Frequently Asked Questions
- 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.
- Yes, if there are charges on PittPay and you meet the requirements for the scholarship.
- Checks from outside scholarship agencies should be dropped off in person or mailed to the Student Payment Center for the quickest applying of the funds to your account. Scholarships from a Source Outside the University | Student Payment Center (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.
If your program provider has a due date that is before your will receive your financial aid refund, contact your program provider and request their version of a due date deferral form. Most providers have a form that you can complete that states that you will be receiving financial aid, but you won’t receive it until a date later than the due date. There is typically a student section and a financial aid administrator section to be completed. The provider may provide a due date extension for some or all of the amount owed until you receive your refund.
If you are eligible for the Fall and/or Spring terms you do not have to complete any forms. If you are eligible during the Summer term, you would complete a Summer Aid Request via docusign from the Financial Aid website - Financial Aid Forms - Financial Aid | University of Pittsburgh
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.
Packing for a global experience program can be daunting. Check out our First Time Traveler’s page for more information.
Your program manager, host university, or program provider will give you specific information on booking flights after you have been accepted to the program. You should not book flights before then.
It is your responsibility to determine what vaccines you may or may not need based on where you will be studying and traveling. Keep in mind that some countries may even require proof of vaccination before allowing entry or issuing visas. Most of our providers require full vaccination of the Covid-19 vaccine, medical exemptions may not carry over to other countries.
The Global Experience Office cannot give you advice on vaccines, so you must check with the Centers for Disease Control, Allegheny County Health Department (or your home county’s health department), or your family doctor.
We’ve all been a "first time traveler," so we’ve put together a guide to help you get ready for your first trip abroad. From airports and baggage to money and cell phones, find everything you need to know in the link below. If you would like to attend a live presentation, sign up below. Still have questions? Get in touch with your program manager or advisor.
The US Department of State maintains a comprehensive list of travel alerts and warnings for American citizens overseas. The Global Experiences Office has different policies for undergraduates, graduate students, staff, and faculty traveling to countries with active travel warnings. Email us at globalexperiences@pitt.edu for more information.
You should speak with your doctor or health care provider and insurance company as soon as possible. Given that many medications available in the U.S. are not available overseas or only available in different dosages, you should plan on taking a sufficient medication supply to last you the entire duration of your program.
As a Pitt student participating in a global experience, you are required to maintain international health insurance, which must include: Health, accident, and hospitalization coverage Medical evacuation coverage Repatriation of remains coverage Students who are participating on approved programs and who follow Pitt Global Experience procedures are covered under the University's International SOS Policy. For more information, contact globalexperiences@pitt.edu.
It is your responsibility to determine what vaccines you may or may not need based on where you will be studying and traveling. Keep in mind that some countries may even require proof of vaccination before allowing entry or issuing visas. Most of our providers require full vaccination of the Covid-19 vaccine, medical exemptions may not carry over to other countries.
The Global Experience Office cannot give you advice on vaccines, so you must check with the Centers for Disease Control, Allegheny County Health Department (or your home county’s health department), or your family doctor.
The US Department of State maintains a comprehensive list of travel alerts and warnings for American citizens overseas. The Global Experiences Office has different policies for undergraduates, graduate students, staff, and faculty traveling to countries with active travel warnings. Email us at globalexperiences@pitt.edu for more information.
Your program manager, host university, or program provider will give you specific information on booking flights after you have been accepted to the program. You should not book flights before then.
Yes. Remember that personal travel must not conflict with classes, internships, and mandatory excursions. Travel or travel-related delays are never an acceptable reason for missing part of your program.
Yes, our office can provide you with a letter to release you from your housing contract after you return your Global Experience Agreement.