USA High School Choice Pricing | Student Exchange Australia New Zealand

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Options and Pricing

The High School Choice USA Program Price is the combined total of the following fees, invoiced separately:

School Application Fee
US$200-US$600
Insurance Fee
US$995 Year/US$495 Semester
Program Management Fee
Academic Semester & Year:
NZ$5,995
School & Accommodation Fees
The School & Accommodation Price, Insurance Fee and Application Fee will all be invoiced directly from the USA, in USD.

The complete list of schools available with Student Exchange can be viewed by clicking here:

High School Choice School & Accommodation Fees

Program Management Fee

The Program Management Fee of NZ$5,995 will be invoiced by Student Exchange Australia New Zealand upon acceptance on the program.

What’s included

Our administrative costs
Return economy airfare with recognised airlines from your nearest capital city
Travel to and from your host family
Comprehensive medical, baggage, trip cancellation insurance & personal liability
Application process and selection interview
Assistance with your visa application (you must pay the visa application fee)
Host family screening and selection
Enrolment at your host school
Pre-departure orientation and materials, including parent and student handbooks
Safety Card that lists contact details for our office staff, local coordinator, host family, regulating authority and overseas partner. These cards also contain the 24/7 emergency phone numbers.
Arrival orientation and materials in your host country
24 hour emergency assistance
Professional support throughout your time away as necessary and required
Welcome home pack

What’s not included

Passport and visa costs: individual students are responsible for the cost of passport and visa application. Details are available from our office.
Life’s Little Extras: while you are away, your host family will provide you with food and accommodation. However, you will need to take some extra spending money for some of life’s little extras. Make sure you have enough for any purchases you may need including personal items, telephone bills, text books, school uniforms, gifts for family and friends and any optional excursions you may take during your time away. We usually recommend NZ$400-500 per month but this can vary depending on where you are placed, transport costs and your spending habits.
SEVIS fee: US government administrative cost – approx. US$265
US visa fee: US government fee – approx. US$185
Visa interview: any costs associated with attending your local US Consulate in Australia for your visa interview

If you would like to find out more about our USA High School Choice Program, please complete our online enquiry form or contact our USA Program Coordinator at Student Exchange on 1300 135 331 from Australia or 0800 440 079 from New Zealand to discuss your interest in this program.

School and Accommodation Fees

What’s included

Tuition for an Academic Year or Academic Semester
host family placement fee
monthly host family stipend
student arrival arrangements
guardianship
breakfast and dinner at the host family, and
ongoing student support

The School and Accommodation Fees will be invoiced to you directly from the US. This invoice needs to be paid in US dollars.

School & Accommodation Fees

What’s not included

Fees charged by the school to all students such as locker fee, sports fees, school book costs, etc. Such fees are typically charged directly by school after program start
Student spending money for personal purchases
Purchase of lunch at school cafeteria
Insurance – Insurance is not included in price and will be billed separately at the following rates: Academic Year: US$995 and Academic Semester: US$495

Please note: Student Exchange reserves the right to make adjustments to Program Prices should circumstances beyond Student Exchange’s control warrant such a change. Student Exchange also reserves the right to change or alter travel plans, program dates, program components or other arrangements including cancellations of programs or groups. Late applications may be considered. Some program destinations are subject to availability. Cancellation Penalties do apply.

Payment Structure & Schedule

School and Accommodation Fees

100% of the School and Accommodation Fee (inc. Application and Insurance fee) will be invoiced when the placement is completed, and before I-20 is sent to Student Exchange. The I-20 is a form used to obtain a F1 visa.

Please note:

School Application fee and 50% of School and Accommodation fees are due within 14 days from invoice date (issued upon school acceptance)
I-20 will be requested from school upon receipt of first payment
Remaining balance is due upon visa approval or June 15 for Fall intake (December 1 for Spring intake), whichever comes first
For applications received after June 15 or December 1, full payment is due within 10 days from invoice date. For applications invoiced after July 15 or December 15, the total invoice amount is due immediately.
Host Family information and airport pick-up information will be released after full payment has been received, and full immunization records have been submitted to the USA partner.

Program Management Fee

The NZ$5,995 Program Management fee is invoiced upon acceptance on the program.

Possible additional fees:

Extensions from academic semester to academic year will be charged with an extension fee of US$1500
Host Family Change Requests initiated by student, natural family or agent may be subject to US$500 change fee
Alternative Airport pick up fee US$250 will be charged if the student chooses to land at an airport other than what is recommended by our overseas partner
Special diets can be accommodated, but may incur additional fees. Please inquire
Guaranteed Single Room may be available for an additional charge of US$3,500, please inquire

Any additional fees will be invoiced to you directly from the US, in US dollars. Applicants can extend their program for a maximum of 4 years, depending on the school.

Cancellation Terms:

Cancellation will only be accepted in writing and will be effective at the date received by Student Exchange Australia New Zealand Ltd. Provided all fees due up to the date of cancellation have been paid, refunds will be made in accordance with the following schedule:

If a student is not accepted by the overseas partner – Full refund
If Student Exchange Australia New Zealand Ltd cancels a program at any time prior to departure – Full refund
If a student withdraws from the program:
- After formal acceptance:
  - After application acceptance but before I-20 application fee is paid: 50% of the Program Management Price is forfeited.
  - After I-20 but before visa is issued: 50% of the Program Management Price, 10% of the School and Accommodation Price and the application fee is forfeited.
  - After Student Visa is obtained but before arrival: 100% of the Program Management Price, 25% of the School and Accommodation Price and the application fee is forfeited.
  - Student cancels because he/she is denied a visa: 50% of the Program Management Price and Application fee is forfeited.
  - After having arrived on program: Refunds are calculated on a case by case basis. A minimum of 100% of the Program Management Price and 25% of the School and Accommodation Price and insurance and application fee is forfeited.
If a student has to return home after commencement of the program because of serious illness of the student or serious illness or death of a member of the immediate family AU$100 refund will be paid for each complete remaining month of the program.

Nothing in these terms and conditions is intended to have the effect of contracting out of the provisions of the New Zealand Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 (if applicable).