Application and Eligibility

QIf I want to apply for more than one program, do I have to send in multiple applications?

A No; if you are applying for consecutive programs, please fill out the Program Information section of the application accordingly, providing information from all programs you will participate in. You will, however, need to submit 2 deposits of $200 each.

QCan my application, deposit, and transcript arrive separately, or do they have to be sent together?

A Application materials may arrive separately (and in any order) and do not have to be sent altogether. However, your application will not be evaluated until all materials have been received.

QDoes the Study Abroad Verification section of the application have to be signed by my university study abroad office or admissions office?

A The Study Abroad Verification section does need to be signed by your university. ISA includes this portion in the application process to encourage students to begin working with their U.S. universities' study abroad office and familiarizing themselves with their specific requirements and policies. If a student does not have this signed, they should attach a note of explanation. We may still accept them, but we need to determine that on an individual basis.

QCan I participate in a program right out of high school?

A Yes, in most cases as long as you are enrolled in high school at the time of application or have been accepted into a university/college. There are some exceptions, including the following programs, which have minimum age or college credit requirements: England, France, Italy, Belgium, and Barcelona's Pompeu Fabra University. Please call the ISA Office before applying for more details.

Housing

QIs a host family my only option?

A No. Residencias and apartments are available at some sites in Spain, but these are not guaranteed. Residencias are available in Argentina and Chile (called a pensión) and Peru (called International Student Housing), though they cannot be guaranteed. France provides dorm and host family options (dorms are available only during summer and the September intensive month session). England provides dormitory housing. Rome and Florence provide apartments. Please call the appropriate admissions officer before the Final Forms and Payment due date if you would like to stay in one of the alternative housing options (in Spain or Latin America) or if you will be making your own housing arrangements.

Travel Arrangements

QWhat if I don't have my flight booked before the Final Forms and Payment due date?

A Your flight form and itinerary are due 4 weeks prior to the start date of your program. If we receive the information any later than that, we may not be able to arrange for you to be picked up at the airport.

QDoes ISA arrange group flights? Is this included in the price of the program?

A ISA only arranges group flights for the Multi-Country semester programs. The flights are included in the program price for these particular programs, round-trip from Houston. For students participating on all other programs please refer to the resource section/airline resources of the ISA website or to your Orientation Handbook "The World Awaits" for tips to help you purchase your airline ticket.

QWill I be picked up at the airport upon arrival?

A Airport transfer is included for all students arriving on the specified arrival date (see below for more info about this date) with the exception of the intensive month programs. Intensive month students and students arriving on a day other than the specified arrival day should find their own transportation from the airport or call the ISA office to arrange an airport pick-up for an extra fee.

QWhat day should I arrive?

A The first day of the program, which is listed in the ISA catalogue and on the website, should be your departure date. For some programs, due to the time difference, you will arrive on the following day. The departure and subsequent arrival date may be within the same day (i.e. Mexico), or the next day (i.e. Spain and France). For programs in South America students usually depart in the evening and arrive on-site the following morning. You will receive more detailed flight information in your acceptance packet.

QCan I arrive late? Can I arrive early?

A Students may arrive late but must make sure to arrive by the date of the placement exam (see program itinerary), and students must let their appropriate admissions officer know at least 4 weeks prior to the start date of the program. Students may also arrive early but must contact their appropriate admissions officer at least 6 weeks prior to the start date of the program to arrange early host family stay or hotel reservations.

QWhat day should I depart at the end of the program?

A You should make arrangements to return to the U.S. on the last day of the program, unless you want to extend your stay in your host country for personal travel. You will finish your classes and all group activities on the day prior to the last day of the program listed in the ISA catalogue and on the website. If you stay in your host country longer, to travel on your own, you may extend your medical insurance coverage for $25 per week. Please contact your admissions officer before the Final Forms and Payment due date to discuss this option.

QWill I be taken to the airport upon departure of the host country?

A ISA will provide return transportation to the airport ONLY on the program end date. If you stay in your host country longer, to travel on your own, it will be your responsibility to get yourself to the airport on the appropriate date. In England, airport transportation at the end of the program is not included (though airport reception at the beginning is.) Airport transfers are not included in the price of the intensive month programs.

QCan I leave the program a day early?

A Possibly, but at the risk of missing classes and/or final exams, and not receiving course credit. ISA can not pre-approve time off. Students will have to resolve that with their professors upon arrival in the host country.

Passports and Visas

QDo I have to have a passport to study abroad?

A Yes, all ISA program countries require that you have a passport. If you are not a U.S. citizen, please check with your local consulate for advice regarding traveling/studying in another country.

QHow do I apply for a passport?

A You can find passport applications and detailed information on how to apply on the webpage of the U.S. State Department: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html. Generally, post offices and sometimes courthouses serve as passport application sites.

QCan I still send in the application even though I don't have a passport yet?

A Yes; just leave that section of the application blank, and send us a copy of your passport when you do receive it.

Payment, Withdrawals and Refunds

QDoes ISA accept credit cards?

A Yes, credit cards may be used for any portion of the program price (Visa, MasterCard, Discover). Please note that there is an administrative fee of 3% for credit card charges, which will be applied to the total amount charged. All program fees can be paid by personal check, cashier's check, or money order. American Express is not accepted.

QDoes ISA have payment plans available?

A To arrange a payment plan, please contact the ISA office prior to the payment due date. There is a $150 fee, and monthly installments will be arranged with the final payment at least two weeks prior to the start date of the program.

QDoes ISA charge late fees?

A If the program is not paid in full by the Final Forms and Payment due date, a late fee of $150 is incurred. For students on financial aid, a good faith payment is required by the Final Forms and Payment due date in order to guarantee a student's placement in the program: $500 for summer programs, $1000 for semester/trimester programs, $1500 for academic year programs, and $2000 for the Multi-Country program.

QIf I participate in an academic year program, do I have to pay for the entire year all at once?

A In order to receive the discounted year price (versus the sum of the two semester prices), the academic year needs to be paid in full by the Final Forms and Payment due date.

QIf I withdraw, what kind of refund will I receive?

A Please refer to the "Refund Policy" located on the program Application.