Before You Leave School...

There are a number of things you must take care of before you leave your home campus this semester. Addressing these issues now will facilitate a smooth return after your semester or year abroad.

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Leave of Absence

If you are not a Syracuse student, you must make sure you have arranged for your leave of absence following whatever procedures are required on your campus. Check with your Dean's Office to see whether a leave of absence is required, and how to proceed. (Syracuse students, do not apply for leave of absence; you are coded as "overseas" in the University computer system.)

Transfer Credit

To be sure you get academic credit for your semester abroad, obtain prior approval from your advisor for the courses you intend to take overseas. especially if you want these courses to fulfill specific requirements (major, minor, concentration, etc.).

The Course Approval Form in your Academic Packet should be taken to the appropriate college official. Get approval for 8-10 courses and include your first choices and alternates. Occasionally we have to cancel courses due to faculty illness or lack of demand by students. More frequently, scheduling conflicts arise.

Fill out the transcript request form we send you, following the instructions in the Acceptance Materials booklet. We will forward an official copy of your transcript to your registrar as soon as your grades are recorded at the end of the semester, provided there are no financial holds on your bursar account. (This official copy of your transcript is free, so do not send us a check when you return the transcript request form to us.) You will also receive an unofficial grade report. Remember, there is always a delay before the transcript is sent out because the grades come from overseas. Syracuse University cannot send your grades without you signed transcript request form.

Financial Aid

All students planning to receive financial aid should consult their financial assistance advisors and confirm financial aid arrangements as early as possible. If financial aid is being transferred from your home school to Syracuse University, please be sure that all necessary paperwork is forwarded by your financial aid office with the appropriate signatures. Please do not leave this until the last minute. Remember that administrative offices may not be open during holidays.

To qualify for financial aid for the next academic year, non-Syracuse University students should contact their study abroad or financial aid offices on their home campus for FAFSA filing requirements. Syracuse University students can review FAFSA filing deadlines and requirements at http://financialaid.syr.edu. If your home school does not process financial aid for study abroad, Syracuse University will process your financial aid if you have your home school financial aid office provide us with a signed consortium agreement.

If you are overseas during the Spring term, you must remember to complete the FAFSA on time. You may file your FAFSA on the web at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Dorm and Meal Plan Contracts

Cancel on-campus dorm and meal plan contracts for the semester you are abroad. It is your responsibility to notify the appropriate office.

Syracuse students: Before you leave campus, be sure to cancel your dorm and meal contracts. SU Abroad cannot do this for you. For the fall semester, housing and meal plans must be cancelled by June 1 if you are to avoid a financial penalty; December 1st is the deadline for the spring semester. Otherwise, you will incur a late penalty. Students should contact the Office of Residence Services in 202 Steele Hall.

Syracuse students who have paid the deposit for on-campus housing must cancel their contract by the appropriate deadline or they forfeit the deposit. An exception is made for students who are admitted to our program after the cancellation deadline has already passed.

If you are admitted late in the semester, you may still cancel your contract and receive a refund of your deposit (bring along your acceptance letter to show to the SU Office of Residence Services as proof).

Students are responsible for contacting the Housing Office to arrange for dormitory housing the semester they plan to return to campus.

Early Registration

There's nothing worse than returning to campus and having to register late or having to add/drop all of your courses. If you usually register early for courses during a pre-registration period, you should make appropriate arrangements for course registrations to be processed on your behalf for the semester you plan to return to campus.

Syracuse students receive special information about how to make the necessary arrangements with their home college on campus, but you MUST check with your school or college for early registration procedures. You are responsible for your own registration.

SU Abroad cannot arrange for your registration the semester you return to Syracuse University. If you overlook this important procedure, when you return to campus you will find that you must take part in late registration and pay a late fee, not to mention being closed out of classes you wanted.

Especially if you plan to study abroad for a whole year, you must consult with your college registrar or recorder for procedures for early registration.

Career Placement

If you will be abroad during your senior year, you should consult with your campus Career Placement Office to leave your resume and arrange for information about job interviews to be forwarded to you.

Yearbook Photo

If you are studying abroad during your senior year, you don't want to be left out of your yearbook on campus. Make sure you arrange to submit a photo by the appropriate deadline. The photographer for The Onondagan takes senior portraits for several weeks during both the fall and spring semesters.

Absentee Ballots

If you are overseas in November and won't be home to vote in a local or national election, you can make arrangements to receive an absentee ballot. Check with your local election board about the procedure you must follow. You may want to have a member of your family pick up the ballot and mail it to you. We have heard that some election boards send ballots overseas by surface mail! Ballots for national elections are available at U.S. embassies and consulates.