Town Hall: Study Abroad The Basics AVECO June 2018

The “Ins and Outs” What’s required of the student What’s required of the SCO/School Types of study abroad scenarios “What do I certify?” What does VA pay

What’s Required From the Student Provide all necessary information to their SCO Stick to their academic plan Take courses that will count towards degree completion Actually attend classes Earn passing punitive grades

What’s Required From the SCO/School Gather required documentation from student before certification Ensure the student is sticking to their academic plan Verify the requirements of the student’s degree – Is a study abroad experience required? Highly Encouraged? – Dissect the verbiage around the requirement Make sure abroad coursework will transfer into program at home school Determine what type of abroad experience the student is participating in Find out how the student’s record will be reflected at the home school while abroad What’s on the transcript What’s on the billing ledger (student account) Determine which institution should do the certifying Even programs at the host school in the foreign country need to be approved

Types of Study Abroad Scenarios Home school charges tuition and fees and pays host school per an agreement Home school charges study abroad fee for participating in the program; student required to pay host school for tuition and fees Student enrolls directly in host school Home school contracts with third party to pay them; third party pays host school per an agreement Student enrolls in different US home school to participate in their study abroad program

“What do I certify?” – SCO Probably Make sure that your institution is the correct place for certification Gather documentation to build a certification Billing ledger (student account) Enrollment summary Transcript Advisor correspondence (if necessary) Degree audit (if necessary) ELR correspondence (if necessary) Determine tuition and required fees – BE CAREFUL Schools should never submit costs of airfare, lodging, or amenities as part of certification “Can I certify the student after they get back from their study abroad?”

Study Abroad Cost Estimate (SACE)

What Will VA Pay For

What Will VA Pay For VA Will Pay For - VA Will NOT Pay For - BAH if at eligible credit threshold (home school zip code) Books and Supplies stipend Modality Required for graduation Tuition Required Fees Modality Not required for graduation Tuition and fees equivalent at the home school as it relates to the credit total at the school abroad Insurance at home school Airfare/Travel Costs Lodging Amenities Insurance - additional coverage if SA requires it (if program does not require SA for graduation)

…But What Does That Look Like… Home school charges tuition and fees and pays host school per an agreement Home school charges study abroad fee for participating in the program; student required to pay host school for tuition and fees VA could pay home school tuition and required fees up to resident maximum VA could pay housing allowance to the student – normal rate of pursuit rules apply VA could pay books and supplies stipend VA could not pay any fees specifically related to the study abroad experience unless the experience was required for the specific degree VA would pay no charges to the host school If charged a comprehensive Study Abroad Fee, charges should be itemized VA cannot pay airfare, lodging, or host school VA could pay tuition and required fees up to national resident maximum Fees VA could pay are fees that students who regularly attend the institution must pay – not fees specific to study abroad students VA could pay housing allowance VA could pay books and supplies stipend VA would pay tuition and required fees directly to host school. VA cannot pay airfare, lodging, or any study abroad fees charged by the home school

…But What Does That Look Like… Student enrolls directly in host school Home school contracts with third party to pay them; third party pays host school per an agreement VA could pay tuition and required fees up to the resident maximum Fees VA can pay are fees students that regularly attend the institution must pay – not fees specific to study abroad students VA could pay housing allowance VA could pay books and supplies stipend VA would pay tuition and fees directly to the host school VA cannot pay airfare, lodging, or any study abroad fees charged by the home school VA cannot pay a third party

…But What Does That Look Like… Student enrolls in different US home school to participate in their study abroad program Study Abroad Cat Tax The school the student enrolls in for the study abroad experience would be treated as the home school and VA would pay as described previously, depending on whom the student was paying the tuition and required fees for the courses offered at the host school.

LET’S TALK ABOUT IT!!

LET’S TALK ABOUT IT!! Successes Challenges Pitfalls Common Practices Solutions!