Study Abroad

Each student has different reasons for studying abroad. Students can learn more about global opportunities and how to apply to go abroad by visiting the Center for Education Abroad website. Find out about upcoming information sessions and events by visiting the Center for Education Abroad’s events calendar. Students can also visit the center’s office in 2-131 Dewey Hall.

Students are eligible to go abroad as early as their second semester, sophomore year; a number of summer/short term programs are also open to students after the completion of their first year. Study abroad is not permitted in the final semester of your senior year. All University of Rochester students must meet the College’s Enrollment Policy.

All students who plan to study abroad during the academic year need to apply online, first getting permission from the University of Rochester, then permission from the study abroad program they plan to attend. The University deadline for fall, full-year and summer study is March 1, and for spring October 1. Note that some specific program application deadlines vary.

Study Abroad Status

Students going on a University of Rochester program register for SABR 301 and are charged University of Rochester tuition and room fees for the semester abroad.

Students going on non partner programs register for SABR 302 and are charged an administrative study abroad fee.

Students going on a Summer Program and plan to transfer credit back to the University of Rochester register for SABR 303 and are charged an administrative study abroad fee.

Students cannot go on inactive status and subsequently seek credit for a study abroad program.

Transfer Credit

The College has affiliations with a number of study abroad consortia and universities. Programs sponsored by US colleges and universities (including University of Rochester programs) issue standard US-style transcripts, which show dates of attendance, course numbers and titles, credit hours, and grades. These transcripts are evaluated the same way as transfer credit from another US institution.

Overseas independent enrollment is not an option for students at institutions with which the University already has an affiliation.

To ensure that courses taken elsewhere will transfer back to the University of Rochester, students must complete a Course Approval Form. Students should indicate the courses that they wish to receive credit for and include a copy of the course descriptions.

Most elective courses can be approved by an education abroad advisor, but courses for a major or minor must be approved by the authorized faculty member in the appropriate department. Students should consult with an advisor in education abroad for assistance in completing the form.

For more information, see the Center for Education Abroad transfer credit page.

Financial Aid

Only students who go abroad for a semester or academic year through University-affiliated programs can apply to receive University of Rochester financial aid for their program. No University of Rochester aid is available for study on non-partner program. Any questions concerning financial aid during your program or upon your return should be addressed to the Financial Aid Office in Wallis Hall.

Students can ask the Financial Aid Office for help in filing consortium agreements, which may allow loans and some grants to apply to other schools’ programs.

Students eligible for federal financial aid (PELL grants and/or federal subsidized and unsubsidized loans) should contact the Financial Aid Office for help in completing consortium agreements, which may allow federal aid to apply to other schools’ programs.

Students should also be aware that a small number of study abroad programs have their own financial aid or scholarships, and that the education abroad advisor can direct them to these programs.

Financial aid is not normally available for summer study abroad, although students planning to participate in foreign language programs can apply for Burton Awards through the Center for Education Abroad.

All questions concerning financial aid should be addressed to the Financial Aid Office.