How to Apply to Off-Campus Programs

Steps to Going Abroad

Step 1: Review approved programs and meet with your advisor
Browse our off-campus semester programs, and note which programs are approved for your major (several are approved for all majors). If looking for an international seminar, review the short-term international seminar page.

Review programs and read the GEO's Frequently Asked Questions. Then determine how studying abroad fits into your four-year plan and which course requirements you might need to fulfill while abroad by meeting with your advisor.

Step 2: Select a Program
Confirm that you meet the program requirements.

Step 3: Submit a Seat Application on Horizons - the GEO's application management system
Once you apply, wait to hear from the GEO on approval and program costs. Instructions on how to pay your application fee can be found here.

Please note: You may not apply directly to a program until you have been approved by the GEO to study abroad.

Deadlines

SEAT APPLICATIONS
Seat applications for all fall and spring semester programs must be submitted online by March 1.
*Students applying for the spring Orvieto or Balkans programs must submit online applications by September 30.

Qualifications & Preparing to travel

To be eligible to study abroad you must:

1. Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.75
2. Have Sophomore standing or above
3. Possess a strong commitment to academics and Christianity 

Preparation
After you have been accepted, we will help you prepare for your study abroad experience. Through preparatory dialogue and ongoing reflection, we will help you make the most out of your experience. 

Please note: Gordon students studying on international programs are required to attend a safety and security meeting, a half-day pre-departure seminar, and a half-day re-entry seminar during the semesters before and after studying abroad. Attendance is mandatory in order to study abroad.

Financial Aid
The Global Education Office will work with Student Financial Services to reassess each applicant's institutional aid for their off-campus semester. Institutional aid includes Gordon-awarded merit scholarships and grants, honors program awards, and major-or department-specific awards. Federal and private aid will not be affected. Factors in the reassessment process include financial need, GEO program flexibility within your major/minor, and program cost. SFS will provide a breakdown of costs to each student after approval has been issued by the GEO. Note: Students receive their regular financial aid award for a semester in Orvieto or the Balkans.

Studying at Non-Approved programs

Students are allowed to petition to study at non-approved programs. Students whose applications are approved through the petition process below will be billed Gordon College tuition room, board, and fees. Institutional financial aid will be reassessed as described above. If the petition program costs exceed Gordon College's semester costs, the excess charges will be billed to the student.

Gordon College reserves the right to deny approval for student study that the Global Education Committee judges to be of inferior academic quality, or for which there are concerns for student safety. Petition programs must have a direct link to the student's academic program.

Students must first fill out the online seat application in Horizons and follow the petition program instructions, in order to file a formal petition to the GEO. The deadline for filing both the seat application and the petition is March 1 for both fall and spring semester programs.

As with approved and Gordon programs, Gordon College will continue as the financial aid recipient for all federal and state aid for the student and for any loans negotiated by the student or the parent. Students should speak with their Gordon financial aid advisor early in the process.

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