Mercer University Terms and Conditions
GENERAL
1. Terms & Conditions
These are the Terms and Conditions of the agreement between Study Group USA Higher Education LLC (‘Study Group’), as a representative of Mercer University (‘University’), and the Student (‘Student’). If the Student is under the age of 18, the term ‘Student’ includes the responsible party advocating on behalf of the Student (i.e. parent, legal guardian, representative or sponsor).
1a. The Terms and Conditions outlined in this document are effective upon completion of the confirmation process, as detailed in Section 3 below.
1b. The Student should read these Terms and Conditions carefully before paying their non-refundable application fee and signing their application for admission. If necessary, the Student should obtain translating assistance to fully comprehend these Terms and Conditions prior to signing the Acceptance of Offer Form.
2. Changes to Terms & Conditions
Study Group reserves the right to amend the Terms and Conditions from time to time. The Student agrees to comply with the most current version of the Terms and Conditions, as amended from time to time, which can be found online at http://students.studygroup.com/terms-and-conditions/mercer (site not currently live).
2a. All Students are bound by the regulations, policies and procedures of the University as amended from time to time. The most current versions are available at University Student Policies at https://policies.mercer.edu/.
OFFER & CONFIRMATION
3. Confirmation of Offer
Upon admission to the University, the University issues a written offer. In order to accept the offer, the Student must sign the Acceptance of Offer Form and return it to Study Group together with any further requirements as stated in the offer. This denotes completion of the confirmation process and acceptance of these Terms and Conditions.
4. Tuition Deposit
The deposit is waived for the Spring 2026 intake if the Acceptance of Offer Form is received by the published confirmation deadline. Please note that if you later decide to defer to Fall 2026 or Spring 2027, you will be required to pay the published Tuition Deposit directly to Study Group, details of which will be provided by Study Group.
4.a Tuition Deposit Refund Policy
The published Tuition Deposit, if applicable, will only be refunded by proof of a visa rejection, such proof to be of the reasonable satisfaction of Study Group. Undeferred deposits will be forfeit one year from the date of anticipated enrollment listed on the application attached to the deposit.
FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND POLICIES
5. Participant Responsibility
The price for the University Program does not include the following expenses:
5a. The costs of housing, dining fees, insurance, general fees, and other University fees are billed by, and paid directly to, the University. PLEASE DO NOT PAY THESE TO STUDY GROUP.
5b. Meal and housing costs during the few times the University is officially closed.
5c. Personal spending money.
5d. Insurance for pre-existing medical conditions, i.e., ailments which exist prior to arrival in the U.S.
5e. University textbooks and other necessary school supplies.
5f. Air fare to and from U.S. domestic airport closest to the University campus in the U.S. (a round-trip ticket is required).
6. Full Payment
All tuition and fees are due and payable each semester, no later than the first official day of class. Only those students who register for a given semester during early registration will be billed for the semester in advance. Accounts may later be adjusted and re-billed based on changes in class schedules, housing arrangements and financial aid awards. Students who are not early registered and billed prior to the beginning of the semester must be prepared to pay tuition and fees at the time they register. A fee of $50 will be charged for late payment. If a student is registered for a particular semester but elects not to attend, the student must officially notify the Registrar. Non-attendance does not cancel charges, and the student will be held financially accountable for all classes for which she/he is registered.
Important note: If payment arrangements have not been made by the end of the drop/add period, the student’s registration is subject to cancellation. The University reserves the right to deny access to, or use of, University facilities to any student with an outstanding balance. Payment of fees is the responsibility of the student, regardless of sponsorship by his or her employer.
7. Payment Process
The Tuition Deposit shall be paid to Study Group. All other fees are to paid directly to the University.
7a. Certain payment options will carry a processing fee of 2.5%. Study Group reserves the right to alter this charge from time to time. If you choose to pay in your local currency, a foreign exchange rate will apply. The applicable exchange rate can be viewed online at the time and date of the payment. Bank charges and commission for both the sending and receiving banks will be paid by the sender of funds, or they will be applied to the Student’s account.
