
TOTAL	400
*Note International Health Insurance through CISI Required (UWL will enroll student)	varies

Undergraduate Research, Internships & others (through UWL Faculty)¹
Term	ALL
Application Fee	50
Emergency Fee	100
TOTAL	150
*Note International Health Insurance through CISI Required (UWL will enroll student)	varies

Non-Credit Bearing Programs (Service-Learning, Volunteering) Fees¹
Term	ALL
Application Fee	50
Emergency Fee	100
TOTAL	150
*Note International Health Insurance through CISI Required (UWL will enroll)	varies

¹The above fees are estimates and are subject to change. This summary does not include other standard and miscellaneous expenses not associated with Education Abroad, including but not limited to the $25 UWL Registration Fee, and the $2/credit D2L Fee. Payment and billing will follow the standard procedures established by the Cashier's Office and can be found here.

²Students who receive credit for education abroad at UWL are required to pay an administrative fee. This fee is in addition to program, tuition and other charges, and covers all services related to the administration of education abroad at UWL. The administrative fees are used to fund the work of International Education & Engagement at UWL, which includes, but is not limited to:

Advising students on an individual basis, as often as the students would like.
Evaluating potential programs for affiliation and monitoring currently affiliated programs.
Monitoring worldwide events and providing assistance during emergencies.
Developing and implementing a variety of educational programs, including information sessions, pre-departure orientation and other events, and special events for students who have returned from education abroad.
Working with UWL faculty and staff to develop faculty-led education abroad programs.
Producing informational materials on education abroad for students, faculty, and administrators.
Talking with parents/guardians about the education abroad process and related issues.
Registering students for their education abroad courses while they are abroad so that they remain enrolled and maintain their student status at UWL.
Working closely with faculty and administrators to clarify and streamline education abroad materials and policies.
Maintaining contact as needed with students abroad.
Facilitating the transfer of credit once students return to campus.

*You might be responsible for additional fees if you withdraw from your program after you have confirmed your participation. Please find more information on our withdrawal policy here.

Costs & Billing

Education Abroad/Away Costs

Education Abroad/Away programs vary in cost depending on the features of the program, geographic location, program length, special excursions, cultural activities, and other on-site services. You can access estimated budget sheets and notes on what is included in the bill by searching for your program and opening the appropriate budget sheet on the program information page. When reviewing your program budget, please note billable versus non-billable items.

Billing

You may be billed by UWL International Education & Engagement, the program partner, or a combination. For all expenses billed by UWL, the charges will appear on your WINGS account. Payments are made using the same procedures, deadlines, and policies as any other UWL Cashier Office billing in WINGS, including late fees.

If you are billed directly by the program partner for all or part of your program costs, please pay special attention to deadlines, payment options, and possible payment deferment until financial aid is disbursed.

For all programs, you should budget for additional out-of-pocket expenses that are not included in the official program cost.

Faculty-Led Program Costs

FACULTY LED PROGRAM COST EXPLANATION

Faculty-led programs follow a different financial model than courses taught on campus. Depending on the program, each student pays their program fee (housing, transportation, excursions, etc.) and the faculty leader’s salary and related travel expenses (divided equally among all committed program participants). To be financially accessible to students, the traditional tuition model does not apply to faculty-led programs, as students pay for faculty salaries and expenses instead.

When IEE publishes estimated program costs and/or final bills, personal expenses are not itemized. Students receive a bill for the total program cost as one lump sum, except for the IEE application and administrative fees. The sections below summarize the main components of creating and maintaining a program budget.

Faculty-led program costs are estimates which may change before the start of the program. Once admitted and confirmed for participation, students may not cancel their participation in the program due to a final program cost.   

