Getting Started with
Study Abroad
By Megan Corrigan, PSU Study Abroad Coordinator
Financing
Academic
Documents
Applying
Step 1: How to find a program
There are several things to keep in mind when searching for the perfect program:
Academics
Does the program offer courses you need for your degree?
If you are considering a faculty-led program, the faculty leader or your advisor can tell
you whether the program credits can be applied to your degree.
If you are considering an individual program, check the website or contact the program
organizers to see if they will offer courses that match those on your degree audit in a
language you are able to speak, read textbooks and write papers in. Once you find a
program that has a selection of courses that might count towards your degree, take the
course descriptions (in English) to the chair of the department where the courses would be
offered at PSU along with the Course Credit Transfer form. Department chairs have the
authority to determine what study abroad courses will transfer back to PSU as.
Do you just want to participate for the experience and not worry about how courses will count
towards your degree?
The important thing in this case is to understand that federal financial assistance cannot be
used for study abroad unless it grants academic credit that progresses you towards your
degree. If you are able to fund your study abroad experience without financial aid, and
would like to study something that PSU does not offer or something that is unrelated to
your major, that’s great. You are still welcome to transfer the credits back and they can
appear on your PSU transcript as electives. Most PSU faculty-led programs welcome
students of any major.
What programs does PSU have?
PSU has an open door policy on study abroad. We have faculty led programs, affiliate
programs, and exchange programs, and you can search them through the Studio Abroad
online application portal, but you are welcome to look further until you find a program that
is perfect for you.
PSU will approve a program if :
 It is transcripted by an accredited university in the country in which is it offered
 It is not located in an area deemed unsafe by the US State Department
We have had students participate on programs offered by KU, K-State, and even nonKansas universities like East Carolina University and the University of Memphis. Do some
research to find the program that is right for you. Try online search engines like
http://iiepassport.org/ that let you search by academic discipline.
What GPA is required to study abroad?
PSU requires all study abroad students to have at least a 2.50 GPA at PSU*
 Petition: If a student’s cumulative GPA is below a 2.50 requirement but is at least a
2.00, and the student wishes to apply for an individual program, the student may
request an exception to this requirement by submitting the following documents,
along with the Study Abroad Application, to the Study Abroad Office:
 Purpose Statement that clarifies why the student feels that his/her current GPA is
not reflective of his/her true academic ability.
 Two additional Letters of Recommendation submitted directly to the Study Abroad
Office from PSU faculty and/or staff
 Other documents as requested
 Decisions regarding the student’s GPA appeal will be made by the Study Abroad
Committee.
*Specific programs may have a higher GPA requirement
Step 2: Financing
How much does it cost to study abroad?
There is no “standard” in study abroad pricing, which makes it tricky to do price
comparisons. Sometimes prices quoted include everything – airfare, housing, meals,
excursions, tuition, medical evacuation insurance. Other times the price includes only
tuition. Usually any expenses involved in getting a passport and entry visa or residence
permit are not included, and sometimes getting a visa or residence permit for a semester
abroad can involve travelling in person to New York or Chicago, an added expense.
It is very important to find out what is included in the advertised program price and what
else you can expect to pay for out of pocket.
Exchanges are often thought to offer the most bang for your buck, but it requires good
budgeting skills to foresee the expenses that might arise. When you go on exchange, you
pay PSU tuition at PSU, you pay housing when you arrive at the partner university (cost
varies depending on location), you generally cook for yourself, which can allow you to save
money. You purchase medical evacuation insurance separately, and you buy your own
plane ticket. You may choose not to travel on weekends or vacations, and thereby save
even more money, if you are willing to sacrifice that.
Affiliate Programs offer “package deals” that include almost everything except airfare.
There are affiliate programs that include tuition, room, board, insurance and multi-day
excursions for under $10,000 a semester, but this varies by location and others might cost
$16,000 per semester.
Faculty Led programs have the lowest total cost, although that can depend on your tuition
rate. The advertised prices usually do not include tuition for the credits, which must be
paid separately in the summer, but are covered by the flat fee in the winter and spring. If
you pay non-resident tuition the cost for extra credits will be higher than for residents.
Most faculty led programs cost less than $4000. However, they are shorter, so the per-day
cost is higher.
You need to consider all the expenses when considering costs.
Can I use Financial Aid?
Federal Financial aid goes with you when you study abroad, so, in general, if you would
receive financial aid to study at PSU, you will receive it to study abroad. In general, the
grant amount will be the same as if you were to study at PSU, though the loan amount may
be increased to cover a higher cost of attendance. Courses must be progressing you
towards your degree, and if you go for a semester, you must bring back 12 credits. You
must have a transcript sent to PSU by your host university after the end of the program. To
find out more about your personal eligibility and what type of aid you can expect, contact
Tabitha McNeely in the Office of Financial Assistance.
Can I get Financial Aid for the summer?
In recent years, there has been no summer Pell grant, so summer aid has been in the form
of loans. PSU accepts applications for summer financial assistance after April 1st each year.
In order to be eligible for any aid at all during the summer, you must be enrolled in at least
6 credits. To find out more about your personal eligibility and what type of aid you can
expect, contact Tabitha McNeely in the Office of Financial Assistance.
I have to pay in advance. When will I get my financial aid?
Federal Law prohibits PSU from disbursing financial aid prior to the first day of classes her
or abroad whichever is later. This means that you will already be abroad when your aid
disburses and need to make other arrangements for making early program deposits and
plane tickets. Most affiliate programs will work with you to make arrangements to wait
until your aid has disbursed for their program fees. If you rejected loans in the semester
during which you are applying (which is usually at least a semester before the program
starts) you may change your mind and accept them to meet early payment deadlines.
