These Terms and Conditions should be read carefully and understood before signing and submitting your application to Pacific Lutheran University. The English Transition Program is administered and taught by Study Group USA Placement LLC.
Participant responsibility
The price for Pacific Lutheran University does not include the following expenses:
- Personal spending money
- Insurance for pre-existing medical conditions, i.e., aliments which exist prior to arrival in the US
- Meal and housing costs during the few times the university is closed – usually limited to the Thanksgiving holiday in late November, The Christmas holiday (which normally lasts about four weeks) and Spring vacation (approximately 10 days)
- University textbooks and other necessary university supplies
- Air fare to and from the U.S. domestic airport closest to the University campus in the United States (a round trip ticket is required)
- Extra costs for ESL which may be required by a student whose English language proficiency is inadequate
Graduate students are invoiced for tuition only, unless the invoice specifically states the room and board is included. Any room or board charges accrued by graduate students will be paid by the student directly to the university. Transfer fees are optional.
Rules
All applicants are subject to Pacific Lutheran University rules. Students must assume full responsibility for compliance. Rules governing alcohol, controlled drugs, honors offenses, and other serious matters will be strictly enforced. Applicants are reminded that international students in the United States must comply with both the letter and the spirit of the law in order to retain valid student visas. Violations of such laws will render the participant liable for immediate dismissal from the program and repatriation to the home country, if not legal prosecution for violation of the laws of the state or federal jurisdictions involved.
The obligation to pay the annual tuition and fees for the entire academic year is unconditional. no portion of such fees so paid or outstanding will be refunded or cancelled notwithstanding the subsequent absence, suspension, expulsion, dismissal or withdrawal of the student for any reason.
Payment policy
Students are required to pay a $500 deposit directly to Study Group USA Placement LLC before they receive an I-20 form from Pacific Lutheran University.
Students accepted by Pacific Lutheran University after the billing due date are required to pay their deposit immediately upon receipt of an acceptance letter, and are required to pay their bill in full prior to their departure for the United States, or within thirty days of deposit, whichever comes first.
Students will not receive their pre-arrival information until full payment is received. Students with outstanding balances will be immediately placed on hold by Pacific Lutheran University, and may be barred from attending classes until payment is made in full. Students may not transfer to another institution under any circumstance for at least one semester after arrival, and then only if their account with Study Group USA Placement LLC is paid in full. Students seeking transfer between the date of initial arrival in the United States and the first day of classes may have their I-20s cancelled by Pacific Lutheran University, and no refunds will be granted.
Payments by credit card after the due date will be subject to a fee of 2% of the total program value unless the student has paid for an optional payment plan. Students with balances due after 30 days are subject to a $500 late payment fee.
Admission is subject to availability. Early application and payment is advised. Wire payments are recommended.
Fee payment procedure
All students are required to pay in full in advance, but for a service fee of $500, students may enroll in an approved installment payment plan. The payment plan allows students to pay 60% of tuition/room/board fees before the start of the first semester with the second installment of 40% of tuition/room/board fees before the start of the second semester.
- For students who begin studies in the fall semester, the first payment is due on July 1st and the second payment is due on November 1st
- For students who begin their studies in the spring semester, the first payment is due on November 1st and the second payment is due on July 1st
Booking admin fee
A fee of $100 may be added to bookings when a post-arrival study plan change is requested.
Bank Details
| Bank name: | Bank of America |
| Account name: | Study Group |
| Account number: | 9417-201482 |
| ABA routing: | 0260-0959-3 |
| Swift code: | BOFAUS3N |
| Bank address: | 1185 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036, USA |
Cancellation policy
Study Group USA Placement LLC will not issue any refund unless the student's request for a visa is denied. Written proof of visa denial is required before a refund will be issued.
Cancellations received prior to July 1st for fall applicants or November 1st for spring applicants will receive a full refund less the application fee. After these dates, but before the academic year begins, one-half of the year's tuition/fees will be non-refundable. If possible, we strongly recommend a student defer to the following semester rather than cancel. Students who defer or withdraw on or after the academic year begins will not be eligible for a refund.
A semester's notice will be required to terminate any program of study, or fees in lieu of notice will be charged.
Length of enrollment
- First year undergraduate students must enroll for an entire academic year (2 semesters) and will be required to live on the university campus or in university-approved housing.
- Returning undergraduate students must enroll for an entire academic year and may live off campus if university policy permits.
- Graduate students must enroll in their complete academic program.
Study plan changes
Upon arrival, students will be given a placement examination to assess their English language level. As a result, the length of study may be longer than originally anticipated, incurring extra costs for which the student will be responsible.
Progression
Progression at the end of any given semester is dependent on successfully passing all courses in that semester. Pacific Lutheran University may have additional requirements for progression. These additional requirements will be reviewed during orientation.
Students admitted to the English Transition program are conditionally accepted to Pacific Lutheran University, not necessarily into a particular program of study. Pacific Lutheran University reserves the right to impose additional academic requirements post arrival (such as minimum grade point average) before a student is formally admitted into a particular program of study.
Insurance
Study Care insurance is required as part of the enrollment package through Study Group. Please note that Study Care includes services beyond typical health insurance policies in the United States, e.g. cancellation, emergency repatriation, personal liability etc.
US-based health insurance is mandatory for all Study Group students. Insurance policies based in countries outside of the United States will not be accepted as reasonable substitutes.
Damage and liability
Any reference in these terms to liability of students shall also infer liability on the parent or financial sponsor, and such liability is joint and several. Students are responsible for payment for any damage caused by them to Study Group USA Placement LLC/Pacific Lutheran University property, including fixtures and fittings in University-approved accommodation. Occupants of shared accommodation are jointly and severally liable for the proper care of rooms, fixtures and fittings and the University reserves the right to recover costs for damage or exceptional cleaning.
