Steps to Apply - Semester and Summer Programs
Fill out the Advisement Form and email the completed form before your meeting to either the Student Navigation Office navigate@rider.edu or S.N.O. Assistant Director Joana Pirela de De Gregorio pireladedej@rider.edu.
- Write a personal essay of at least 500 words explaining your reasons for wanting to study abroad.
- Submit a copy of your latest transcript. Request an official copy of your transcript
- Request two Rider faculty members to submit letters of recommendation on your behalf and have them sent directly to the Student Navigation Office navigate@rider.edu and/or S.N.O. Assistant Director Joana Pirela de De Gregorio pireladedej@rider.edu.
Materials must be submitted by email to navigate@rider.edu.
Additional information and policies
The approval process is conducted on a rolling basis up to and including the application deadlines by the OIE, a representative of the Provost's Office, as well as the Offices of Community Standards and Financial Aid.
For a student to be approved, they must meet the qualifications below as well as submit the following materials by the application deadline:
- At least a 2.5 GPA
- Pass disciplinary and financial requirements
- Essay written by the student on why they want to study abroad
- 2 letters of recommendation from Rider faculty members
Regarding Credits
Students may take up to 17 credits in one semester abroad. However, qualified students with at least a 3.0 GPA may take 18 credits.
*Students whose majors and/or minors fall under the Department of Humanities should contact the department regarding credit applicability limitations
Regarding Number of Semesters Abroad
Students are eligible to study abroad for a maximum of two semesters. Transfer students with the equivalent of two or more years of university credits (at least 54 credits) are eligible to study abroad for one semester.
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, applies 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 scholarship awards are generally not applicable to NON-RIDER programs in countries where the University has its own exchange and/or affiliate programs.
To ensure 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. See Policy V.
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 OIE staff assists students in completing the registration process. In addition, students must complete a formal agreement with the OIE and the Financial Aid Office.
Students may study abroad for a maximum of two (2) semesters. Students who transfer into Rider University with the equivalent of two or more years of university credits (54 credits or more) are limited to one (1) semester of study abroad. Permission to study abroad for one (1) additional semester may be granted in exceptional cases. Such cases must include study abroad directly related to the student's major or minor studies and must be endorsed by the student's faculty adviser(s) and academic dean. Examples include the need to acquire greater language proficiency or multiple language proficiencies, programs that require yearlong study and/or internships, or yearlong courses at a university abroad.
Specific eligibility and approval criteria and processes, application documents and fees, and application deadlines can be found on the Study Abroad webpage.
The Student Navigation Office administrative staff, a representative of the Provost's Office, and the Offices of Community Standards and Financial Aid (which provide information about students' disciplinary and financial status, respectively) conduct study abroad approvals on a rolling basis up to and including the application deadlines. Approval is granted to students who meet the 2.5 grade point requirement, submit required application materials by the deadline, receive supportive letters of recommendation, and meet disciplinary and financial requirements. No student will be approved for study abroad without completion of a "Course Selection Approval" form, obtained from the Student Navigation Office and including signatures from the student's adviser and academic dean.
Transfer students who are in their first semester at Rider University and apply to study abroad the subsequent semester must submit two academic progress reports for study abroad from courses in which they are currently enrolled. The reports must be signed and must indicate that the student's current anticipated course grade is a C or better. At least one of these progress reports should be from a faculty member from whom they have NOT requested a letter of recommendation. Additionally, they must submit their transfer university transcript indicating a grade point average of 2.75 or better, and 1 letter of recommendation from a faculty member at that institution from whom they took at least one course. An interview with the Associate Director of the Student Navigation Office is also required.
Students currently abroad who wish to extend their study in the same location must adhere to the following policy:
1. Extension of Application Deadlines
- 1 November to extend fall study for the spring
- 1 April to extend spring study for the fall and/or for the summer
- 15 June to extend summer I to summer II study
- 15 July to extend summer study for the fall
2. Required forms and approvals for re-submission to OIE:
- Study Abroad Application form EXCEPT FOR ESSAY
- Course Selection Approval Form signed by appropriate adviser/administrators and Course Request Form
- Email from student authorizing S.N.O. to sign Course Registration Form on student's 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 (click here for transcript requests). You must DOWNLOAD the request form, print it, sign it, and fax or scan it as per the instructions.
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.
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 Student Navigation Office 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.
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 adviser 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 adviser(s) and notify the Student Navigation Office of the changes and adviser approval. Unless students secure Rider University course equivalents from their adviser, appropriate chair or dean (including the satisfaction of major, minor or core requirements or electives), the course credits will transfer as elective credits only.
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 students are responsible for knowing 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 OIE can help students in this determination.
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.
A. Reapplying to Study Abroad
Students who 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. They are required to submit a new application form, an updated transcript, and a revised course plan, signed and approved by their faculty adviser. Students who have been rejected for disciplinary reasons will be interviewed by members of the OIE and the Provost's Office to determine the suitability of their acceptance for study abroad.
Students must submit re-applications 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 Study Abroad Deferment form, a new application form, a revised course plan (signed and approved by the faculty adviser), 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.
A. Withdrawal from Study Abroad
Students are required to submit all Rider University required documents by the deadlines provided by the Student Navigation Office (S.N.O.). 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 select courses for Rider University.
Should a student decide to withdraw from study abroad after acceptance, the student is required to submit to the OIE 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, you will be charged both the cancellation penalty for the provider, which could reach 100% of the cost, and the tuition cost for enrolling in Rider University courses for the semester in question. It is your responsibility to inform yourself of the cancellation dates and penalties of your provider. You will also be charged a $300 cancellation fee by Rider University if you withdraw from Rider and non-Rider study abroad programs after the dates in the following schedule of deadlines:
1 May for Summer Study Abroad
TBD For Fall Study Abroad
20 May for programs beginning July-September
1 July for programs beginning September 1-October
1 November for Spring Study Abroad
Exemptions will be made only under exceptional circumstances.
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