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.
REVISED ACADEMIC CALENDAR
The Institute has adjusted its 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.
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:
SPRING SEMESTER
December 15 is the final deadline for Spring 2021 applications.
December 20 is the final deadline to withdraw from the Spring 2021 semester and receive a full refund.
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 were awarded 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. In light of the cancellation of our standard Fall 2020 semester, students who received the scholarship are eligible to defer the funds to the Spring 2021 semester.
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: Information provided on this page is subject to change as all measures, particularly those relevant to travel, social distancing, & sanitation may change in compliance with current Italian and EU laws and guidelines for public health and safety.