Frequently Asked Questions
This section provides answers to many questions we are frequently asked by prospective students. Please use the following links to jump to the sub-section of interest:
All of the our programs are accredited by at least one (and sometimes several) institutions in the U.S. Please refer to the APPLY page to find out which universities accredit the program you are interested in. Note that different sessions of some programs are accredited by different institutions, so the accreditation options will depend on which session you would like to attend. Also, we continue to welcome new accrediting institutions, so if full details on accreditation are not yet available for your program, keep checking the APPLY page for updates.
Students who are enrolled at the accrediting institution can enroll in the program and receive credit through their home institution. All other students will receive a transcript from the accrediting institution and then can transfer these credits back to their home school. Because most of our programs are accredited by U.S.. universities, the process of transferring credit is very easy.
Before applying for a program, you should ensure that your home school will accept the transferring credit. The first step in this process is to take a copy of the course syllabus (available from the PROGRAMS section) to your Office of International Education and/or Study Abroad advisor. We will assist you through this process so you can be assured you will receive the transferring credit. The program fee include a transcript from the accrediting institution, which is used to transfer credit back to your home institution.
You should refer to the PROGRAMS section for the most up-to-date information about each program. ALL of our programs are open to students of ALL majors!
Here are the number of credits that will appear on your transcript for each program:
Note: The Sydney and Fiji programs are usually taken as an add-on to either the Australia or New Zealand short programs, but some students take one of these programs alone.
Financial aid policies vary amongst universities, so you will need to contact your financial aid or study abroad officer as soon as possible to determine your institution’s guidelines. Generally, the following types of federal aid can be used for study abroad: Guaranteed Student Loans (GSL/Stafford), Pell Grants, and Parent/PLUS Loans. Perkins Loans are not usually applicable because they are for campus disbursement. Scholarships and other financial support received from your home institution may or may not be transferable. Please speak to your financial aid or study abroad officer directly about your own specific circumstances, since your institution’s policies may differ.
AUIP currently does not offer its own financial aid or scholarships. However, scholarships may be available at the institution through which you are applying. You are encouraged to directly contact your institution's financial aid or study abroad officer.
Here are some other sources of information on financial aid for study abroad that you might want to consider:
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
www.iie.org/programs/gilman/index.html
Provides awards of up to $5,000 for undergraduate students at two- and four-year institutions to pursue study abroad programs of up to one academic year. To be eligible students must be receiving a Federal Pell Grant at the time of application.
National Security Education Program (NSEP) Boren Scholarships
www.iie.org/Template.cfm?&Template=/programs/nsep/default.htm
Scholarships for U.S. undergraduates who will pursue the study of languages and cultures currently underrepresented in study abroad and critical to U.S. national security.
International Education Finance Corporation
www.iefc.comA corporation specializing in loans for study abroad.
Study in Australia Scholarships
www.studyinaustralia.gov.au/Sia/en/StudyCosts/Scholarships.htm
Directories of Financial Aid and Scholarships for Study Abroad
Faculyled.com scholarship search:
www.facultyled.com/scholarships/StudyAbroadlist.phpFastweb:
www.fastweb.com
FinAid:
www.finaid.org
StudyAbroad.com financial aid info:
www.studyabroad.com/forum/financial_aid.htmlGoAbroad.com scholarship search:
www.studyabroaddirectory.com/scholarship/index.cfmInternational Scholarships Online:
www.internationalscholarships.comGeneral Financial Aid Information
U.S.
Department of Education:
www.studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/student_guide/index.htmlFree Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA):
www.fafsa.ed.gov
My Rich Uncle:
www.myrichuncle.com
The inclusions vary for each of our programs, but in general programs include most expenses that you will incur while overseas (e.g., in-country transport, group activities, many meals, accommodation, etc).
Additional costs that students are responsible for include:
The accrediting institution sets the tuition cost, and tuition varies amongst institutions. Students should consult our website for exact tuition costs for the various sessions of these programs (and keep consulting it as the tuition details are still being updated).
If the program is canceled due to insufficient student enrollment, then a full refund of monies paid will be given to each student. If the program is canceled due to an act of war or terrorism, a State Department warning or other circumstances that make the program location unsafe, all monies not already spent on behalf of the student will be refunded to each student.
Please consult the program overview page for the program you are interested in.
Will the same programs be offered next year?
We set dates for the following year approximately 6-9 months before the year start, so we will not have exact dates for the following year until about May. However, we attempt to align program dates with as many school calendars as possible, and the dates are likely to be similar to this year. The programs are likely to remain the same.
Some of our programs can be very popular, and we can never be quite sure which ones will be popular in any given year! So you are always better off to apply as early as possible. Generally, the deadline is about 2-3 months prior to the start of the program.
