Fall 2017/Spring 2018 Application Procedures

Applying to study abroad for a semester is a two-step process.

You should plan to apply at the beginning of the Fall semester of your Sophomore year.

  1. Students must meet with a Study Abroad Advisor and complete a USF Study Abroad Pre-Application. Pre-Applications completed by the December1st deadline will be reviewed and students will be notified of their program nomination by the 3rd week of January.
  2. Accepted students can then apply for their nominated program. Student's are responsible for submitting the host program's application and required documentation by the program's deadline.

Note that nomination by USF does not guarantee acceptance by the host program.

  1. Submit a Study Abroad Interest Form.
  2. Ask yourself some key questions before you start your program search. Visit our office for research advice, resources, and materials. Please return any unused brochures.
  3. Apply for, or renew U.S. passport. Allow up to three months for processing & delivery. Instructions & applications are available in our office. Passport photos can be taken at the One Card Office.
  4. Review eligibility requirements. Discuss any graduation concerns, college/school requirements & policies, waivers/approvals with your major/minor Academic Advisers & CASA Academic Success Coach.
  5. Drop-in or schedule an appointment to meet with a study abroad advisor. For financial aid concerns, consult a Financial Aid Officer in the One Stop. Download the Budget Planning Worksheet to help estimate the costs of your study abroad and to compare costs across programs you may be considering. 
  6. Complete and submit USF's Study Abroad Pre-Application before December 1st. 
  7. Accepted students may then apply to host program. At the Center for Global Education, we will copy, scan, e-mail and mail all study abroad materials for FREE!
  8. Inform the CGE of your program acceptance. Give us a copy of your acceptance letter. If you do not get accepted into your first choice, you may have time to apply for other programs depending on the program’s application deadline. See us if you fall into this situation. If you decide to cancel or postpone your study abroad, you must inform the CGE and host institution/program that you applied to via email.
  9. Complete and return host program’s confirmation materials (i.e. agreement forms, course information, housing questionnaire, etc.) by their given deadline. We can send these materials for you.
  10. Obtain and submit the following pre-departure materials to the CGE before the last day of class of the semester prior to studying abroad:
  11. COPY OF ACCEPTANCE LETTER or e-mail acceptance
  12. COLOR COPY OF PASSPORT
  13. PROOF OF OVERSEAS HEALTH INSURANCE
  14. WAIVER OF LIABILITY 
  15. PARTICIPANT INFORMATION SHEET
  16. LEAVE OF ABSENCE (EXTERNAL program participants ONLY) (PDF)
  17. PETITION to ENROLL at ANOTHER INSTITUTION (PEAI) , which must be signed by the following people in this particular order & returned to the CGE:
    1. Study Abroad Advisor, LM 340
    2. Student (you)
    3. University Evaluator, LM 251 (One Stop)
    4. Faculty Advisor or Major Dept. Chair
    5. Center for Academic and Student Achievement (CASA), UC 3rd Floor
    6. St. Ignatius Institute Advisor (if applicable)
  18. Attend MANDATORY Pre-Departure Meeting. If you cannot attend, you must sign up for a make-up session or meet with a study abroad advisor. Review the Admitted Student section of the CGE’s website. Thoroughly read the Study Abroad Pre-Departure Handbook and share it with your family.
  19. Plan USF courses for return semester with your Academic Adviser or CASA Academic Success Coach. Pre-arrange USF housing with Office of Residence of Life, or complete a Housing Release Form  if you will not live on campus upon your return.
  20. Find out if you need to apply for and obtain a student visa. You are responsible for this. Attend a visa workshop or schedule an appointment with a study abroad advisor for visa guidance. The CGE is not responsible for any abrupt changes in the Consulate’s policies or regulations for visa applications. The application process can take up to 60 days so do your research as soon as you receive your acceptance letter. Some Consulates have VERY strict protocols. Prepare and plan ahead!
  21. Make airline reservations. See your primary physician for a check-up and obtain necessary immunizations. Familiarize yourself with the culture, language, and customs of your host country.
  22. Be sure to designate someone in your family to re-apply for FAFSA, and take care of your USF Financial Aid renewals.

Center for Global Education

Lone Mountain Main
Room 340 (LMM 340)
2130 Fulton Street
San Francisco, CA 94117

Hours: Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Telephone: (415) 422-6848
Email:studyabroad@usfca.edu

Map & Location