Application Procedures

Eligibility Criteria:

Minimum qualifications for undergraduate students intending to earn SIUE credit through an SIUE approved study abroad program:

• Must be currently enrolled and degree-seeking student at SIUE at time of application.
• Must be a full time student at SIUE and must have completed at least 2 semesters (12 credit hours per semester/ total of at least 24 hours) by intended departure date.
• Must be in good academic standing with an SIUE cumulative GPA of at least 2.5. Some programs require a higher GPA.
• Transfer students with at least 30 hours of transfer credit who have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 may be eligible to study abroad after completing 1 full semester at SIUE. Study abroad registration at SIUE will be withdrawn if student is not in good academic standing after 1^st semester at SIUE.

Application Deadlines:
Students are strongly encouraged to begin the application process early. The following deadlines should be taken into consideration before applying:

March 1:      Fall semester and most summer programs

October 1:   Spring semester programs

Exception:
ISEP Program Deadlines:                 January 15 for Fall ISEP applications

August 15 for Spring ISEP applications

Students interested in an ISEP placement should meet with Study Abroad Coordinator and begin ISEP application process at least 3 months prior to ISEP deadline.

Application Process:
All students seeking approval for study abroad to earn SIUE credit must meet the above described eligibility criteria. Students interested in study abroad should contact the Study Abroad Coordinator, Julie Beall-Marshall, to set up an initial study abroad advisement appointment  1-2 month prior to the application deadline. Subsequent steps in the study abroad application process include:

1.      SIUE Student Application for Study Abroad - submit to SIUE Study Abroad Office.

2.      Statement of Purpose Essay(s) - ISEP, Australearn, and AIFS programs have specific instructions for the essay requirement. Students applying to these programs should provide to the SIUE Office the same essay that will be submitted to program provider. For all other programs, students should follow these instructions:

Essay should include student name, name of program and program location; it should be typed, double spaced and no longer than 2 pages in length. The essay should incorporate:

A)     Why you want to study abroad and why you are interested in the selected program and location.

B)     How studying abroad will help you meet academic, professional and personal goals.

C)    How you plan to apply your experience upon returning to the United States.

3.       Study Abroad Course Proposal & SIUE Equivalency Form– Students prepare this form with the assistance of Study Abroad Coordinator. It is the student’s responsibility to research and identify potential courses at host study abroad site.  After reviewing courses with Study Abroad Coordinator and preparing the form, student is responsible for meeting with all appropriate faculty study abroad academic advisors to obtain required signatures of approval for proposed study abroad courses and SIUE equivalencies. For a list of the faculty advisors for each department at SIUE go to: http://www.siue.edu/studyabroad/advisors.shtml.  Study Abroad Faculty Advisors make the final decision of study abroad course approvals and SIUE equivalent courses. 

Students must return the original SIUE Study Abroad Equivalence Form to the Office of Study Abroad by the application deadline.

4.      Letters of reference from professors at SIUE.

·         2 letters required for semester long study abroad.

·         1 letter required for summer study abroad programs of 6 weeks or less.

Letter should address student’s (a) academic suitability for study at an institution abroad; (b) personal suitability for living abroad; (c) how study abroad will be of benefit, both academically and personally; (d) any weaknesses in academic preparation or personal suitability; (e) linguistic preparation if applicable; (f) any other factors that may affect a successful study abroad experience.

*** Letters should be sent directly from the faculty member to the Office of Study Abroad, SIUE campus box 1159.

5.      Study Abroad Program Application Form and all required additional documentation as required by the program  - official transcripts, additional letters, language proficiency report, application fees, etc. Study Abroad Office will forward complete application to the host institution or study abroad program as appropriate. CEA applicants may apply on-line.

#s 1 - 5 should be submitted prior to application deadline.

6.      Copy of Letter of Acceptance – Student is required to provide proof of program acceptance to the SIUE Office of Study Abroad. Upon receipt of letter or acceptance (or denial) to study abroad program, student notifies Study Abroad Coordinator and is responsible for providing a copy of the letter to the Study Abroad Office.

7.     Complete and submit to the Study Abroad Office the required "SIUE Study Abroad Participant Agreement and Release Form." Click HERE to access the form.

8.     $75 SIUE Study Abroad Fee and SIUE Study Abroad Registration
Upon submission and approval of all above items to the SIUE Office of Study Abroad, the study abroad coordinator will register students will for either the temporary "SAB" placeholder course or "SAB" sections of approved SIUE equivalent courses. Students participating in direct exchange programs will be registered in "DEX" (direct exchange sections) of the approved SIUE equivalent courses. The $75 Study Abroad Opportunities fee will be charged to the student's SIUE bursar bill.

Note:  SIUE students applying for study abroad at an SIUE exchange partner institution through SIUE’s School of Business will apply and seek approval directly through the SIUE School of Business. For more information see: http://www.siue.edu/business/international/sa_semester.shtml.

Study Abroad Enrollment at SIUE & Pre-Departure

Upon receipt of all the above items and SIUE approval for study abroad, students will be registered for study abroad hours at SIUE.

Pre-Departure Orientation: All students participating in semester long study abroad programs are required to attend a "Study Abroad Pre-Departure Orientation" program prior to departure. Topics covered include: packing & final pre-departure preparations, health and safety abroad, procedures to finalize study abroad course enrollment at SIUE, money matters, cultural differences, preparing for and coping with culture shock, and much more.     Accepted students will be informed of the date and location of program; attendance is required. Parents are welcome to attend.

• Pre-Departure Orientation Program for students departing for spring 2010 study abroad programs: Friday, December 11, 2009 from 12:00 noon - 3:30 pm.

Financial Planning: Students with a FAFSA on file obtain from the Study Abroad Coordinator the form “Study Abroad Student Request for Assistance” completed with detailed information on study abroad costs associated with program to which student is applying. This form is submitted to Financial Aid office. Financial Aid Office will provide preliminary information on anticipated financial aid (grants and loans) that student can expect to receive if student is accepted to the study abroad program and registered at SIUE for SAB (Study Abroad). Early in the application process, students are encouraged to explore scholarship opportunities and alternative loans to cover the additional costs of study abroad that may not be covered by financial aid.

Click here to access the 09/2010 SIUE Financial Aid for Study Abroad Budget Form.

Allocation and Disbursement of Financial Aid: Once student is registered at SIUE for SAB, financial aid can allocate funds for study abroad and issue an award letter. Students sign and return to Financial Aid Office award letter and complete promissory note and entrance counseling within two weeks of receipt. Promissory note (EMPN) and entrance counseling are completed on-line. Check with the Financial Aid Office 15 days before departure regarding the date the Bursar’s Office will disburse your funds and release excess cash (in the form of a refund check) if your departure date is prior to the beginning of the SIUE term. It is your responsibility to pay the charges at the other school with the excess financial aid refunded to you and/ or your personal funds.