8. Withdrawal
Once classes begin, the Student is subject to University withdrawal policies as outlined at https://bursar.mercer.edu/policie/withdrawal-policy/.
9. Other Than Tuition
All additional required fees, such as Residence Hall Fees, Dining Services Fees, General Student Fee, Chapel Fee, Course or Lab Fee, Administrative Fee and Applied Music Fee, are subject to the policies set by the University.
10. Transfer
Transfer policy is encoded in the refund policy at Mercer. We cannot prevent the transfer of students. Please see the General Refund Policy below.
11. General Refund Policy
https://bursar.mercer.edu/refunds/
11a. Deposit Refunds
Deposit or Commitment fees are refundable only in the case of visa denial or refusal. Undeferred deposits will be forfeit one year from the date of anticipated enrollment listed on the application attached to the deposit.
12. Deferrals
Mercer University allows the deferral of a student’s program of study on request. Students are limited to one deferral request per program of study and can defer for either one semester, or one year at the time of request.
POLICIES, PROCEDURES AND REQUIREMENTS
13. Student Conduct & Rules
All Students are subject to the rules of the University. The Student must assume full responsibility for compliance. Student Policies and Procedures for the University are available at https://conduct.mercer.edu/about-us.cfm.
13a. By signing the Acceptance of Offer Form the Student is acknowledging they agree to adhere to University policies, including, but not limited to all housing, and rules including payment, withdrawal, and cancellation regulations at the University. Rules governing alcohol, tobacco, controlled drugs, and other serious offenses will be strictly enforced. International students in the U.S. must comply with both the letter and the spirit of the law in order to retain valid student visas. Violations of such laws/policies will render the Student liable for immediate dismissal from the Program and repatriation to the home country, and possible legal prosecution for violation of the laws of the state or federal jurisdictions involved. No refund will be given in cases of suspension, expulsion or administrative separation.
14. Appeals
The Student may challenge decisions through established procedures for appeals. Information regarding the University’s appeals procedures is available at https://provost.mercer.edu/resources/handbooks/student-handbooks/.
15. Late Arrivals
Students are required to arrive by the program start date listed on their I-20 by federal immigration authorities. Late arrival requests are only considered in extremely special circumstances by the University.
16. Health Insurance
Students are automatically enrolled in Mercer’s student health insurance plan which is a requirement of enrollment. Students with active, US health insurance may apply for a waiver from the insurance requirement at the following link: https://bursar.mercer.edu/student-health-insurance/
17. Pricing
Prices for Programs, fees, and insurance are subject to change without notice. Current pricing can be found at https://bursar.mercer.edu/tuition-and-fees/. Published prices are relevant only for the year specified. Prices are adjusted at a minimum annually to reflect amendments made by the University and Study Group to their tuition and fees.
STUDENT EXPERIENCE
18. Maintaining Good Standing
The Student must meet attendance, course grade, and GPA requirements as specified in the University Handbook in order to maintain the status of academic good standing.
18a. Progression
Progression to the next term is dependent on successfully meeting all attendance, course grade, and GPA requirements as specified in the relevant University Student Handbook which is available at https://provost.mercer.edu/resources/handbooks/student-handbooks/. The University may have additional requirements for progression. These additional requirements (if any) will be reviewed during orientation.
19. Satisfactory Academic Progress, Academic Performance, and Course Attendance
Students are required to maintain good academic standing as defined by the school or college administering their program of study to continue their enrollment at Mercer. Failure to comply with these standards may result in exclusion from the program on an academic basis.
20. Vacation, Holidays, and Closures
The University Academic Calendar can be found here: https://registrar.mercer.edu/calendars.cfm. Students on an international student visa from Mercer must request approval for any absence during their published course session with their academic unit and campus immigration authorities.
LEGAL
21. Student Information & Communication
The Student must supply Study Group with personal email addresses and mobile/cell numbers prior to arrival, to ensure that communication, to include transmission of Student reports, may always be maintained. Contact information must be up to date and operational. Any changes must be reported to Study Group by the Student within 24 hours of the change occurring.