Costs Explained

On-site Program Fees	The largest expense in a program budget is usually the fee any on-site organization charges for its services abroad. The on-site program fee may come from a third-party provider, partner institution, faculty contact, or a combination of all three. The on-site organization usually charges a per-student cost to cover any included housing, transportation, meals, excursions, classroom rental, local resources, etc., for students and/or the faculty leader(s).
Faculty Salary & Fringe Benefits	Each student pays an equal portion of their faculty salary, including fringe benefits.
Faculty Per Diem (meals & incidentals)	Faculty leaders receive a daily maximum allowance if it is not otherwise provided to them in the on-site program fee.
Faculty Housing	Faculty leaders receive a daily maximum allowance for lodging if it is not otherwise provided to them in the on-site program fee.
Additional Faculty Expenses	Faculty may have additional expenses such as international airfare, car rentals, cell phones, emergency and medical insurance, and/or visa fees.
IEE Administrative Fees	All students who participate in a UWL faculty-led program are required to pay an administrative fee. The administrative fee is set by the UWL Budget Office and is non-negotiable.
Emergency Fees	UW System requires all campuses to charge an additional fee as part of any study abroad program to better assist and support students abroad in an emergency situation. All students who study abroad on UWL faculty-led programs are required to pay an emergency fee.
International Emergency & Medical Insurance	UW System mandates that all students who study abroad on UWL faculty-led programs are enrolled in international emergency and medical insurance. Insurance costs fluctuate based on the duration of the program.
Contingency Fee	The contingency fee helps to safeguard the program budget from external factors like fluctuations in currency conversions or transportation costs from the time of budget approval to actual travel date.

With your program commitment, you are signing a contract with UWL to study abroad and pay for the full cost of the program.

It is important to understand that withdrawing from a study abroad program may have financial consequences and that you will be held to the terms and conditions of all the contracts and documents that you signed during your application and commitment process. Each education abroad program has a commitment date clearly stated on the program application. After the commitment date, the level of potential reimbursement for some of the costs of the program depends on the timing of the withdrawal.

PLEASE NOTE: With your program commitment, you are signing a contract with UWL to study abroad/away and to pay for the full cost of the program. 

Unpaid Education Abroad fees, including withdrawal fees, may result in a registration hold. Students who have been placed on hold will not be able to register for courses nor access University services and facilities until their financial obligations or compliance with rules and regulations.

Withdrawals are final and cannot be reversed – once a student has withdrawn in writing, they cannot decide to rejoin the program. Participants who cancel or withdraw from a UW-La Crosse Education Abroad/Away program for any reason will not be reimbursed for the nonrefundable application and administrative fee. In addition, as outlined below, cancellation and withdrawal will likely result in additional non-refundable expenses based on the timing of the cancellation.

UWL International Education & Engagement is committed to respecting your privacy and protecting the information we receive from you. Per the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), passed by the US Congress in 1974, IEE is not allowed to disclose any personal or protected information to parents without consent from their child. For more information, please visit UW-La Crosse’s FERPA policy link.

Ed Abroad/Away Program Withdrawal

EDUCATION ABROAD/AWAY PROGRAMS
(Programs provided by UWL but not led by UWL faculty)

PRIOR TO COMMITMENT DEADLINE:

You may withdraw from a program at any point and for any reason prior to commitment with no financial penalty except a non-refundable application fee if an application has been submitted. The application fee can be moved to another program in a future semester.
- WITHDRAWAL PROCESS: You may withdraw your application within Via, the online IEE application system, at any time prior to commitment.

AFTER COMMITMENT:

You may withdraw from the program, but at this point, you will be responsible for the UWL Administrative Fee and UWL Education Abroad Application Fee.
For exchange, direct enrollment, provider programs, internships, undergraduate research, independent study, and affiliated programs, you will be held to the host institution's or provider organization's refund policy. For more information, please get in touch with the relevant International Program Manager.
- WITHDRAWAL PROCESS: If committed to an education abroad program and wish to withdraw:
  - You must provide a formal notification in writing to the UWL International Education & Engagement by submitting an email to the address international@uwlax.edu addressed to the IEE Director with the subject line: Ed Abroad Program Withdrawal.
  - Include program details (location, dates, and program name)
  - If receiving financial aid, you must consult the financial aid office for information about how withdrawing from this program might affect federal, state, or institutional financial aid.

LEAVE PROGRAM OR DISMISSAL

Students who leave at the start or during the Education Abroad program or are dismissed from the program for behavioral, academic, legal, or other related issues by the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse will not receive a refund and are responsible for paying all expenses to return to the US.

