Signed up for a study abroad course. Cannot go, they demand payment in full

[Proserpina]

Could someone please explain in idiot-friendly terms how this is or is not similar to the penalty one might suffer for cancelling a contract? Airline tickets?

 

[stealth2]

When was the deadline? When are they scheduled to leave?

And actually, assuming kiddo is >18, HE should be speaking with the school, a lawyer, etc. And yes - I would make my kid handle it.

 

[I'mTheFather]

If one was ever inclined to google for one's self, one would have found this:

https://r.ieo.ucla.edu/travelStudy/Register/travel_register.cfm

Click on the "Continue to Register" link to see the terms and conditions. One can see the contract for one's self if one feels the need to see the actual contract.

And that should settle that.


(The Greece trip is full with no students waitlisted.)

 

[Zigner]

If one was ever inclined to google for one's self, one would have found this:

https://r.ieo.ucla.edu/travelStudy/Register/travel_register.cfm

Click on the "Continue to Register" link to see the terms and conditions. One can see the contract for one's self if one feels the need to see the actual contract.

And that should settle that.


(The Greece trip is full with no students waitlisted.)

Darn all those "non-refundable" clauses...

 

[quincy]

If one was ever inclined to google for one's self, one would have found this:

https://r.ieo.ucla.edu/travelStudy/Register/travel_register.cfm

Click on the "Continue to Register" link to see the terms and conditions. One can see the contract for one's self if one feels the need to see the actual contract.

And that should settle that.


(The Greece trip is full with no students waitlisted.)

You also learn from the Study Abroad site that all participants must be 18 years old and that the $300 deposit is non-refundable regardless of when you cancel.

Here is a direct link to information on the cancellation policy: http://ieo.ucla.edu/travelstudy/policies

The UCLA travel program contracts are valid and enforceable.

 

[justalayman]

Budget
UC Undergrads/ UC Grad Students/ Visiting Students


Program Fee
6000 / 6500 / 6500

Textbooks (estimate)
100/ 100 / 100

Airfare (estimate)
2000 / 2000 / 2000

Meals (estimate)
900 / 900 / 900

Spending Money (estimate)
500 / 500 / 500

Program fee includes registration and course fees, accommodations, program excursions and health insurance.

Program fee also includes daily breakfast and transportation during the program.

Airfare, textbooks, optional courses, other meals and optional excursions are additional.

Cancellation Policy

If you cancel your registration, the following applies:

The $300 deposit is not refundable under any circumstance;
Paid program fees (minus the $300 deposit) are refundable until April 3, 2015;
No refunds are available after April 3, 2015;
Cancellation and refund polices apply to ALL Financial Aid Students as well.
Failure to cancel prior to the April 3 deadline will result in a bill for the full program fee. Financial aid is not available for students who cancel their program.

it looks like the program fees they expect are the $6000 or $6500 and not the $10k the OP believes is expected. While not a total win it should give some relief.

 

[CourtClerk]

Ahhh.. Ld's stock response when she really means, I'm probably wronger than 2 left feet but I'm not gonna admit it. I almost (and I mean almost) missed that.

I didn't realize that you have read the specific contract in question.

To repeat:

The only responsible thing to do is to advise the OP to have serious discussions with the school, the agency, and possibly with an attorney.