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Review the Getting Started page of the GLO website. You’ll find helpful tips on attending a Study Abroad 101, creating a profile, and exploring your program options in the GLO Portal.

If you don’t have a passport or if it expires within the next year, you should apply for one right away. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months after your program ends.

You can apply for a passport in person at the or other locations listed on the US State Department's . If you’re a first-time applicant or getting your , follow the instructions listed on the .

If you need to renew an adult passport, follow the instructions on the .

No. The best way to learn more is to attend the various advising events GLO hosts throughout the year. If the matter is urgent, send an email to the GLO adviser for your program.

Maybe. Certain programs will allow students to apply even if their GPA is lower than the recommended GPA on the program's website; however, preference will be given to students who meet or exceed the program’s GPA requirement.

Maybe. An Independent Program is a study abroad program outside Northwestern’s approved portfolio that may be approved only in exceptional academic circumstances through a petition process. Students approved to study on Independent Programs receive the same support services from òòò½ÎÑ but are not eligible to receive financial aid. They pay a higher Study Abroad Administrative Fee and insurance charges to Northwestern, and all program costs directly to the program provider. 

Applications are due by 11:59 PM CT on the date listed.

If you have started an application and would like to switch to a different program, email the GLO Adviser for the program and they will be able to do it for you. Note that programs cannot be changed after the GLO deadline for that program/term.

1. Enter your school adviser’s email into the required field in the application.
2. Schedule a meeting with your school adviser. This should be scheduled well in advance of the application deadline. Waiting too long may make it difficult to complete all required steps before the deadline. No extensions will be granted for missing adviser reviews.
3. Meet with your school adviser to discuss your study abroad course plans, policies for earning distribution/foundational discipline, theme, and major and/or minor credit, possible course substitutions, and remaining degree requirements.

You are required to meet with your school adviser as part of the application process. If you have already met with them and they haven't yet submitted their review, follow up with them directly.

You will not be able to submit your application without their review. If the deadline is approaching, you should continue to follow up with your school adviser. Deadline extensions cannot be granted, so you will want to make sure to start the process well in advance since schedules do fill quickly. Last minute appointments are not guaranteed.

Partner program applications often require home school adviser approval, which will be provided by your GLO adviser after reviewing and approving your GLO application. You should not request this additional approval from your school adviser. 

In most cases, your GLO adviser will automatically complete this electronically shortly after you have begun your program application, and your Northwestern application has been approved. 

If your program requires an interview, it will be clearly indicated on your  and in your application materials. 

You should schedule the interview with the appropriate GLO adviser.

All interviews must be completed before the GLO application deadline. Plan ahead to make sure you don’t miss out.

Please review the interview requirements page

No, you only need to submit one Northwestern study abroad application but you must request a review from advisers in both schools.

Yes, if you are a or a student transferring between schools, then you must obtain a review from both School Advisers You will not be able to submit your application without both signatures.

If you have issues with the GLO Portal, contact GLO at global@northwestern.edu or the GLO adviser for your program.

We expect most students to apply in the first round. If you don't secure a space, you can apply for another open program in the second round.

It may not. Space varies across study abroad programs for many reasons, including the following: 

• GLO prevents overcrowding to preserve a high-quality educational experience for Northwestern students and to promote meaningful immersion in their host communities.
• Exchange programs (two-way partnerships with other universities) maintain an equitable exchange by opening a predetermined number of spaces to Northwestern’s outgoing students.
• Some programs that admit students from several U.S. universities set a cap on each institution’s admissions.

A strong application demonstrates that you have thoughtfully selected your program. It clearly explains your academic interests and shows how the program's structure, courses, and opportunities align with your goals.

Your application should also explain how the program supports your broader undergraduate experience. These goals may look different for each student. For some, courses, research, or internships abroad may directly connect to their major or minor. For others, language study, cultural immersion, experiential learning, unique academic opportunities, or exploration of future career interests may be equally valuable and support important educational goals.

You must meet your program's GPA requirement to be eligible to apply. However, GPA is not considered as part of the application review process.

You are encouraged to apply for two programs: preferred and alternate. Having an alternate does not impact our review of your preferred application. 

You should select your alternate program carefully. Make sure it's a program you want to participate in if you secure a space in that program instead of your preferred program. Some high-interest programs are not eligible to be alternates. If you do not apply for an alternate, we will assume you intend to stay at Northwestern if you do not secure a space in your preferred program.

No. You must meet the GLO deadline for Northwestern approval. Internal deadlines are set before most program deadlines to allow time for application review.

Study abroad is an academic opportunity that, like internships, research positions, and other experiential learning experiences, requires thoughtful planning and preparation. Approval is not guaranteed for any student or any specific program. Your best chance of success is to submit a thoughtful, well-prepared application that clearly demonstrates your fit for the program.

If your application is accepted, you will "secure a space" in your preferred or alternate program. You must commit to your program within one week to hold your space. A secured space does not indicate or guarantee admission to a partner or exchange program.

No. You cannot switch programs or swap your preferred and alternate choices after the GLO deadline.

