Programs : Brochure

NON-AFFILIATED STUDY ABROAD 
Students who are unable to find a Rensselaer-affiliated program that meets their academic and personal needs may apply to attend a non-affiliated study abroad program.  

Eligibility

• Students may transfer in a maximum of 16 credits from non-affiliated study abroad. This is part of the total number of 32 allowable transfer credits.
• The last 30 credits of a degree program must be completed at Rensselaer unless prior approval is granted by the Advising and Learning Assistance Center (ALAC).  
• ALAC will typically approve a maximum of 2 courses/8 credits of non-affiliated study abroad for transfer towards the last 30 credits of a degree program.  

Finding a Program

• In order to be considered for approval, a non-affiliated program must be associated either with an accredited overseas university or institute and/or an accredited U.S. university or study abroad program provider.
• When selecting a study abroad program, things to consider include location, curriculum, level of support, language, academic calendar and costs. 
• A number of program providers are frequently used by RPI students:
  • Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE):  https://www.ciee.org/go-abroad/college-study-abroad
  • IES Abroad: Study Abroad & Internships | IES Abroad
  • CEA/CAPA Education Abroad: https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/#
  • University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC):  https://usac.edu/

• A number of U.S. universities allow students from other institutions to participate in their study abroad programs.  These include:
  • Boston University - https://www.bu.edu/abroad/
  • NYU - https://www.nyu.edu/academics/studying-abroad.html
  • Syracuse University - https://www.syracuse.edu/academics/study-abroad-away/study-abroad/

• IIE Passport - The Institute of International Education (IIE) maintains a database of study abroad opportunities that allows students to search for a program by country, discipline, duration, semester, etc.  Please click here for additional information and to conduct a program search.

The above are just a few of the many non-affiliated program options that are available. If you have any questions about the legitimacy of a program, or need help finding program, please contact the OIP staff.

Travel Restrictions

• Rensselaer does not support travel to countries in which there is an active State Department Travel Advisory of level 4 (do not travel) or level 3 (reconsider travel), or a Centers for Disease Control (CDC) level 3 (reconsider travel) or 4 (avoid all non-essential travel) health notice. 
• Please visit the websites of the U.S. Department of State and the CDC  for current advisories and travel guidance.

Application Procedures

• All non-affiliated programs must be approved by the Office of International Programs.
• Prior to submitting an application, please send details of your anticipated program to Karen Dvorak in the Office of International Programs, dvorak2@rpi.edu  Include the following information:
  • Your name, major(s),and RIN
  • Program name/provider
  • Anticipated term abroad
  • Program location (city, country)
  • Affiliated university abroad
  • Link to program page
  • Link to information about program grading system and transcript
• Once your program has been approved you will be invited to complete a Rensselaer application by clicking apply now at the top of this page.
• Submission of an RPI study abroad application allows the Office of Rensselaer programs to manage your RPI registration, ARCH semester away/ILEA ARCH course (if applicable), and ensures that you are included in the pre-departure orientation program and receive important RPI communications.
• Program approval does not guarantee the transfer of credit, nor does it guarantee that a student will be accepted by the program sponsor.  Students must apply directly to the program sponsor and should follow all sponsor deadlines.

Tuition and Financial Aid

• Students who participate in non-affiliated study abroad pay their tuition and fees directly to the program provider and do not pay Rensselaer tuition.  
• Rensselaer scholarships may NOT be applied to study abroad on a non-affiliated program. However, students may use their federal financial aid for non-affiliated study abroad. 
• A Consortium Agreement is required in order to use federal aid:  Consortium Agreement Information
• All financial aid questions should be directed to the Financial Aid Office.

Course Selection and Approval

• All classes must be approved by the appropriate Study Abroad Transfer Credit Approval Evaluator in order for credit to transfer.
• Students should follow the course selection and registration guidelines as dictated by their program sponsor.

Courseload

• Students must enroll in a minimum equivalent of 12 RPI credits . For international students, this is also required in order to maintain immigration status.

Registration 

• For all approved programs, the OIP will register students at Rensselaer with administrative status for the period of the study abroad program.
• Students will have active RPI student status while abroad and will continue to receive regular Rensselaer communications, including a time ticket for course registration for the semester following the term abroad. 
• A leave of absence should not be taken for approved non-affiliated study abroad. 
• The Office of International Programs plays no role in registration at the host institution. Students should follow the registration guidelines as set by the program sponsor. 

Accommodation and Meals

• Students will make housing arrangements directly with the program sponsor, and will pay all housing costs as per the program.

Grades & Study Abroad Transcripts

• All study abroad transcripts should be sent electronically by the program sponsor to the Office of International Programs .
• Students should make arrangements with the host institution to have an official transcript sent electronically to the RPI Office of International Programs (Karen Dvorak, dvorak2@rpi.edu). Transcripts should not be sent directly to the RPI Registrar's Office.
• Credits earned on a non-affiliated study abroad program will be posted on the Rensselaer transcript as transfer credit. Grades will not be calculated into the GPA, but a grade of C- or above must be achieved in order for credit to be granted. Individual course titles will not appear on the transcript; rather, the number of credits earned will be posted. Study abroad courses can not be taken on a pass/fail basis.

Questions?
Contact Karen Dvorak, Office of International Programs