Study Abroad Policies
All students who study abroad are subject to Rider University Study Abroad Policies.
Students may study abroad in their senior year. However, students should ensure through careful consultation with their faculty advisor(s) that such study does not result in an unanticipated delay of graduation.
II. Summer Study Abroad on Rider Programs
All summer study abroad students doing Rider programs (INT316) are registered for Summer I in order to facilitate the processing of financial aid. Students who enroll in two successive summer study abroad programs will be enrolled in Summer I and Summer II. They will be required to fill out a College of Continuing Studies (CCS) Registration Form for each summer session.
III. Students with Disabilities
Rider University is committed to assisting students with disabilities. Students with disabilities should be aware that accommodations received in the United States may not be available abroad due to different laws in other countries. It is recommended that they carefully choose a study abroad destination with this in mind and in conjunction with the Center for International Education (CIE) staff and the Services for Students with Disabilities Office.
IV. Applicability and Retention of Financial Aid
Rider University considers study abroad integral to its mission and is committed to making it accessible and affordable. Therefore, student financial aid, including merit scholarships, is applicable to yearlong and semester study abroad. Award packages are adjusted as necessary and as possible to reflect cost differences between those of Rider University and the host institution. Rider University financial aid is not applicable to programs in countries where the University has its own exchange and/or affiliate programs.
In order to continue receiving financial aid, students must have their courses approved by their academic adviser. Students must enroll in a minimum of 12 credits per semester to receive financial aid. The CIE staff assists students in completing the registration process. In addition, students must complete a formal agreement with the CIE and the Financial Aid Office.
V. Study Abroad for more than two semesters and financial aid
In order to insure that study abroad is available to as many students as possible, Rider University financial aid may be applied to a maximum of two (2) semesters of study abroad.
Permission to study abroad for three (3) semesters and still receive Rider University financial aid may be granted in exceptional cases.
VI: Study Abroad Application Deadlines
Students who hope to study abroad as a Rider University student are advised to begin talking to their academic advisor(s) early in their studies. The first semester of their first year is not too early to begin this discussion.
Application deadlines are as follows:
- October 1 for Spring
- March 1 for Fall and Summer
Deadlines are strictly adhered to.
Students are responsible for checking the provider deadline for their study abroad program, as this deadline may occur before the Rider University deadline.
VII. Extension of current study abroad
Students currently abroad who wish to extend their study in the same location must adhere to the following policy:
1. Extension of Application Deadlines
- December 1 to extend fall study for the spring
- April 1 to extend spring study for the fall and/or for the summer
- June 15 to extend summer I to summer II study
- July 15 to extend summer study for the fall
2. Required forms and approvals for re-submission to CIE:
- Study Abroad Application form EXCEPT FOR ESSAY
- Course Selection Approval Form signed by appropriate advisor/administrators and Course Request Form
- Email from student authorizing CIE to sign Course Registration form on student behalf.
- Confirmation that student has secured housing and has investigated VISA extension requirements.
- Orientation documents to include: “Waiver of Liability,” “Code of Conduct,” “Medical Insurance,” “Emergency Contact Information,” “Health Disclosure”, and “Physician’s Release”
- Updated Official Transcript (visit the website at http://www.rider.edu/2526_2653.htm for transcript requests). You must DOWNLOAD the request form, print it and sign it and fax or scan it as per the instructions.
- $50 Application fee in the form of a personal check, cashier’s check or money order made out to “Rider University”
3. You do NOT need to resubmit your personal essay or faculty/staff recommendations.
Students currently abroad who wish to extend their study but at a different location:
All of the above deadlines, required forms and approvals must be complied with.
VIII.Study Abroad course load semester limit
The maximum number of credits any student may take abroad for one semester is normally 15-16 credits. Qualified students with a 3.0 GPA or better may take 18 credits.
The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures has credit applicability limitations for its majors and minors. Students should contact the Department for specific information.
IX. Housing Policy
Rider University study abroad housing policy requires students who study abroad during the academic year (excluding summer) on a Rider program, that is, a Rider exchange or other so-designated program, to live in the housing that is provided by the program.
For programs provided by a third-party provider, students who can secure and supply to the Center for International Education written approval of the Provider to live in housing that is not offered by said Provider will be allowed by Rider University to live in non-provider housing as long as Rider University's affiliation agreement with said Provider contains an indemnification clause. For summer programs, the third-party provider policy applies as per paragraph two above.
X. Registration
Students receive Rider University credit for study abroad based on the actual courses taken while abroad. Students who register for Rider University programs will enroll in INT314 (fall), INT315 (spring), or INT316 (summer). Students who register for non-Rider programs must secure Off-Campus Course Approval using appropriate course approval forms. All students must select and secure advisor approval for the courses they plan to take abroad. If students need to change their course selection upon arrival at their study abroad destination, it is their responsibility to secure approval from their advisor(s) and notify the Center for International Education of the changes and advisor approval. Unless students secure Rider University course equivalents from their advisor, appropriate chair or dean (including the satisfaction of major, minor or core requirements or electives), the course credits will transfer as elective credits only.
XI. Credits
In order to be eligible for financial aid, students who study abroad during the academic year are expected to be enrolled full-time, as defined both by Rider University, where the minimum number of credits per semester for full-time status is 12, and by the host institution/program.
Credit systems vary greatly among institutions, and it is the students’ responsibility to make certain that they know how many credits are expected. Information on the credit system used by the host institution/program may be available on relevant WebPages, and/or students can email the program provider regarding credit equivalencies. The CIE can help students in this determination.
