Study Abroad and Study Away

• Minimum of 2.5 cumulative GPA
• Good standing with the business office
• Approval from the Dean of Students
• Approval from the Director of Global Education

The Dean of Students reviews the disciplinary records of all applicants. Students may apply while currently under probation, as long as their sanctions will be completed before their program begins. Students with problematic disciplinary histories might not be approved, whether they are currently on probation or not. Students placed on disciplinary probation after being approved, or who have not completed all imposed sanctions prior to departure may have that approval revoked.

Summer programs are open to continuing students from any year.

Semester programs are open to continuing students Spring semester of their sophomore year, or Fall and/or Spring of their junior year. Rising seniors may request an exemption to attend a program the Fall semester of their senior year.

*Please note: In addition to H-SC's requirements, each program will have its own eligibility requirements and application deadlines students must meet.

Step 1: Apply in VIA for H-SC approval no later than:

• September 15 - Spring programs
• January 10 - Summer programs (if applying for H-SC funding)
• February 15 - Summer programs (if not applying for H-SC funding)
• February 15 - Fall/Full-Year programs

Step 2: Apply to the provider of your approved program.  Due dates vary | Check with your program provider

*Please note: The College requires an approved exemption request for participation in a program whose location has a U.S. State Department Travel Advisory of Level 3 or higher and/or a Level 3 CDC Travel Health Notice.

Summer Programs
Students pay directly to the program provider:

• All fees charged by the provider.

Students pay directly to H-SC:

• Travel medical insurance (if the provider’s coverage does not meet H-SC requirements).

Semester Programs
Students pay directly to the program provider:

• Application fee (if applicable)
• Room damage deposits (if applicable)
• Optional excursion fees (if applicable)

Students pay directly to H-SC:

• The Global Education Program Semester Fees found at the bottom of the Tuition and Fees page.
• These fees are INSTEAD of the usual H-SC semester fees charged to student accounts.
• Students' regular financial aid will still be applied to their student account.

• Students request department approval for their intended program courses, as part of their pre-departure materials housed in VIA.
• Students request their program provider email an official transcript to the Global Ed Director: dwiddows@hsc.edu. Or a paper copy can be mailed to Global Education, 172 Via Sacra, Suite 605, Hampden-Sydney, VA 23943
• Only courses in which students earn a C or higher are eligible for transfer credit. Courses with grades of C- or lower will not transfer.
• Letter grades for transfer courses will be visible on students’ H-SC transcripts.  Grades from abroad courses, however, will not be calculated into their H-SC GPA.

Compass Credit
Students who would like to earn credit toward the Compass core requirement must enroll in a 1-credit Experiential Learning (EL) course in addition to their H-SC PLUS program classes.

• Students who do not meet the eligibility requirements listed above may request an exemption within their application
• Students seeking to study in a location with a State Department/CDC ranking of 3 or higher must seek approval from the Study Abroad Study Away Committee and/or Risk Team. Contact the director of Global Education no later than February 1 (Summer programs), March 1 (Fall programs) or October 1 (Spring programs)

Students may apply for college funding to participate in a Global Ed program. Visit the Global Ed Funding page for more details.

• Identity-Based Resources - Diversity Abroad's Diversity and Inclusion Abroad guide, with sections on students on a budget, first generation college students, LGBTQ+ students, students of color, religious or spiritual students, and more.
• U.S. Dept. of State  - consular reports on all countries, travel warnings, info on getting or replacing U.S. passport
• Center for Disease Control - info on travel vaccinations required to visit a particular country and country information on outbreaks and epidemics
• Obtaining a Passport - the best source for information on obtaining passports
• Passport Emergencies - information on how to get a passport in an emergency (or call 800-367-1818)
• Currency exchange - currency converter
• Voting abroad - how to vote while abroad
• Power Plug Adaptor Check - determine what you need to use your electronics abroad

Travel Discounts:

• The ISIC (International Student Identity Card) card allows students around the world to prove their official student status and access over 150,000 student discounts and offers worldwide.

Coming soon.