Terms & Conditions

This statement is to formally inform you that Universal Student Housing (referred to as USH) is contracted by you as your agent to act in your best interests.

1) OUR SERVICES: Universal Student Housing will provide you a special experience in a Homestay with a selected host, which includes privacy, a comfortable furnished bedroom, and 2 meals a day (for those on the room with meals plan). Our minimum service period is for 4 weeks, from your arrival date to your departure date.

2) APPLICATION: Please complete the application form and return to USH by mail or fax with your payment in the amount of US $350.00 ($150 SECURITY DEPOSIT + $200 NON-REFUNDABLE APPLICATION FEE). An additional US $150.00 late fee will be charged if your reservation is made less than 15 days prior to arrival. Make check payable to USH, INC. (CHECK MUST BE ABLE TO BE DRAWN ON A U.S. BANK). We suggest that you apply early for best results of confirmation on dates and personal preferences. (DO NOT DELAY IN SENDING THE APPLICATION. LET US KNOW IF YOU WILL MAKE PAYMENT AT A LATER DATE)

3) SPACE CONFIRMATION: USH will do its best to send you confirmation of housing before your departure from your country. We will give you your new address in the United States and your host family information. Should you fail to give USH a minimum of 2 weeks notice of arrival, USH reserves the right to accommodate you in available housing and you will be responsible for the differences in price and /or changes. USH must receive the Application Form, Application Fee, Security Deposit, and Housing Fee, 45 days or more before your arrival in order to give you your placement confirmation notice within 30 days. Should we not receive all the proper fees and information as described, USH will notify you upon confirmation of placement.

4) DEPARTURE/ ARRIVAL DETAIL: It is your responsibility to notify USH of all details and dates concerning your arrival with a minimum of 10 days advanced notice. We need enough time to arrange for transportation from the airport to your new place. USH will arrange your airport transfer for a fee; please click on "Prices and Schools" on our website, www.usaish.com, click on the school you will attend, and the shuttle fee will be listed for you. We strongly recommend that you make your flight reservation with plenty of time prior to your departure date to ensure your airplane seat and choice of space.

5) PERSONAL & MEDICAL INSURANCE: Students are responsible for providing their own insurance in the event that any injury or any act of damage (such as property damage or physical harm) occurs to or is caused by the student. USH and it's representatives are not liable for any of the above. Please contact your school advisor for details on its health and personal insurance requirements prior to enrollment. Whenever away from home, it is recommended that you carry a copy of your insurance papers with you.

6) VISA REQUIREMENTS: The American Consulate in your country and the school at which you will be attending can help you with all the information and requirements to obtain the proper visa for you. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that all the documents, permits and visa are properly obtained.

7) HOUSING CANCELLATION: In order to receive a refund (the application fee and security deposit is non-refundable), cancellations must be in writing and received by USH, 20 days prior to your arrival. If your written cancellation is not received 20 days prior to your arrival in the U.S., you will forfeit any prepaid housing fees. If you cancel within less than 20 days of your arrival and have not prepaid your housing fee, you must still pay for the first week of your homestay cost. If your cancellation notice is received within 10 or less days of your arrival or you simply do not move in to the homestay without informing USH about your cancellation, you will be responsible to pay for the first 4 weeks of your homestay.

8) CONTRACT TERMINATIONS: "Termination" refers to any cancellations made once you have arrived and begun your housing contract. Termination notices must be in writing, reviewed, and determined as to a fair decision concerning all parties. Students may move out of their homestay 30 days after the termination notice has been submitted to the USH office and the remainder of the housing fee will be refunded for the time remaining after the 30 days. Students who move out of their homestay without giving a 30-day notice will not receive a refund. The Application Fee is not refundable and travel costs are the responsibility of the student.

9) TERMINATION WITHOUT COMPENSATION: USH reserves the right to terminate without compensation a student's housing arrangement if the student is found to have behaved with misconduct. Misconduct includes but is not limited to theft, abuse of property, verbal or physical abuse of persons, alcohol or drug abuse, failure to adhere to federal, state or local laws, or school regulations. In addition, USH shall inform the student's advisor at the school he/she is attending. No refunds whatsoever will be paid to students who have been found to have behaved with misconduct.

10) EXTENSION OF CONTRACT: If you have been placed by USH in a homestay and wish to continue your stay, all extension periods must be directed through the local USH office. The additional fees must be paid in advance and directly to USH (under no circumstances, may the student nor his/her homestay host contract directly with one another). If the student does not wish to extend his/her stay in the USH homestay, it is understood that the student is to vacate his/her homestay on the day agreed to according to the terms of the housing contract.

11) HOST/ LOCATION CHANGE: If the student is not satisfied with the arrangement, he/she may request a change in his/her homestay assignment without charge. Change is subject to the availability of another homestay. However, after the initial change has been made, subsequent changes of homestay arrangements are subject to a levy of a $150.00 administrative fee. Students must call our office at (310) 824-4908 or e-mail us at contact@usaish.com We will make no changes until we speak with the student directly. Requests to change homestay must be made within the FIRST WEEK of arrival, otherwise student must complete at least the first 4 weeks before moving into the new homestay.

