Cancellation, Refund, and Transfer Policies
Alumni Trips
These policies exist to encourage commitment when applying for a NOLS alumni trip and to cover the costs incurred by NOLS when someone either cancels, transfers or leaves a program. Exceptions may be considered on a case by case basis.
Deposit and Tuition
- A non-refundable deposit is due upon registration for a trip.
Cancellations
For canceled enrollment on an alumni trip:
- Your deposit is non-refundable.
- Your deposit is transferable to another NOLS course if you cancel more than 44 days prior to the start date of the event.
- This deposit will be held on your account for 2 years maximum. If not used in the subsequent 2 years, it will expire and be retained by NOLS.
- The remaining tuition you have paid will be reimbursed as per the information below:
- For canceled enrollment > 44 days before the event start date, NOLS will refund full tuition above the deposit. Your deposit will be held by NOLS and transferable for 2 years from your cancellation date.
- For canceled enrollment 15 to 44 days prior to the event start date, NOLS will retain 25% of total tuition (including the deposit). These funds are not eligible to be transferred.
- For canceled enrollment 8 to 14 days prior to the event start date, NOLS will retain 50 % of total tuition (including the deposit). These funds are not eligible to be transferred.
- For canceled enrollment < 8 days before the event start date or once the event has begun, there will be no refund (including the deposit). These funds are not eligible to be transferred.
- If NOLS cancels a trip for any reason, you will receive a full refund of your tuition and deposit.
- A new, non-refundable deposit must be paid for each newly enrolled trip.
- Funds held on account may be applied to the tuition of a new Alumni trip, Expedition course, or Wilderness Medicine course at a later date.
Custom Education Courses
Cancellations
For NOLS Custom Education students paying full or partial tuition, if you cancel or leave for any reason:
- NOLS retains the non-refundable, non-transferable deposit due with application (amount varies).
- Between 15 and 29 days before the course starting date, NOLS will retain 25 percent of the course tuition.
- Between 8 and 14 days before the course starting date, NOLS will retain 50 percent of the course tuition.
- Less than 8 days before the course starting date or after the course has begun, NOLS will retain 100 percent of the course tuition.
- If you have paid an equipment deposit, it will be fully refunded.
Expeditions Courses
Cancellation Policies
Tuition for all courses is due 75 days before course start, or if enrollment is within 75 days of course start the tuition is due within 10 day of enrolling or prior to course start date, whichever comes first.
For all semester and academic year courses in any location as well as all courses in India, if you cancel or leave for any reason we will retain the non-refundable deposit or the following percentage of tuition, whichever is greater:
- Between 30 and 60 days prior to the course start date, NOLS will retain 25 percent of the course tuition
- Between 15 and 29 days prior to the course start date, NOLS will retain 50 percent of the course tuition
- Less than 15 days prior to the course start date or after the course has begun, there will be no refunds
For all other courses, if you cancel or leave for any reason we will retain the non-refundable deposit or the following percentage of tuition, whichever is greater:
- Between 15 and 29 days prior to the course start date, NOLS will retain 25 percent of the course tuition
- Between 8 and 14 days prior to the course start date, NOLS will retain 50 percent of the course tuition
- Less than 8 days prior to the course start date or after the course has begun, there will be no refunds
If NOLS cancels your enrollment due to you missing your deadlines, all cancellation policies above apply.
Transfer Policies
For all semester and academic year courses in any location as well as all courses in India, if you transfer from one course to another:
- More than 60 days prior to the course start date, there will be a $25 processing charge
- 60 days or less prior to the course start date, regular cancellation policies will apply
For all other courses, if you transfer:
- 30 or more days prior to the course start date, there will be a $25 processing charge
- 29 days or less prior to the course start date, regular cancellation policies apply
Leave No Trace Courses
Cancellations
For students paying full or partial tuition, if you cancel or leave for any reason:
- NOLS retains the non-refundable, non-transferable deposit due with application (amount varies)
- Between 15 and 29 days before the course starting date, NOLS will retain 25 percent of the course tuition
- Between 8 and 14 days before the course starting date, NOLS will retain 50 percent of the course tuition
- Less than 8 days before the course starting date or after the course has begun, NOLS will retain 100 percent of the course tuition
- If you have paid an equipment deposit, it will be fully refunded
Transfers
- For transfers 30 or more days prior to the course start date, there will be a $25 processing charge
- For transfers 29 days or less prior to the course start date, regular cancellation policies apply
Online Leadership Development Course
Deposit and Tuition
- A deposit of $150 is due with your application and the full tuition balance is due 30 days prior to course start.
- If you are registering within 30 days of the course start date, full tuition payment is required to reserve your spot in the course.
Cancellations
- If you cancel more than 30 days prior to the course start date, NOLS will retain a $25 administrative fee.
- If you cancel between 30 and 10 days prior to the course start date, NOLS will retain the $150 deposit.
- There will be no refunds within 10 days of the course start date.
- You will receive a full refund in the event of a course cancellation caused by NOLS.
