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Study Abroad Policies

St. Thomas Study Abroad student policies and procedures contain valuable information about academic eligibility, policies for participation, registration, financial aid matters, and pre-departure and return considerations.

Upon application, students acknowledge they are responsible for knowing the content of their program’s policies. Policies and procedures are reviewed during mandatory pre-departure meetings.

Conduct and Discipline Policies

All St. Thomas students, regardless of program, must follow the same conduct and discipline policies for participation in off-campus study.

Program / Term Policies

All other policies are specific to the program/term. See below for eligibility and academic requirements, registration, financial aid, health and safety, and program specific information.

Travel Risk Cancellation Policies

The University of St. Thomas uses U.S. Department of State Travel Advisories and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Health Notices as guidelines in determining whether its students or employees may travel abroad.

The Travel Risk Advisory Committee (TRAC) is responsible for reviewing travel proposals and making recommendations based on risk. TRAC will also recommend whether to suspend travel already underway in countries where safety concerns arise.

The following policies describe what happens when a program is cancelled due to risk.

These programs are managed by St. Thomas, typically with St. Thomas faculty as program director(s).

Should a St. Thomas program be cancelled due to a Level 3 or Level 4 Travel Advisory that is issued for a country in which students are preparing to study or travel (i.e., not yet departed):

  • Students will be reimbursed any recoverable costs. Note that this means students could incur a financial loss.
  • Students will be advised on whether they may apply for or be able to participate in another suitable program (depending on time until departure, etc); or,
  • If another program is not feasible for students seeking to earn academic credit abroad, they will be advised on registering for St. Thomas courses on campus.

Should a St. Thomas program be cancelled due to a Level 3 or Level 4 Travel Advisory being issued for a country in which the program is already taking place:

  • Students will be given assistance in arranging departure from that country (may be to a third country). Students may incur costs associated with this change in travel plans.
  • St. Thomas will refund any recoverable costs to the student. Note that this means students may incur a financial loss.
  • St. Thomas will make every effort to arrange for the student to complete the requirements for earning academic credit for the program, if applicable, but this is not guaranteed.
  • The University has no responsibility or liability for a student who remains in the foreign country after receiving notice of St. Thomas' cancellation of the program.

Should a student choose to withdraw from a St. Thomas program in a country for which a Level 3 or Level 4 Travel Advisory has been issued, or withdraw from a program in a country for which no Level 3 or Level 4 Travel Advisory has been issued and about which the student has concerns, but St. Thomas does not cancel the program:

* The student is subject to the cancellation fee schedule published for that program. Note that this means the student may incur a loss. If a student decides to withdraw from their program with no level 3 or 4 threat applicable, they are subject to the cancellation fee schedule.

These programs are managed by an outside organization or institution with which St. Thomas is affiliated for the purpose of its students studying and/or traveling abroad.

If St. Thomas withdraws its approval of a program in a country for which a student is preparing to study due to the issuance of a Level 3 or Level 4 Travel Advisory:

  • The student is subject to the policies of the program organization/institution regarding cancellation and reimbursement of any payments or deposits; students may incur a financial loss.
  • Office of Study Abroad will advise and assist the student in finding another suitable program if time allows, or;
  • Office of Study Abroad will advise the student on registering for St. Thomas classes.

If St. Thomas withdraws its approval of a program in a country for which a student is currently studying due to the issuance of a Level 3 or Level 4 Travel Advisory:

  • The student is subject to the policies of the program organization/institution regarding cancellation and reimbursement of any payments; students may incur a financial loss.
  • St. Thomas will offer advice on arranging departure from that country (may be to a third country). Students may incur costs associated with changes in travel plans.
  • The student is subject to the policies of the program organization/institution regarding reimbursement of any recoverable costs and the possibility of completing the requirements for earning academic credit for the program. Note that students may incur a loss and/or may not be able to earn credit (full or partial).