Summer 2026 Registration

Travel

Students are responsible for their own travel accommodations.

DRIVING - Ox-Bow is about 2.5 hrs drive from Chicago and driving to campus is most convenient. Ox-Bow has free on-campus parking.

FLYING - The closest airport to Ox-Bow is Grand Rapids, Michigan. We recommend using a local taxi service from the airport. This ride takes about 40 minutes to an hour and costs around $75-$100.

BUS - The Greyhound bus from Chicago departs at 9:30 a.m. CST and arrives around 1:25 p.m. EST in Holland, Michigan (about 20 mins from Ox-Bow's campus). Tickets can be purchased at Greyhound.com and cost around $55 roundtrip.

Students traveling to Ox-Bow from Chicago via Greyhound must also reserve a seat on the Ox-Bow Shuttle. The $20 shuttle fee covers transportation between the Holland bus station and Ox-Bow's campus on both arrival and departure days. You will receive a link to purchase your shuttle seat from Ox-Bow in a followup pre-arrival email.
Seats on the Ox-Bow shuttle must be purchased at least 48 hours in advance and are non-refundable if a student chooses to arrive or depart by another means.

Ox-Bow cannot accommodate early arrivals, so please schedule your travel for the correct dates outlined in your registration confirmation email.

PLEASE NOTE - Ox-Bow no longer supports arrivals from Amtrak as the train comes in too late in the evening. Train tickets should not be purchased.

Students are responsible for their own travel accommodations.

DRIVING - Ox-Bow is about 2.5 hrs drive from Chicago and driving to campus is most convenient. Ox-Bow has free on-campus parking.

FLYING - The closest airport to Ox-Bow is Grand Rapids, Michigan. We recommend using a local taxi service from the airport. This ride takes about 40 minutes to an hour and costs around $75-$100.

BUS - The Greyhound bus from Chicago departs at 9:30 a.m. CST and arrives around 1:25 p.m. EST in Holland, Michigan (about 20 mins from Ox-Bow's campus). Tickets can be purchased at Greyhound.com and cost around $55 roundtrip.

Students traveling to Ox-Bow from Chicago via Greyhound must also reserve a seat on the Ox-Bow Shuttle. The $20 shuttle fee covers transportation between the Holland bus station and Ox-Bow's campus on both arrival and departure days. You will receive a link to purchase your shuttle seat from Ox-Bow in a followup pre-arrival email.
Seats on the Ox-Bow shuttle must be purchased at least 48 hours in advance and are non-refundable if a student chooses to arrive or depart by another means.

Ox-Bow cannot accommodate early arrivals, so please schedule your travel for the correct dates outlined in your registration confirmation email.

PLEASE NOTE - Ox-Bow no longer supports arrivals from Amtrak as the train comes in too late in the evening. Train tickets should not be purchased.

Ox-Bow Registration Agreement & Participation Waiver

Please read carefully. This is a legally binding agreement.
By registering for an Ox-Bow program and checking the required agreement boxes, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to the following terms.

1. Eligibility & Financial Responsibility
I certify that I am 18 years of age or older, or I am the parent/legal guardian of a minor participant.
I understand that I (or my minor participant) am academically and financially responsible for all courses and services for which I register.
I have reviewed and understand:
Registration fees
Drop & Refund Policy
Attendance requirements
Ox-Bow Privacy Policy (www.ox-bow.org/privacy-policy)
I understand that enrollment changes are only valid if submitted through official Ox-Bow procedures. Failure to follow required procedures may result in academic or financial penalties.

2. Attendance & National Holiday Policy
Ox-Bow courses are intensive and rely on full participation.
Enrollment in a course that coincides with a U.S. National Holiday does not automatically excuse absence.
Faculty may acknowledge holidays at their discretion, but adjustments are not guaranteed and must be discussed in advance.
Summer holidays that may overlap with courses include Memorial Day, Juneteenth, and Independence Day.
Students concerned about holiday conflicts should enroll accordingly.

3. Drop & Refund Policy (2026)
Non-Credit Courses
Non-credit registrations are non-refundable.
If a non-credit student withdraws more than two (2) weeks before the class start date, they will receive a credit valid through the same calendar year for Ox-Bow registration, events, rentals, or retail.
Withdrawals within two (2) weeks of the start date receive no credit.
For-Credit Courses
For-credit students who withdraw more than four (4) weeks prior to the class start date will receive a refund of tuition and room & board, minus a $350 drop fee.
For-credit students who withdraw within four (4) weeks of the class start date are not eligible for a refund.
Drop Request Procedure (For-Credit Only):
Requests must be submitted in writing to the Ox-Bow Registrar at oxbow@ox-bow.org.
Requests must be received by 4:00 p.m. CT on the final day of the applicable drop period.
The date and time received determines eligibility.
Courses cannot be dropped through SAIC Self Service or the SAIC Registrar.
Ox-Bow scholarships may not be applied toward drop fees.
Early Departure
Students assume the risk of needing to leave campus early for illness (including respiratory illness), personal matters, or other reasons. Ox-Bow does not provide refunds, credits, or tuition adjustments for early departure.
Faculty & Program Changes
Ox-Bow reserves the right to substitute faculty or modify programming due to emergency or operational necessity. Faculty changes do not qualify a student for a refund.

