Program Costs

Out of transparency, we hereby make available the details of the costs involved in maintaining the highest quality of the ALBA Study Abroad program for every student.

ALBA program cost breakdown:

Tuition (mandatory)

This cost is divided into two separate payments:

1) Deposit: Administrative fee collected before the start of the term to ensure the successful preparation of the study abroad experience. This includes access to the ALBA Student Portal, coordinating course scheduling, receiving support and advice from ALBA staff, and covering third-party provider commitments associated with term preparations and activities throughout the term.

Unless otherwise agreed, this payment is required within the first 30 days of program acceptance (acceptance email), as proof of a student’s commitment towards attending ALBA.

2) Balance: This cost is the main portion of tuition. It includes all administrative fees towards partner institutions, instructional fees, transcripting, insurance, school facilities access and maintenance, staff assistance, communication infrastructure, extracurricular activities, seminars, and school-sponsored events.

Unless otherwise agreed, this payment must be made at least 45 days before the start of the Term (Orientation day).

Housing (optional)

ALBA offers various housing options to students interested in being provided with accommodation while abroad. The costs of these options vary depending on the choice.
In general, housing fees cover services such as reservation, placement, accommodation in one’s own room, maintenance, third-party services, and utilities.

The Housing payment is only required if a student is interested in securing a spot in one of the ALBA-sponsored housing options. It must be submitted at least 60 days (90 days in case of the Fall Term) before the start of the term to ensure correct preparation of the desired accommodation in Barcelona.

Refund Policies

ALBA’s refund policy allows students to request a refund for fees paid towards the program. The following conditions apply to such policy:

Acceptance of ALBA Refund Policy

It is the student’s sole responsibility to familiarize themselves with this refund policy. By paying any fees and submitting their Agreement of Understanding in the ALBA portal, by email, or by signing the Agreement of Understanding, the student indicates that they have read this refund policy, that they are in agreement with it, and that they fully accept the terms of this refund policy.

If a student does not agree with or fully accept the terms of this refund policy, we ask that they not pay ALBA any fees and communicate their immediate withdrawal from the ALBA program.

Payment Deadlines

ALBA defines the following deadlines for each payment:

Deposit Payment deadline: 90 days before the term’s Orientation date. Students are encouraged to pay within the first 30 days of receiving program acceptance to avoid losing their spot on the program.
Housing Payment deadline: 60 days (90 days in case of the Fall Term) before the term’s Orientation date. After such date, all ALBA-sponsored housing options become unavailable for choice.
Balance Payment deadline: 45 days before the term’s Orientation date.

Withdrawal from the Program Before the Start of the Term

Before the start of the term, if a student communicates their intention to withdraw from the program, in writing to the ALBA administration (e.g., via email to info@albabcn.org), they are entitled to request a refund for the payments already made.

Deposit Payment

If the student requests their withdrawal before the Deposit Payment deadline, they have the right to receive their full Deposit Payment refund. After the Deposit Payment Refund Deadline, any refund will be subject to review.

Housing Payment (if the student requests ALBA-sponsored housing)

If the student requests their withdrawal before the Housing Payment deadline, they can receive their full Housing Payment refund. After the Housing Payment Refund Deadline, any refund will be subject to review.

Balance Payment

If the student requests their withdrawal before the Balance Payment deadline, they can receive their full Balance Payment refund. After the Balance Payment Refund Deadline, any refund of the Balance Payment will be reviewed and determined on a case-by-case basis and based on fees and services already covered for the term, including administration costs and prepaid services.

Withdrawal from the Program During the Term

Deposit Payment

After the Term’s Orientation Day, the Deposit Payment is 100% committed and non-refundable.

Housing Payment (if applicable)

After the Term’s Orientation Day, the Housing Payment is 100% committed and non-refundable.

Balance Payment

After the Term’s Orientation Day, the Balance Payment will be 50% committed and non-refundable. The other 50% will be reviewed and determined on a case-by-case basis and based on fees and services already covered for the term, including administration costs and prepaid services.

Students who withdraw from the ALBA program after the Orientation date do not automatically qualify for any refund. Although after such date, if the student would like to request a refund on certain costs that may not yet be committed, they are entitled to do so.

To formally request a withdrawal once the program has begun, the student is obliged to submit a withdrawal form. Only once this form is submitted will ALBA review the student’s request and study the possibility of their withdrawal, together with the possibility of a partial Balance Payment refund scenario, if the student qualifies for one and can support their case. ALBA may request documentation if it is needed to understand the student’s allegation.

Pending Payment Commitment

After the Payment Deadlines defined by ALBA, the costs associated with each of these payments will become committed, therefore, the student is accountable for all unpaid fees, unless granted release from that obligation after being reviewed by ALBA. All fees not yet paid, including those postponed under agreement with the ALBA administration (e.g., Postponed Housing Payments, Balance Payments delayed through the ALBA Payment Plan), will still be the obligation of the student to pay.

Debt or Failure to Pay

If a student fails to pay any standing balances, ALBA reserves the right to contact the competent authority in the USA to carry out debt collection.

Term Interruption (Force Majeure)

Refund eligibility will be reviewed in case of a catastrophic event (e.g., terrorist attack, war, pandemic, etc) that poses a threat to the student’s personal safety. In such a case, this will be determined by a U.S. State Department Travel Warning and/or the Center for Disease Control, and/or Spanish health authorities.

Program Completion and Grades

Attendance and certificate of completion, and grades submission to a student’s home institution will not be confirmed and communicated until all fees are received in full and the student’s account balance has been verified to be zero.

Cancellation Policy

ALBA reserves the right to cancel any admission due to insufficient enrollment. In such a case, all payments made to ALBA will be refunded.

Third-Party Costs

Under no circumstances is ALBA responsible for any expenses made by the student towards third parties. This includes flights, housing (not arranged by ALBA), and other services hired by the student. ALBA will not issue refunds for costs that have not been charged directly by the program.