Application Checklist

Every application for study abroad begins with meeting an advisor and completing the application on TruView. There are various program models offered through Truman and many have unique application processes, but our office is here to guide you.

Provider Programs

Term Truman Application Deadline ISEP Deadline
Spring Semester 2023 ISEP Exchange Programs September 1, 2022 September 15, 2022 October 30, 2022
Spring 2023 ISEP Direct Enroll Programs October 15, 2022 Varies November 1, 2022
Summer 2023 ISEP Direct Enroll Programs March 1, 2023 Varies March 15, 2023
Fall 2023 and Academic Year ISEP Exchange Programs February 15, 2023 TBD March 1, 2023
Fall 2023 and Academic Year ISEP Direct Programs March 1, 2023 Varies March 15, 2023

Faculty-Led Programs

Term Truman Application & Deposit Deadline with Scholarship Consideration Truman Application & Deposit Regular Deadline
May Interim November 15 January 20 March 20
Summer November 15 January 20 March 20
Winter Interim October 1 October 15 November 1

Whether you are looking at a faculty-led program or a semester/summer/year long program through a provider, all applications start with TruView (TruView > Tools > Student > Student Tools > Registration > Apply to Study Abroad).

There can be some variation when applying to faculty-led programs. All applications ask for basic information, such as emergency contacts and a short essay, but some programs will ask for additional steps or materials (such as a language evaluation or recommendation letter), so do be sure to review any information on the program webpage. If there are additional steps, the Study Abroad Office will follow-up with you.

If applying for an exchange or direct enrollment program, you will need also need to complete their application. Deadlines can vary, but most exchange programs have a priority deadline and direct-enrollment programs have deadlines usually set by the host institution. See the program’s webpage for details and plan accordingly. Most applications will ask you for personal and academic information, as well as academic references, transcripts, and passport information. Sometimes programs ask you to pre-select courses, while other programs will do enrollment after acceptance. Every provider organization has its own system of doing things, so if you have questions or need help, it is best to reach out directly to the program advisor/admissions counselor; they know their systems and programs and are better placed to help you.

It is always best to meet with a study abroad provider before beginning your application. Our advisors can help you understand the process and timelines involved and help smooth the whole process.

 

Exchange and direct programs will require you to upload or send in your most current official academic transcript. Once you are ready to begin applying to a specific program, you can request an electronic transcript through the Registrar’s Office which will be emailed directly to you for a cost of $11 and then upload it to your application.

If applying to ISEP, when ordering your electronic transcripts, you can choose to have them sent directly to ISEP via email at transcripts@isep.org.

Note: If you choose the route of getting free paper transcripts, this can be a slow process! We strongly recommend that students order electronic transcripts for uploading to their provider application.

The Study Abroad Office requires a copy of the picture page of your passport to be on file here. If you do not have a passport for international travel, apply to receive one as soon as possible – even if you pay an additional $60 for “expedited processing” it can take up to 8 weeks (or even longer) to get your passport in hand.

You can email a copy to studyabroad@truman.edu or bring your passport to our office and have us scan it. Even if you are considering going abroad in a year or two, apply for your passport now so you won’t have to scramble to get it later.

Please note that Passport Cards are not the same as Passport Books. The passport card is only acceptable for land or sea crossings from a very limited number of countries that border the USA.

All semester programs will require one or two recommendations from your professors for their own applications. Some faculty-led programs may require recommendations. If your program does, the Study Abroad Office will reach out to you after you apply. Start talking to your professors early on about your plans to study abroad and give them plenty of notice when you ask them to complete one for you. At least one recommendations should normally come from a professor in your major. Students planning to study in a foreign language should also have at least one of their recommenders speak to their language proficiency. Your study abroad advisor will let you know how your recommenders will be contacted and what forms they will need to complete, as this varies from program to program.

If you are hoping to have credit from your study abroad experience count towards your major, minor, or Liberal Studies Program (LSP) requirements, you will need to develop a plan with your academic advisor or department chair. The availability of course materials varies from program to program, but we encourage you to gather as much information about courses you intend to take as possible before meeting with your academic advisor: preferably syllabi, but at least course names and descriptions. We encourage students to discuss alternate courses, as well, as classes abroad sometimes change or are cancelled. We highly advise you to get a plan down in writing by pre-filling a Substitution Form in order to establish clear expectations with your advisor and avoid any surprises upon return. Once you return from your program and have your grades submitted from the host university, you must complete (if you have not done so) and submit a Substitution Form to the Registrar in order to make course equivalencies official on your DegreeWorks.

Students with majors or minors in the Classical and Modern Languages department should use the Pre-Approval Course Forms below when planning substitutions.

Visa requirements vary significantly based on location and length of stay. General visa information can be found through the State Department’s Website. However, since many programs have their own way of guiding students to apply for visas, you should consult with the director of your particular study abroad program who will give you instructions on the steps you need to take. Though Truman’s Study Abroad Office can try to help students navigate the visa application process generally, applying for visas is not a service that our office provides. Please allow sufficient time for your visa to be processed so you can arrive to your program on time. Students studying abroad to Spain, France, and Italy often have to make a trip to a consulate’s office in the United States and (in consultation with their program) may want to schedule a visa appointment as soon as they have applied for their program.

Our Study Abroad Office can assist you in getting an estimate of your program expenses, but we also encourage you to have a conversation with the Financial Aid Office  in McClain Hall in order to get a clear understanding of how your financial aid and scholarships will apply to those study abroad costs. This can help you to develop a budget for both your Truman Bill and your out-of-pocket expenses for study abroad.

  • All students who want their Truman Scholarships to apply to their Study Abroad charges must complete and return a Study Abroad Scholarship Renewal Form.
  • All students who want FAFSA Grants and Loans or the Cultural Loan to apply to their Study Abroad charges must complete and return a Study Abroad Funding Sheet.
  • Students receiving the Pershing Scholarship to Study Abroad must complete this form.
  • Students applying for the Cultural Loan must complete the full loan application found here.
Truman students need to complete their registration agreement on TruView for the semester they will be abroad. The student will not register for classes for the semester abroad at Truman State. Students traveling abroad are responsible, though, for registering for their classes through the host institution. Our office will register each student that is studying abroad in a “place holder” class that will be replaced with your courses and grades once we receive your transcript from your host institution after the completion of your program.

All students who study abroad are required to attend a pre-departure orientation. For the time being, confirmed participants will be notified of the date and location via email after your application has been approved.


Center for International Education Abroad
Truman State University
Baldwin 106
100 East Normal Avenue
Kirksville, MO 63501
(660) 785-4076
studyabroad@truman.edu