» Spend a Semester or Year Abroad

Chapman students pay Chapman home tuition, (sometimes) room, and (sometimes) board through the Chapman Student Business Services for any semester or academic year abroad program. The most updated costs are available at the Student Business Services. Additionally, a $500 Study Abroad Fee applies. The room fee is based on the continuing students' on-campus double room rate at Chapman. Students are only billed for a meal plan if a meal plan is offered with the program. The benefit is that by remaining enrolled at Chapman while abroad, students continue to utilize Chapman institutional aid for All Current Aid programs and Federal and State financial aid for all programs (see below). Students will also receive Chapman credit and grades for the semester(s) they are abroad.

Chapman tuition fees include many services provided abroad, such as comprehensive health insurance, an in-country orientation, cultural activities, field trips, etc. Each program varies somewhat, and students should refer to their specific program materials and websites for information on what their program covers.

Special note for housing and meals billing:

• Housing fees for study abroad students are based on the continuing students' on-campus double room rate at Chapman. Therefore, for those programs that have a range of choices in housing, students opting for more expensive accommodation (i.e., a single room, premium apartment, etc.) will be expected to cover the difference between the standard and higher cost option.
• If you pursue an independent study, reading, conference, or online course while abroad with a Chapman University faculty member or through the main campus, you will be assessed an overload fee.

Flights

Flights are purchased independently and are not included in Chapman University billing. Some students will have the option to book group flights via their programs. In those cases, costs should be paid directly to the program. You should wait until your official acceptance and arrival dates from the program before purchasing a flight.

Budgeting

Budget Worksheets can be picked up at the Center for Global Education or downloaded from the Global Gateway application portal. Additional out-of-pocket expenses may include a passport, visa, textbooks, extra lab or course fees, extracurricular activities, etc. Use the budget worksheet to estimate the total cost of studying abroad before you go and while abroad. Also, check out Chapman students' suggestions in Creative Ways of Fundraising to Study Abroad. Learn tips on how to budget and save up for study abroad, forms of money to use while abroad, handling money emergencies and scams while abroad, and budgeting for cell phone use while abroad.

Chapman students may apply for some or all of their financial aid on semester and academic year programs. Programs fall under two categories of the level of aid applicability:

• All Current Aid programs allow Chapman students to utilize their entire financial aid package, including Federal, State, and Chapman funding (except for work/study).
• Federal and State Aid Only programs allow students to apply only Federal and State financial aid (except for work/study) and continue to pay their regular Chapman University comprehensive fee. If a student with Chapman aid goes on a Federal and State Aid Only program, their Chapman aid will be reinstated when they return to campus as long as they meet the eligibility requirements.

Applying financial aid to the Chapman University tuition, room, and board bill will be conducted through the Office of Financial Aid. Students are responsible for any outstanding balances.

Veterans and dependents of veterans must follow the Department of Veteran Affairs policies for benefit use with study abroad.

In addition to financial aid, there are a variety of outside study abroad scholarship opportunities available. Scholarships have various deadlines and award methods and must be arranged independently with the scholarship provider.

Undergraduate Chapman students who identify as First Generation can apply to receive assistance for travel costs for study abroad. Visit Chapman's Promising Futures Program and carefully review eligibility requirements and deadlines.

• Tuition remission benefits are eligible for semester abroad programs as a one-time benefit for either a semester or a full academic year program.
• Tuition exchange benefits are eligible for semester abroad programs as a one-time benefit for either a semester or a full academic year program.
• Tuition remission and tuition exchange benefits are eligible for undergraduate summer faculty-led travel courses.

Students on certain semester programs may incur a program deposit, an application fee, and/or a refundable housing deposit, all of which are paid directly to the program provider before departure. See the collapsible chart below to determine if your program requires a deposit payment from the student or if Chapman University will pay the deposit.

Chapman University students who meet the following minimum requirements are eligible to participate in semester and academic year abroad programs:

• Cumulative GPA of at least 2.75* at time of acceptance by Chapman University. Students are expected to maintain a cumulative 2.75 after acceptance.
• Class Standing: sophomore, junior or senior status while abroad*.
• Junior or Senior level may be required for internship-focused programs.
• Students who do not receive disciplinary clearance from the Dean of Students will be ineligible to participate. Students with conduct holds may be required to meet with the Dean of Students office to be cleared.
• Follow all deadlines and procedures, including attending a mandatory Global First Steps info session and individual advising appointment.