NO PASSPORT

Students who must withdraw from an education abroad program because they lack a passport and/or visa, are on State or Federal Probation, and are not allowed to leave the U.S. or for any other legal reasons are held to the same withdrawal policies, procedures, and penalties as for other reasons.

AIR TRANSPORTATION/FLIGHTS

Refunds for air transportation are subject to the rules and regulations of the appropriate airline or travel agency, over which UWL International Education& Engagement has no jurisdiction or control.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

It may take a significant amount of time to determine a final withdrawal program cost amount for a withdrawn participant, depending on a number of variables. IEE strives to provide final withdrawal program cost amounts as soon as possible after a participant's withdrawal, though a final amount may not be determined or posted to the withdrawn participant's UWL WINGS account until as late as 30 days after the conclusion of the program.
UWL will not provide refunds of any monies paid by students to outside institutions, organizations, or entities (e.g., tuition for direct enroll programs, host institution housing, third-party program providers, such as API, ISA, etc.). Students should contact the outside institution, organization, or entity with questions regarding refund policies. 
If the Program is canceled by the University due to insufficient student enrollment, then all program Fees paid to UWL will be refunded - all Program-related charges will be removed from the UWL student account and the administrative fee will be refunded. 
If a student is to withdraw from a UWL study away Program due to individual course cancellations and being unable to take other available courses in the Program, all Program Fees paid to UWL will be refunded. All Program-related charges will be removed from the UWL student account and the administrative fee will be refunded. 
Refunds of exchange program-only tuition are subject to the UWL Tuition and Fee Refund Policy. 
Students may appeal applied charges only after the charge has been posted to the student account and no later than the last day of the study away program the student has withdrawn from. The appeal should consist of a detailed letter explaining the basis of the appeal along with any pertinent supporting documentation. The appeal must be submitted in writing to UWL International Education & Engagement via email at international@uwlax.edu. The student will be notified in writing via UWL email of receipt of the appeal. All appeals will be reviewed. Appeal decisions will be made within 30 days of receipt. Additional documentation may be required to complete the appeal. 
- Use clear, descriptive language to explain your circumstances.
- Be as specific as possible.
- Include a timeline of events leading to your request.
- Provide verifiable facts that substantiate your claim.
- Explain what happened/what changed and why.
- Provide official supporting documentation (e.g., on letterhead) that pertains to the situation.
- The petition must be authored by you, not your parent or guardian.
Students who choose not to participate in a program activity, either mandatory or non-mandatory (e.g., field trip, excursion, cultural event, or identified housing), will not be refunded any portion of the program cost.
For international programs only: medical withdrawals within 30 days of the Program start date may be covered by the benefits provided under the UWL International Health & Travel Insurance. Students are responsible for the submission of appropriate paperwork to the insurance provider.

Faculty-Led Program Withdrawal

FACULTY-LED PROGRAMS
(Programs lead by UWL Faculty Member(s) over Summer, Spring, or J-term)

International Education and Engagement (IEE) is committed to students having cost-effective educational experiences abroad. To keep costs low for all students, IEE utilizes firm deadlines for withdrawal, given the impact of students changing their plans on other students in the program. There are financial consequences associated with withdrawals.

From the time of admission acceptance, IEE begins making program arrangements on behalf of participants, including student housing, excursions, local language instruction, and many other preparations. (The final budget is compiled with the committed number of students to the program. If you withdraw after the commitment, it is not fair for others to pay more because you choose to withdraw.)

Late withdrawals will be assessed according to the schedule below.

PRIOR TO COMMITMENT DEADLINE:

You may withdraw from a program at any point and for any reason prior to commitment with no financial penalty except a non-refundable application fee if an application has been submitted. Application fees can be moved to another program in a future semester by reaching out to your UWL IEE International Program Manager.
- WITHDRAWAL PROCESS: You may withdraw your application within the UWL Via System at any time prior to commitment.

