The policies outlined on this webpage are for students participating in SLU-approved study abroad programs. Students participating in programs that are not offered through SLU should review the Non-SLU-approved study abroad program page for additional information on academics and finances.
Eligibility Requirements
Saint Louis University students may be eligible to study abroad for a semester, summer
or academic year during their sophomore, junior or senior year. Students transferring
to SLU or participating in INTO SLU programs must complete one semester of full academic
coursework within their degree program at SLU before they are eligible to apply for
a semester study abroad program. Exceptions may be considered on an individual basis.
All students must be in good academic and disciplinary standing.
Each program may have additional eligibility requirements, which are listed on SLU's study abroad homepage.
Course Approval and Credit Transfer
You must work closely with your academic advisers to discuss how a semester abroad will impact your overall academic plan.
You are responsible for getting your classes approved before the semester begins. The course approval form can help. No credits from a study abroad program will be accepted unless all the necessary preliminary authorizations from the departments listed on this sheet have been obtained.
You’ll need to complete one form for each term you’ll be abroad. You can find the SLU equivalencies of study abroad courses through the registrar’s office. If a course is not listed, you may submit an equivalency request form. We’ll work with the host institution, the registrar and the SLU department to determine the appropriate equivalency.
Pro tip: Work closely with your advisers to get more courses approved than you intend to take. That way, if you need to change your classes while abroad, additional options have already been approved.
Any changes made to your registration while abroad must be approved by your academic adviser, department and/or college representative.
Enrollment Requirements
If you’re studying abroad for a semester or year, you must maintain a full-time course load (a minimum of 12 Saint Louis University credit hours per semester) to remain in compliance with visa and financial aid requirements.
You’ll need to fill out the enrollment verification form if you’re studying anywhere besides SLU-Madrid (we’ll take care of it if you’re on the Madrid campus). Please have the appropriate coordinator at the host institution email the form directly to the Office of International Services, goabroad@slu.edu, by the following deadlines:
- Fall Semester: Sept. 15
- Spring Semester: Feb. 1
If your program doesn’t start until after the deadline, please contact the education abroad coordinator, kamryn.moore@slu.edu, to make alternate arrangements.
For summer programs, there is no minimum or maximum credit load required, unless otherwise specified by your host institution or program.
Grading Policies
Grades for all SLU-approved exchange and study abroad courses will appear on your transcript and factor into your cumulative Saint Louis University GPA.
Many international universities do not use the same credit hour or grading system as Saint Louis University. Saint Louis University utilizes the World Education Services’ international grade conversion guide for higher education for students studying through international universities. Please research your host institution prior to departure so you understand how credit hours and grades will transfer.
Transcripts
Students participating in non-Madrid study abroad programs must request that all official transcripts be sent directly to the Study Abroad Office.
Office of International Services-Study Abroad
Saint Louis University
3694 West Pine Mall
Des Peres Hall, Room 102
St. Louis, MO 63108
For SLU-Approved study abroad and exchange programs, the titles of your study abroad courses, credit hours and grades will all appear on your Saint Louis University transcript and will factor into your credit totals and cumulative GPA.
Withdrawal Policies
Please notify the Office of International Services immediately when you decide to withdraw to get the most recent information.
If you wish withdraw from a Saint Louis University approved study abroad program (other than SLU-Madrid), you must provide official notification to the University. Participants, not their home institution and/or power of attorney, are responsible for notification. Notification must be sent directly to the Office of International Services at goabroad@slu.edu or to following address:
Saint Louis University
Office of International Services
Re: Withdrawal from Study Abroad Program
Office of International Services
3694 West Pine Mall
Des Peres Hall 102
St. Louis, MO 63103
All application fees, confirmation deposits, study abroad fees and administrative fees are non-refundable. You’ll be responsible for the withdrawal/cancellation/refund policy of the host-program (university and/or residential housing) only if their policy exceeds that of the office of international services.
| Cancellation Period | Amount Due |
|---|---|
| Thirty days prior to departure up until week 2 | 10% up to the full program fee (based on non- recoverable costs) |
| Week 3 | 20% up to the full program fee (based on non- recoverable costs) |
| Week 4 | 30% up to the full program fee (based on non- recoverable costs) |
| After week 4 | 100% |
The Office of International Services determines non-recoverable costs in consultation with the program sponsors.
- If you defer to another term rather than cancel from a program within 30 days of the start of the program, you’re still responsible for the withdrawal policy based on the deferred date. You can’t defer to another term to avoid cancellation fees.
- If you withdraw from a non-SLU Program (for example, Washington University or IES), you’ll still be charged the SLU study abroad fee, and you’ll work with the program directly regarding their withdrawal and refund policy. You’ll be responsible for any aid that SLU has paid on your behalf.
- If you decide to withdraw, you must notify SLU and the host university immediately. You also must contact the student financial services, as this change may affect the financial aid package.
There are specific federal, state and University withdrawal/drop policies regarding tuition and fees, housing charges, refunds to scholarship/financial aid programs, and repayments, which result from withdrawal from enrollment. Consult the student financial services for all particulars.
A credit balance on your account after a withdrawal would demonstrate a reduction in educational expenses, and thus would prompt a return of funds to the lender to reduce overall debt.
If you are dismissed from the program due to behavioral, academic, legal or other problems, no refunds will be given.
Cancellation by SLU
SLU reserves the right to cancel any SLU-sponsored program in a location that is considered unsafe by the University or for which the U.S. Department of State has issued a travel warning.
If SLU cancels a program prior to departure, we will make every effort to retrieve any recoverable costs. Unrecoverable expenses (airline ticket, deposits paid, etc.) cannot be refunded.
As refunds are not always possible, you are encouraged to consider purchasing trip cancellation insurance. If SLU cancels a program after it has commenced due to safety concerns, emergency, act of God, or other reason, refunds will be determined on a case-by-case basis.