Payment of Fees

Terms and conditions

Dates, prices and program descriptions in this catalog constitute a part of the contract between AIFS and the participant. Your final itinerary provided prior to departure constitutes the actual program to be provided by the College Division.

International Flights

For international travel, airline liability for passenger baggage is usually limited to approximately $9.07 per pound for checked baggage and $400 per passenger for unchecked baggage. Passengers should request complete terms governing airline liability limitations for their journey upon receipt of final itinerary and/or check-in. It is the responsibility of the passenger to file claims for lost/damaged baggage directly with the airline(s). Equipment, routing and itinerary may be modified by the direct air carrier or by AIFS. Single plane service is not guaranteed. Alternative aircraft of any carrier may be substituted at any time, and aircraft may make additional stops. Such changes will not create a right to cancellation or refund.

Program fees include

Comprehensive insurance/assistance package; specified travel as shown in the detailed itinerary; tuition fees and housing as specified in the itinerary; meals as specified in the program description; sightseeing and entertainment as specified; services of AIFS tour managers; tips; luggage allowance of one medium-sized suitcase and one carry-on bag.

Fees do not include

Optional transportation package, $95 non-refundable application fee, passport fees or certain visa fees; transfers and travel in connection with independent travel; should you choose not to join the optional excursion(s), your independent travel obligations are not included in the program fee: (i) accommodations and meals during any independent travel period, including (ii) overnight accommodations and (iii) transfer to the airport prior to departure when a period of independent travel precedes the return flight; meals not listed in the program description; special beverages with meals; laundry; excess baggage charges (check with each airline for rules); textbooks; overnight and weekend optional excursions while at the university; overnight accommodations, meals and additional domestic transportation expenses in the U.S. due to rescheduled or delayed flights (sometimes paid by the airline); transportation from student’s home to point of international departure and back; a mandatory damage deposit of $250 that is required on all programs (refundable as long as no damage has occurred upon completion of all summer programs).

Payment schedule

Upon application, participants must send a check for $395 ($95 application fee and $300 deposit) payable to the American Institute For Foreign Study. Payments can also be made by credit card (American Express, Visa or MasterCard). AIFS fees can be paid online by credit card. The $395 fee is non-refundable. Upon acceptance, you will be billed for the balance of the program fee due April 15. If not paid by this date, a late fee of $200 is charged. April 15 is payment deadline for optional excursions and the $250 refundable damage deposit. Any participant whose check is returned for any reason will be assessed a charge of $35.

Financial security

The AIFS Protection Plan protects every student’s payments with a unique policy issued through a nationally rated insurance company. This policy guarantees you will receive services advertised in the program brochure.

Changes in costs, program assignments, itineraries

AIFS reserves the right to make changes to departure dates and cities as may be required and to reverse an itinerary route.

• Origin and destination cities
  Departures are contingent upon adequate enrollment and are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. AIFS reserves the right to reassign participants to alternate departure cities listed on program pages. AIFS will notify participants whether a requested original departure is available no later than 30 days before departure. Destination cities may be changed as long as the change affects only the order of cities visited.
  
  
• Housing
  Participants will be notified of their residence upon arrival on campus. Residences may be changed during the program as required.
  
  
• Itineraries
  On certain dates, especially holidays, some attractions or activities may be closed. AIFS reserves the right to substitute attractions, excursions or activities.
  
  
• AIFS reserves the right to make alternate program arrangements, as described above, without offering a refund, and to make changes in program and flight itineraries as may be required.
  
  
• Except for program changes made by AIFS in accordance with the preceding paragraphs, changes in departure or return cities, departure or return dates, hotels and program fees shall constitute “major changes.” In the event of a major change occurring before departure, participants will be given the choice, within 14 days, of accepting such a change or of canceling and receiving a full refund. For major changes occurring during the program, participants will be given the choice of accepting or rejecting the changes and receiving a partial refund within 14 days of the return of the program. Participants must request refunds by writing to AIFS within seven days of notification of the major change. AIFS will inform participants of a major change within seven days of learning such a change, and in any case at least 10 days before scheduled departure (or as soon as possible if the change occurs within 10 days before departure).

Responsibility

AIFS is responsible for making all program arrangements including flights and accommodations. A program begins with the departure of the international flight and ends upon completion of the return flight to the U.S.

AIFS cannot be responsible for events beyond its control such as (without limitation) acts of God, war, incidents of politically motivated violence, strikes or government restrictions. Nor, in the absence of its own negligence, can AIFS be responsible for personal injury or property damages caused by persons not controlled by it, such as (without limitation) airlines, bus companies, railway, hotels, universities and persons engaging in acts of politically motivated violence.

The actual itinerary may be reversed or vary slightly from those in this catalog. The final itinerary sent constitutes the program to be provided by the Institute. The agreement with AIFS cannot be modified or interpreted except in writing by the AIFS Stamford office. No verbal modification or interpretation shall have any validity.