Program Policies

Code of Conduct

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

Housing Policy

WPI is committed to fostering a safe and inclusive living and learning community for all participants. With regard to gender, our policy is to house participants based on the gender indicated on their application.

To accomplish this, the following applies:

• We encourage participants to complete all application materials indicating the gender they are most comfortable with.
• We give participants the option to use preferred names/nicknames on all program materials. (i.e. Official nametag, WPI ID Card, Class roster, etc.)
• We house participants according to their gender depending on their preference and roommate availability.

Program Attendance

If your child will be absent, arriving late, or require early dismissal from any pre-college program, please contact the Office of Pre-Collegiate Outreach Programs at (508) 831-4900 or pop@wpi.edu.

If a student is arriving late and/or leaving early, they must report directly to the Bartlett Center to be met by a staff member. Late arrivals will be escorted by a staff member to their class while early dismissals will be escorted from class to the Bartlett Center in time for their pre-arranged pickup. Any student leaving early must be picked up by a parent, caregiver, or other authorized adult. The authorized adult must sign the student out before leaving campus.

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. Submission of an application does not represent acceptance. An application will not be read until all components, including transcripts, TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo scores (international only), etc... are received. Participants will be notified if they are accepted into an application-based program approximately two weeks after the application is complete. Following acceptance, participants must submit a $500 deposit and confirm their interest in accepting the offer. 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. In such cases:
  • Frontiers participants will be refunded in full minus the $500 deposit.
  • Launch participants will be refunded in full minus a $100 administrative fee.
  • Ignite participants will be refunded in full minus a $100 administrative fee.
• No refund or reduction in program fees will be made for a student who withdraws after May 15, arrives to the program late, leaves the program early, or is dismissed from the program due to a violation of the program guidelines and policies.
• There is no administrative fee charged to participants who transfer a registration to a new program. Transfers are only allowed if a participant qualifies for the new program and space is available. Participants are responsible for paying 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

The Office of Pre-Collegiate Outreach Programs has limited funds available to support families of domestic Launch and Frontiers students with demonstrated financial need. We operate independently of WPI’s Office of Financial Aid. The maximum award covers up to 50% of the program cost. Typically, eligible families have a combined income below $120,000 a year.

Interested students will need to apply for tuition assistance on their application (Frontiers) or registration (Launch). 

Launch students who are applying for aid will need to pay half of the program cost, $397.50, at the time of registration. If you are awarded 50% aid, no further action is needed. Should you be awarded less than 50% aid, you can either pay the remaining balance or receive a full refund.

Frontiers applicants who are applying for aid will not need to submit payment at the time of application. If a student is accepted, the amount of their award will be shared in their acceptance email. The $500 deposit will still be required within two weeks of acceptance.

In both cases, we recommend applying for tuition assistance before March 15, 2026. Please note that we cannot guarantee aid for all eligible applicants, so it's important to apply early. Unfortunately, financial assistance is not available for 2026 Ignite participants.