4. Community Health & Safety
Ox-Bow reserves the right to implement or modify health and safety requirements in response to local, national, or global public health or environmental concerns.
Requirements may include testing, vaccination documentation, masking, isolation, or other precautionary measures.
Participation is voluntary. By attending, I accept responsibility for my decision (or my minor’s participation).

5. Accessibility & Accommodation Disclosure
Ox-Bow strives to prepare campus for diverse learning and living needs.
I understand that some courses include walking, outdoor activities, or physically engaging components.
I agree to disclose relevant physical limitations, disabilities, allergies, dietary restrictions, or accommodation needs during registration.
If applicable, I may share learning accommodations received through SAIC or another institution.
I understand that failure to disclose relevant needs in advance may limit Ox-Bow’s ability to provide accommodations.
Full Accessibility Statement: https://www.ox-bow.org/dei-accessibility

6. Assumption of Risk & Release of Liability
Applies to all participants. For minors, “I” refers to the parent/legal guardian acting on behalf of the minor.
Participation in Ox-Bow programs may involve inherent risks, including but not limited to:
Physical injury
Illness
Property damage
Permanent disability
Death
Risks may arise from studio work, equipment use, outdoor activities, travel, communal living, or the actions of other participants.
I knowingly and voluntarily:
Assume all risks, known and unknown, foreseeable and unforeseeable.
Release and discharge Ox-Bow, its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, faculty, volunteers, agents, representatives, successors, assigns, and other participants (“Releasees”) from any and all claims arising from participation, including claims arising from negligence, to the fullest extent permitted under Michigan law.
Agree not to sue the Releasees for injury, loss, or damage sustained during participation.

7. Indemnification
I agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Releasees from any claims, liabilities, damages, costs, or attorney’s fees arising out of the participant’s involvement in Ox-Bow programs, including claims brought by or on behalf of the participant.

8. Medical Authorization
I authorize Ox-Bow staff to obtain emergency medical treatment for me (or my minor) if deemed necessary and if I cannot be reached.
I understand Ox-Bow staff are not medical professionals.
This authorization does not create an obligation to provide medical care.
I release Ox-Bow from liability related to emergency medical treatment or transportation.

9. Travel Responsibility
I am solely responsible for arranging transportation to and from campus.
I assume all risks associated with such travel.

10. Media Release
I grant Ox-Bow permission to photograph, record, and use my (or my minor’s) name, likeness, voice, artwork, and statements for promotional, educational, archival, and fundraising purposes in any media format.
This permission is granted without compensation.
Ox-Bow may edit materials at its discretion.
I waive claims related to privacy, publicity, or compensation.
Permission remains in effect unless revoked in writing.
I agree to indemnify Releasees from claims arising from authorized use.

11. Program Modifications
Ox-Bow reserves the right to modify programming, facilities, schedules, accommodations, or itineraries at any time for operational, safety, or other necessary reasons.

12. Governing Law & Severability
This agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Michigan.
If any provision is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in effect.
This agreement is entered into freely and voluntarily.
No oral statements modify this agreement.

Summer 2026 For-Credit Drop Policy

Please Note: Ox-Bow's drop policy is different than SAIC's.

If a for-credit student drops their course from the time of registration until four weeks before the start of their class, they will receive a tuition and room & board refund minus a $350 drop fee. If a for–credit student drops within four weeks of the start date of their class, no refunds will be given and the student will still be charged for the class and associated fees.

Requests to drop must be submitted in writing to the Ox-Bow registrar via email (oxbow@ox-bow.org) by 4:00 p.m. CT on the last day of the drop period. It is not possible to drop an Ox-Bow class through the SAIC Self Service, through the SAIC academic advisor or registrar, or to use scholarships granted by Ox-Bow to cover the costs of drop fees.

Students who register for an Ox-Bow class assume the risk that they may need to leave Ox-Bow due to testing positive for respiratory or other illnesses and are encouraged to consider insurance options.

Ox-Bow does not provide refunds for students who leave campus prior to the completion of their course for any reason. Ox-Bow participants are encouraged to buy travel insurance to cover travel, tuition and room & board to cover their trip to campus as refunds will not be offered after the drop period ends for any reason. Visit insuremytrip.com/about/education-program/ or research other insurance providers to purchase your coverage. Ox-Bow is not affiliated with any insurance provider and does not earn commission or other income from making this recommendation.

