Study Away Programs
Sonoma State University has many different study away programs to offer students! Through these programs, students can go almost any where in the world with any major. Students can also use their financial aid while studying away, and classes will count towards graduation! Additionally, with many study away locations actually being cheaper to live compared to Sonoma County, most students can also save money by studying away!
View our short introduction video!
Remember, the first step to studying away is to watch the Information Video!
You can view all SSU programs, applications, and deadlines on our AbroadOffice Site!
Study Away Program Options
Study Away Requirements
Requirements to study away across programs are generally the same: a student can study away as early as sophomore year, and as late as their last semester, depending on academic requirements, location, and personal goals. Most programs require a minimum GPA of 2.5, which specific locations sometimes having a 2.75 or 3.0 minimum. Additionally, some location may have minimum language ability requirements. These are usually listed as a requirement of a certain number of semesters in that language, but the requirement can also be satisfied with a language level test if the student took the language in high shool or is a native speaker. Many programs allow transfer students to go directly into a study away program, so they can apply to study away the semester prior to their first semester at SSU and spend their first semester as an SSU student studying away.
Specific program and location requirements will be found on the websites listed below. If a student does not meet the minimum requirements for a program, they should still seek an advising appointment with a study away advisor to better understand their options.
Financial Aid
When discussing study away, there are generally two types of financial aid - Federal Financial Aid and CA State-Based Aid. Federal Financial Aid includes the Pell grant, federal loans, and any external scholarships the student may have received that do not depend on the student attending a university in a particular state. CA State-Based Aid is any financial aid that is dependent on attending school in California,at a CSU, or at SSU, which includes Cal Grants, State University Grants (SUG), Middle-class Scholarship, EOP Grants, CSU Waivers, and SSU Scholarships. Veterans and dependents of Veterans should contact the VA representative in the Financial Aid Office to understand how government assistance can apply to study away programs.
Academic Credit
When a student participates on any SSU study away program, they are guarantied that credit will be added to their SSU record. Most SSU study away programs will count as in-residence credit, as if the student took the classes at SSU, while other programs will count as transfer credit, like when a student takes a class at another university or community college. Students will need to work with the study away advisor and their academic advisor to ensure they are taking the correct classes while studying away to optimize completing graduation requirements. There are forms students will need to complete before and after they have studied away to ensure they are taking the right classes and to determine how the classes will count towards graduation. These steps will be discussed in detail during the application process, post-acceptance, and when it's time for the student to return after studying away. More information can also be found on the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page.
Bilateral Exchange programs are SSU partnerships with foreign universities that allow us to exchange students as a part of their degree. Students will continue to pay their home university tuition and fees while on the program, and pay food, housing, and other personal expenses while studying abroad. Students can view program locations, requirements, deadlines, and other important information by visiting the application website.
Current university partners:
- Burgundy School of Business - France
- EM Normandie - France
- Niigata University - Japan
- University of Leeds - the United Kingdom
| Credit Transfer | In-Residence |
|---|---|
| Federal Financial Aid | Yes |
| CA State-Based Aid | Yes |
| Tuition and Fees | SSU |
| Application Fee | None |
Go to application website >>
CSU International Programs (CSU IP) is an exchange program amongst the entire CSU system with 70 universities in 18 different countries. Developing intercultural communication skills and international understanding among its students is a vital mission of the California State University (CSU). Since its inception in 1963, more than 15,000 CSU students have taken advantage of this unique study option where they can earn resident academic credit at their CSU campuses while they pursue full-time, semester, or yearlong study at a host university or special study center abroad while students continue to pay CSU tuition. CSU IP participants are responsible for all personal costs, such as transportation, room and board, living expenses, and home campus fees. Financial aid, with the exception of Federal Work-Study, is available to qualified students. Students can begin to explore study abroad programs, requirements and eligibility on the study abroad brochure pages.
| Credit Transfer | In-Residence |
|---|---|
| Federal Financial Aid | Yes |
| CA State-Based Aid | Yes |
| Tuition and Fees | CSU |
| Application Fee | None |
Go to CSU International Programs Website and Application >>
With National Student Exchange (NSE), SSU students are able to attend another university in the United States or Canada for a semester or year. NSE was founded in 1968, with charter members University of Alabama, University of Montana, and Illinois State University. It was a time when our nation and students on college campuses were searching to understand identity, history, and how differences fit into the idea of American culture. What began with those three institutions exchanging seven students has grown into a premier network of colleges and universities exchanging 2,000 students annually throughout the United States, Canada, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. More than 118,000 students have taken advantage of collegiate study away through NSE and new adventures begin daily.
When it comes to finances, NSE has two payment options: Home Pay (Plan B) and Host Pay (Plan A). With Home Pay, students will continue to pay SSU tuition while studying away, and be able to use any and all financial aid. On Host Pay, students will pay the in-state tuition of their host university, and will be able to use only Federal Financial Aid.
| Credit Transfer | In-Residence |
|---|---|
| Federal Financial Aid | Yes |
| CA State-Based Aid | Home Pay - Yes; Host Pay - No |
| Tuition and Fees | Home Pay - SSU; Host Pay - Host in-state tuition |
| Application Fee | $150 - $200 |
Go to National Student Exchange Website and Application >>
SSU direct study abroad programs provide students with options to go anywhere in the world. Unlike Exchange programs, SSU students will enroll with their host program provider or university directly, and will still be able to use Federal Financial Aid once their academic plan is approved. Classes are guaranteed to transfer back to SSU and will count as transfer credit. One method used to access these programs is through NSE Study Abroad, where SSU students can use the National Student Exchange program to participate in other NSE campuses' study abroad programs. Below are the SSU-approved study abroad program options:
SSU Study Abroad:
| Credit Transfer | Transfer Credit |
|---|---|
| Federal Financial Aid | Yes |
| CA State-Based Aid | No |
| Tuition and Fees | Varies, Pay directly to program |
| Application Fee(s) | $0-150+ |
Go to application website >>
SSU Faculty-Led Programs are SSU classes that take somewhere else in the world! These programs generally take place in the summer, where students enroll in an SSU summer session course, and spend about two weeks abroad to complete the course. The programs are led by SSU faculty, and go to different locations for different courses each year!
| Credit Transfer | In-Residence |
|---|---|
| Federal Financial Aid | Yes, if there is available aid from the previous academic year that was not used |
| CA State-Based Aid | Some SSU scholarships available |
| Tuition and Fees | SSU Summer Tuition |
| Application Fee | None! |
Go to application website >>
It is crazy how different it is here. I haven't had to worry about registration for a second. More classes become opened as the demand for them increases. Students have no obstacles getting into courses or finishing their degree.
Studying in Querétaro and traveling around México has truly changed me physically, emotionally, and mentally. I... encourage everyone to take the time to travel and enjoy this beautiful world filled with so many different cultures, food, and adventure!
Study abroad is the best decision I have ever made. I now see everything in a completely different perspective and appreciate everything I have back in the States. Being able to travel the world is pretty cool too.
Studying abroad has altered the way I think about the world and the role I wish to play in it. ...I am a more critical thinker and now have a deeper passion to continue the fulfilling experience of accepting, understanding, and appreciating other cultures.