Admission Policies

Admission Deadlines

Term	Application Deadline	Late Applications Accepted*
Fall	May 1	May 2 - July 1
Spring	November 1	Nov. 2 - Dec. 1
Summer	April 15	April 16 - May 15

*Late applications may be reviewed on a space available basis but MUST be accompanied by the application fee AND a $750 non-refundable deposit (to be applied towards tuition) before they will be considered. In addition, late applicants should understand that they:

run a greater risk of not receiving their student visa in time
may be enrolled in fewer of their preferred courses
may have fewer of their housing preferences met

Late Arrival

To maximize the conditions for student adaptation and academic success, IAU expects all students to arrive in time for orientation and to start classes on time; only those students who arrive on the date and in the time period indicated in the admissions materials sent by IAU can expect to be met by an IAU staff member or their host family at the Marseille airport, the Aix-en-Provence TGV station, or the Avignon TGV station (for students at the Centre d’Avignon).

IAU recognizes, however, that extenuating circumstance may occasionally prevent a student from arriving on time. In such a situation, and assuming the student has kept IAU informed of the problem, the Institute may make an exception to its standard policy and allow the student to attend the session in question provided that he/she arrives within the first two weeks of classes during the fall and spring semesters or before the end of the first week of classes during the summer session. After that time period the student is considered a “no show” and will not be permitted to attend classes.

I. “No Show” Status

A. If “no show” status is related to a situation beyond the student’s control (e.g., delayed CampusFrance action or consular processing of the student’s visa despite timely application, flight cancellation combined with problems rebooking, short illness) and the student has been in contact with IAU as the situation unfolds, such a student may choose to defer participation in the program to another semester or cancel enrollment. He/she has one year in which to activate the deferral.

“No show” students who choose to defer will:

Need to inform the IAU Registrar of that intention by the end of the second week of classes
Be allowed to apply their enrollment deposit to the new semester
Be allowed to apply their tuition, fees, and housing payments to the new semester
Be responsible for any increases in tuition, fees or housing for the new semester
Pay a $200 administrative fee related to the deferral
Pay charges related to retaining the host family (can be up to 40% of the semester’s room and board)
Forfeit the tuition, fees and remaining housing payment if the deferral is not activated within 12 months (if the student does not enroll at and attend IAU during the following three sessions).
Receive a refund of 80% of the difference in tuition and fees only (not housing) if the “no show” was for a semester program and enrollment is deferred to the following summer.

“No show” students who choose to cancel at such a late date will:

Need to inform the IAU Registrar of that intention by the end of the second week of classes
Be responsible for payment of 80% of tuition and fees
Pay charges related to retaining the host family (can be up to 40% of the semester’s room and board).

B. Students who are “no shows” because of their own decisions (e.g., late CampusFrance registration or late application for a student visa, vacation plans), who do not keep IAU informed of the situation as it unfolds, or who fail to notify the IAU Registrar in time will be subject to IAU’s regular refund policy and will not have the option to defer enrollment. IAU retains the right to determine if the “no show” status results from a situation beyond the student’s control or from the student’s own decisions and can request documentation from the student in question.

II. Late Arrival Status

All students who arrive after the end of the first week of classes are considered “late arrivals.” In consultation with their home institutions, such students may opt for pass/fail status for only one course; such a decision must be made within one week of arrival at IAU. Students are totally responsible for catching-up and completing any work missed. IAU will not be responsible for reimbursing any portion of tuition, housing fees, or activity fees to “late arrivals” or for recreating excursions or activities the students will have missed.

All students must begin the Campus France and visa application processes immediately upon acceptance to IAU. Any student who is allowed to apply to IAU after the application deadline for the session in question cannot claim that “no show” status was due to delayed CampusFrance or consular action.

Note: Late arrival, deferment, or cancellation due to a serious medical condition or other emergency will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Documentation will be required.

Financial Policies

Costs

Costs vary by program so we encourage you to visit the Program Dates and Fees page for the most up-to-date programs costs.

Payments

Unless a special billing arrangement exists between the student's host institution and IAU, the non-refundable enrollment deposit of $750 is due within two weeks of acceptance. All other fees are due one month before the semester begins. IAU accepts Visa or MasterCard, personal or bank checks. In addition, application fees and enrollment deposits can also be paid via credit cards using the IAU Credit Card Authorization Form. Please send checks to:

Institute for American Universities
PO Box 66973141
Chicago, IL 60666-0973

If payment is not received by the due date indicated on the student invoice, a $150 late fee will be applied to the student’s account. If it becomes necessary for the Institute to take collection action against the student, the student will be responsible for all collection costs, interest charges and reasonable attorneys' fees. Furthermore, the Institute will not allow students to register for classes if their accounts show outstanding balances not related to documented financial aid disbursements and reserves the right to prevent students from sitting for final exams if their invoices are not paid in full. Timing for payment to IAU of monies coming from financial aid disbursements needs to be arranged with the IAU Registrar prior to finalization of course registration. A $35 fee will be added to invoices if a check is returned due to insufficient funds.

All payments must be clearly marked with the student's name and program.

Students who expect to receive financial aid should notify IAU's Registrar immediately and provide disbursement dates and amounts. Those interested in a payment plan may make tuition payments on a monthly basis through the TuitionPay Plan with Sallie Mae.

Refunds

Refunds may be granted only if email notice of withdrawal, sent by student or sponsoring institution, is received by IAU’s Registrar according to the schedule below.

Fall semester students

Prior to August 1: full refund of all fees paid (excluding enrollment deposit)
Between August 1 and the end of the first week of the semester: 20% tuition, 75% of housing
After the first week of the semester: no tuition or housing refunds

Spring semester students

Prior to December 1: full refund of all fees paid (excluding enrollment deposit)
Between December 1 and the end of the first week of the semester: 20% tuition, 75% of housing
After the first week of the semester: no tuition or housing refunds

Summer term students

Prior to May 1: full refund of all fees paid (excluding enrollment deposit)
Between May 1 and the start of the term: no tuition refund, 50% of housing
After the start of the term: no tuition or housing refunds

Damage Policy

Students are financially responsible for any damage they cause to Institute property or that of their host. Invoices for damage will be mailed to the student's permanent address on record. The Institute retains the right to withhold a student's transcript in the event of an unpaid damage invoice.