Outward Bound USA Home
Application and Cancellation Policies
Please review this page thoroughly before making any further financial commitment.
CB10 Secondary Banner
CB13 Repeatable Callout
Deposit
A deposit is required for all applications and is applied toward the course tuition and includes a $150 non-refundable application processing fee.
$150 application processing fee is refundable only under the following conditions:
- You have met all due dates and did not receive the amount of scholarship aid needed
- North Carolina Outward Bound School cancels your course
Deposit costs may vary depending on course type.
CB23 WYSIWYG
Tuition Cancellation Policy
The cancellation policy is based on proximity to course start date. Payment terms and conditions are based on our investment in non-recoverable costs like planning, staffing and course delivery.
Tuition covers the cost of provided food, instructors, permits, gear and equipment.
Full payment is due 90 days before the course start date even if you have yet to submit your required forms or have yet to be cleared to participate.
NCOBS is not responsible for other expenses including travel, lodging and gear costs.
If you have not paid your full tuition by the due date, there are no refunds or percentage refunds of partial payments.
Cancel and Refund Tiers
For cancellations:
- 90+ days before start – Outward Bound will refund the $350 deposit and retain the $150 non-refundable application processing fee
- 89 to 75 days before start – Outward Bound will retain the $500 tuition deposit and will refund the remaining balance
- 74 to 45 days before start- Outward Bound will retain the $500 tuition deposit and will refund 50% of the remaining balance
- 44 days or fewer before start – Outward Bound will retain all payments
In the event you are not cleared to participate, North Carolina Outward Bound School will retain the $150 non-refundable processing fee. The remaining $350 is refundable ONLY if you responded with full disclosure while completing the medical screening process at time of application, met all required due dates, and the screening process has been completed.
If your payment or required forms are not received by the due dates noted in your Applicant Portal, this may be considered a cancellation due to inactive status and you will lose your position on the course, as well as the $500 deposit.
———————————————————————————————-
Waitlist Applications
$350 tuition deposit refundable only if you cancel your waitlist application before a position becomes available or an open position never becomes available.
If a position becomes available, the waitlist applicant will be applied to the open position and our Cancellation Policy will apply.
Applicants may only apply to only one course. We select waitlist applicants based on responsiveness to deadlines and level of commitment to participate. Positions may become available as late as one to two weeks prior to the course start date.
———————————————————————————————-
Transfer Applications
If you transfer:
- 60 days or more before course start, 100% of fully paid tuition transfers to a new course. A $100 transfer fee will apply to subsequent transfers
- 59-30 days before course start, 50% of fully paid tuition transfers to a new course and 50% is forfeited
- Less than 30 days before course start, no payments transfer
CB13 Repeatable Callout
Course Confirmation
We work diligently to confirm courses as early as possible. However, due to circumstances such as enrollment, weather and/or staffing, course confirmation may be delayed.
Once the course is confirmed, your student services representative will notify families by email.
Course Cancellation
Should the North Carolina Outward Bound School cancel a course, we will endeavor to notify applicants two weeks prior to course start or as quickly as possible. For course length of 30 days+, our goal notification is one month prior to course start or as quickly as possible.
Should we cancel your course, all payments are refundable or transferable to another course. The North Carolina Outward Bound School is not responsible for any other expenses including travel, insurances, lodging or clothing/gear.
Early Departures or No Shows
Our intent is to support students to successfully complete their course. However, medical issues, homesickness, voluntary withdrawal, low motivation or expulsion may prevent a student from completing a course. Should a student leave course early, parents will be contacted to arrange travel. If your child is on a course for ages 18+, please read our Release of Information Waiver contained within the applicant’s portal.
No matter the reason for early departures or no shows at course start, there will be no refund or credit of tuition.
CB11 Scrolling Bullets
Trip and Tuition Insurance
Outward Bound offers optional trip insurance through the third-party provider InsureMyTrip’s Academic Explorer Program, which can cover travel expenses and non-refundable tuition.
We will not issue refunds except as outlined above. Therefore, it is imperative that you consider protecting your financial investment.
Airfare, related travel costs, and non-refundable tuition payments are expensive. Insurance to protect your trip and course is not required but strongly recommended. If you choose not to purchase insurance and cancel your course or leave your course early you will be held to the terms of the Cancellation Policy
You may also choose a different insurance provider. In all cases, including InsureMyTrip, the type and amount of coverage are your responsibility and must be arranged directly with the provider.
The Academic Explorer Program offered through InsureMyTrip does not offer coverage for emergency evacuation. Health insurance often does not cover the cost of emergency evacuation by air or other means and these costs can be very expensive. North Carolina Outward Bound School will not be financially responsible for these costs in the event that your student requires evacuation.
Outward Bound makes no representations or warranties about these insurance options or how they handle claims.
CB13 Repeatable Callout
Veterans Courses
North Carolina Outward Bound School requires a $50 non-refundable Commitment Fee at the time of application.
The $50 Commitment Fee is refundable only if you apply as Standby or Waitlist and a position does not become available OR the North Carolina Outward Bound School cancels your course.
Please contact your Student Services Representative if this fee is a financial barrier.