Transfers
- Tuition fees are transferable to other people within your organization 30 days prior to course start date for a $25 administrative fee.
- For transfers between 30 and 10 days prior to the course start date to other people within your organization, NOLS will retain the $150 deposit.
- Tuition fees are non-transferable within 10 days of the course start date.
Risk Services Courses
Deposit and Tuition
- A deposit of $300 is due with your application and the full tuition balance is due 30 days prior to course start.
- If you are registering within 30 days of the course start date, full tuition payment is required to reserve your spot in the course.
Cancellations
- If you cancel more than 30 days prior to the course start date, NOLS will retain a $25 administrative fee.
- If you cancel between 30 and 10 days prior to the course start date, NOLS will retain the $300 deposit.
- There will be no refunds within 10 days of the course start date.
- You will receive a full refund in the event of a course cancellation caused by NOLS.
Transfers
- Tuition fees are transferable to other Risk Services courses or people within your organization 30 days prior to course start date for a $25 administration fee.
- For transfers between 30 and 10 days prior to the course start date to other Risk Services courses or people within your organization, NOLS will retain the $300 deposit.
- Tuition fees are non-transferable within 10 days of the course start date.
Wilderness Medicine Courses
If NOLS Wilderness Medicine is providing the registration service for your course, the following policies apply:
For Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician (WEMT) and other courses longer than 10 days:
- 45 days or greater prior to the course start date—students may cancel the course, and will receive a refund less a $50.00 fee.
- Less than 45 days prior to the course start date—the course is non-refundable or transferable. Tuition in full is due at 45 days pre course.
All Other Wilderness Medicine Courses, 10 days or less:
- 15 days or greater prior to the course start date – Students may cancel the course, and will receive a refund less a $50.00 fee.
- Less than 15 days prior to the course start date-The course is non-refundable or transferable. Tuition in full is due at 15 days pre course.
All requests to transfer courses must be made prior to the course payment deadline and will incur a $50.00 fee.
If NOLS cancels the course for any reason we will refund or offer a transfer to a future course.
Payment Policy
If NOLS Wilderness Medicine is providing the registration service for your course, full tuition payment must be received by the cancellation deadline for your course. Failure to pay in full for a course by the deadline will result in the cancelation of your registration, and retention of all monies paid. For WEMTs and courses longer than 10 days payment in full is due 45 days prior to the course start date. For all other wilderness medicine courses payment in full is due 15 days prior to your course start.
Attendance Policy
Students are required to attend all class sessions and field exercises. Students may miss no more than 10% of the in-person course hours and students on hybrid courses may not miss any portion of the first day. Students on WEMT courses may not have more than 16 hours of excused or unexcused absence. Review of missed curriculum or examinations is the student’s responsibility. Students with absences exceeding 10% of in-person course hours will not be eligible for testing and/or certification. No refunds of tuition or course costs will be offered.
Wilderness Risk Management Conference (WRMC)
By registering for the WRMC, you agree to the Covid-19 Policy, the Media Release, and the Registration Cancellation Policy.
Media Release
By accepting this registration, I give NOLS permission to use any photos, video, or audio taken of me by WRMC media coordinators in promotional materials and press releases. WRMC attendee lists may be posted on the website for the purposes of risk management networking.
WRMC Cancellation Policy
Conference Registration: For all types of registrations (attendee, volunteer, exhibitor table, speaker, etc.), there will be a $200 cancellation fee for any registration canceled after enrollment and on or before 8/31/2025. There will be a $500 cancellation fee if canceling on or after 9/1/2025. No exceptions will be made for any reason, including extenuating circumstances or emergencies. Conference registration is not transferable for future years, or other educational programs offered by WRMC, NOLS, or partner organizations. Conference registrations can be transferred to another individual on a needs basis within the same conference year. Travel insurance is recommended.
Pre-conference Workshop or Meal Plan: On or before 8/31/2025, 50% of the amount paid will be eligible for refund. On or after 9/1/2025, no refunds will be provided.
Participants should register for pre-conference workshops by September 15th (14 days prior to the conference start date) if possible. A decision will be made on that date about whether the pre-conference session has enough attendees. If there are not sufficient attendees, the pre-conference will likely get canceled, even after you have registered. If the WRMC must cancel a pre-conference workshop, a full refund will be provided for your registration, but you will be responsible for any changes to your travel schedule. Travel insurance is highly recommended in case the preconference workshop is canceled and you subsequently need to modify your travel arrangements.
Please email [email protected] for any conference refund or cancellation requests.
WRMC COVID-19 Policy
COVID-19 may be a risk, and attendees are strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated with boosters as applicable and up to date with their vaccines prior to the conference. The WRMC will follow any federal or local health regulations that may be required. If any COVID-19 protocols or requirements are necessary, they will be announced before the conference, and any protocols are subject to change at any time if conditions change. If you cannot attend the WRMC because of contracting COVID-19, the standard cancellation policies apply. Insurance is recommended.
