Summer Programs Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I go on any program?
2. How do I apply?
3. Is there an application fee?
4. Do I need to know a second language to participate?
5. Can I use my financial aid?
6. Are scholarships available?
7. I applied for a program. When will I know if I am accepted?
8. How many hours do I have to take?
9. How do I receive credit for the courses I take?
10. Do I need a passport?
11. Do I need a visa?
12. Do I need insurance?
13. Is everything included in the program fee?
14. Do I have to buy airfare and, if so, when should I buy my ticket?
15. What happens if I decide to withdraw from the program?
16. I don't want to take the courses offered for a particular program. Do I have an alternative?
17. How do I register for classes?
18. How much money should I take with me?
19. How can I find out more about LSU's summer programs?
1. Can I go on any program?
Yes, assuming you have the prerequisites for the courses you'll be taking, a minimum 2.5 GPA (some programs have a higher GPA requirement), you are at least 18 years old at the time the program leaves, and are not on academic or disciplinary probation.
2. How do I apply?
Print out the application from our website, fill it out, read and sign the second page, and bring it to 103 Hatcher Hall. If you are not an LSU student, you should also include a check or money order for $500. Non-LSU students will also need to apply to LSU as non-matriculating students for the summer semester. These applications must be submitted online before April 2012.
3. Is there an application fee?
Not technically. There is a $500 deposit that is assessed at the time your application is received, but it goes toward your overall program fee. If you are an LSU student, you will see the deposit added to your billing statement; if you aren't an LSU student, please include a check or money order made payable to Louisiana State University with your application. Once the deposit is paid, you’ve already paid $500 toward your program fee. For example, if the program costs $3,300, you would only owe $2,800 after the $500 is paid.
4. Do I need to know a second language to participate?
With a few exceptions, no. If the summer program you choose offers language courses and you want to take them, you must meet the prerequisites for those classes. The only exception is LSU in French Alps. For LSU in French Alps, in addition to meeting the prerequisites for the courses, students must pass a language proficiency exam, given by the director. Students who go on LSU in the French Alps participate in internships and must know enough French to function in the internships.
5. Can I use my financial aid?
Yes. Any financial aid that can be used for summer at LSU can be applied to summer programs. Talk to Student Aid & Scholarships about what aid is available to you.
6. Are scholarships available?
LSU does not have a scholarship for study abroad for which you can apply. However, there are several nationally competitive study abroad scholarships. You can find more information on our Scholarships page.
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7. I applied for a program. When will I know if I am accepted?
You will get an acceptance packet by email. Acceptance packets are normally emailed within a week of receipt of your application. The packet will go to the email address you provide on your application.
8. How many hours do I have to take?
Six for summer programs, although some intersession programs offer only three hours.
9. How do I receive credit for the courses I take?
Since you are taking LSU courses, you will receive LSU credit, just as if your classes were meeting on the Baton Rouge campus. If you are a non-LSU student, you can request an LSU transcript at the end of the summer.
10. Do I need a passport?
If you are a US citizen and your program is outside of the US, yes. If you are not a US citizen, you need to check with the embassy of the country(ies) to which you are traveling to determine what documents you need in order to enter the country as a tourist.
11. Do I need a visa?
That depends on your chosen summer program and your nationality. If you are an American citizen, your program director will tell you whether or not you’ll need a visa. If you are not an American citizen, you need to contact the embassy of the country to which you are going. For students on the LSU/Honors in China program, information on visas will be provided to you by your director.
Note: Because these are short-term programs, students who are required to get visas should inquire about tourist visas, not student visas. Student visas are for students who are going on semester or year-long exchanges.
12. Do I need insurance?
Yes, but health insurance is automatically provided for all internationally-based programs and is included in the cost of the program. Students going on U.S.-based programs should make sure they have health insurance coverage for the duration of the program.
13. Is everything included in the program fee?
Tuition is not included. In most cases, neither is airfare. Passport and visa costs are also not included. Check individual programs for what is included. All of the programs do offer at least one meal a day and housing. Most offer ground transportation and field trips, too.
14. Do I have to buy airfare and, if so, when should I buy my ticket?
In most cases, yes. If airfare is included, it’s noted on the program’s webpage. Do not buy a ticket until your director tells you to do so. There is a list on our Links page of sites used by previous students to purchase airfaire.
15. What happens if I decide to withdraw from the program?
You must send something in writing to Academic Programs Abroad. You can send an email as long as it’s through your official LSU email account, or you can come by APA and fill out a withdrawal slip. If you withdraw on or before January 31, 2012 (for the 2012 summer programs), your deposit is fully refunded. The intersession programs may be an exception to this rule, so contact APA about intersession.
Depending on the date of your withdrawal, you may have to pay some or all of the program fee in order to cover non-refundable expenses that have already been paid on your behalf. The withdrawal schedule for summer 2012 is:
Withdrawal after January 31, 2012: $500 deposit will be paid.
Withdrawal after March 2, 2012: $500 deposit and $500 payment will be made.
Withdrawal after March 16, 2012: $500 deposit and $1,000 payment will be made.
Withdrawal after April 6, 2012: $500 deposit and entire program fee will be paid.
16. I don't want to take the courses offered for a particular program. Do I have an alternative?
Most of the programs have independent study courses set up. You may tailor those independent study courses, with permission from the faculty member offering the course. Independent study courses are usually 4000-level courses, so you must be eligible to take 4000-level courses. Apart from that exception, you can only take the courses offered on the program.
17. How do I register for classes?
Academic Programs Abroad will register you for your classes.
18. How much money should I take with me?
It varies from program to program, depending on what's included in the program fee. Directors will provide more details at spring orientation. The amount you need for souvenirs will vary from program to program and on your individual spending habits.
19. How can I find out more about LSU's summer programs?
Visit the individual pages for particular programs, email APA (summerabroad@lsu.edu), call 225-578-6801, or stop by 103 Hatcher Hall. |
