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 Study abroad registration at SIUE will be withdrawn if student is not in good academic standing after 1^st semester at SIUE.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

Application Process:

1. Research Programs and Meet with Study Abroad Advisor - Before beginning work on a study abroad application, students should research SIUE approved programs and meet with a Study Abroad Advisor for initial advisement to determine eligibility and study abroad university/program options best suited academic, financial and personal needs.
   
   Walk-in advisement hours are available during Fall and Spring semesters. Spring semester 2013 walk in advisement hours are: 10:00 am - 12:00 noon Tues, Wed, Thur in 0300 SSC. To schedule an advisement appointment outside of walk-in hours, call 650-2419 or send an email to Julie Beall-Marshall. In email please include your full name, SIUE ID#, intended semester abroad, areas/programs of interest, and the days/times you are generally available.
   
   Foreign Languages and Literature majors & minors (Spanish, French and German): Per FL Department Requirements you will need to meet with your Foreign Language Faculty Mentor & FL Study Abroad Faculty Advisor early in the study abroad planning process to discuss suitable programs for individual student academic needs. There is a FL Study Abroad Advisement Pre-Application Form that you will need to obtain from your FL mentor/study abroad abroad advisor to turn in to the Study Abroad Office. If you do not know who your Faculty Mentor is, please contact the Department of  Foreign Languages & Literature in Peck Hall, room 2310.

2.   SIUE Application for Study Abroad - complete and submit to SIUE Study Abroad Office.

3. Statement of Purpose Essay(s) - 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 study abroad will help you meet academic, profession and personal goals.
   C) Ho you plan to apply your experience upon returning to the United States and SIUE.

4. 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.

5.  One Academic Recommendation for Study Abroad (completed by a professor or academic advisor at SIUE). Note: your program may also require specific recommendation forms or letters. Click SIUE Recommendation for Study Abroad Form for the required SIUE Form.
   
   ***Recommendations should be sent directly from the faculty member or advisor to the Office of Study Abroad, SIUE campus box 1159.

6. Study Abroad Program Application Form and all required additional documentation as required by the program  - official transcripts, additional letters/recommendation forms, 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 2 - 6 should be submitted prior to application deadline.

7. Copy of Letter of Acceptance (or email notification 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.

8. Complete and submit to the Study Abroad Office the required "SIUE Study Abroad Participant Agreement and Release Form."

9. $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 when charges post for the semester abroad.

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 Summer 2013 study abroad programs: Friday, May 3, 2013, 12:00p.m. - 3:00 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.

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.