GEO Cancellation Policy

Important: The GEO Cancellation Policy is effective from the time a student agrees to pay their non-refundable program deposit or electronically signs the program commitment form, regardless of application or acceptance status. It is essential to read this policy before a potential cancellation takes place, to fully understand the withdrawal and cancellation penalties, and to understand what it means financially to commit to a study abroad program.

Students who cancel their participation must notify GEO in writing.  Email is acceptable (geoinfo@uoregon.edu).  Verbal notification to GEO or notification given to a non-UO campus study abroad office is not sufficient.

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.

Cancellation fees vary based on the program and cancellation date. Specific cancellation penalties can be found in the Student Budget on each GEO program page. The cancellation penalties apply to all cancellations regardless of the reason for cancellation, 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, the penalty amount will be billed by GEO to the student’s account.
  • GEO fees include the UO Study Abroad fee (UO students only) and/or any other fees that are billed by GEO.

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 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.

Non-UO Students only: 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.