Study Abroad Policies & Deadlines
Participation in education abroad programs is a privilege and not a right. Acceptance into these programs is based on many factors including completed admission applications, adherence to deadlines, academic record, references and judicial history. Maturity, clarity of purpose and personal commitment must be demonstrated in the written essay and personal interactions with the Spiegel Center staff.
Admission Requirements
Admission to a Roger Williams University (RWU) study abroad program is based on good academic standing, dean/advisor approval, a completed RWU application and a completed program specific application. Each program will have a minimum cumulative GPA required to be admitted into the program. Check with the Spiegel Center for Global and International Programs for individual program requirements.
Application Deadlines
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and students are encouraged to apply early for admission. Application deadlines are the first business day of October for spring admissions and the first business day of March for fall admissions.
Application Fee
The RWU application must be accompanied by a non-refundable $55 application fee made payable to Roger Williams University. This fee is not applicable to the program fee.
Deposit
A $600 deposit is due within 30 days of the notification of acceptance. This fee will be applied to the program fee for the semester the student is abroad.
Program Costs
Program costs, including application fees and deposits, are based on RWU fees and not those of the sponsoring/affiliate program and are paid directly to the University. RWU students participating in affiliate programs do not pay any money to the affiliate institution. Instead, they will be billed directly by RWU. Additional costs may apply to specific programs and/or courses. Check with the Spiegel Center for more information. All financial aid, RWU academic scholarships, grants and awards for full-time, matriculated RWU students are applicable to semester-long RWU programs and affiliate programs, with the exception of the SEA Semester program. Please see the Spiegel Center for details regarding the SEA Semester program. Tuition remission and exchange do not apply to study abroad programs. Please check with the Spiegel Center for Global and International Programs for more details.
Change of Address
Please inform the Spiegel Center of any changes to your permanent or local address, email address and telephone numbers.
Email Address
The Spiegel Center uses your RWU email address to convey important information before, during and after your semester abroad. If you do not use your RWU email on a regular basis, begin getting into the habit now. It is possible to forward your RWU email to a personal account. See the Student Advocacy Office for instructions.
Pre-Departure Orientation
All students accepted into an RWU sponsored study abroad program are REQUIRED to attend all pre-departure orientation meetings and workshops, and are responsible for knowing the information covered in those meetings.
Every student considering study abroad should meet with his/her advisor as soon as possible to begin planning for a semester abroad. This is an important first step to make - and one that can start as early as freshman year. Academic advisors can help you decide which semester and/or academic year works best with your program of study. The next step in the process is the meet with the Director of Study Abroad Programs Kevin Hayden, to discuss the specific program options. You will then be ready to fill out the online application.
Applications
Applying for a semester study abroad program involves completing two applications:
- the RWU Study Abroad Application
- the Program Specific application
- Program Specific applications for approved affiliated programs are available from the program provider website
Applications are due no later than October 1 for spring participation and March 1 for fall.
Please keep in mind that some programs review their applications on a rolling basis. Therefore, the sooner you submit a completed application, the greater your chances of acceptance into those programs that fill up early. All application materials must be submitted to the Coordinator for Study Abroad Programs for review. Applications are always due the semester before a student intends to study abroad.
A non-refundable $55 application fee is due with the application (payments should be made to Roger Williams University).
Application Review Process
- Review of your application begins as soon as your online Approval Form is complete
- Approval is based on a judicial and academic background review
- For programs with limited capacity, approval is made on a competitive first-come, first-served basis
- All programs require two applications: one general RWU application and one program specific application
Students will be notified by email of their approval to study abroad. Students accepted into a Roger Williams University-sponsored study abroad program will be required to attend several mandatory meetings with the Study Abroad Coordinator to discuss course registration, complete necessary paperwork and to receive a comprehensive pre-departure orientation.
Deposits
- A $600 deposit is due 30 days after acceptance to reserve your place in the program
- All deposits must be received by June 1 - fall/year; or November 15 - spring
- The deposit is applied to the tuition bill for the semester the student is abroad; if the deposit is not paid within the 30 days following the stated deadline, the student may be dropped from the program
- Deposits are non-refundable except in the extraordinary circumstance that a program is canceled