There are no pre-requisites and students of any background can apply. All students must be in good standing at their home institution and have a minimum GPA of 2.5. Application links for each institution can be found on the APPLY page.
Each group will have at least one faculty member and in most cases one teaching assistant, as well as field guides and contributing lecturers from the host country. The faculty member and TA usually come from the accrediting institution.
You will stay in comfortable hostels and sometimes hotels/motels in the larger cities. All accommodation is safe, secure and clean, but you should be comfortable sharing rooms with other students. Occasionally, you might camp or stay in more rustic accommodations for a night or two. Students are in village homestays for one night in Fiji.
Many meals are provided, but you will be responsible for some meals. The exact proportion varies depending on the program. Whenever we don't provide meals, there are always kitchens and/or restaurants available for you to either cook or buy your own meals.
The packing list can be found in the Program Handbook.
Because students come from many different parts of the U.S. and because students always have different travel plans (e.g., wanting to stay before or after programs, etc), students generally find their own way to a key departure point in the U.S. (e.g., Los Angeles for the South Pacific programs). For programs with a minimum of 15 students, we may arrange a group flight from this central departure point.
Please note: It is your responsibility to book your own ticket with our travel agent who organizes the group flight. We are happy to help with any travel questions, but we prefer that you work directly with a travel agent to book your own tickets.
StudentUniverse arranges and books the group flights for our study abroad programs.
Disclaimer: StudentUniverse is a completely independent and separate company to AUIP. Group flights are optional and AUIP bears no responsibility for group flight arrangements.
StudentUniverse operates a website dedicated to booking group flights for our study abroad programs:
www.studentuniverse.com/study/auip
Once on the StudentUniverse website, please click on the link that matches the program you have been selected to attend. Please note that the group flights typically depart from and return to a major U.S. Hub (typically Los Angeles). If you would like to book a add-on flight to meet the group at the designated U.S. Hub call StudentUniverse Groups at:
1.800.351.3279
4. Can I make additional stopovers either before the program commences or after it ends?
Yes. Return stopovers are allowed in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Honolulu, Fiji, Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington or Queenstown for a 110.00 additional fee plus any increase in fare, tax or fuel. To customize your flight itinerary please call StudentUniverse Groups at:
1.800.351.3279
5. How much do flights to the South Pacific normally cost?
Airfare last year was about $1500, depending on the time of year. It may be more this year with the increase in fuel costs.
6. Can I change the dates of my ticket?
Once you have paid in full for your ticket, you may request a return date change for 50.00, and/or a return stopover fee for 110.00. Return deviations or modifications can only be requested once you have purchased your ticket and prior to your e-ticket being issued.
Once departed, and arrived in Australia, you may request a return date change and/or stopover to your ticket with Qantas airlines. You must go in person to a local Qantas travel office. A return date changes will incur a fee of up to 100.00. A return stopover will incur a fee of 110.00. If you are doing a date change and a stopover at the same time Qantas will charge you for both changes.
7. What is the cancellation policy?
Your ticket is refundable prior to departure, less a 300.00 cancellation fee. After departure, tickets are non-refundable.
8. Is cancellation insurance recommended?
Yes, in case of emergencies that force you to cancel you travel plans after the cancellation deadline.
Students come from a wide range of public and private colleges and universities from across the U.S. They also come from a wide range of disciplines.
We are happy to forward your email address to former students. However, for privacy reasons we cannot give out our former students' email addresses.
The cost of tuition depends on which school you wish to receive credits through.
We usually accept somewhere between 15-30 students for each program.
You should visit the Center for Disease Control website for the most detailed information.
7. How can I get money while in another country?
The easiest and most efficient way to get money while in another country is with your ATM/debit card. Most cities have ATM machines and banks. Be sure to contact your bank and see about international agreements so you are not charged high fees. It is also better to not use your credit card for advances because these carry high charges as well.
8. How can my family reach me while overseas?
Once you are overseas, it will always be much easier for you to reach your family than for them to reach you, particularly on the short programs that involve lots of traveling. A list of in-country contacts can be found in the
Program Handbook. In all large cities, Internet cafes and phone services are readily available.
9. Am I able to room with a friend who is also attending the same program?
Yes, no problem to go with a friend. Once you are accepted you will be asked to fill in a form that includes a question about whether you are traveling with anyone. You should just put your friend's name in there and we'll make sure you have a room together.
10. Are the dates on the website the dates we are in the country?
The Antarctica, New Zealand, Australia - Northern Territory, Australia - North Queensland and Australia - South Queensland dates on our website are departure dates and return dates to and from the U.S. The Sydney, Australia and Fiji dates are in-country dates (since these are usually add-on programs).