The student must request the change within the FIRST WEEK of his/her arrival, otherwise the student must either complete at least the first 4-weeks with the original host if we have another student to replace him/her or give a 30-day notice that he/she wishes to move.

12) PRICES CHANGES AND CORRECTIONS: USH has the right to change prices due to tax increases or other unforeseen increases in cost. Compensation will not be made for US public holidays during your placement.

13) FEES: (US Dollars) Application Fee $200.00; Security Deposit $150.00; Late Booking Fee $150.00; Homestay Fee & Mileage Fee (if any); plus applicable housing fees, please refer to the Schedule of Fees. *See item #2.

Late Payment Penalties (PLEASE READ CAREFULLY):
If we do not RECEIVE your payment by the 5th day of your move in or extension then we will charge a late fee of $85. If we still do not receive payment by the 10th day after you move in/extension then we will increase the late fee to $120 which must be paid in addition to your housing payment. If payment is not received by the 12th day after move in/extension then we will contact your host and cancel your homestay due to payment negligence. You will then have to move out of the home IMMEDIATELY. You will still be held responsible for the first 4 weeks of your homestay and the $120 late fee.

15) SECURITY DEPOSIT: A security deposit of $150.00 is to be collected from each student and will be retained by USH upon the completion of the student's housing contract, security deposit is not refundable in case of cancellation after homestay matching services has began). The security deposit can and will be used for a student's outstanding telephone bills, breakage/damage, and/or cleaning costs incurred by the student. To ensure return of the full amount, please be sure to settle all financial responsibilities with your host/roommates. USH will return the security deposit after confirming with your host to verify the amount of refund due to you after 30 days from your departure from your homestay. In order to receive the refund, you must contact USH with your forwarding address (for those students staying in the U.S.) or with your credit card number (for students who leave the U.S.). Please be aware that USH will not pay for any bank or currency exchange charges. These charges will be deducted from your SECURITY DEPOSIT REFUND.

16) REFUNDS: If student cancels 30 days or more before arrival in the U.S., student will receive all amounts paid by the student less the application fee and security deposit. After arrival in the US, see NO REFUND POLICY paragraph 8 (Termination)

17) TRANSPORTATION: It is the student's responsibility to provide his/her own transportation to and from the campus. USH will assist in providing the student with local bus maps and telephone numbers of public transportation. **NOTE** Please be advised that the public transportation here in the US may not be as convenient as you may presently be used to. USH has made every effort to provide assistance to you in getting around efficiently in the area by the available local bus systems.

18) MODE OF PAYMENT: Cash (Cash will be taken in our office only) Check (check must be drawn on a US bank) Credit Card (Visa, Master Card) or Wire Transfer: We will charge a TWO AND THREE-QUARTER PERCENT (3.5%) customer convenience charge on all credit card payments and a $20 bank fee for wire transfer payments.

19) Student is responsible for his/her own conduct. Student is neither an agent nor an employee of USH.

20) WIRE TRANSFER: Payments for application and housing fees may be made via bank transfer. Please e-mail us for a wire transfer form and we will send you our bank information.

21) HOUSING PAYMENT : Any payment for your homestay must be made directly to the USH Office. To avoid the late fee, USH recommends that you pay your housing fee before you move into your homestay.

Late Payment Penalties (PLEASE READ CAREFULLY):
If we do not RECEIVE your payment by the 5th day of your move in or extension then we will charge a late fee of $85. If we still do not receive payment by the 10th day after you move in/extension then we will increase the late fee to $120 which must be paid in addition to your housing payment. If payment is not received by the 12th day after move in/extension then we will contact your host and cancel your homestay due to payment negligence. You will then have to move out of the home IMMEDIATELY. You will still be held responsible for the first 4 weeks of your homestay and the $120 late fee.

22) AGREEMENT AND LEASE: I, the undersigned, have read, understand, and accept all the terms and conditions of this contract which is listed on the reverse side of the Application Form. As stated under the heading "Acknowledgment and Conditions" and by its suppliers in the USA, I fully accept the terms of responsibility, refunds, extensions, and charges for any loss, injury, damage, accident, delay, or expense resulting from events beyond the control of USH. This includes (without limitations) acts of GOD, wars, strikes, incidents of politically motivated violence, sickness or quarantine, government restrictions or regulations, or (in the absence of its own negligence) any of the above-stated occurrences arising from the use of any vehicle from USH or selection thereof, or from any act or omission by any homestay host, bus company, landlord, taxi service, hotel, restaurant, school or other firm, agency, company or individual.

I understand that I am responsible for conducting myself with reasonable care and caution at all times. If I become ill, USH may take action as in its sole discretion considers necessary. Student agrees to defend and indemnify USH, its agents, and employees and hold them harmless for any damage or injury, including attorneys fees, cause by the act or omission of student. This obligation applies whether or not student was negligent and applies even if USH is negligent, excepting the sole negligence or intentional conduct of USH. USH reserves the right to make changes in my housing arrangements. I acknowledge acceptance of the terms of the refund policy as stated in the "Acknowledgment and Conditions". I authorize USH to disburse monies to my homestay or for housing and other services as periodically needed. I understand and agree with the extension procedure as stated in Item 10. --- This Agreement becomes effective upon execution of this confirmation and shall be governed by the laws of the State of California.