Is there any sort of financing available to parents?
All travelers are automatically enrolled in EF's monthly payment plan. We take the balance at the time of enrollment and divide it by the number of months before the final payment is due. That amount is charged to a checking account, debit or credit card monthly. When enrolling on your group's tour, you will be able to preview your entire payment schedule. If adjustments are made to the tour, such as special travel arrangements or optional add-ons, we will automatically adjust the monthly payment amount. No surprises, no statements to mail, no hassle.
What is the payment schedule?
For those travelers enrolled in EF’s monthly payment plan:
Your payment schedule is determined by your sign up date for your group's tour, as explained above. Also, we will periodically mail you a courtesy invoice for your records.
For those travelers not enrolled in EF’s monthly payment plan:
We will send you an invoice when payment is due. You can find your payment schedule on page 8 of your enrollment booklet outlined as:
- $150 is due upon enrollment
- $200 is due 30 days after enrollment
- Tour Balance (all charges excluding Departure Fees) is due 110 days prior to departure
- Departure Fees and remaining balance are due 50 days prior to departure
Departure Fees are those fees and taxes imposed by the government and airlines that are beyond Smithsonian Student Travel's control.
What happens when a payment is late?
A $40 late fee is assessed for deposits received after the deadline. If your tour balance payment (all charges except Departure Fees) is received fewer than 110 days prior to departure, you will incur a non-refundable $85 late fee.