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Students participating in international trips are required to purchase insurance and should consult the insurance policy for trip cancellation coverage provisions.
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If a student must withdraw from a trip for any reason, after completing the acceptance form, the student will be financially responsible for any payments that have been made on their behalf by the Center for Civic Engagement (CCE) and any other non-recoverable costs (i.e., travel costs, instructional costs, deposits, field trip payments, faculty support, overseas accommodations, tours, or other program-related charges not covered by the international insurance cancellation provisions). The student will be held liable for these and other charges including, but not limited to:
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Cancellation penalties charged by host universities, affiliate providers, airlines, hotels, tour agencies, etc.
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Loss incurred through unfavorable currency exchange
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Bank fees, overseas wire charges, and/or other transaction-related expenses
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It is the student's responsibility to inquire as to the estimated non-recoverable costs incurred at the time of their withdrawal. In extreme cases, this could mean that the student is financially responsible for the entire program fee.
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Alternative Break travel can be cancelled or shortened for reasons outside the control of any parties (i.e., terrorism, natural disasters, widespread infectious diseases, scarce or absent medical resources and/or services, increased criminal activity, reduced and/or limited availability of support services from U.S. government officials, or civil unrest, etc.). Any fees and expenses that are non-recoverable will be the sole responsibility of the participating students.
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In the event of a student's suspension or expulsion from ISU, the student will remain financially responsible for the costs related to the program.
Costs and Payment
Paying for Your Trip
Those participating in Alternative Breaks are required to pay fees to fund their trips. Fees for most trips will be charged to your student account.
- What's included in each trip: Transportation, 3 meals a day, housing accommodations, and free day activities (such as a museum entry or tour of the community).
- What's not included: Personal souvenirs and snacks. Trips involving airfare may also require transportation to the airport. For international travel, passport fees, vaccinations, COVID-19 testing (if required), luggage fees, tourist visas, and travel insurance are not included in your trip fees.
Fee Discounts
Through the generosity of donors, Alternative Breaks is able to offer a limited amount of partial fee discounts each year to offset trip costs for students. Fill out this online form to apply for a fee discount.
Fees
Fees for a trip are based on a student's Student Aid Index (SAI) as determined through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process. Costs will decrease as a student’s SAI lowers.
Alternative Winter Break *Fee updates for 2026 to be updated 2/15/25
The costs below are for Alternative Winter Break trips. Fees will be charged to students' accounts in early January.
Additional costs for international trips may include transportation to the departure airport, passport fees, vaccinations, COVID-19 testing, luggage fees, visas, and travel insurance.
| SAI | Domestic Participant Cost | Domestic Trip Leader Cost | International Participant Cost | International Trip Leader Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | $125 | $75 | $700 | $600 |
| 1-5,486 | $175 | $125 | $900 | $800 |
| 5,487-9,000 | $225 | $175 | $1,100 | $1,000 |
| 9,001-24,000 | $275 | $225 | $1,300 | $1,200 |
| 24,001 and above; or no FAFSA on file | $325 | $275 | $1,500 | $1,400 |
Alternative Spring Break
The costs below are for Spring Break trips. Fees are charged to students' accounts in late March.
Additional costs for international trips may include transportation to the departure airport, passport fees, vaccinations, COVID-19 testing, luggage fees, visas, and travel insurance.
| SAI | Domestic Participant Cost | Domestic Trip Leader Cost | International Participant Cost | International Trip Leader Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | $262.50 | $187.50 | $1275 | $1150.00 |
| 1-5,486 | $328 | $253.00 | $1,593.75 | $1,468.75 |
| 5,487-9,000 | $393.50 | $318.50 | $1,912.50 | $1,787.50 |
| 9,001-24,000 | $459.00 | $384.00 | $2,231.25 | $2,106.50 |
| 24,001 and above; or no FAFSA on file | $525.00 | $450.00 | $2,550.00 | $2,425.00 |
Alternative Summer Break
The costs below are for Alternative Summer Break. Fees are typically charged to students' accounts in mid-May.
Additional costs for international trips may include transportation to the departure airport, passport fees, vaccinations, COVID-19 testing, luggage fees, visas, and travel insurance.
| SAI | Participant Cost | Trip Leader Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | $1,725.00 | $1,600.00 |
| 1-5,486 | $2,156.25 | $2,031.25 |
| 5,487-9,000 | $2,587.50 | $2,462.50 |
| 9,001-24,000 | $3,018.75 | $2,893.75 |
| 24,001 and above; or no FAFSA on file | $3,450.00 | $3,325.00 |