Are there outside scholarships I can apply for?
Yes, and you should. Some have deadlines more than a year in advance, though, so this is
something to think about early. Check the Scholarship Page, or you can search for study
abroad scholarships at http://www.studyabroadfunding.org/
You may also be eligible for a PSU Travel Stipend if you apply by the application deadline.
Step 3: Documents
Do I need a passport?
Yes, you will need a passport and it takes up to 6 weeks to get a passport, so you might as
well apply now. You can apply at most any main post office. Information about how to
apply for a passport is here:
http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/get_4855.html
If your departure is in less than 4 weeks you may pay extra to have the application
expedited and processed in 3 weeks. If your departure is in less than 2 weeks, you may
make an appointment and go to the Dallas Passport Agency:
http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/npic/agencies/agencies_4531.html
What is a visa and do I need one?
Many countries, including the United States, require students to get a student visa, or
travelers to get an entry visa. This has nothing to do with Visa credit card. Some countries
require students to get a residence permit. To find out the requirements for your
destination, look for the website of the country’s embassy in the US, then look under
“consular affairs” or “consulate” and read the information about entry visas and student
visas. For some countries, you get a visa when you arrive, for others, you have to apply by
mail in advance, and for more and more countries you now have to go in person to the
nearest consulate because they take fingerprints as part of the process. For most countries,
you also have to show proof of sufficient funds, which may mean you have to show a bank
account with a certain balance or your financial aid award letter. For many countries, you
also need to show proof of insurance.
The Study Abroad advisor can offer general information on visa application processes, but
for specifics, students should contact the relevant consulate. There are also a couple of
companies that offer visa services for those countries that allow visas to be processed
through the mail. You may contact them for reliable information.
 Travisa - http://www.travisa.com/
 Briggs - http://www.abriggs.com/
 Perry International - https://www.perryvisa.com/
Do I need to show proof of immunizations?
Sometimes yes. It depends on the country. Please look at the website of the US. Center for
Disease Control http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list to see what immunizations
are recommended for your destination. Then, also check the US State Department
http://travel.state.gov/travel/travel_1744.html which will tell you whether your
destination requires proof of any immunizations to permit entry.
Step 4: Applying
When is the deadline?
Faculty leaders set their own deadlines for their programs, so talk to them directly. They
also determine whether or not they have the flexibility to admit students late.
For Individual study abroad, the deadline is March 1st for summer and fall programs, and
October 1st for spring programs.
How do I apply?
For FACULTY-LED PROGRAMS
Faculty collect applications for their programs, so talk to them directly.
1. Contact the faculty leader of the program. Let them know of your interest in the program.
The professor will be able to answer your questions about the course content, the itinerary,
the program cost, and any other questions. Certain topics will be covered by the Study
Abroad Coordinator, however, the faculty leader will be the main contact for the program.
2. Complete a Step 1 Application for Group Study Abroad. This form can be downloaded
from this web site or picked up from the Faculty Leader. The faculty leader will let you
know if additional paperwork is needed to apply to participate in the program.
3. Follow the instructions of the faculty leader. Once you are accepted into the program,
there will be further paperwork to be completed. Your faculty leader will go over this with
you. Questions about this can be answered by the faculty leader or the Study Abroad
Coordinator.
Reminders! Please include your parents and/or close family in this process. If they have
questions, they can contact the Study Abroad Coordinator to set up a meeting or talk over
the phone.
For INDIVIDUAL PROGRAMS, you will apply through Studio Abroad, and also to the
hosting organization.
For EXCHANGE PROGRAMS:
1. You will apply online through the STUDIO ABROAD application software. The application
includes an essay, a cost estimate, a course credit transfer form, and two faculty references.
Your application will be reviewed by the Study Abroad Committee. They will decide if you
are a good candidate for participation in our exchange program with one of our sister
universities abroad.
You may contact the sister university to assure that they will offer the courses you need for
the semester or summer that you are applying to study abroad.
2. You will complete the application for the sister university that is required of prospective
exchange students. This will usually require that PSU send a letter that states you have
been approved to participate in the exchange program; therefore, this step will follow your
application to the Study Abroad Committee.
3. Look in to visa requirements early on. Visas to some countries must be applied for in
person at consulates that are in Chicago or New York.
4. Make sure you understand the process of reserving housing at the partner university.
This is oftena separate application and separate deposit.
For AFFILIATE PROGRAMS:
1. Just as with our exchange universities, you will have to apply online through the STUDIO
ABROAD application software. The application includes an essay, a cost estimate, a course
credit transfer form, and two faculty references. If the program to which you intend to
apply is not listed in Studio Abroad come talk to the study abroad advisor, who can add it.
This application will be reviewed by our Study Abroad Committee.
2. Usually at the same time or after you have been accepted into the study abroad program
by the PSU Study Abroad Committee, you will apply to the affiliate program through their
online application system. You may be asked to fill in the same information twice - one for
PSU and one for the affiliate organization.
For NON-AFFILIATED PROGRAMS:
You will follow the same steps as if you had chosen an affiliate program. However, you will
not find your program in Studio Abroad, so your first step will be to make an appointment
with the study abroad coordinator, who will add your program to Studio Abroad. You will
hand in a Petition to Participate in a non-Suggested Program that explains why you
have chosen a particular program, the details of the program (sponsor, time, academic
standard, health and safety concerns, etc), and other information the Study Abroad
Committee requires in order to have confidence the program is a good program. The Study
Abroad Committee will review the petition and application.
Questions?
Contact the Study Abroad Coordinator at mcorrigan@pittstate.edu!