Ox-Bow is dedicated to providing students with the experience described in the catalog, but cannot guarantee the listed faculty. In the rare event that a faculty cannot instruct their class due to an emergency, a replacement of similar expertise will be provided. Faculty replacement does not make a student eligible for a refund.

In the event that Ox-Bow must cancel a course due to low enrollment or for any other reason, full refunds will be given. Ox-Bow reserves the right to adapt this drop policy after the publication of the catalog, per evolving guidelines and recommendations.

Legal Information

By submitting this form I certify that:

I am 18 years of age, or older. I have read and understand the registration fees and drop policies.

I have read and understand the Ox-Bow Privacy Policy. (www.ox-bow.org/privacy-policy)

I understand that I am academically and financially responsible for the course(s) for which I am registering. I understand that any changes are contingent upon the completion and submission of the proper form(s) to the Ox-Bow office and that I may incur academic or financial penalties if I do not follow these procedures.

I give Ox-Bow permission to provide emergency medical care, hospital or clinic treatment, or to administer minor medicine provided through Ox-Bow to myself/my minor or ward. I hereby waive liability against Ox-Bow for such care provided or transportation to such location as deemed necessary by Ox-Bow.

I give Ox-Bow permission to photograph and publish photographs of my/my child's participation in instruction and/or social activities at Ox-Bow, such permission shall remain in effect until revoked, in writing, by myself to the Ox-Bow staff.

Ox-Bow’s National Holiday Policy for the Classroom

Given the intensive nature of Ox-Bow’s core academic courses, students that enroll in a class that coincides with a National Holiday should not expect automatic time off without it counting against the attendance policy. While faculty may choose to offer opportunities for rest, reflection, or celebration on holidays, these arrangements should be discussed in advance.

In the summer, National Holidays that may conflict with Ox-Bow courses are Memorial Day, Juneteenth, and Independence Day. Students are encouraged to organize their own celebrations after class hours, but if participating in class on a holiday is a concern, they should consider enrolling in a course that does not interfere with their plans for observation.

Summer 2026 Non-Credit Drop Policy

Ox-Bow enrollments are non-refundable.

Students who drop their enrollment from the time of registration until two weeks before the class begins will be issued a credit to be used within the same calendar year of the original transaction that can be used for any registration, event, rental, or retail item at Ox-Bow. If a student drops within two weeks of the start date of their class, no credits will be given.

Students who register for an Ox-Bow class assume the risk that they may need to leave Ox-Bow due to illnesses or other personal issues and are encouraged to consider insurance options. Ox-Bow does not provide refunds for students who leave campus prior to the completion of their course for any reason.

Ox-Bow is dedicated to providing students with the experience described in the catalog, but cannot guarantee the listed faculty. In the rare event that a faculty member cannot instruct their class due to an emergency, a replacement of similar expertise will be provided. Faculty replacement does not make a student eligible for a refund.

Ox-Bow reserves the right to adapt this drop policy after the publication of the catalog, per evolving guidelines and recommendations.

Legal Information

By submitting this form I certify that:

I am 18 years of age, or older. I have read and understand the registration fees and drop policies.

I have read and understand the Ox-Bow Privacy Policy. (www.ox-bow.org/privacy-policy)

I understand that I am academically and financially responsible for the course(s) for which I am registering. I understand that any changes are contingent upon the completion and submission of the proper form(s) to the Ox-Bow office and that I may incur academic or financial penalties if I do not follow these procedures.

I give Ox-Bow permission to provide emergency medical care, hospital or clinic treatment, or to administer minor medicine provided through Ox-Bow to myself/my minor or ward. I hereby waive liability against Ox-Bow for such care provided or transportation to such location as deemed necessary by Ox-Bow.

I give Ox-Bow permission to photograph and publish photographs of my/my child's participation in instruction and/or social activities at Ox-Bow, such permission shall remain in effect until revoked, in writing, by myself to the Ox-Bow staff.

Ox-Bow’s National Holiday Policy for the Classroom

Given the intensive nature of Ox-Bow’s core academic courses, students that enroll in a class that coincides with a National Holiday should not expect automatic time off without it counting against the attendance policy. While faculty may choose to offer opportunities for rest, reflection, or celebration on holidays, these arrangements should be discussed in advance.

In the summer, National Holidays that may conflict with Ox-Bow courses are Memorial Day, Juneteenth, and Independence Day. Students are encouraged to organize their own celebrations after class hours, but if participating in class on a holiday is a concern, they should consider enrolling in a course that does not interfere with their plans for observation.

Final Acknowledgment
By submitting registration, I confirm:
I have carefully read this agreement in full.
I understand it is legally binding.
I agree voluntarily and without inducement.