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What is it?

Students who prefer a study abroad program not sponsored by 51�Թ��� might want to consider the independent study abroad option. Independent study abroad choices include directly applying to a foreign university as a visiting student, enrolling in another university’s study abroad program, or going through a study abroad provider who has not partnered with 51�Թ���.

Academics

During their independent study abroad term, 51�Թ��� students who have completed the pre-approval process will be registered for a zero credit MR class. This will indicate, both on the student’s transcript and to 51�Թ��� staff, that the student is participating in a pre-approved independent program with the intention of returning to 51�Թ��� upon its completion. With prior approval from academic advisors, credits earned while studying abroad will appear as transfer credits on a student’s transcript and will not affect a student’s 51�Թ��� GPA. Students who do not follow the standard process outlined in the 51�Թ��� Study Abroad Application  will not have credits transferred back to 51�Թ���.

Finances

As with any study abroad application, students must still meet with a Financial Aid advisor at 51�Թ��� before receiving approval to study abroad independently. For Independent Study Abroad programs a student’s 51�Թ��� grants and scholarships will not apply to the costs. Federal grants and loans may be applicable. For private loans, external grants and scholarships students should contact their lender/donor to determine whether the funds are transferable to non-51�Թ���-sponsored programs. Students pay the outside program directly instead of paying 51�Թ��� for their study abroad term.

Students are required to complete a consortium form with the Financial Aid office as part of the pre-approval process in order to receive most types of federal aid. In most cases, in order to use federal funds, students must be registered by an American institution; students should ask their program provider if they have an “American School of Record”. If so, the Consortium form will ensure that students’ federal aid is still dispersed to 51�Թ��� during their abroad term, even though they are not registered for 51�Թ��� classes. Students must be sure that they thoroughly understand how their aid will work while abroad, in order to avoid any surprises during or after their study abroad experience. For example, students might be required to pay their independent study abroad bills before their federal aid has been dispersed.

Application Process

In order to transfer back credits and receive financial aid, all 51�Թ��� students participating in any study abroad, regardless of the program, must consult the Office of Global Initiatives and submit a study abroad application. All study abroad processes and policies apply to all programs, irrespective of affiliation with the university.