Tri-S: Serve, Study, and Share 

Do I have to pay a deposit when I apply?

Yes. All students — whether traveling for credit or not — must pay a $400 non-refundable deposit when submitting their application. This deposit is applied toward the total cost of your trip.

Is the $400 deposit refundable?

No. The $400 deposit is non-refundable regardless of the reason for cancellation. It is applied to your trip cost, but it will not be returned if you cancel.

Where do I pay, and who do I contact with payment questions?

All payments are handled through the Business Office, located in the bottom of Decker. For questions, reach out to them directly:

Email: studentaccounts@anderson.edu

How does payment work if I’m traveling for academic credit?

If your trip is taken for credit, the cost is billed just like tuition — during the same semester you are traveling. You’ll pay for it through your regular tuition billing cycle, so there is no separate final payment installment beyond the deposit and passport steps.

How does payment work if I’m NOT traveling for credit?

Non-credit travelers follow a structured installment payment schedule with set deadlines. Unlike credit trips, the remaining balance is not tied to tuition billing — you’ll make payments directly according to the schedule below.

What is the payment schedule for a non-credit trip traveling in March or April?

October 15: Copy of birth certificate or passport + $400 non-refundable deposit due

December 1: Copy of passport + $1,000 due

January 31: FINAL PAYMENT due

What is the payment schedule for a non-credit trip traveling in May?

January 20: Copy of birth certificate or passport + $400 non-refundable deposit due

February 28: Copy of passport + $1,000 due

March 31: FINAL PAYMENT due

What travel documents do I need to submit, and when?

For your first deadline, you need to submit a copy of your birth certificate OR passport along with your $400 deposit. By the second deadline, you must submit your passport if not received with the deposit. Make sure your passport is valid for 6 months from the travel date and not expired — getting or renewing a passport can take several weeks, so plan ahead.

What happens if I need to cancel my trip?
Because trip expenses are contracted and paid in advance (including airfare, lodging, ground transportation, and excursions), participants are financially responsible for costs incurred on their behalf.

• Before flights and vendor commitments are made:
  The $400 deposit is non-refundable.
• After flights or vendor payments have been made:
  You are responsible for all non-refundable expenses incurred on your behalf. Depending on timing, this may include the full cost of the trip.

Within 30 days of departure, participants should expect to be responsible for the entire trip cost, as most expenses are non-refundable at that stage. The university does not guarantee any refund beyond recoverable vendor reimbursements.

When are flights booked, and what happens to them if I cancel?
Flights for March and April trips are booked in December. Flights for May and Summer trips are booked in January. If you cancel after flights have been booked, you will not receive a cash refund for the flight, but an airline credit may be issued depending on the airline’s policy.