Study Abroad
The Office of International Programs (OIP) provides assistance to students who wish to spend a semester, an academic year, or a summer term abroad in furtherance of their higher education.
Eligibility for Study Abroad
Freshman students (who have successfully completed at least twenty-four credits) as well as sophomores, juniors and first-semester seniors are eligible to study abroad for a semester, an academic year, or a summer term. All students are required to have a minimum, cumulative GPA of 2.75 at the time of application. Under special circumstances, students with a cumulative GPA under 2.75 can petition the Office of International Programs for a waiver. However, most host institutions abroad require a foreign student to possess a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher prior to admission and a designation of “in good standing” from the home institution.
Requirements for Study Abroad
A student who wishes to study abroad is required to meet with his/her academic advisor and with the study abroad coordinator in OIP in order to confirm eligibility and options for study-abroad programs (i.e. exchange or third-party provider). A student who participates in a study abroad program must fulfill Felician University’s full-time-student requirement, which means registering for courses in the study abroad program that equate to at least twelve credits per semester.
Approval of Course Schedule Prior to Study Abroad
A student must consult his/her academic advisor as well as the associate dean of his/her school for approval of courses in which he/she intends to enroll while participating in the study abroad program. A student must then complete the Study Abroad Credit Transfer Form. The completed form must be forwarded to the study abroad coordinator in OIP so that the student may receive official clearance to study abroad. Failure to complete this form prior to the start of the study abroad program means that credits from any registered courses at the student’s host institution will not be awarded by his/her home institution (Felician University).
Upon completion of the study abroad program, a student must request that an official transcript from the host institution be sent to Felician’s Office of the Registrar. A student must obtain a minimum letter grade of “C” in a course at the host institution for the transfer of credits to be awarded by Felician University.
Financial Aid Eligibility for Study Abroad
A student's enrollment in a study abroad program with a schedule of courses that has been approved for transfer of credits is considered to be a full-time student at Felician University for the purpose of applying for financial assistance under Title IV federal-aid programs (i.e. Federal Pell grants, Federal Stafford loans). It is important to note that scholarships awarded by Felician University are not available for study abroad programs from a third-party provider. Any specific questions regarding payment options for study abroad programs should be directed to the Office of Student Financial Services.
Billing Procedure for Study Abroad
A student will be billed by the Office of Student Financial Services for the cost of a study abroad program as well as for the administrative fee ($100). The administrative fee covers the cost of services rendered by staff in both the Office of the Registrar and the Office of Student Financial Services, on behalf of the student, in preparation for the study abroad program.
Health Insurance for Study Abroad
In most cases, the host institution or third-party provider of the study abroad program will supply health insurance or will require a student himself/herself to purchase coverage. If no health insurance is supplied by the host institution or third-party provider and there is no requirement for insurance, OIP strongly encourages that a student still purchase coverage for the duration of his/her study abroad program. OIP has information on how to apply for third-party, health-insurance coverage for a student who intends to study abroad.