Student Initiated Programs in Canada
What is a Student-Initiated Program?
Students who are unable to find a KU study abroad program that meets their needs may participate on a Student-Initiated Program (SIP), which is any program not administered by the KU Study Abroad office. Students who decide to participate in a SIP are responsible for selecting their own program and working with a KU Study Abroad program coordinator to ensure it meets KU and SIP guidelines.
There are three main ways that students participate on SIPs:
- Directly enroll as a visiting student at a foreign institution.
- Participate in a study abroad program administered by another accredited U.S. university or college.
- Participate in a program administered by a study abroad program provider.
Students participating in SIPs will work with their host organization in planning their study abroad experience. The KU Study Abroad office will assist students with integrating their study abroad experience to KU
Step-by-Step Instructions to Participate in a SIP
- Meet with your KU academic advisor to discuss when study abroad will best fit into your degree plan and which courses to take abroad to fulfill your degree requirements.
- Meet with a Study Abroad Program Coordinator to discuss SIP options, the KU SIP application requirements, scholarship opportunities, budget, and the credit approval process.
- Research SIP program options. Information on many SIP programs is available in the Study Abroad Info Center (room 105 Lippincott) or through the links below. You can also use a study abroad search engine such as www.studyabroad.com, www.iiepassport.org, or www.goabroad.com to research programs. Please note that search engines will often return many program lists, but not all options would be approved for credit at KU.
- Begin working on the Academic Plan & Approval to ensure the program you have chosen offers courses that will count towards your degree requirements during the term you will be abroad.
- Complete the host organization’s application by their deadline. It is your responsibility to make sure that you apply to the host organization in a timeframe that allows you to obtain the proper visa, if applicable.
- Complete a KU SIP application by the deadline listed below.
- Winter Break, Spring Break and Spring semester programs: October 1
- Summer Programs: February 15
- Academic Year and Fall semester programs: March 15
- Once accepted, complete post-acceptance paperwork through KU Study Abroad and your host organization.
- Attend the mandatory KU Study Abroad pre-departure orientation.
Selecting a Program
KU Study Abroad has identified the following list of programs that KU students might want to consider during their search process. However, please note that we do not endorse any particular program or program provider.
KU Services and Required Fees for SIPs
By working through the KU Study Abroad office, SIP participants receive the following services/benefits:
- Advising on academic and administrative policies and processes for study abroad at KU;
- Enrollment at KU for the term(s) of their study abroad programs;
- KU resident credit and grades for coursework completed abroad (this allows overseas courses to apply toward major, minor, certificate or core credits with approval of the appropriate academic unit);
- Access to federal and state financial aid and deferment of loan repayments;
- Eligibility for KU Study Abroad, KU, regional, and national scholarships for study abroad;
- Pre-departure academic, cultural, and safety information at the mandatory KU Study Abroad orientation; support services while abroad; and post-study abroad career workshops and trainings;
- Emergency services, including evacuation and repatriation coverage through AIG Travel Guard;
- 24/7 emergency assistance through KU Study Abroad.
The following fees will be assessed for participation in a SIP. Fees are billed to students’ Enroll and Pay accounts for the term of their study abroad program.
- Summer/Short-term: $580
- Semester: $1,050
- Academic Year: $1,330
Funding Study Abroad
KU Study Abroad offers personalized financial aid and scholarship advising for all students. Students who qualify for financial aid may apply it toward SIP costs. Limited KU Study Abroad scholarships are also available. More information and a link to the scholarship application is available at www.studyabroad.ku.edu/osa-scholarships.
Learn about additional local, regional and national scholarship opportunities at: www.studyabroad.ku.edu/other-scholarship-opportunities.
Courses & Credit
All students will maintain enrollment at KU while abroad by enrolling in placeholder credits. Additionally, full-time enrollment is required for students studying abroad for a semester or academic year. All courses, including electives, must be posted to KU transcripts and all grades earned in those courses will be calculated into the student’s KU GPA. The KU course equivalents are determined by the Academic Plan & Approval Form completed pre-study abroad, or the Credit Worksheet, completed post-study abroad.
Comprehensive information on the procedure for obtaining KU course equivalency approval for courses you plan to take abroad is available online.
Students should ensure that their transcript of coursework completed abroad is sent by the host organization to KU Study Abroad following completion of the program, and that their study abroad courses are posted to their KU transcript by the end of the following academic term. Failure to do so may result in immediate forfeiture of all financial aid, including return of scholarships and repayment of loans.
All students must have a 2.50 GPA, be in good academic standing at KU, and have completed one semester at KU prior to studying abroad. Additionally, students must meet all host organization eligibility requirements.
*Note: Out of concern for student safety and well-being, KU does not sponsor study abroad in locations where a U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory Level 3 or Level 4 has been issued. The classification level applied to each country can be accessed at www.travel.state.gov. Information on Level 3 or Level 4 regional designations within a country is available by reading the country-specific advisory. Exceptions to this policy will be considered by petition to the International Travel Review Committee (ITRC). See studyabroad.ku.edu/traveladvisories for details.
