Policies & Information

We have formalized and updated the key dates and payment schedule as follows:

For all Study Tours, regardless of when they travel:

Students are required to make a $500 non-refundable deposit to reserve a spot once an application to the study tour has been accepted.

For January travel:

Students who seek to withdraw or cancel between September 1 and November 30 will be responsible for all non-recoverable costs in addition to their non-refundable deposit. Students who seek to withdraw or cancel on or after December 1 will be responsible for the full cost of the study tour and will receive no refunds of the program cost.

For Summer travel:

Students who seek to withdraw or cancel between February 1 and April 30 will be responsible for all non-recoverable costs, in addition to their non-refundable deposit. Students who seek to withdraw or cancel on or after May 1 will be responsible for the full cost of the study tour and will receive no refunds of the program cost.

Because of the uncertainty around travel, Carthage can no longer assume the sole financial risk of refunding 100 percent of student fees if the College is forced to cancel a study tour. Therefore, Carthage now requires that all participants in off-campus programs purchase Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) travel insurance. This insurance is designed to protect your investment in the event you are unable to participate in the intended program. Most CFAR policies will cover up to 75 percent of unrecovered costs. Carthage is committed to covering the remaining unrecovered expenses (up to 25 percent of the total cost of the study tour). Thus, with the purchase of this insurance coverage, students would still net full refunds of their study tour travel costs.

While Carthage does not require the use of a specific insurance agency or provider, the College has reviewed policies from several reputable insurance companies that offer this form of coverage at reasonable rates, such as Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI). CFAR insurance premiums are typically between six and eight percent of the total program cost and must be purchased within 21 days of the initial deposit payment. This cost is in addition to the direct travel costs associated with our J-Term programs.

Note: CFAR insurance is not automatic and is considered an “opt-in” coverage, so you will need to click a box (if purchasing online) or clearly communicate your desire to purchase CFAR if working with an agent.

All participants will now be required to provide proof of insurance as part of the documentation required for their chosen Study Tour. If a participant elects not to purchase CFAR insurance, they will be required to complete the Insurance Release of Liability document.

While travelers are no longer required by Carthage to be vaccinated against COVID-19, participants on J-Term study tours and other study abroad experiences are expected to abide by the rules and requirements of the countries visited, including entry requirements, which may include vaccinations against one or more illnesses.