APPLICATION
The online application is available to all University of California students, visiting college students and adults with an interest in studying abroad. All applications are reviewed by Summer Sessions in the order received to assure compliance with university policies and individual program requirements. A non-refundable $300 deposit paid by credit or debit card (with a Visa/MasterCard logo) is required from all applicants at the time of application. For students not currently enrolled in the University of California, Berkeley, a most recent official or unofficial transcript is also required to complete the application. Transcripts must be sent to the attention of Moon Jang, Programs Coordinator, via fax 510-642-2877 within 14 calendar days from the day the online application is submitted.
Students on academic probation or under censure for student misconduct are not eligible for participation in the Travel Study programs. The application deadline for all Travel Study programs is April 1, 2008. Interested students are advised to apply as early as possible, as space is limited. Students may not apply to more than one Travel Study program per summer. No audit option is available in the Travel Study programs.
WAITLIST
If a program is full, a waitlist will be created in the order in which applications are received. When an applicant is placed on a waitlist, an email notification will be sent. Upon receipt of the notification, the applicant must notify Summer Sessions of his or her intention to remain on the waitlist, or to apply to another open Travel Study program (completed Waitlist Options Form required). If the applicant decides not to remain on the waitlist or to apply to another program, the application is withdrawn and the $300 deposit will be refunded.
When an opening occurs in the program, applicants on the waitlist will be notified by email with an offer to a spot in the program. A notified applicant will have 24 hours to accept the offer; if Summer Sessions does not receive a response within 24 hours, the applicant's name will then be placed at the bottom of the list, and the next applicant will be notified. If Summer Sessions is not able to offer a spot in the program to an applicant on the waitlist, the $300 deposit will be refunded.
ADMISSION AND CONFIRMATION
All applications are reviewed by Summer Sessions. Applicants will be notified of their admission status no later than April 15, 2008. Applicants admitted to the Travel Study programs will receive a confirmation packet, including detailed program information, a Student Agreement, Waiver of Liability, Emergency & Medical Information form, Health Insurance form and Passport Information form. Participants are required to complete, sign and return to Summer Sessions all required materials and forms within 14 calendar days from the day they received admission notice. Admitted applicants who do not return completed materials will not be eligible to participate in the Travel Study program.
Participants without a valid passport at the time of application are advised to apply for a new or renewed one immediately. Passports are required to travel to all program locations, including the Caribbean. All passports should be valid for at least 6 months beyond the final date of the program. To access the Application for U.S. Passport and more detailed information about how to obtain or renew a passport, visit the U.S. Department of State website.
REGISTRATION & PAYMENT
After applying to a Travel Study program, applicants will be notified no later than April 15, 2008 of their admission to the program. Once admitted, participants do not need to enroll in Travel Study course(s) via Tele-BEARS, as Summer Sessions enroll participants directly in the course(s). The program course(s) will appear on one's enrollment list or schedule no later than April 15, 2008.
Upon enrollment, a CARS (Campus Accounts and Receivable System) bill will be issued reflecting the balance of course fee and program fee. Payment of all fees must be made in full prior to the start of the Travel Study program.
Options for payment of program tuition and fees include:
- Personal check or money order (made payable to UC Regents)
- Credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover)
- Debit card (with a Visa or MasterCard logo)
WITHDRAWAL, CANCELLATION & REFUNDS
The $300 deposit is non-refundable, except when the program is cancelled by Summer Sessions or an applicant has been denied admission to a program. Applicants can receive a refund of the program fee, minus the deposit, if a Student Record Change Form is completed and submitted to the Summer Sessions office before 5:30 p.m. on April 1, 2008. If the required form is submitted after the deadline, the program fee is not refundable. If no payment has been made towards the program fee, the charge will remain outstanding on the CARS bill. Regular Summer Sessions refund policies apply to the course fee. Applicants are eligible for the refund of course fee until the Friday of the first week of the program.
Complete Student Record Change Form with student's signature requesting cancellation must be submitted to Summer Sessions in person, via fax or as an email attachment.
PROGRAM CANCELLATION
Summer Sessions reserves the right to cancel Travel Study programs. In the event of the cancellation of a program, applicants will be notified via email and will receive a refund of $300 deposit. However, Summer Sessions will not be held responsible for any costs incurred by the student regarding air travel, housing or personal expenses in the event of program cancellation. It is also highly recommended that participants purchase trip cancellation insurance to prepare for the unforeseen events.
AIRLINE TICKETS
Optional group flights may be available through the travel agency designated by Summer Sessions. Information will be provided to participants as it becomes available. It is the participant's responsibility to make reservations and payment for all airline tickets.
Applicants are strongly advised not to purchase airline tickets until they have received confirmation from Summer Sessions that they have been admitted into the program.
HEALTH INSURANCE
All participants of a Travel Study program are required to have health insurance that is valid outside of the United States. Participants will be required to submit a proof of health insurance to Summer Sessions as a part of the confirmation process.
UNIVERSITY TRAVEL INSURANCE
Effective October 1, 2007, when traveling to participate in off-campus activities sponsored and supervised by the University. Registered students will be covered worldwide, 24 hours a day, for a wide variety of accidents and incidents.
This new coverage is broader and more generous and is provided at no cost to students, and Summer Sessions will register all participants on their behalf to ensure coverage. This coverage includes:
- Emergency Medical Evacuation
- Security Extraction
- Accident/Sickness Medical
- Accidental Death, Dismemberment or Paralysis
- Repatriation of Remains
- Other Travel Assistant Services (when student traveler is 100+ miles from campus)
ORIENTATION
Participants are required to attend the pre-departure orientation conducted by Summer Sessions for individual Travel Study program in which they are participating. If a participant is unable to attend the orientation for any reason, it is the participant's responsibility to notify the Summer Sessions office to ensure that he or she receives the information and materials covered during the orientation.
EXCLUSIVITY
Non-enrolled family members and others accompanying participants, faculty or staff of Travel Study programs cannot be accommodated in program courses or activities held in conjunction with the Travel Study program. Program classes, excursions, guest lectures, dinners, receptions, program-provided transportation and all other program-related events are open only to those officially enrolled in the program, program faculty and staff. Summer Sessions will not provide support services or assume any responsibility for those not enrolled in the program.