Application Procedures and Policies

Prerequisites are laid out on each individual program page, but all study abroad programs require that you be 18 years old and have a GPA of 2.5 or higher. Some programs may have additional prerequisites, which will be in the prerequisites section of each program page.

To apply, use the Apply Now button on the individual program page. A complete SRAS application includes the following components:

• Completed base application, including your academic history, personal information, etc.
• Personal statement, outlining why you want to study abroad and why study abroad will be important to your professional, personal, or academic plans.
• Copy of your unofficial transcript, showing your current GPA as well as all courses you will have taken prior to the start of your program.
• A copy of your passport data page. If you do not yet have a passport you can indicate that in the application and we will ask you to upload it when received; it will not hinder the acceptance process.
• One academic reference. If applying to a program with a language component, ideally the reference is from your language professor. You will enter the name and email of your reference in the SRAS application, and the form will be emailed to that individual.
• One study abroad reference. This must be received from your home university’s study abroad office. You will enter the name and email of your reference in the SRAS application, and the form will be emailed to that individual. This requirement can be waived if you are not currently enrolled anywhere OR you do not intend to transfer credit.
• $50 application fee (non-refundable)

In some cases, such as a GPA below 2.5, or a concerning academic reference, a second academic reference, a phone interview, and/or other requirements may be added at the discretion of SRAS.

SRAS accepts applications on a rolling basis, meaning we review and process applications as they are received, generally within 5 business days. If any components are missing, we will alert you via email and/or new task(s) in your SRAS portal.

Conditional offers may be issued if your application is mostly complete, but we are missing one or two pieces (for instance, if one or both of your references has not completed the form). Your offer status will remain conditional until all components are received, at which time your status will change to unconditional. SRAS reserves the right to rescind offers on applications that still have conditional status within 30 days of the program start. Priority for housing choices and other program options are given to students with unconditional offer status.

Once you receive an offer into the program, you can accept or decline the offer. By accepting the offer and paying the deposit you secure  your spot in the program. If you apply on/after the application deadline (see the section regarding Late Applications) you have one week to accept your offer and pay your deposit.

If your participation in the program is dependent on receiving a specific scholarship (or other funding source), you can indicate that in your application.

If space is available, SRAS will consider late applications. Applications submitted more than 7 days after an application deadline are subject to a $150 late fee, in addition to the $50 application fee, which should be submitted at time of application to be considered. The fee is not intended to punish, but to accommodate the additional administrative burden necessary when processing applications outside of a regular cycle. If you receive an offer into the program, the non-refundable deposit ($500) is due within 7 days. If applying within 30 days of the program start, full program payment is due immediately.

The application fee of $50 is due at time of application and is non-refundable. In limited cases, where you are nominated by your home university as part of a sponsored program in partnership with SRAS, this may be waived.

Once you accept your offer you will need to confirm your place in the program by paying a deposit of $500 toward your online invoice. This deposit may be refunded or deferred only in specific situations related to scholarship applications and/or funding release dates and should be cleared and confirmed in writing by SRAS. If SRAS has a direct billing arrangement with your university and your university will pay your bill in full, then we will bill the university. If your university pays for part of the bill (most commonly, tuition), but you are responsible for part (most commonly, housing), you are responsible for paying the deposit and we will make sure that it gets applied toward your part of the program cost.

Additional deposits. Certain programs may necessitate additional non-refundable deposits. This happens primarily with complex programs involving internal flights and/or hotels with stricter requirements during high season.

Full program payment is due 45 days prior to the program start. The only exception is if you are dependent on receiving financial aid processed through a U.S. college or university, or other sources of loans or grants. In this case you will need to ask your funding source to complete the Payment Deferment Form, confirming the funding amount and date of release of funds. If this funding completely covers the cost of your program, SRAS will adjust your payment due date accordingly. If the funds only partially cover the program cost, then the balance not covered is due 45 days prior to the program start, and the remainder is due when the funds are disbursed by the funding source.

Full refunds, less deposit and/or any expenses incurred, will be made only if SRAS receives written notice of cancellation at least forty-five (45) days before the start date of the program. After that date, SRAS’ refund policy is as follows: 

If SRAS receives written notice of cancellation 30-45 days prior to the program start, the student will receive a refund of 50% of the program cost, less deposit(s). 

If SRAS receives written notice of cancellation less than 30 days prior to program start, or notice of withdrawal once the program has commenced, the student will not receive any refund. 

A student dismissed from the program will not receive any refund. 

SRAS, at its own discretion, may consider partial refunds if the student can demonstrate, with proof, death in the immediate family or medical reasons for cancellation or withdrawal.

Students who have not paid the program price in full at time of cancellation, withdrawal, or dismissal, are responsible for full payment within 30 days of notification.

Late payments, unless a payment plan is approved and adhered to, are subject to 2% interest per month.

SRAS provides all students with emergency/health insurance. This policy has limitations in trip cancellation reimbursement. We advise familiarizing yourself with this policy. Students should strongly consider purchasing CFAR (Cancel For Any Reason) or IFAR (Interrupt For Any Reason) insurance.