AFTER COMMITMENT

TIMELINE OF STUDENT WITHDRAWAL	FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY OF STUDENTS¹
90 day or more to the program departure date	Any non-recoverable costs (i.e. faculty expenses/salary, program costs, etc.), application fee, IEE administrative fee.
89-61 days prior to program departure date	50% of UWL program costs, and any other non-recoverable costs, application fee and IEE administrative fee.*
45-60 days prior to program departure date	75% of UWL program costs, and any other non-recoverable costs, application fee and IEE administrative fee.*
0-44 days prior to program departure date	100% of the UWL program costs, application fee, and IEE administrative fee.
**Exceptions Apply: see explanation	Due to contracts with third party providers, there may be shortened withdrawal dates as expenses have already been made on behalf of the student. IEE will work to the best of their ability to recover any committed costs for a student.

- WITHDRAWAL PROCESS – Faculty-Led: If committed to a faculty-led program and wishes to withdraw:
  - Withdrawals are final and cannot be reversed – once a student has withdrawn in writing, they cannot decide to rejoin the program.
  - You must provide a formal notification in writing to UWL International Education & Engagement by submitting an email to the address international@uwlax.edu addressed to the IEE Director with the subject line: FL Program Withdrawal.
  - Include program details (location, dates, and program name)
  - Reason for the withdrawal request
  - Please cc your faculty leader(s) on the email
  - If receiving financial aid, you must consult with the financial aid office for information about how withdrawing from this program might affect federal, state, or institutional financial aid.

NOTE: It is recommended that communication with your faculty leader(s) is done prior to a final withdrawal decision has been made by the participant.

UWL Education Abroad cannot guarantee that any portion of the fees owed or submitted will be removed or refunded if you withdraw from the program for any reason. In many cases, UWL Education Abroad is required to make international payments on behalf of program participants well in advance of the program start date and before program costs are charged to UWL student accounts. Withdrawal consequences are dependent on your particular education abroad program and withdrawal date.

LEAVE PROGRAM OR DISMISSAL

Students who leave at the start or during the study abroad program, or who are dismissed from the program by the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse will not receive a refund and are responsible for paying their own travel expenses.

NO PASSPORT

Students who must withdraw from an education abroad program because they lack a passport and/or visa, are on State or Federal Probation, and are not allowed to leave the U.S. or for any other legal reasons are held to the same withdrawal policies, procedures, and penalties as for other reasons.

AIR TRANSPORTATION/FLIGHTS

Refunds for air transportation are subject to the rules and regulations of the appropriate airline or travel agency, over which UWL International Education& Engagement has no jurisdiction or control.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

If the program is cancelled by the University due to insufficient student enrollment, then all program fees paid to UWL will be refunded – all program-related charges will be removed from the UWL student account and the UWL IEE administrative fee and application fee will be refunded or applied to another semester.
Students may appeal applied charges only after the charge has been posted to the student account and no later than the last day of the study away program the student has withdrawn from. The appeal should consist of a detailed letter explaining the basis of the appeal along with any pertinent supporting documentation. The appeal must be submitted in writing to UWL International Education & Engagement via email at international@uwlax.edu. Students will be notified in writing via UWL email of receipt of the appeal. All appeals will be reviewed. Appeal decisions will be made within 30 days of receipt. Additional documentation may be required to complete the appeal.
For international programs only: Medical withdrawals within 30 days of the Program start date may be covered by the benefits provided under the UWL International Health & Travel Insurance. Students are responsible for the submission of appropriate paperwork to the insurance provider.

Withdrawal Appeal

Concerns or appeals with regard to fee payment, refunds, or other UWL Education Abroad program policies should be directed to the Director of UWL International Education & Engagement in writing. A written decision will be issued back to the concerned or appealing person(s).

You must provide a formal notification in writing to UWL International Education & Engagement by submitting an email to the address international@uwlax.edu addressed to the IEE Director with the subject line: <Program Name> Withdrawal.

Include program details (location, dates, and program name)
Reason for the withdrawal request
Please cc your faculty leader(s) on the email

NOTES

If receiving financial aid, you must consult with the financial aid office for information about how withdrawing from this program might affect federal, state, or institutional financial aid.