Upon acceptance into a study abroad program all outgoing URI study abroad students, regardless of their program's affiliation, MUST complete the process listed below before going overseas. All documents should be submitted to the Office of International Education together.

1. Submit a copy of their acceptance letter to the Office of International Education.
    
2. Complete the Office of International Education Study Abroad Prior Approval Form (Download)
   The Prior Approval Form assures students that they will receive transfer credit upon successful completion of an approved study abroad or exchange program.
   
   PAF Instructions

   • Complete the "Program Participant Information" section of the PAF

   • List the courses you intend to study while overseas - write complete
     course numbers and titles

   • Take the course descriptions of the courses you intend to take while
     studying overseas, along with the PAF to the URI Department/ Department Chair that offers the equivalent course and obtain the course approval and signature of the Department Chair

   • Once the appropriate department chairs approve all courses, bring the form to your Academic Advisor and to your Dean for signature. Return the completed form along with your Off-campus Registration fee(s) to the Office of International Education in Room 107, Taft Hall.

   • Make a photocopy of the PAF for your records
     
      

3. Complete the Pre-Departure Student Information Form (Download)
   The Pre-Departure Student Information Form requests various types of information: biographical, academic (advisor, period of study abroad, expected date of graduation, etc.), and travel documentation (e.g., passport, visa and insurance coverage information).
   
   Pre-Departure Student Information Form Instructions
   Complete the information requested on this form and return it to the International Education Office in Room 107, Taft Hall. This information is necessary to complete your study abroad file.
   
    
4. Pay the URI Off-Campus Registration Fee (OCS 999)
   The Off Campus Registration (OCS999) Fee is used to register students while on study abroad. This non-refundable fee allows credits earned away to be evaluated and posted to the URI transcript. Payment is brought to the Office of International Education and cannot be paid unless the Prior-Approval Form has been completed.
   
   OCS 999 Instructions
   • Submit both the completed PAF and OCS fee(s) for the semester(s) you will be overseas ($336 per semester - subject to change) to the Office of International Education in Taft Hall.
   • Once you have completed this process, the URI Office of International Education will automatically drop any on-campus courses for which you have previously registered and enroll you in an off-campus study course section (OCS 999 01) for the semester(s) you plan to study abroad.
     
      
5. Attend the Mandatory Pre-Departure Program
   The Pre-Daparture Orientation is a comprehensive workshop that provides students with information they need to prepare for their sojourn abroad. The agenda includes the following topics:
   
   • URI/OIE administrative matters
   • Academic issues
   • Safety and legal issues
   • Travel documentation and health concerns
   • Packing, Baggage, Finances and International communication
   • Financial Aid matters
   • Cross-cultural adjustment
   • Returned study abroad student panel
   • And more…

   For students going away in the fall, the workshop is held in early-December, and for Fall participants, it is held in the beginning of May. Go to our web calendar or print a copy of our Pre-departure Orientation Flyer to get Pre-departure Orientation dates.
   
    

6. PAPERWORK FOR STUDENTS WHO PLAN TO USE FINANCIAL AID TO FINANCE THEIR STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM
   Any student who plans to finance their study abroad program using financial aid must complete all of the documentation requested above and have it on file in the Office of International Education.  In addition to this paperwork, students must complete additional documentation for the URI Enrollment Services Office - Financial Aid in Green Hall. All paperwork, both for OIE and for Financial Aid, must be completed before a student’s study abroad financial aid package can be processed.
   
   Study Abroad Financial Aid Paperwork Instructions
   
   • Complete the "Financial Aid Arrangements for International Study" form(s).
   • Attach a copy of a brochure or letter from the Director of the study abroad program you are attending which itemizes the costs of the program and indicates the start and end dates of the program to the “Cost of Attendance Form”.
   • Bring completed documents to the URI Enrollment Services Office - Financial Aid in Green Hall.

   PLEASE NOTE:  If you have any difficulties downloading the forms listed above, copies of all documents are available in the office of international education.
    

   The University of Rhode Island
   Office of International Education
   Room 107 Taft Hall, Kingston, RI 02881
   Phone: +1 401 874-5546      Fax: +1 401 874-4573

   oie@etal.uri.edu