NSHSS Academic Tours

Currently, we do not have any scholarships or financial aid for NSHSS Tours. However, payment plans are available through PayPal or tour fee payments may be made incrementally over time, but must be paid in full by the payment deadline date in order to attend the tour.

Tour fee pricing is different for each tour and each rooming selection. Prices are per traveler and are determined by hotel room accomodation. Please see each specific tour webpage for pricing lists.

Each tour is different. Please be sure to review the website for your selected tour thoroughly. Typically, tours will include all accommodations, ground transportation, at least 2 meals per tour day (if not all meals), guided tours & activities, and an NSHSS swag bag. 

No. Travel to and from the tours is not included. This is because we have members all across the US and even across the world, so it is impossible to make one set price for all students, especially when some are within driving distance and do not need flights.

If you think you may need to cancel, contact tours@nshss.org as soon as possible. Please refer to the Booking Conditions or your chosen tour for that tour's cancelation policy. Based on the date of your request for cancellation, you may be eligible for a full or partial refund. The tour deposit submitted upon enrollment is non-refundable. In some cases where it is too late for a refund, we might be able to offer a tour voucher to attend the tour the following year. If you are attending the Ivy League Tour, the basic Travel Protection Plan through EF is included in the tour fee. This plan typically covers cancellations of extenuating circumstances with the option to upgrade to the Plus plan which covers cancellations for any reason. See full details here. For all tours, NSHSS recommends looking into travel insurance to protect your trip if you believe something might come up. 

Additional costs include travel to and from the tour's start and end points (this is not included in the tour price), about $15 per day for any meals not included in that specific tour fee (meals included depend on tour), and any money for souvenirs.

Each price is per traveler. Students have the option to stay in a room with three other students (QUAD accommodation with four people total in one room), with one other student (TWIN accommodation with two people total in one room), or by themselves (SINGLE accommodation - one person (you) total in one room). Those who wish to have their own bed should request a TWIN accommodation as a QUAD room will require two people to share a queen-sized bed.

Yes, parents are allowed to accompany a student on tour but must enroll as a traveler. Parents are not required to go on tour, as there will be chaperones supervising the trip, including NSHSS Tours Manager Kyra. If a parent would like to join a tour, there are two room accommodation options for parents:

ADULT TWIN - share a room with your student *prices are per person - parent & student must both register individually for a TWIN
ADULT SINGLE - have a room to yourself and allow your student to pick a rooming option to be matched with other student roommates 

*Typically, we don’t have many parents attend the trip because they like the idea of allowing their students the experience of being on their own before going off to college and making friends with other peers on the trip! We generally end up with anywhere from 2-8 parents attending each tour!

Yes, but please remember that there is an individual price per traveler. Both you and your friend will have to fill out individual registration forms. Be sure to note your roommate request on your registration form.

NSHSS tour staff will arrange pickups and drop-offs at designated airports in specific time frames. Tours staff will be in the airport baggage claim to greet travelers upon arrival, and shuttle groups will be assigned ahead of time. Please see each tour's webpage for details like designated tour airports and pickup/drop-off time windows. Due to multiple travelers arriving at the airport at the same time, NSHSS will be unable to accommodate unaccompanied minor status as staff will not be able to meet the traveler at their gate. If necessary, those travelers will need to be escorted to baggage claim for pick up by tour staff.

No. The pricing is a one-set price that includes accommodation and transportation throughout the week. It is an all-inclusive tour package, and we are unable to remove any costs from the package price. But since you live in the area, you’ll be able to save money on transportation costs to/from the tour!

No. With a group this size, we need to keep the students within the group. This allows the chaperones and team leader to keep track of all participants. Additionally, students tend to have a better time with their peers when staying with the group!

We understand the concerns parents have with sending their child off alone on tour, but we take the utmost precautions to ensure your child is safe.

• We always travel as a group, and all participants will have NSHSS Tour Manager Kyra's direct cell phone number.
• We never let students go off on their own. Even during free time, all students must be with another peer or with a group. Free time, which is typically around lunchtime, will be within set parameters to keep the group close by and with a clear meeting location and time
• Additionally, we always book hotels that are outside the city as they can better accommodate the larger group size and prevent sneaking out, etc.
• For each hotel, we also have an overnight guard walking the halls. This has not only provided peace of mind for the parents but also for the tour leaders (so they can get some sleep at night too!)

The final itinerary will be sent out roughly one week prior to departure. The final itinerary will also hold all accommodation/hotel locations, but you will likely receive those details in advance of the final details email.

Absolutely. Click here to learn more about the extensive precautions and plans put in place by EF, our tours partner.