No. If a program opens in the second round, it means 1) that program has remaining space, and 2) GLO has made the decision to reopen it. Not all programs are open for second-round applications. GLO has the sole authority to determine which programs are open in the second round.

No, in most cases you must apply to and be accepted by your program separately. Each program has its own admissions process and admits its own students.

Timelines vary by program. Some programs review applications on a rolling basis and notify students soon after they apply, while others release admission decisions on specific dates. Depending on the program, it may take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to receive an admission decision after submitting your application.

Admission to a program is never guaranteed, but Northwestern students tend to be admitted to programs when they are approved by GLO and meet or exceed the program’s eligibility requirements. If you are not admitted by your program, please reach out to your GLO adviser.

You are required to enroll in a full-time course load as defined by your program, and in a sufficient number of credits to maintain full-time enrollment at Northwestern - the equivalent of 3 units at Northwestern per quarter.

Visit the Courses & Registrations page to review enrollment requirements for various program types.

As part of the application process, we recommend speaking with your academic advisers about major, minor, or other types of requirements. All decisions about major or minor credit are made at the departmental or school level. You can learn more in the Academic Planning section

Once you have been accepted and commit to your program, you will need to complete a series of requirements in the GLO Portal.

If you are attending a Northwestern or Exchange program, you will also have a mandatory pre-departure orientation.

Most likely yes. While some programs will book group flights, most require students to book their own independently. Read flight-booking tips here.

A visa gives you legal permission to stay in another country for a specific period of time. It usually appears as a sticker or stamp in your passport, though some countries provide it as a document you can print.

Not all programs require visas. Some countries allow visitors from certain nationalities to stay for shorter periods of time (usually 90 days) without a visa. However, if your program requires a visa, you cannot study abroad without one. Learn more.

Don’t panic! Check out our tips for navigating the airport and hear from students who were first time travelers just like you.

This depends on where you are going. You can check out our general packing tips, although your program will likely provide you more specific guidance closer to departure.

Talk to your academic adviser(s). All decisions about major or minor credit are made at the departmental or school level.

Review our tips on navigating cultural differences and cultural adaptation. If you need professional help, contact your on-site staff. They can help you set up an appointment with an English-speaking therapist or counselor.

Unfortunately, no. If you think you may want to be abroad for longer, make sure to apply for the full year at the time of application.

Don’t let distance stop you! Learn how to register, request absentee ballots, and vote while abroad so your voice continues to make an impact at home.

Depending on your term abroad, you will most likely need to register for on campus courses while you are overseas. Read our tips and guidance to help you navigate the process, but be sure to be in close contact with your School Adviser as well.

It depends on what type of program you did. For Northwestern and global practicum program, you won’t need to do anything. For partner, exchange, and independent programs, you will need to follow the credit transfer process for your school. Learn more. 

In a few ways! You can share your study abroad memories with the Northwestern community by submitting your photos for a chance to be featured in GLO's social media, website, and publications. You can also apply to be a GLO ambassador. GLO Ambassadors are a community of study abroad alumni and act as mentors to prospective and outbound study abroad students.

Northwestern’s Office of Global Safety and Security (OGSS) supports the health, safety, and security of students who travel abroad, both before departure and while abroad.

All undergraduates studying abroad through the Global Learning Office must have international health insurance. Depending on the program, you will either be covered by Northwestern's BCBS Global plan or an approved third-party provider with similar coverage. Visit the Study Abroad Health Insurance webpage to learn more.

No, however, you are strongly encouraged to maintain your domestic health insurance while abroad to avoid any gaps in coverage. This is particularly important in case a medical emergency abroad requires you to return home early for continued treatment or recovery.

Yes! Learn about traveling with health conditions or a disability, traveling with medications abroad, and managing dietary requirements.

You are bound by the housing policies set by your study abroad program. Northwestern students are not allowed to pursue independent housing even if your program allows this option for other students.

For most programs you will fill out a housing form where you can indicate your preferences and request accommodations. It is often possible to make special accommodations while abroad, but you are responsible for identifying your needs and seeking appropriate assistance. For the most part, students registered with ANU are eligible to receive similar if not the same accommodations while studying internationally. However, this cannot always be guaranteed since our laws governing disability rights don't have to be honored in other countries. Housing accommodations may be based upon space availability and may look different than the accommodations you receive on campus.

Program costs vary. While tuition is the same as on campus, housing, meals, airfare, visas, transportation, books, and personal expenses vary significantly by destination and program. 

Each includes an estimate of total costs.

If you study abroad during the academic year on a partner, exchange, global practicum, or Northwestern program, your financial aid can be applied to study abroad. Study abroad does not change your expected family contribution, and your aid package will be adjusted based on the cost of your program.

For study abroad during the regular academic year, the for study abroad is no different than that for regular on-campus study. However, financial aid awards are typically released much earlier than the study abroad confirmation deadline. Your award will be updated to include your study abroad program later in the year.

If you will be attending a Northwestern program in the summer, you may be eligible to use your financial aid. Students attending summer Partner programs may apply for scholarships.

