Refunds will be consistent with the University refund policy stated on the Policies Related to Tuition and Fees (page 5) and Syracuse Abroad refund policy. Students are encouraged to read the policy.
Syracuse Abroad refund eligibility and unrecoverable fee charges are both determined based on the date a student withdraws from their program.
Financial Commitment Deadlines
Syracuse Abroad sets a Financial Commitment Deadline (FCD) for each program and communicates this date to students during the admissions process. The FCD is the last date on which students can withdraw from their program without financial penalty, other than the Participation Confirmation Deposit which is non-refundable.
Immediately following the FCD, Syracuse Abroad pays providers for housing, travel, academic resources, and program materials. Students who withdraw after this deadline may be charged fees, as expenses will have been incurred on their behalf.
FCDs vary by program type. Center, World Partner, Summer, and Short-Term programs have different FCDs—see program-specific sections below.
Semester Center Program Students: the financial commitment deadline for Spring 2026 programs is Wednesday, November 19, 2025.
Summer program students: the financial commitment deadline for Summer 2026 programs is February 15, 2026.
Short Term program students: the financial commitment deadline for Short Term 2026 programs is November 15, 2026.
World Partner students, both the partner’s and Syracuse Abroad’s refund policies will apply. Students are strongly encouraged to research both policies. Please visit the World Partner Cost and Aid page for more general information on these policies.
Questions about which FCD applies? Reach out to your Program Advisor or the Syracuse Abroad Business Office at suabusinessoffice@syr.edu.
Timing of Withdrawal and Refund Eligibility
If you are a student who is considering withdrawing, contact your Program Advisor by email immediately. The official withdrawal date is the date you notify Syracuse Abroad of your decision.
The following refund policies will apply based on when you officially withdraw from a program:
If the decision to withdraw is communicated to Syracuse Abroad before the FCD:
Before the FCD, students can withdraw without financial penalty beyond the $575 Participation Confirmation Deposit, which is non-refundable regardless of withdrawal timing. No program fees will be charged to their bursar account.
If the decision to withdraw is communicated to Syracuse Abroad after the FCD:
Students may be charged up to the full amount of the program fee, based on what has already been spent and/or committed on behalf of students at the time of the withdrawal request.
The Syracuse Abroad Business Office will work with each student to minimize the financial impact of a withdrawal.
The actual amount of charges will depend on a variety of factors such as the type of housing chosen by the student.