Study Abroad FAQ

• Plan Early! Do I want a Full-Semester/Year Study Abroad? Or a Short-Term Faculty-Led Study Abroad Program?
• Please choose a program by researching options here and meeting our International Education Coordinator to discuss the many programs available.
• Meet with your academic advisor to plan the academic component of the Study Abroad Program.
• Make an appointment with the Financial Aid Office to talk about Central funding options.
• Watch the calendar for the deadlines for application, registration for classes, payment, and so on.
• Get your Passport! Students do not need a valid passport to register for a program but must provide one as soon as possible once a program is confirmed to run. All passports must be valid for at least six (6) months beyond the return date of the program.

There are three options: Full-Semester/Year Study Abroad, Independent Summer, and Short-Term Courses Abroad Programs.

Full-Semester/Year Study Abroad -- Students can gain cultural insight while living and studying along with students of the host country for a full semester or academic year and earn Central credit.

In most cases, students studying abroad at one of Central's partner universities pay tuition and fees to Central.

The courses completed abroad are counted as residency credits at Central, not as transfer credits. Grades earned abroad will appear on the Central transcript and be calculated into the GPA.

Students can explore their full-semester options here.

Independent Summer Programs at Central’s Partner University—Students who want an independent study abroad experience in the summertime have the option of earning credits at Central’s partner universities.

Students participating in these programs pay tuition and fees directly to Central or the partner university

The courses completed abroad are counted as Central credits. Grades earned abroad will appear on the Central transcript and be calculated into the GPA.

Students can explore their independent summer programs here.

Short-Term Faculty-Led Courses Abroad --Students who wish to experience study abroad in a shorter period, here is the choice for you! You enroll in one of Central's Courses Abroad programs.

Courses are taught by Central faculty.

Credits earned are regular Central credits, grades are calculated into the GPA, and credits earned count toward the General Education International Course Requirements.

Students can explore Central’s many programs throughout the world here.

Application forms are available and may be submitted online. Registration forms for all programs will be made available on the Center for International Education website well in advance of program registration deadlines. Students looking to study abroad should be mindful of the registration deadlines to ensure that they can participate in the program they want.

Students applying to the Independent Summer Programs must first complete the online CIE Travel Program Registration Form on the CIE’s website. Once students have been accepted into the program by Central, they can then visit the partner university’s website for program specific applications. Students should check both CIE and the partner universities websites for any changes in dates and registration requirements. If students need further assistance, or have any questions, please contact CIE.

Generally speaking, the cost of Course Abroad covers airfare, accommodations, transportation between Central to the airport (if it is JFK, BOS, or EWR), activities, admissions, lectures abroad, local transportation, most breakfasts, 1-2 group meals, etc. It is possible to have specific arrangements for some programs, please check the flyer, webpage, and contact us and/or the program director(s).

Students need to pay the course tuition, personal expenses, incidentals, and possibly some small amount of transportation fee (i.e. bus).

Working in close cooperation with a growing number of Central academic departments, the Center for International Education (CIE) offers more than 20 Course Abroad programs annually. Course Abroad programs are usually offered in Winter Session, Summer Session, and embedded in full-semester Spring courses, where the travel component occurs either over Spring Break or in early Summer. All Course Abroad programs offer the opportunity to earn at least three credits. Many programs offer courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. View the current Course Abroad program descriptions.

• Good Academic and Judicial Standing
• Permission of Instructor is required for some programs.

For airport destinations out of state, students will be provided with transportation from Central to that airport. For Bradley International Airport, students will be expected to have transportation and to arrive on time.

Students can visit https://www.ccsu.edu/studyAbroad/scholarships.html for both internal and external scholarship opportunities that can apply to the cost of Study Abroad Programs.

Center for International Education Scholarships – A limited number of CIE scholarships are available and are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis to qualifying students. These scholarships provide financial assistance to Central students accepted into a Central Course Abroad program. Criteria: To be eligible, applicants must:

• be matriculated at Central
• be enrolled in at least 3 credits of coursework associated with the Course Abroad
• have a minimum GPA of 3.0
• not receive tuition remission/ waivers
• complete the scholarship section of the Registration/Billing Authorization and Scholarship Application Form and include the required essay with their registration submission.

No, Travel fees of Courses Abroad is not included in the cost of tuition for Central. Once a Registration Form is submitted, the CIE will place the appropriate CIE Travel Program fee on the student's University bill and secure travel arrangements in the student's name. The student will be responsible for paying the CIE Travel Program fee by the specified due date, either in the Bursar's Office or via Pipeline.

Central has partner universities around the world and many of these partner universities offer summer programs that are an independent study abroad experience but are shorter than a full semester. In 2022, 7 countries are offering Independent Summer Programs. You might check the website at here for more detailed information.

The cost, dates, and course offerings vary by program. These programs are direct-enrolling programs, not faculty-led. Students who participate in independent programs can often be given discounted rates on the cost of tuition through Central's relationship with partner universities. For further assistance or inquiries, please get in touch with our office.

Students applying to independent summer programs must complete the online CIE Travel Program Registration. Once students have been accepted into the program by Central, CIE will guide them to the partner university's website for program specific applications. Students should check both CIE and partner universities' websites for any dates and registration requirements changes.

Credits and Grades earned abroad through the Independent Summer Programs will appear on the student's Central transcript and be calculated into the student's GPA.

Most forms of financial aid can be continued while studying abroad on an Independent Summer Program since the student's status is maintained. If a student is planning to apply for any forms of financial aid, they must do so several months before the program’s starting date.

CIE scholarships are not available for the Independent Summer Programs. Still, students are encouraged to apply for many external scholarships and loans that are available.

Most forms of financial aid can be continued while studying abroad on a Full Semester/Year Central Program since the student's status is maintained. Full Semester/Year Study Abroad may make students eligible for other low-interest student loans. If a student is planning to apply for any forms of financial aid, they must do so several months before the program’s starting date.

CIE scholarships are not available for the Full Semester or Year Study Abroad Programs. Still, students are encouraged to apply for many external scholarships and loans that are available.