DECISION DEADLINE DATES
Our Risk Management team continues to closely monitor the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) both globally and locally. Umbra has comprehensive risk management plans in place and our safety systems are a guiding principle for all decisions about programming. There are many logistical and academic considerations, including travel restrictions, that we will be taking into account when making our decision to reopen (See Reopening Criteria). We will make our final assessment on or before the following deadlines:
REGULAR FALL SEMESTER: July 15, 2020
CUSTOM & FACULTY-LED PROGRAMS: Case-by-case basis
SPRING SEMESTER: November 30, 2020
Spring customized and faculty-led and custom programs will also be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
REVISED ACADEMIC CALENDAR
The Institute has adjusted its Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 calendars to defer arrivals and reduce the semester’s length to under 90 days. This was done primarily so that students who hold a U.S. passport will not need to apply for a student visa, eliminating the added costs for the visa, Italian permit of stay, and associated travel within the U.S.
Click to view the Umbra Institute academic calendar.
Note on Air Travel to Italy
At this time we do not anticipate that Italy will have flight restrictions in place during the Fall 2020 or Spring 2021 semesters as there are currently plans in place to reopen Italy for international travel and tourism this summer. That said, it is too early for us to be able to guarantee that no restrictions, imposed by Italy or other EU countries, will be in place at the start of the program.
LATE-DATE CANCELLATION POLICY FOR MAXIMUM FLEXIBILITY
The shortened semester and study visa waiver will allow students to apply “last minute”. Therefore the Institute has updated its cancellation policies allowing students more time and flexibility before making a final commitment. The new application and withdrawal dates are as follows:
FALL SEMESTER
August 1 is the final deadline for Fall 2020 applications.
August 17 is the final deadline to withdraw from the Fall 2020 semester and receive a full refund
SPRING SEMESTER
December 15 is the final deadline for Spring 2020 applications.
December 20 is the final deadline to withdraw from the Spring 2021 semester and receive a full refund.
Prior to arrival, should the program be cancelled, all students will receive a full refund, regardless of the cancellation date.
REVISED REFUND POLICY
In response to the pandemic, we have revised our refund policies in the event of cancellation or suspension of on-site class sessions. The Institute is prepared to provide a refund for any unused time in student housing as well as refunds for all co- or extra-curricular activities that can no longer be completed on-site. Students will however be required to complete the academic program remotely and receive full academic credit. Therefore no tuition refund will be provided.
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CANCELLATION OF SEMESTER PRIOR TO ARRIVAL SUSPENSION OF IN-CLASSROOM TEACHING ONLY SUSPENSION OF ALL ON-SITE SERVICES |
*refunds are only relevant to fees charged by the Umbra Institute. Students are encouraged to consulate their university’s study abroad office regarding their refund policies for the coming semesters. For students who leave the program voluntarily standard refund policies will apply.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
All Fall 2020 students will receive the Viva l’Italia Scholarship of $1,500 USD to study the Umbra Institute or our partner program in Florence (ISI Florence). Students will receive these funds directly from their destination Institute after arriving in Italy, or as a cost deduction on their invoice if they are billed directly by the Institute. If students applied for the Fall 2020 semester by June 15th, they are eligible to transfer that scholarship to the Spring 2021 semester, should their program of choice be cancelled by the Institute or by the student’s home institution.
At this time we do not anticipate a reduction in the fall or spring program fees despite the reduced semester length, due to the fact that measures taken to ensure student health will come at a significant cost to our Institute.
NOTE: All items on this page are subject to change as all measures, particularly those relevant to travel, social distancing, & sanitation may change in compliance with Italian and EU laws and guidelines for public health and safety.