Student Initiated Programs in Canada

Student-Initiated Programs

Student-Initiated Programs (SIPs) allow KU students to earn resident KU credit for study abroad programs sponsored by other accredited U.S. universities and colleges. The SIP category also applies to degree-seeking KU students who opt to enroll directly in foreign institutions accredited by the Ministry of Education of the host country for a summer, semester, or academic year. 

Students participating in a SIP remain enrolled at KU during the study abroad program and receive KU resident credit and grades for the coursework that they complete abroad.  Continuous KU enrollment allows for access to state and federal financial aid as well as deferment of loan repayments. In addition, students on a SIP receive academic, cultural and safety information at the mandatory Office of Study Abroad (OSA) orientation and have contact (including 24-hour emergency assistance) with the OSA while abroad.  Students also receive emergency medical evacuation and repatriation coverage for the study period.

Program selection

Students must schedule an appointment to meet with an OSA program coordinator before beginning the KU application process. The program coordinator will help the student determine if the non-KU program meets University of Kansas* and SIP guidelines. The program coordinator will also explain the application process in greater detail and provide the student with OSA SIP application directions.

*Note: Due to concerns for student and faculty safety, the University of Kansas does not sponsor study abroad at locations where a U.S. State Department Travel Warning has been issued. See http://travel.state.gov/ for a list of countries currently under a Travel Warning.

Application

It is entirely the student's responsibility to monitor deadlines and application procedures for the non-KU program. In addition, students must complete the KU Office of Study Abroad SIP application and scholarship application (if applicable) by the deadlines listed below, regardless of the non-KU program deadlines.

Deadline for Winter Break, Spring Break, and Spring Semester programs: October 1

Deadline for Fall, Academic Year, or Summer programs: March 1

As with many other study abroad options, students must meet with departmental faculty advisors and their academic advisor in their major during the application process in order to complete an Academic Plan. Through this process they will be able to determine what equivalent KU credit they will receive for their study abroad courses.
Upon acceptance to the non-KU program, students must submit a copy of the letter of acceptance from the host institution to the OSA.

Orientation

All students who participate in SIPs are required to take part in the KU OSA pre-departure orientation even if there is an on-site orientation arranged by the non-KU program.  The OSA orientation provides important academic, cultural, and safety information to all study abroad participants.

Credit-Posting

Students are required to maintain full-time student status (12 hours/semester) while abroad and post all courses to their KU transcript.  All courses must be approved prior to departure, while abroad, or upon return by the relevant academic department. They will be posted to the KU transcript as they appear on the student’s Academic Plan & Approval Form or Credit Worksheet with the accompanying grades earned.  Grades will be calculated into the student's KU GPA.

A signed and sealed official transcript (or equivalent document) must be provided to KU the Office of Study Abroad (OSA). The transcript may be forwarded directly to the OSA Program Coordinator or the student can hand-deliver a sealed copy.  Participants in Student-Initiated Programs (SIPs) will want to check with their provider or host institution to find out if their transcript will be sent automatically or if they must obtain one directly. 

Failing to complete the grade posting process will prevent graduation from KU and may have other implications such as immediate forfeiture of all financial aid, including return of scholarships and repayment of loans.

Fees

The Office of Study Abroad SIP fee includes the OSA administrative fee, KU enrollment, OSA pre-departure orientation, 24-hour emergency contact services, and emergency medical evacuation and repatriation services. 

Currently, the KU tuition and program fee for participation in a Student-Initiated Program is as follows:

Summer/Short-Term: $580

Semester: $1,050

Academic Year: $1,330

The SIP fee is in addition to any tuition, fees or other expenses related to the non-KU program. The SIP fee will be billed on your KU account once you commit to the program.

All other program related expenses (non-KU program provider fees and/or host institution tuition, room and board etc) are the responsibility of the student and will not be billed on your KU account. Students must make arrangements to pay these fees directly.

Funding your Study Abroad Program

The Office of Study Abroad can do personalized financial aid and scholarship advising for students. Please visit 108 Lippincott Hall or call 785-864-3742 to set up an appointment. KU students who qualify for financial aid in the form of Stafford and/or other loans, Federal Grants, and KU or outside scholarships may apply the aid to the cost of a Study Abroad Program.  
 
KU Study Abroad supplemental scholarships are available to KU degree seeking students. Applications are available online. The scholarship application deadline is March 1 for Summer and Fall and Academic Year programs and October 1 for Spring, Winter Break and Spring Break programs.
 
For additional scholarship opportunities visit: www.studyabroad.ku.edu/other-scholarship-opportunities