Our Terms of Service:

What we provide to our hosts: we are a network, kind of like relationship brokers. Our hosts are not employees of Host-A-Scholar and are not paid by Host-A-Scholar, although Host-A-Scholar assists its hosts with processing payments from their scholar-guests. Host-A-Scholar collects an administrative fee of $5 per guest per night of their stay with a host. This fee helps to defray the costs of providing this network to both hosts and scholar-guests. The actual per-guest, per-night rate is set by the host and is paid to the host via Host-A-Scholar.

What we provide to our scholars: we are a network, not a service-for-fee provider like Airbnb. 

What we require of our hosts: Integrity, hospitality, kindness, local knowledge, cultural savvy.

What we require of our scholars: Integrity, curiosity, patience, openness to adventure.

Terms for Hosts

1. General Terms
   1. Host-A-Scholar serves to connect hosts and scholars; Hosts are not employees of Host-A-Scholar.
   2. Hosts and students both must respect each others’ religious, political, and cultural practices and beliefs.
   3. In exchange for a nightly stipend, hosts are expected to provide a safe place to sleep and access to a bathroom. Hosts are also expected to make their guests feel welcome in their home and be an excellent ambassador for the USA.
2. Fees & Payments
   1. Host-A-Scholar receives the payments from the Guests.  Host-A-Scholar retains a $5/night/student fee for administrative costs. 
   2. The Fees must be paid by the student to Host-A-Scholar via check or electronic transfer.
   3. Due to many students’ dietary restrictions, the nightly fee does not include meals and the host is not expected to provide meals for the students. If the host would like to provide a meal, it will be at the host’s own expense, or the host may negotiate a separate meal fee directly with the student. Host-A-Scholar will not facilitate payment for meals.
3. Cancellations, Refunds, Modifications
   1. Hosts must inform Host-A-Scholar in a timely manner of any changes to information that is shown on HAS’s website.
   2. Both hosts and guests may cancel their stay at any time. If a student cancels their stay prior to payment (one week before the stay), they will not be liable to pay the fee, and the host will not receive payment.
   3. If a student cancels their stay after payment (one week before the stay), they will not receive a refund, and the host will receive half their original stipend.
   4. If a host family cancels the stay after the student has made payment (one week before the stay) the student will be refunded in full and the host will receive no payment.
   5. Modifications to the dates of stays may be facilitated if both parties agree.
4. Damages
   1. Hosts understand that there is a possibility of damage to their possessions and/or their home, as there would be with any visitors or tenants. Host-A-Scholar accepts no responsibility for any loss, damage or injury to the Hosts’ property or their legal obligations.
   2. Hosts should negotiate directly with the student in the event of any loss, damage, or injury to property.
   3. Hosts should have appropriate insurance to cover loss and damage caused by short-term rental.
5. Taxes & Laws​
   1. The laws pertaining to short-term rentals vary greatly from city to city. Hosts are responsible for ensuring they are in compliance with all laws and regulations, including: limits on number of days rooms are rented, paying taxes, having all necessary insurance, and anything else each city, county, and state requires.
   2. Host-A-Scholar will issue 1099-MISC to any hosts who receive payments over $600 in a calendar year. Hosts who receive less than $600/year and do not receive a 1099-MISC are still responsible for reporting the income on their taxes as other miscellaneous income.
6. Allowed & Prohibited Activities
   1. For the sake of the host and guests’ safety, the host must keep any firearms locked and secured during the duration of the guest’s stay.
   2. Hosts will not exhibit, threaten, or commit any violent or dangerous behavior, or act in an aggressive manner toward another person, property, or financial security.
   3. ​Hosts will explain any house rules or expectations to guests upon arrival. Guests will agree to abide by the host's expectations during their stay.

Terms for Guests

1. General Terms
   1. Host-A-Scholar serves to connect hosts and scholars; Hosts are not employees of Host-A-Scholar.
   2. Hosts and students both must respect each others’ religious, political, and cultural practices and beliefs.
2. Fees & Payments
   1. Host-A-Scholar will charge the student before the stay and will not facilitate the stay if a student fails to pay.
   2. Fees will be due to HAS one week prior to the stay. Host-A-Scholar will invoice the student and the student is expected to pay via check or electronic payment.
3. Cancellations, Refunds, Modifications
   1. Both the students and hosts may cancel their stay at any time. If a student cancels their stay prior to payment (one week before the stay), they will not be liable to pay the fee.
   2. If a student cancels their stay after payment (one week before the stay), they will not receive a refund.
   3. If a host family cancels the stay after the student has made payment (one week before the stay) the student will be refunded in full.
   4. Modifications to the dates of stays may be facilitated if both parties agree.
4. Damages
   1. Neither Host-A-Scholar, nor the Host Family, will assume any financial responsibility for any personal losses resulting from the acts or inactions of the Students, whether willful or negligent. This includes without limitation, damage to property and lost or stolen money. Students are advised not to carry more than $500 U.S. Dollars on their person at any one time.
   2. Students should reimburse the host for any damages to their home or property.
5. Allowed & Prohibited Activities
   1. For the sake of the host and students’ safety, the student is not permitted to possess any firearms or weapons of any kind. The student will not associate with any person involved with controlled substances or firearms.
   2. Students will not exhibit, threaten, or commit any violent or dangerous behavior, or act in an aggressive manner toward another person, property, or financial security.
   3. Hosts will explain any house rules or expectations to guests upon arrival. Guests will agree to abide by the host's expectations during their stay.