21a. Upon issuance of a University email address, which is at the time of receiving the official acceptance letter from the University, the Student is required to check the University email address daily. The Student will be held responsible for complying with all communications sent to that email address. Missing an email will not be an acceptable explanation for non-compliance with official requests.
22. Data Protection
Any information provided to Study Group may be held on computer and shall be used in accordance with U.S. law, including FERPA, HIPAA, and ADA. Information provided to Study Group is held and processed for the purpose of administering the Student’s application and may be carried forward to the Student’s official student record, which holds data in electronic and paper form on personal details, academic and administrative history, and on relevant financial transactions. Upon completion of the Student’s Program, the parts of their student record which the University needs to retain will be archived. Some information will also be processed for the purpose of managing the relationship with the Student as an alumnus. Other information will be destroyed. Throughout, the Student’s personal data will be held in accordance with current U.S. data protection law.
22a. Study Group respects the Student’s privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. Further information on how Study Group protects your personal information can be found in the Student Privacy Notice: https://corporate.studygroup.com/land/student-privacy-notice.
23. Damage and Liability
Neither Study Group, the University, nor their staff or representatives, will be liable for any loss, damage, or injury to persons or property, except where the liability is specified by applicable law. Neither Study Group, the University, nor their staff or representatives will be liable if, for any reason- they are not able to supply a service due to circumstances beyond their control.
23a. The Student agrees to indemnify Study Group and its agents with regard to any financial obligations or liabilities that the Student may personally incur or any damage or injury to the person or property of others that the Student may cause while participating in this Program. The Program begins with the Student’s outbound flight to the U.S. and terminates when the return flight lands. The Student realizes that any airline’s liability for loss or damage to baggage or property, or for death or injury, is limited by the terms outlined by the airlines. We also understand that it is the Student’s responsibility to obtain a passport and any required visa.
23b. Study Group is not responsible for any loss or injury suffered by the applicant at any time while participating in the Program, including but not limited to losses or injury suffered during periods of independent travel or absence from the Program. The Student releases Study Group from all liability related to such actions.
24. Disclaimer
Study Group takes great care in compiling and providing Programs, facilities, and other arrangements in official online and print formats, and we believe all materials and services available to be accurate at the time of delivery. Study Group regularly reviews materials and Programs, which may be subject to change without notice.
25. Equal Opportunity and Diversity
Study Group is an equal opportunity provider. Study Group and the University are committed to the elimination of discrimination and the provision of equal opportunity in education and employment. In compliance with state and federal laws and regulations, Study Group and its partners do not discriminate in any of policies, procedures, or practices. on the basis of race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or pregnancy. This non-discrimination policy covers admission into and access to and employment in all Programs and activities, including, but not limited to, academic admissions, financial aid, educational services, and employment.
26. Severability
If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is held to be invalid, illegal, void, or unenforceable, then such provision shall be modified by the proper court or other authority to the extent necessary and possible to make such provision enforceable, and such modified provision and all other provisions of these Terms and Conditions shall be given effect separately from the provision or portion thereof determined to be invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable and shall not be affected thereby.
27. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the domestic laws of Georgia, without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule that would cause the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction. Each of the parties submits to the jurisdiction of any state court sitting in Georgia, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to these terms and conditions and agrees that all claims in respect of the action or proceeding may be heard and determined in any such court. Each party also agrees not to bring any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to these Terms and Conditions in any other court. Each of the parties waives any defense of inconvenient forum to the maintenance of any action or proceeding so brought and waives any bond, surety, or other security that might be required of any other party with respect thereto.
28. Applying for a Visa
Upon completion of required materials and forms, the University will provide the Form I-20 to the Student. An I-20 is required to start the process of obtaining a student visa to enter the United States. The Student will also be prepared to present financial documentation to the US consular office in the Student’s home country. It is recommended that all students apply for their visa as early as possible. The Student must notify their Study Group academic enrolment advisor directly once their visa status is known.
Study Group USA Higher Education LLC
200 S Wacker Dr Fl 31
Chicago, IL 60606