Administration and Support
EPA aims to provide high quality, efficient and effective administrative and support services to program participants, including:
Clear and accurate information about EPA and the nature of our programs.
Straightforward and timely enquiry, application, admission and related processes.
Responsive and readily accessible support and guidance, including pre-departure briefings, arrival orientation, ongoing in-country support, and advice that promotes the well being of students.
Arrangement of suitable housing for students.
Timely issuance of transcripts and supervisor evaluations at the end of the student’s semester abroad.
EPA also gives every program participant the opportunity to provide formal and informal feedback on the quality of his or her experience. This feedback plays an important role in shaping EPA’s study abroad and internship provision.
Payment of fees
Payment of all tuition and housing fees for the program is due 30 days before the start of the program. Some Affiliate Schools pay EPA directly for tuition and/or housing, others make it the student’s responsibility.
Housing Information
EPA pays housing costs in full prior to the beginning of the program for all students in home-stays and in pre-arranged flats (apartments). All students who choose the pre-arranged flat option will be billed for a $300 housing security deposit by the EPA U.S. office. This charge is refundable after the program has ended, minus any charges for cleaning or damages. All London students will have a $25 cleaning charge deducted from the refund. This housing deposit is due 30 days before the start of the program. Refunds are issued 6-8 weeks after the program ends.
Academics
Semester students are expected to carry two courses and the internship. Summer students in Belgium and Germany work full time at their internship, but summer students in the UK work 20 hours per week and take a class in order to satisfy visa regulations. Students may switch courses only with permission of the European university, their credit granting institution and EPA. Students must attend classes regularly in order to meet the visa requirements.
Internship Placement Information
The Program Directors begin the process of arranging internship placements as soon as the student has submitted the Admission Reply Form. A great deal of time and effort is put into the placement process by the Program Directors. Every internship placement is made with care and consideration for the student’s strengths and interests, and the needs of the potential placements. Students may be notified of their placement prior to arrival in Berlin, Bonn, Brussels, Edinburgh, London, or Madrid, but the placement is provisional and dependent upon a successful on-site interview. In the extremely rare event of an unsuccessful interview, the Program Director will make arrangements for another placement.
Students are not allowed to arrange their own internships under any circumstances. All internships must be vetted and approved by an EPA Program Director.
For all circumstances students must provide written notice of withdrawal from the program to the EPA US office and the Study Abroad Office of their credit granting institution.
Disciplinary Matters
Students who are placed on disciplinary or academic probation before the start of the program and are no longer eligible to study abroad are responsible for any non-recoverable costs.
CONDUCT: Students must obey their university’s Code of Conduct while on the EPA Program.
DISMISSAL FROM PROGRAM: EPA reserves the right to ask a student to withdraw from the program for serious breach of discipline. This extreme action will only be taken after full consultation with EPA and the credit-granting institution.
Withdrawal Policy
WITHDRAWAL MORE THAN 30 DAYS BEFORE THE START OF THE PROGRAM:
Students who withdraw or decline to participate in the Program 30 or more days before the Program start date are responsible for any non-recoverable costs incurred by EPA (even if no payments have been made). Students may be eligible for a refund of amounts paid in excess of these costs.
WITHDRAWAL FEWER THAN 30 DAYS BEFORE THE START OF THE PROGRAM:
Students who withdraw or decline to participate in the Program fewer than 30 days before the Program start date will be responsible to pay the full term’s housing cost as well as other non-recoverable costs incurred by EPA. Students may be eligible for a refund of amounts paid in excess of the housing and non-recoverable costs.
WITHDRAWAL ON OR AFTER THE START OF THE PROGRAM:
Students who withdraw on or after the official Program start date may be eligible for partial refunds, less non-recoverable costs only in documented cases of serious illness or emergency requiring a student’s return to the United States.
WITHDRAWAL DUE TO DISCIPLINARY OR ACADEMIC PROBATION:
Students who are placed on disciplinary or academic probation and are no longer eligible to study abroad are responsible for all non-recoverable costs.
WITHDRAWAL DUE TO DISMISSAL FROM PROGRAM:
EPA reserves the right to ask a participant to withdraw from a program for serious breach of discipline. This extreme action will only be taken after full consultation between the student, EPA and the credit-granting institution (if applicable). Any student dismissed from the program by their home institution or EPA, at any time and for any reason, is liable for the full cost of the program, including housing, other fees, and the comprehensive program fee.
The amount of any refund will be determined at the sole discretion of EPA Site Program Director and US Program Director in consultation with the credit granting institution (if applicable) and the Executive Director of EPA.
In all cases described in these policies, unrecoverable costs are variable depending on the circumstances and cannot be estimated in advance. Examples may include orientation fees, housing deposits and payments, tuition fees, and other costs.
Students with Disabilities
EPA welcomes applications from students with disabilities. Acceptance into our program is based solely on qualifications regardless of disability. Once accepted, the process of facilitating appropriate accommodation can begin. We would require a detailed list of the accommodations that are needed. We will then respond as to how those accommodations can be met, so that the student can make an informed decision as to whether the accommodations will be appropriate. Please keep in mind that it is the student’s responsibility to pay for all costs associated with special services.
We have these recommendations for disabled students seeking funding:
To determine if funding is available for accommodations abroad, students should begin by consulting with the Disabled Students Office and the Campus Financial Aid office well in advance of their departure.
Students should be aware that federal laws do not require universities to provide funding for accommodations and/or facilities beyond U.S. borders. Students should check carefully as to what support their campus Disabled Students Office will provide.
It is the student’s responsibility to assure that any funding required for special services abroad is arranged well in advance.
If funding is not available, students are responsible for all costs associated with special services abroad.
Students who disclose needs at the last minute, or who require accommodations that cannot be made available in the host country, may be advised to postpone participation.