Program Policies | Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Code of Conduct

As a condition of participation in our programs, all registrants and their parents/caregivers agree to abide by the terms of the Participant Code of Conduct.

Gender Identity Policy

WPI is committed to fostering a safe and inclusive living and learning community for all participants. With regard to gender identity, our policy is to house participants based on the gender they identify with and in the manner, which is most comfortable for them.

To accomplish this, the following applies:

We encourage participants to complete all application materials indicating the gender that aligns with their current gender identity.
We use preferred names and gender pronouns on all program materials. (i.e. Official nametag, WPI ID Card, Class roster, etc.)
We house all participants on residence hall floors according to their gender identity depending on their preference and roommate availability. (Please note: Participants over the age of 14 may identify their gender preference without guardian permission. All others must have the permission of guardians to be housed according to a gender other than their gender assigned at birth.)
Every residence hall floor will have one single-gender restroom/shower facility and one gender-inclusive restroom/shower facility. All participants should use the restroom of their choice.

Program Attendance

In the situation that your child will be absent, arriving late, or requires early dismissal from the program, please contact the Office of Pre-Collegiate Outreach Programs at 508-831-4900 or pop@wpi.edu. Please note that we do not have a staff member at a drop-off and pick-up location all day, so all late arrivals and early dismissals must report directly to the Bartlett Center to be met by a staff member. All early dismissals will also be escorted to the Bartlett Center by a staff member to be picked up by a parent, caregiver, or other authorized adults. The authorized adult must sign student out of the Bartlett Center.

Program Enrollment

For Registration-Based Programs

Registration for programs that do not require an application is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Both registration and payment are required for the participant to be enrolled in these programs. All courses and programs are subject to change without prior notice. Grades indicate the grade that the student will enter in the fall of the next school year.

For Application-Based Programs

These programs require the interested party to submit an application, and in some cases, other documentation. Application-based programs do not require any application fees to apply. Submission of an application does not represent acceptance. Participants will be notified of their status of acceptance. Registration and documentation are required for the participant to be considered for enrollment in these programs. All courses and programs are subject to change without prior notice. Grades indicate the grade that the student will enter in the fall of the next school year.

Refund Policy

Our refund policy is as follows:

Students may withdraw from a program up until May 15 for a partial refund*. No refunds will be processed after May 15.
- Frontiers participants will be refunded minus the $1,000 deposit
- JumpStart participants will be refunded minus the $1,000 deposit
- Launch participants will be refunded minus a $100 administrative fee.
No refund or reduction in program fees will be made for a student who arrives to the program late, leaves the program early, or is dismissed from the program due to violation of the program guidelines and policies.
There is no charge to transfer a registration to a new program, space permitting (other than any difference in program cost).
Requests for program transfers, changes or cancelations must be communicated in writing to the Office of Pre-collegiate Outreach Programs.
Late withdrawal due to injury or illness, will be considered on a case-by-case, pro-rated basis, and will require supporting medical documentation – if a refund is granted, it may not be processed until programs are over.
Programs and sessions canceled due to inclement weather are not rescheduled. If WPI cancels a program, participants may switch into an eligible program (if available) or WPI will provide a full refund for the family.

Tuition Assistance

Limited financial assistance is available to families in Launch and Frontiers with demonstrated need. We operate independently of WPI’s Office of Financial Aid. We cannot guarantee that all eligible applicants will receive aid. To apply, applicants should check off that they wish to be considered for financial assistance on the application/registration form and answer the required questions..

Launch: If selected registrant will be notified within 2 weeks of registration and cost of attendance will be adjusted accordingly. Initial deposits are still required in order to register.

Frontiers: If selected, the applicant will be notified about the amount of the award in the acceptance email.

Additional Resources External to WPI

Here is a list of additional financial assistance resources that we are aware of. All of these are external to WPI and we are sharing them to assist families and students help fund their pre-college experiences.