7 Steps to Studying Abroad on a Non-IU program

1. Research your program options
2. Arrange for credit
3. Apply to the program
4. Arrange for payment
5. Prepare for departure
6. Study abroad
7. Follow the post-program procedures

1. Attend a "Study Abroad 101" session in the Information Center.

2. Consult the Affiliated and AESOP lists for semester and academic year programs that IU endorses and in which IU students frequently participate.
3. Additional programs are available; see www.iiepassport.org.

4. Verify that the country where you intend to study is not on the US State Department travel warning list by checking at http://travel.state.gov/travel/warnings.html. Indiana University students may not study abroad with IU approval and support in any country for which there is a Travel Warning unless a program exception has been granted. That is, you may not retain your IU status or apply your financial aid to the costs of the program.

   ITALY CHECKLIST: We have created a special checklist with instructions for students interested in studying abroad in Italy. Click HERE for details.

5. You must contact the sponsoring program directly for complete information and an application. You must apply for an IU co-sponsored program directly through IU.

Once you have thoroughly reviewed program materials, if you have further questions you may consult with an advisor in Overseas Study.

ARRANGE FOR CREDIT

1. To verify the transfer credit you can receive, download the Study Abroad Credit Transfer Agreement (CTA) form (which you will submit to the Office of International Admissions) and then follow these instructions:
   • Check with your departmental advisor to see how the program fits your overall plan of study. Also check to see if your advisor needs a copy of the completed CTA once Admissions returns it to you.
   • Complete the Credit Transfer Agreement form. International Admissions will complete the shaded area of the form. Credit from no more than two schools and a maximum of six courses per school will be accepted for evaluation for each semester you plan to enroll. For schools on the quarter system, IU credit hours will be computed as two-thirds of the total quarter hours.
     • Credits and grades earned will not count in your IU GPA.
     • If not previously evaluated or articulated by a department, courses will be initially recorded as 100-level undistributed credit (-UN 100) which count in total hours towards graduation and may be able to satisfy distributional requirements with the approval of your school and the department. Seniors should check their residency status before committing to a program.

2. Submit the CTA form, including program contact information, and course descriptions by the deadline.
   Deadlines for submission: Dec. 1 (spring programs), May 1 (summer) and Aug. 1 (fall or academic year).
   Please note that there may be a 3-4 week processing time. You should submit the CTA prior to acceptance by your program. IU only gives transfer credit based on an official transcript from a recognized or accredited institution of higher education.

1. Program fee payment will be arranged by your program provider.

2. If you already have IU financial assistance (scholarships, loans, grants, etc), read the Financial Aid sheet.

3. If you qualify to take your financial aid abroad, pick up the application for OVST Y496 (Overseas Study/Non-IU Program) at Overseas Study (Deadlines: Nov. 1, April 15). To verify your financial aid award status, see Onestart.

1. Confirm your participation by completing the online Notification of Acceptance.

2. During Continuing Student Registration , register in the special zero-credit course for which you have been given permission: OVST Y496 or OVST Y498.

3. Read the non-IU programs "Getting Started" handbook online at http://www.indiana.edu/~overseas/programs/handbooks/Non-IUgettingstarted.pdf.

4. Overseas Study will organize an optional Non-IU programs orientation meeting in April (for fall programs) and December (for spring programs).

1. If you had a CTA approved before program participation and there were no changes in your original course schedule, you can assume that your courses will be transferred as agreed when the official transcript arrives at Admissions. Please note that Admissions reserves the right to reassess the credit hours if the actual program dates differ from those listed on the program literature (15-16 weeks constitutes a full semester. Note that quarter credits X 2/3 = semester credits.)

2. If you are in the College of Arts and Sciences or if you are in another school but working on a COAS minor or certificate, contact the appropriate College advisors in the relevant departments if you wish upper-level major or minor credit. You will need to provide them with course syllabi, reading lists and papers or exams you completed. They will then consider approving a match with courses in your major/minor area at the general 300-400 level*. Advisors should complete the Overseas Study online course approval form: Course Approval Form, authorizing the change from undistributed -UN 100 credit. *For culture study and distributional requirements you will need to complete a petition form available at Kirkwood Hall 012.

3. If you are not in the College of Arts and Sciences and are not working on a minor or certificate in the College, you will need to contact your advisor in your own school. Once you provide him/her with course syllabi, reading lists and papers or exams you completed, a determination may be made regarding satisfying requirements in your own school.

4. If you did not have a CTA approved before you left, you can follow the procedures outlined above (depending on which School you are currently enrolled in). For courses not addressed by memos, you can assume that if the program is approved by IU you will receive undistributed elective credit for those classes. Undistributed credit can be applied toward graduation and in certain cases can be used to fulfill distributional requirements. It does not automatically count in the major or for 300/400 level requirements.