Students attending independent programs are not eligible for any form of financial assistance through Northwestern.

Student loans aren't as scary as you might think. Loans offered for study abroad are usually subsidized, which means they don't accrue interest while you're enrolled at least half-time, and federal student loans tend to be manageable in repayment, especially if your loan for study abroad is the only one you'll borrow while at Northwestern. Education loans are also generally considered "good" debt and can help you get a jump start on building strong credit for after college.

Some things to keep in mind:

• Don't borrow more than you need. You might be offered a loan to help make up for work-study you can't earn while abroad or to help cover living expenses or other costs you might be able to manage on your own. Many students find that they are able to live more inexpensively than expected while abroad, so you might discover that you don't need to borrow as much as you are offered.
• Apply for study abroad scholarships! Outside scholarships will always reduce your subsidized loans first, not your Northwestern scholarship, so you might not need to borrow as much (or at all) to study abroad.
• . Federal loans have a number of repayment options and timelines, including income-driven plans that base your payment due on a set percentage of your income. Use to figure out how much you might owe after leaving school.
• You can make early payments. If you are able to make even small payments while you are still in school, you will save yourself money long-term and could even pay off your loan(s) before graduating.
• Talk to a financial aid counselor. They can help you review your study abroad costs, financial aid, and scholarship options, and help you work out a budget of how much you might actually need to borrow for your program.

If your study abroad financial aid award does not include a loan and you are considering borrowing, be sure to contact financial aid to ensure that you are exploring/exhausting your federal options first.

YES! Students are encouraged to pursue outside scholarships for study abroad through your program sponsor and/or from outside providers or organizations. Many of these opportunities have very early deadlines, so be sure to apply as soon as possible!

For most study abroad scholarships, you DO NOT need to wait until you are accepted to your program to apply for funding. You may be able to apply with tentative plans and update your application if your plans change. Check each scholarship's requirements for details.

If your program requires a confirmation deposit, it is your responsibility to pay it directly to the program (not to Northwestern) by their deadline. Northwestern cannot waive required study abroad deposits, which are generally non-refundable if you withdraw from the program after confirming.

Note: Northwestern students attending are not required to pay a deposit, but will be charged a cancellation fee for withdrawing from a program after confirming participation.

Students with high financial need may be eligible to apply for the Bridge Builder program for assistance with pre-departure costs, including required program deposits.

Some pre-departure expenses related to study abroad – such as passports, student visas, health insurance, and airfare – may occur long before you leave for your program, so be sure to budget for these expenses.

If you receive financial aid, many of these costs will be included in your aid award for study abroad, but you may need to pay for some of them out of pocket before your aid is available.

Students with high financial need may be eligible to apply for the Bridge Builder program for assistance with many up-front study abroad costs.

Be sure to cancel your on-campus housing contract or sublet your off-campus apartment prior to your departure from òòò½ÎÑ, and make arrangements to store any of your belongings that you will not bring with you or ship home.

Keep in mind that financial aid cannot cover the cost of your housing or storage in Evanston while you are abroad.

Many student visa applications require you to certify your finances as part of the application process. Common requirements include a notarized letter of financial support from your parents, accompanied by bank statements illustrating a minimum required balance over a period of time. Your study abroad program sponsor may also provide you with acceptable or supplemental documentation of enrollment or financial arrangements. Contact your program directly for details and instructions.

If you are a financial aid recipient, you may need to provide a copy of your Northwestern financial aid award letter. You can access an official copy of this letter, on University letterhead, in CAESAR > Financial Aid > View My Financial Aid > [Year] > Print Award Letter.

If you are attending an exchange program or other direct enrollment program and primarily fund your education through financial aid and/or loans, you may need a specific financial certification letter indicating support from òòò½ÎÑ. Email undergradaid@u.northwestern.edu in the financial aid office for this letter, and be sure to provide the visa application instructions, including what specifically needs to be certified.

Your Northwestern invoice will be issued through CAESAR on the normal quarterly schedule.

For academic year programs, your Northwestern invoice will include at least your tuition, the Study Abroad Administrative Fee (SAAF), and your BCBS Global insurance fee (when applicable). Most partner programs will bill you directly for room, board, and other charges.

For Northwestern summer programs, Northwestern will bill you a Program Fee, insurance, and the SAAF.

For summer Partner programs, Northwestern will bill only for the SAAF and insurance, and partner programs will bill you directly for their program costs including tuition.

Visit your program page for details on these expenses.

If you are attending an independent program, Northwestern will only bill you for the SAAF and health insurance. All other charges should be paid directly to your program.

If you will attend a Northwestern or partner program during the regular academic year, you may continue to use the prepayment plan for your NU-billed study abroad expenses, but the amount you owe per month may be different based on your study abroad costs and billing arrangements. After you have submitted your study abroad program confirmation form and received your study abroad financial aid award (if applicable), you may request a study abroad prepay estimate for additional information and to have your plan set up appropriately.

If you can't find the answer to your question in the Money Matters information or on your please feel free to email the Financial Aid Office, Manager of Study Abroad Financial Services.