Summer Study Abroad

Students wishing to study abroad in the summer may do so, and transfer credits back to their Pacific degree program, subject to the departmental approvals of their coursework completed while abroad.

Students majoring in languages are able to substitute a summer course of study for the semester study abroad requirement as long as they earn at least 8 semester credits while abroad. The program of study may be split between two separate programs in their target language, although in these instances financial aid will not be available unless one of these programs awards at least 6 semester credits. Student are advised to select an option from the list of approved summer programs that meet these requirements.

Students with remaining federal student aid eligibility from the academic year may apply this aid to the cost of their summer study abroad program, provided that they enroll for at least 6 semester credits, complete a Transfer Course Approval Form, and secure the necessary signatures on an Institutional Contractual Agreement form prior to departure.

Students wishing to study abroad in the summer must bear in mind the following:

  1. Summer study abroad programs, while providing the opportunity to earn transfer credit, are not official Pacific University programs.  While participating in these programs, students will do so independently of Pacific University. They will submit all application materials, and pay all program fees, directly to the provider. Also, the program provider will be the point of contact for all questions pertaining to the program.

 

  1. Institutional financial aid in the form of scholarships will not be awarded by Pacific University for summer programs. However, federal aid may be available if you have not exceeded the annual limit in certain federal aid programs during fall and spring semester of the current academic year.  The specific procedure to obtain this aid is explained below.

 

  1. Programs for which a transcript is issued by an entity or university other than the provider of the course of instruction (called the “School of Record”) must go through an additional, time-consuming process to secure approval of the Curriculum Committee for the transfer of credit to be approved. Please consult the Director of International Programs if in doubt as to whether your program is subject to this requirement.

Role of the Office of International Programs

The Director of International Programs will assist students with any questions pertaining to procedures for summer study abroad, and will complete program approval forms for students who meet the eligibility requirements for the programs for which they are applying and have consulted and received support for the program from their academic advisors.

Procedures

Procedures for Students Not Receiving Financial Aid

  1. Search for a program which meets the language requirement (if a language major), and ideally issues grades on a university transcript (since there will be additional steps if your transcript is issued by a program provider). Please note that, unless the program is one that Pacific works with for semester programs, transcripts issued by a foreign university will require the additional step and cost of a credit evaluation by an established credential evaluation service.
  2. Consult with your academic advisor and the study abroad director when selecting a program.
  3. Apply directly to the program, and secure admission.
  4. Complete a Transfer Course Approval Form prior to departure – essential for language majors, but strongly recommended for others.

Procedures for Students Receiving Financial Aid

  1. Make an appointment during the previous Fall Semester in the Financial Aid Office with the undergraduate advisor so that the Financial Aid Office is alerted about your plans, and can verify your eligibility for summer aid.
  2. Search for a program which meets the language requirement (if a language major), and ideally issues grades on a university transcript (since there will be additional steps if your transcript is issued by a program provider). Please note that, unless the program is one that Pacific works with for semester programs, transcripts issued by a foreign university will require the additional step and cost of a credit evaluation by an established credential evaluation service.
  3. Consult with your academic advisor and study abroad director when selecting a program.
  4. Verify with your program that they will be sign an Institutional Contractual Agreement form (which you can email to them).
  5. Apply directly to program, and secure admission.
  6. Complete a Transfer Course Approval Form – essential for language majors and aid recipients.
  7. Prior to departure submit one copy of the completed Transfer Course Approval Form to the Registrar’s office, and another to the International Programs Office with an Institutional Contractual Agreement form signed by the program provider.  The Director of International Programs will then sign the Institutional Contractual Agreement form, and forward a copy of both forms to the Financial Aid Office so that aid can be disbursed.