Cancellation and Deferral Policy

The GEO Cancellation and Deferral Policy is effective from the time a student agrees to pay their non-refundable deposit or electronically signs the program commitment form, regardless of application or acceptance status. It is essential to read this policy outlined on the Student Budget that is listed on the program page of the GEO website before a potential cancellation or deferral takes place, in order to understand the ramifications. All GEO program webpages may be found at geo.uoregon.edu.

UO students participating in a provider program (CIEE, SIT, IE3, etc), the GEO Cancellation and Deferral Policy is effective from the time a student has been nominated by the UO to the program provider or host institution, regardless of application or acceptance status. For more information, review the Student Budget that is linked to the program page of the GEO website.

Cancellation/Deferral Process:
Students who cancel or defer their participation must notify both GEO and the program provider or the host institution in writing. A notification via fax (541-346-1232) or email (geoinfo@uoregon.edu) is acceptable. Verbal notification to GEO or notification given to a non-UO campus study abroad office is not sufficient.

  • See specific dates and details in the Student Budget posted on the program page of the GEO website at geo.uoregon.edu.
  • If one of the deadlines in the Student Budget posted on the program page of the GEO website falls on a weekend or holiday, GEO will accept written notifications received on the following business day.
  • A student can defer their application for up to twelve months from the term in which their original program was scheduled to start, and upon approval by the GEO advisor. Beyond twelve months, a student must cancel their application and re-apply. The student will be responsible for payment of any unrecoverable costs. In some cases, a student may be able to apply their non-refundable application fee and deposit to a future GEO program upon GEO approval.

Cancellation/Deferral Policy and Penalty:

  • This cancellation and deferral policy applies to all cancellations and deferrals regardless of the reason for cancellation or deferral, including but not limited to inability to secure proper legal status (i.e. passport, visa, etc.) in the host country of the participating program.
  • If the program fee has not been received by GEO at the time of cancellation or deferral, the penalty amount will be billed by GEO.
  • GEO fees include: the GEO program fee, the UO Study Abroad fee (UO students only), and/or any other fees that are billed by GEO.
  • Some U.S. partner institutions have a direct billing arrangement with GEO and pay fees on behalf of their students. GEO refunds will be sent to the billed party: if GEO bills the institution, the refund is sent to the institution; if GEO bills the student, the refund is sent to the student at the permanent address listed on the initial application unless otherwise requested. Students who are unsure about the billing arrangements of their home institution should check with their home institution’s study abroad office.
  • GEO and the program provider or the host institution reserve the right to cancel a program due to low enrollment, natural disaster, public health emergency, political unrest, terrorism, acts of war or any other reasons beyond GEO's control. If a program is cancelled prior to the start date for any of these reasons, GEO will refund all payments received by GEO including the application fee, program deposit, and program fee. GEO assumes no further financial responsibility and is not responsible for airfare, visa fees, or any other fees related to the program that may have been paid. GEO strongly recommends that students purchase travel cancellation/interruption insurance.