XII. Grades
All course credits earned abroad are transferred as Pass/Fail on the student’s transcript. Students must receive a C or better in a course to receive credit. Rider course and credit equivalencies are listed on the Rider transcript, as are the host institution and/or provider, program location and courses taken.
XIII. Reapplying to Study Abroad/Changing Programs/Postponing Programs
A. Reapplying to Study Abroad
Students who are have been asked to reapply to a study abroad program will receive instructions in the letter of rejection specifying the reasons for rejection.
Should the students decide to reapply for the same program in the following semester, they do not need to resubmit the entire application, unless specified in the letter. Normally they will submit an updated transcript as well as a revised course plan, signed and approved by their faculty advisor. Students who have been rejected for disciplinary reasons will be interviewed by members of the CIE and the Provost’s Office to determine the suitability of their acceptance for study abroad.
Re-applications must be submitted by the appropriate application deadlines.
B. Reapplying for a different program in a subsequent semester
If a student who has been rejected decides to apply to a different program instead, the student must submit an entirely new application. The aforementioned disciplinary procedure also applies.
C. Postponing Study Abroad
If a student who has been accepted to a study abroad program needs to postpone study in the program for one semester, the student needs to submit a letter of intent and an updated transcript by the appropriate deadline.
If a student who has been accepted to a study abroad program needs to postpone study on that program more than one semester, the student needs to submit an entirely new application by the appropriate deadline.
XIV. Withdrawal and Cancellation Policy and Penalties
A. Withdrawal from Study Abroad: Students are required to submit all Rider University required documents by the deadlines provided by the Center for International Education (CIE). Failure to do so will result in ineligibility to study abroad. Students ineligible due to non-compliance will be withdrawn from study abroad and will have to course select for Rider University courses.
Should a student decide to withdraw from study abroad subsequent to acceptance, the student is required to submit to the CIE a Study Abroad Withdrawal Notification form. The student is still responsible for any cancellation fees and penalties charged by the provider.
B. Cancellation Policy and Penalties: In addition to a student’s withdrawal from study abroad, the student will be charged the following penalties:
- a cancellation penalty from the provider, which based upon when you withdraw could reach 100% of cost. It is the responsibility of the student to be informed of the cancellation dates and penalties of your provider.
- the tuition cost for enrolling in Rider University courses for the semester in question. a $300 cancellation fee by Rider University if the student withdraws from Rider and non-Rider study abroad programs after the dates in the following schedule of deadlines:
May 1 for Summer Study Abroad
For Fall Study Abroad
May 20 for programs beginning July-September
July 1 for programs beginning September 1-October
November 1 for Spring Study Abroad
Exemptions will be made only under exceptional circumstances.
XV. Health Insurance and Study Abroad
All students who study abroad must have medical and hospitalization insurance valid internationally. They must also have insurance for medical evacuation and repatriation of remains. The CIE has established required minimum coverage for each of these types of insurance, and students must provide evidence that their policies meet the coverage minima. Information on health insurance requirements and options is included in the study abroad orientation materials.
Please be advised that the Rider University health insurance policy does not provide international coverage. Therefore, while abroad, students must secure additional insurance to meet University required coverage minima.
International students must carry Rider University health insurance while they are studying abroad. Students seeking waivers from carrying this policy while studying at Rider University must provide a copy of their foreign insurance and secure approval in writing from Dr. James Castagnera, Associate Provost.
Students who enroll in Rider study abroad programs are billed tuition and all fees except Student Government Association fees. Students who enroll in non-Rider study abroad programs are not charged tuition but are charged all fees except Student Government Association fees.
Since health insurance is billed as an annual fee, students who study abroad in the fall may waive the insurance fee for the fall and reinstate it in the spring. Students should notify the Bursar’s Office to be reinstated for the spring semester. There is no prorating of insurance for fall only. Therefore students who study abroad in the spring must pay their insurance in August for the entire year or waive it as per University policy.
The Center for International Education recommends that students NOT WAIVE their Rider or other domestic insurance policy while abroad, since international insurance will NOT cover them for the period of time before departure or upon return from the study abroad program.
XVI. Rider Tuition and Fees
Students who enroll in Rider study abroad programs are billed tuition and all fees except Student Government Association fees. For study abroad programs that include housing, students pay the same housing fee as for on-campus housing. (This policy will take effect in fall 2010 study abroad.)
Students who enroll in Non-Rider study abroad programs during the academic year are charged the Rider technology fee.
XVII. Tuition Overload Payment for Rider programs
Students pay the same tuition for Rider study abroad programs as for on-campus study, unless the tuition of the study abroad program exceeds Rider University tuition.
When a study abroad program cost exceeds the Rider University tuition, students pay the difference in tuition. Federal and state financial aid, depending upon a student’s eligibility, can be applied to the excess tuition cost, and Rider University financial aid is not applicable to this excess cost.
XVIII. Program Evaluation
The CIE requires all students who study abroad to submit a program evaluation and to attend a Re-entry Orientation Session before they can receive grades for their overseas program.
Students who apply for study abroad sign the following statement:
I hereby agree to complete a Rider University study abroad program evaluation upon the conclusion of my program, attend a Re-entry Orientation Session and share my experience with others.” The CIE sponsors a Study Abroad Ambassador Program that offers students a venue through which to communicate with other students, promote study abroad, and enhance their job resume.
Updated 10-09