Keep in mind that factors other than academics, such as essays, are also taken into consideration when assessing a student's potential for a semester abroad.

*Some programs may have additional requirements.

The Center for Global Education has many diverse programs available and we encourage you to speak with the Center for Global Education regarding program options recommended for your major. If you choose to study abroad independently, you are taking a leave of absence from Chapman University. All independent study abroad credits will be considered transfer credits and are subject to the transfer policy as described in the current catalog. If you study abroad independently, you may lose major benefits of studying abroad as a Chapman student such as: 

1. The Center for Global Education provides students with assistance in the application process, pre-departure preparation, support while abroad and upon return, international travel assistance insurance, coordinating any medical evacuation or attention needed, and facilitating the articulation of credits back to Chapman. You will be responsible for doing this yourself if you study abroad independently. The responsibility is with you to determine your steps to complete to study abroad. Chapman University cannot assist you if any problems arise or you need to return home. You must contact the program representative with your questions and concerns.
2. No Chapman University financial aid transfers to independent programs — If you receive federal aid or private scholarships, you should contact your program provider about applying aid to your specific program. Chapman University will not transfer Federal or state aid for an independent applicant.
3. If the program requires a signed Disciplinary Clearance form, send it to conduct@chapman.edu. The Dean of Students will review the form and complete corresponding information. Forms requiring university official signature are not automatically processed by any designated office and may require faculty chair, University Registrar, or other person’s approval based on the specific form. All approval forms should be filled out by the student first and submitted at least one month prior to the due date.
4. Contact the Office of the University Registrar at articulation@chapman.edu to determine how the courses abroad will transfer to Chapman. Detailed course and program information must be provided. Syllabi are required for course approvals. Copied and pasted information without source links will not be accepted. Once a student has matriculated at Chapman there are limits to the number of credits you are eligible to transfer. It is your responsibility to know how many credits you are eligible to transfer. Please note it may take several weeks to receive responses. Internships abroad that are not through Chapman University will not be approved for credit. There are no exceptions to this policy. All transfer credit applied towards the degree must be evaluated and approved by the Office of the University Registrar. Only credit taken and reflected on official transcripts from regionally accredited degree granting institutions or institutions recognized by the country’s Ministry of Education will be considered for transfer credit. Credits from third party providers, language institutes, and non-recognized institutions are not accepted. There are no exceptions to this policy.
5. Transfer credit going towards the student’s major, minor, or themed inquiry may require additional departmental approval. You may receive initial Department Chair approvals for major, minor, or themed inquiry courses; however, it is solely up to the Office of the University Registrar as to whether the credits are accepted. Credit and grade conversions are done by Chapman University and are not subject to negotiation. No transfer work with grades earned below “C–" will be accepted toward meeting graduation requirements, but all earned grades will be counted in the student’s overall cumulative grade point average. Credit cannot be used towards any residency requirements.6.Independent transfer credits may jeopardize your eligibility to enroll in up to four tuition free credits(undergraduates only) or to utilize the Travel Course tuition waiver. If you have further questions, please contact the Student Business Services Office at ocbusn@chapman.edu.

If you decide to study abroad through the Center for Global Education instead of applying independently, please email globaled@chapman.edu to learn about the steps to apply. 

Higher cultural and educational immersion; a larger variety of courses; classes with local, international, and U.S. students; support from the International Student Office. Includes exchange programs, where students from foreign universities take a Chapman student's spot and attend courses in Orange for the semester. These experiences are very rewarding as they are typically the most integrative types of programs. Classes may be taught in English, the local language, or both.

Hosted at a study abroad center with mostly U.S. students. Courses are on specific topics. Courses and activities are structured for visiting students through a U.S.-based program provider with in-country staff. Classes may be taught in English, the local language, or both.

Participating in an international internship, conducting research, or doing service learning during a semester abroad is a great way to gain hands-on experience, build your resume and marketability upon graduation, contribute to the local community, and develop a new perspective. These programs typically consist of courses for language, culture, major, and minor credit while including a separate experiential learning component.

View Semester Abroad programs with research options, internship options, and service-learning options.