Frequently Asked Questions

Yes!  Various departments on campus offer global experience programs for graduate students.  You may also be able to participate on a program designed for undergraduate students, with your Dean’s approval.

Yes!  We offer global experience programs specifically designed for you, and you can also attend any of our other programs.  We recommend you meet with your academic advisor as early as possible since they can help you choose the right program and the best time for you to go.

Yes! In fact, many of our programs offer business courses approved by Pitt Business to count toward degree requirements, and also offer internship opportunities tailored for business students. Pitt Business houses an International Programs Office that provides advising and program management services for Pitt Business students.  Please stop by 2600 Sennott Square or contact their office at 412-383-7489 or saocba@pitt.edu.

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.

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.

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 .

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

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.

• The half and full-time requirements, as well as enrolling in credits leading toward a degree still apply, however, the types of available aid would vary. The financial aid year includes Fall, Spring, and Summer terms. You are eligible for 100% of your aid during that aid year. If you received 100% of your Federal loans (50% for Fall and 50% for Spring) you would not have any Federal loans available for the Summer term. If you have remaining federal loan eligibility and you would like to have it offered to you during the summer term, you should completed a Summer Aid Request form - Financial Aid Forms - Financial Aid | University of Pittsburgh. Remember that the federal student loan annual limits are $5500 for first year students, $6500 for second year, $7500 for third or fourth year. These amounts are combined total of your subsidized and unsubsidized federal loans.
• You may qualify for a Summer Pell Grant and Pell Plus Grant. The amount would be determined after the Summer Aid request form is completed and you are enrolled in credits for the summer term. To receive Pell during summer, you must have been Pell eligible during the fall and spring terms. Students that were enrolled full-time during the fall and spring, must enroll at least half-time in the summer to receive summer Pell.
• Based on the credits of enrollment, a parent may apply for a Parent Plus loan, or you could pursue a private loan. Parent Plus Loans are considered federal financial aid, so half time enrollment is required.
• The full-time requirement would still pertain to the use of university awarded merit scholarships, as well as meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress. Using a merit scholarship in the summer does count towards a student’s 8 term maximum of scholarship usage. You may need to request your merit scholarship be added to your account in the summer term after you are enrolled full time by emailing the Financial Aid Office.

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.

We recommend using PittFund$Me to search and apply for all scholarship opportunities, including those for Global Experience programs.

International students may be eligible to apply for private loans or scholarships on PittFund$Me that are open to all students. However, international students that are not eligible to complete the FAFSA cannot be considered for federal financial aid.

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.

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.

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.

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Yes.  See our Scholarships page for a list of available scholarships and applications. Keep in mind that scholarships for global experiences are competitive and will not cover the entire cost of the program.  You should make alternate plans for paying for your program in case you are not awarded a scholarship. 

• 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.

• 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.