Eligibility

The Indiana State University Education Abroad Office uses the following procedures in the screening and selection of program participants:

ATTENTION FRESHMEN:

In order to be eligible to study abroad, you must have completed your first full academic year (Fall and Spring semesters) at Indiana State University and be in sophomore status, have a minimum GPA of 2.5, and be in good Student Code of Conduct standing with the university.

For example: If an incoming freshman meets and maintains ALL of the study abroad criteria above, they could be eligible to study abroad the Summer term following their first year at ISU.

Class Standing

The optimum time to study abroad is fall sophomore year. Students who transfer to Indiana State University must have at least one full semester of ISU credit on their transcript before they are considered for study abroad; however, you may apply for studying in your second semester.

The Education Abroad Office works hard to make studying abroad happen for students within their 4-Year Guarantee. Graduate students who have completed at least one semester at ISU may apply to a limited set of programs that allow graduate student participation. Note that most Study Abroad programs are designed for undergraduate students and only offer undergraduate courses.

GPA

To be eligible for ISU’s Study Abroad Program, you should have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above. Students with a GPA of 2.0  to 2.5 may apply for consideration with additional requirements:

• Meet with an Education Abroad staff member to discuss personal and academic preparedness and academic options abroad.
• A recommendation letter from your academic advisor specifically supporting  your desire to study abroad.
• A one-page single-spaced personal statement expressing your academic and personal interest, commitment to studying abroad, your choice of host institution and the course of study.

Be reminded that with a lower GPA, your study abroad host institutions may be limited. Make sure you know the GPA requirements of the program you are applying for.

Program Specific Requirements

Some study abroad programs have requirements in addition to class standing and GPA.  For example, Edge Hill University requires that students submit an application complete with a personal essay, official transcript, and faculty references. Note: additional reference letters may be accepted if your GPA is lower than the program minimum.

Lower Age Limits

The Education Abroad Office does not permit university applicants under the age of 18 or high school students to participate in its programs.

Selection Process

The Education Abroad Office screens the applications for study abroad. A standard application consists of demographic information, faculty/staff recommendation form (two), course approval form (Academic Planning Form). Applicants’ GPA and on-campus discipline file will also be reviewed. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. However, we will not accept your application until one semester prior to departure.

In the case of co-sponsored programs (affiliate programs), once the Education Abroad Office has approved the student’s application, it is then forwarded to the study abroad affiliate. In some cases the affiliate permits direct admissions in which case the students will receive automatic acceptance letters. In other cases, the agency or the institution makes the final decision regarding admission.

Acceptance into the Study Abroad Program is determined by the student maintaining their academic performance. Final GPA checks will be run to ensure that students still have the appropriate GPA for Study Abroad programs. Students who receive incomplete or withdrawals for course work during that semester may forfeit final program acceptance and will be withdrawn for studying abroad.

Other Factors

For many of the programs, participation will be based on the student’s ability to get necessary travel documents on their own (i.e., passports, visas, etc.). These documents are issued by U.S. and foreign government offices. While we can provide supporting documentation, the governments have final authority over the issuing of travel documents. Applications may be denied for any reason, including, but not limited to, insufficient documentation, pending legal action, past criminal history, etc. Application procedures and requirements will vary based on citizenship status. Non-U.S. citizens may have significantly different conditions to meet in order to get these travel documents. Pre-planning is key. Look into timelines for obtaining the required documents before applying to a program.

Disciplinary Eligibility

When studying abroad, students are held to the same Code of Conduct as students who study at ISU. Click here to review the ISU Code of Conduct.

ISU is committed to the prevention of sexual harassment, sexual violence, intimate partner violence and stalking. Students studying abroad are, again, held to the same standards as students who study on-campus at ISU. Visit the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX website for more information.

Registered Sexual Offender Status

Students falling under the requirement to register as sexual offenders in Indiana are excluded from participation in ISU-sponsored group study abroad programs.

To the extent that their legal status permits them to travel abroad, the measure does not exclude these students from possible international educational opportunities; individually organized, informal, and third-party provided options may be open to them under current regulations.

Felonies

Students who are convicted felons or who have a felony charge pending against them, are excluded from participation in ISU-sponsored group study abroad programs.

To the extent that their legal status permits them to travel abroad, the measure does not exclude these students from possible international educational opportunities; individually organized, informal, and third-party provided options may be open to them under current regulations.

Disciplinary Probation

Students who are on university disciplinary probation are excluded from participation in ISU-sponsored group study abroad programs.

Students with a past record of disciplinary action against them , but not currently on probation, will be screened on a case-by-case base when they apply to participate in ISU-sponsored group study abroad programs.

This measure does not exclude students on probation from possible study abroad participation. Individually organized, informal, and third-party provided opportunities are open to them under current regulations, and they may become generally eligible again after the end of probation.