Frequently Asked Questions

  1. FAQ & Resources
  2. Frequently Asked Questions

Yes!  Going abroad and taking at least six credits generally fulfill your International Foreign Culture (IFC) requirements, and certain study abroad locations will fulfill the Non-Western Foreign Culture requirement for Arts and Sciences. For Panther Programs, courses that fulfill other general education requirements are listed on each program’s page.  For Exchanges and Pitt-Recognized Programs, your study abroad advisor will review your courses for general education requirements.

Generally, participating in a global experience does not affect your graduation date as long as you plan carefully and select a program that meets your academics needs. If you plan on participating in a global experience during your final term, you should know that your official graduation will most likely be delayed by one semester due to the time it takes for our office to receive your grades and transcripts.  Get in touch with a member of our staff for more information.

Generally yes, but you need to speak with your academic advisor(s) to determine whether or not the courses you take while on a global experience will fulfill requirements.  Pitt Global Experiences cannot approve any courses towards majors, minors, or certificates. 

Yes!  You should be aware that there may be additional visa requirements.  You should speak to your global experience advisor before choosing a program.

A visa is a document that grants you legal approval to enter or travel through a country. Your global experience advisor or program provider will let you know if you need a visa and will provide you with the necessary instructions when the time comes.

If you are a US citizen without a valid passport, visit the Department of State’s website to get your application started.  Part of the application process requires you to visit a passport processing center, so we’ve included a link to our preferred centers below. Here are two critical things to know: US passport applications can take anywhere from 6-8 weeks to process.  Getting your passport needs to be one of the first things you do. If you already have a passport, please check to be sure that it is valid for the time period you will be abroad.  The Global Experiences Office (and most foreign governments) requires that your passport be valid for at least six months after you plan on leaving your host country. Note: If your last passport was issued before the age of 16, please see this website for additional information https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/need-passport/16-17.html .

Here are two critical things to know: US passport applications can take anywhere from 6-8 weeks to process.  Getting your passport needs to be one of the first things you do.  The Global Experiences Office strongly recommends you already have a valid passport or have completed your passport application/renewal before the global experience application deadline. If you already have a passport, please check to be sure that it is valid for the time period you will be abroad.  The Global Experiences Office (and most foreign governments) requires that your passport be valid for at least six months after you plan on leaving your host country. If you are a US citizen without a valid passport, visit the Department of State’s website to get your application started before you begin your global experience application.  Part of the application process requires you to visit a passport processing center, so we’ve included a link to our preferred centers below. Non-US citizens are welcome to participate in a global experience and also need a valid passport from their country of citizenship.  Be sure to let your program manager or advisor know as soon as possible if you are not a US citizen, as this may impact your visa situation. Please see Real ID tab for domestic and US territory requirements.

Yes if all eligibility criteria are met. The eligible Pitt-employed parent needs verify the charges/costs and usage through Pitt’s Human Resource Benefits office.

 

  • Financial Aid will be disbursed through PittPay just like a standard, on-campus semester. In order for financial aid to disburse, you must be enrolled in credits and meeting the requirements for each individual award you wish to use.
  • For Panther Programs, you will be billed for all charges on PittPay. Your financial aid will disburse and pay towards those charges. If your financial aid exceeds what you owe the University, the overpayment will be refunded to you via PittPay eRefunds.
  • For Pitt Recognized Programs, you will be billed for all charges by your third party program provider. Once you are enrolled for credits, you will be billed on PittPay for a Global Experience fee. Your financial aid will disburse and pay off this fee first. Any additional aid that exceeds what you owe Pitt will be refunded to you via PittPay eRefunds. You should use this refund to pay your program provider.
  • We encourage all students to enroll a bank account number through PittPay eRefunds so that your refund can be deposited directly into your bank account. If you do not register a bank account on PittPay, a check will be mailed to your address of record. Especially while traveling around the world, a mailed check will significantly delay your ability to access your refund.