Withdrawal/variation of degree programs
If, after a Study Group USA Placement LLC applicant has indicated an intention to progress onto a particular degree program, but prior to the student completing the Study Group USA Placement LLC program, Pacific Lutheran University discontinues the nominated degree program, the student may either:
- withdraw without liability for fees other than the fee liability for the Study Group USA Placement LLC program, or
- transfer to such other program (if any) as may be offered by Pacific Lutheran University for which the student is qualified. If in these circumstances the student wishes to withdraw from Pacific Lutheran University and to enroll in a course at a different institution, Pacific Lutheran University shall use its reasonable endeavors to assist the student.
Once the student has commenced the first semester of their Pacific Lutheran University program, if:
- (a) Pacific Lutheran University's ability to deliver programs or other services in accordance with the descriptions provided is compromised by circumstances beyond the control of Pacific Lutheran University (e.g. third party industrial action), Pacific Lutheran University will use all reasonable endeavors to minimize disruption as far as it is practical to do so;
- (b) the Program is cancelled or substantially varied from that described in the prospectus for reasons other than circumstances beyond the institution's reasonable control, Pacific Lutheran University will use reasonable endeavors to provide a suitable replacement program, but cannot guarantee to do so. If the student does not wish to accept the replacement program, the student shall be entitled to withdraw from the program. In the event of such withdrawal Pacific Lutheran University shall make an appropriate refund of tuition fees. Depending on the point at which the withdrawal takes place, Pacific Lutheran University reserves the right to retain fees or charges to cover the tuition or services which the student has actually received.
Publicity
Students (and their parents or guardians, where applicable) agree that their images and sound, details and achievements may be used in any media for promotional purposes without written consent or notification. This includes permission to pass them on to third parties (agents, publications, etc) at our discretion as long as the images are used to publicize Study Group programs.
Data protection
Any information provided to Study Group USA Placement LLC may be held on computer and shall be used by Study Group USA Placement LLC in accordance with US law, including FERPA, HIPAA, and ADA. Study Group USA Placement LLC is an Equal Opportunity provider. Information provided to Study Group USA Placement LLC is held and processed for the purpose of administering your application, and may be carried forward to your official student record, which holds data in electronic and paper form on your personal details, academic and administrative history and on relevant financial transactions. After you leave, the parts of your student record which Pacific Lutheran University needs to retain will be archived. Some information will also be processed for the purpose of managing our relationship with you as an alumnus. Other information will be destroyed. Throughout, your personal data will be held in accordance with current US data protection law.
Variation
No variation to these conditions is valid unless agreed in writing by the Center Director and approved by the Director of Operations, North America provided always that Study Group USA Placement LLC reserves the right to make any addition, amendment or alteration to these conditions upon giving one semester's written notice of such change to all affected students.
Communication
Please supply Study Group USA Placement LLC with personal e-mail addresses and mobile telephone numbers prior to arrival, in order that communication, to include transmission of student reports, may be maintained at all times. Please also advise of any changes as they occur.
Agreement and release
I apply to enroll the person named as a student of Study Group USA Placement LLC I agree to pay all fees incurred by the student as they become due, and either give the required notice of cancellation or to pay the required fees in lieu of notice. I agree to abide by the terms and conditions of Study Group USA Placement LLC.
We, as parents/guardians of the undersigned student, do hereby authorize Study Group USA Placement LLC and its assigned agents, and any designated program representative, as agents of the undersigned parents, to consent to any x-ray examinations, anesthetic, medical or surgical diagnosis or treatment, or hospital care which is deemed advisable by, and is rendered under, the general supervision of any licensed physician or surgeon, whether such treatment or diagnosis is rendered at the office of said physician or surgeon or at a hospital. It is understood that this authorization is not given in advance of any specific diagnosis, treatment or hospital care being required, but is given to provide authority and power on the part of aforesaid agents to give specific consent to any and all such diagnoses, treatments, or hospital care which the aforementioned physician or surgeon, in the exercise of her/his best judgement, may deem advisable.
We waive and release all claims against Study Group USA Placement LLC and its agents for any injury, loss, damage, accident, delay or expense resulting from the applicant's participation in the program. We also release Study Group USA Placement LLC and its agents and agree to indemnify them with regard to any financial obligations or liabilities that the applicant may personally incur or any damage or injury to the person or property of others that the applicant may cause while participating in this program. We understand that the program begins with the outbound flight to the United States and terminates when the return flights lands. We realize that any airline's liability for loss or damage to baggage or property, or for death or injury, is limited by the terms outlined by the airlines. We also understand that it is our responsibility to obtain a passport and any required visa. We understand that Study Group USA Placement LLC is not responsible for any loss or injury suffered by the applicant at any time while participating in the program, including but not limited to losses or injury suffered during periods of independent travel or absence from the program. If the applicant becomes ill or incapacitated, Study Group USA Placement LLC or its agents may take such action as it considers necessary, including securing medical treatment and transporting the applicant home at his/her own expense. We release Study Group USA Placement LLC from all liability related to such actions. We understand that the applicant's participation in the program may be terminated at the discretion of Study Group USA Placement LLC without any refund of fees and that the applicant may be sent home at his/her expense if he/she does not adhere to the U.S., State, and local laws and University rules. We agree to accept full responsibility for personal expenses, books, any required additional language training and round trip air fare. In the event that Study Group USA Placement LLC or its agents advances or loans any funds to the applicant or incurs special expenses on his/her behalf, we agree to make immediate repayment to Study Group USA Placement LLC. We understand that this Agreement cannot be modified except in a writing signed by Study Group USA Placement LLC.
