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.