 

Generally, you will be able to use your scholarship toward the cost of your global experience program.  You need to speak with the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid, Financial Aid Wellness Center (or similar office on your campus) to verify how much of your scholarship will be applicable to the program.

The timing of Financial Aid for global experiences will be based on the Pitt academic calendar and the semesters that you are enrolled in and receiving credits for. It is possible that the aid you are receiving may disburse to PittPay prior to your Study Abroad program starting. The aid can still be used for the program costs.

 

  • To use your university awarded merit scholarship, you must be enrolled full time (12 or more credits for an undergraduate), meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress, and have term of usage remaining. You may receive a scholarship for a maximum of 8 terms and the Study Abroad usage will count towards the 8 terms.
  • Other scholarships may be usable on study abroad but could vary by the department that awarded you the scholarship. We recommend contacting the area that notified you of the award to verify your eligibility for specific scholarships.
  • Scholarships awarded by the Global Experience Office for the purpose of study abroad can be used during your program.

 

Generally, you will be able to use financial aid toward the cost of your global experience program.  You need to speak with the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid, Financial Aid Wellness Center (or similar office on your campus) to verify how much of your aid will be applicable to the program.

Yes. The financial aid will pay the charges listed on PittPay and any global experience fees first (if it has not been paid out of pocket prior to the aid being disbursed). Pitt Recognized programs only post the global experiences fee. After the financial aid is disbursed, if you receive a refund, you may use it to pay any additional expenses associated with your global experience. Remember that the timing of when you receive your refund will be no sooner than 10 days prior to the start of the semester. It is likely you will be booking your travel and housing arrangements prior to receiving your refund, so be prepared to pay for these expenses in another way, and then receive your refund later.

 

The cost depends on the program you choose. For Panther Programs, the program fee typically includes tuition, housing, travel insurance, and some course-related excursions. Inclusions may vary; please visit the program brochure page for pricing details. Inclusions for Pitt-Recognized programs vary by provider; please visit the provider’s website for pricing information. You will not be responsible for paying Pitt tuition in addition to the provider’s tuition. For Exchange Programs, you are responsible for paying normal Pitt tuition and fees directly to the University of Pittsburgh. Other fees and pricing details vary by program; please visit the program brochure page for details. 

 

Office of Veterans Services

University of Pittsburgh

Wesley W. Posvar Hall (Rm 1444)

230 South Bouquet St.

Pittsburgh, PA 15260

veterans@pitt.edu

 

  • Yes. To use Federal Financial Aid such as Federal Pell Grants, Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, or a Parent Plus loan, you must be enrolled at least half time (6 or more credits for an undergraduate, 4.5 or more credits for a graduate)
  • The Study Abroad program must also include credits of enrollment leading towards your degree. This means that you cannot have graduated or completed the requirements for your major program.
  • Students must also meet the University’s standards for Satisfactory Academic Progress to remain financial aid eligible.
  • If you are enrolled less than half time, you may apply for a Private loan. Individual lenders may approve loans based on less than half time status. We recommend reviewing potential lenders on Fast Choice, an online service that allows students to compare and research private lenders. The University of Pittsburgh does not endorse or recommend any specific private lender.
  • Here are some helpful links from the Financial Aid Office:

 

  • Financial Aid cannot disburse to a student’s PittPay account until we are within 10 days before the start of the semester. The federal government prohibits accessing financial aid earlier than 10 days prior to the start of each term. The start of a semester is determined by the Pitt academic calendar, not the start date of your Global Experience.
  • In order for your financial aid to disburse once we reach that 10 day window, you must be enrolled in your program credits and meet the requirements for each type of financial aid award.
  • Refunds will begin to process after financial aid has disbursed. Once a refund is generated, it can still take 3-5 business days for the refund to reach your bank account if you are enrolled in PittPay eRefunds.

 

Financial Aid consists of scholarships, grants, loans, and work study. Only work study cannot be used while studying abroad. Scholarships, grants, and loans can potentially be used provided that you meet the eligibility requirements for each particular award that you receive.