I’m Accepted…. Now What?

When your program sponsor/host university receives your completed application packet,

NMU students in Teotihucan, Mexico.

it will contact you with a formal message of admission. Contact the Study Abroad Coordinator to report your admission.

You should also expect a thick packet of additional paperwork and a checklist for the forms, procedures and deposits each individual program requires.

If there’s a universal student complaint we hear at this time it’s: “I didn’t know there would be this much paperwork!” It can certainly be a challenging time in your preparation to study abroad: Your sponsor wants information; your courses must be pre-evaluated here at NMU and – possibly – by your host university.You need to arrange for payments and financial aid…passport, visa…. Then there’s  pre-departure orientation to attend and on-site orientation to anticipate. And in the meantime – you are still juggling your usual responsibilities at home and on campus.  

Try to relax and congratulate yourself: You’ve made a great choice –  one that puts you in the growing number of U.S. college students who choose to accept the challenges and the rewards of studying abroad. 

This  pre-departure checklist will prove helpful as you complete the steps on NMU’s campus. (Note: Some steps are not required for students participating in an NMU faculty-led study abroad, or FLSA.)

Remember – You remain registered as an NMU student throughout your study abroad experiences.You are responsible for observing on-campus deadlines for tuition and course registration, as well as those required by your host program/university.   

Course Selection and Pre-evaluation

To pre-evaluate your courses for NMU credit, you must first obtain comprehensive course descriptions and/or syllabi for each course you intend to take abroad. NMU International Programs can help locate the information online. 

We recommend that you evaluate an extra 2 to 3 courses as a back-up; classes may fill up at your host university, or you may find you need to juggle a schedule.You will probably wish to review the desired courses with your academic adviser – ask for suggestions about how the courses fit into your NMU degree requirements.

Next, make an appointment with the department head(s) responsible for each course.   Ask them to review the course descriptions and recommended credit hours (contact hours) and to sign the study abroad course evaluation form with the NMU equivalent course number and credit hours. (The form must be signed by the actual department head – not your adviser.)

Return the completed form, with course descriptions, to the study abroad coordinator.  The form will be stored in your study abroad file and International Programs will issue an add card. 

You will be registered in the NMU study abroad course IP286X during your term abroad.  The actual courses with letter grades will not appear on your NMU record until your host program transcript has been processed – up to 3 or 4 months after you return.

Report any changes in your overseas course registration to International Programs by e-mail, ipo@nmu.edu.

IMPORTANT TIPS

• Requests for liberal studies credit must be presented to the Liberal Studies Committee prior to your study abroad.The committee meets monthly during the academic year and will consider your request.
• World culture courses have specific content requirements.The Registrar’s Office will consider requests for world culture designation.
• Language courses often require a placement exam on-site.
• NMU awards letter grades for study abroad courses.Your grades will be calculated into your cumulative GPA. 
• We suggest you keep copies of papers, exams and other course materials that demonstrate the content of your study abroad courses.
• Host university transcripts must be sent to International Programs to begin the transfer of credit to your NMU record.  

Financial Aid

Most NMU students will use available federal, state and grant money to help pay for the costs of study abroad. Many will require additional loans and support from personal savings and family members.

All forms of federal aid may be applied toward an NMU study abroad program. There are restrictions on some state and NMU institutional aid if you enroll in a non-sponsored program or university. Institutional aid includes NMU Foundation grants, awards based on academic achievement or transfer, faculty/staff dependent tuition benefit and other funds granted to you directly by NMU. If you are uncertain which types of aid you currently receive, check with the Financial Aid Office.

1.  If you plan to use needs-based financial aid toward your study abroad, you must complete the U.S. Department of Education Free Application for Financial Assistance  - the FAFSA.

2.  Next,  download and complete the study abroad cost worksheet form and instructions.  

The Financial Aid Office can use this form to increase your cost of attendance for your semester(s) abroad and you may qualify for additional private or alternative loans.  

All costs associated with your study abroad program must be backed-up with printed materials documenting the source for each dollar figure.  

3.  Please use a currency exchange Web site to convert foreign currency to U.S. dollar amounts.

4.  The study abroad coordinator must review and sign your completed cost worksheet.

5.  Schedule an appointment to review the signed cost worksheet with the designated financial aid officer: 906-227-2327. The officer will work with you to determine eligibility and to arrange distribution of your funding.

6.  For more information about scholarships and program payment, please go to the funding your study abroad section of this Web site.