Student Education Abroad Requirements

Policy Number: 3.53
Effective Date: May 2, 2023
Revision History: July 1, 2022; August 1, 2018
Policy Contact: Director of Internationalization

I. Purpose and Policy Statement

This policy defines several types of study abroad, study away, and service-learning opportunities and provides eligibility and credit transfer requirements, as well as requirements for participating in the programs. The policy also stipulates requirements for students receiving financial aid and GGC grants.

II. Scope

The policy applies to all students interested in an education abroad program and is implemented primarily by the staffs of Internationalization, Financial Aid, and Student Accounts. All study abroad and service-learning program leaders and their respective deans or supervisors are also responsible for understanding and complying with the policy.

III. Definitions

Affiliate programs: Programs organized by third-party providers with which GGC has affiliation agreements.

Education abroad: An umbrella term for experiential learning programs or activities which occur in a different country and are designed to enhance participants’ academic and intercultural experience. Education abroad at GGC includes study abroad, research abroad, internships abroad, service or civic engagement abroad, and teaching abroad. Activities include, but are not limited to, classroom study, research, and excursions.

Exchange programs: Programs which enable GGC students to study for a semester or an academic year at a foreign college or university with which GGC has an exchange agreement. Classes may be taught in the host language, English, or both. Courses taken through GGC exchanges or with GGC exchange partners count as transfer credit.

Good academic standing: A student is in good academic standing if their cumulative Georgia Gwinnett College grade point average is at or above the minimum cumulative Georgia Gwinnett College grade point average for the number of semester hours attempted plus transfer hours as shown in the GGC Catalog.

Good standing: A student is in good standing with the College if they are eligible to enroll in classes and are not on Academic Probation or Conduct Probation.

International internships: Opportunities for students to work in an organization abroad to gain practical, real-world experience or satisfy requirements for a course or program of study.

Service learning: A form of study abroad, except that it may or may not be credit bearing. It focuses on contemporary global and transnational issues and emphasizes human connection. Service learning incorporates community work into students’ educational experiences by providing real-world learning experiences that enhance students’ academic learning while providing a tangible benefit to the community in which the activity occurs. GGC service learning may also be carried out in an appropriate setting within the United States.

Study abroad: A credit-bearing program of study in a foreign country. Participants earn grades for the course(s) they take, and the grades may or may not transfer to the participants’ home campus.

Study away: Credit-bearing travel based in the U.S. designed to increase the opportunity for students to participate in relevant, hands-on, academic learning in culturally and geographically diverse locations where students can strengthen their intercultural competencies. Participants earn grades for the course(s) they take, and the grades may or may not transfer to the participants’ home campus

USG programs: Programs organized by other colleges and universities within the University System of Georgia.

IV. Eligibility and Requirements

1. The following criteria describe eligibility requirements for all GGC education abroad programs.
   1. Only students may participate in GGC education abroad programs. Non-students may not participate in the programs.
   2. GGC students who wish to participate in study abroad programs, study away programs, or service-learning programs abroad must be in good academic standing.
   3. Students must be in good standing with the College; i.e., they are eligible to enroll in classes and are not on Academic Probation, Conduct Probation, or on any form of academic warnings.
   4. Certain study abroad programs may require higher GPAs or other prerequisites.
   5. To participate in an exchange program with GGC’s overseas partner institutions, students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher by the application deadline. Students interested in participating in exchange programs should contact the Office of Internationalization for guidance.
   6. GGC students are eligible to participate in study abroad programs or service-learning programs abroad after completing a minimum of 24 collegiate credit hours by the program start date. Transfer students must successfully complete a minimum of one full-time semester at GGC before they may study or serve abroad.
   7. GGC students are eligible to participate in study away programs if they are in good standing with the College.
   8. International students wishing to study abroad must consult International Student Services to verify that their student visa will allow them to study or serve in the proposed host country.
2. Transfer Credit for Study Abroad
   1. Students must verify whether the program is credit bearing and, if so, how many credits and whether the credits will transfer to their GGC program of study.
   2. Courses from affiliate and non-GGC programs will be reflected on another institution’s transcript and will count as transfer credit at GGC.

V. GGC Education Abroad Grant Program

1. The GGC Education Abroad Grant Program (“EAG”) is funded by a mandatory International Education Fee (“IEF”). The program has limited funds, and applications will be considered as long as there are funds. Following are guidelines.

2. Criteria for Grants. All EAG applicants must:

   1. Have been enrolled the previous semester and be working toward completion of a degree program at GGC;

   2. Have a minimum institutional GPA of 2.5; and,

   3. Have successfully completed an education abroad program through GGC or any other approved provider.

3. Award Amounts. If approved, students may receive the following amounts:

   1. For programs lasting less than 28 days: $500

   2. For programs lasting 28-41 days: up to $700

   3. For programs lasting 42 days or longer: up to $900 (depending on availability of funds)

4. Note:

   1. Meeting eligibility requirements and applying do not guarantee an award.

   2. Maximum number of awards per student during her/his time at GGC: 1

5. Considerations for determining award amounts for programs lasting four weeks or longer:

   1. Preference #1: Program sponsor: preference for GGC faculty-led programs

   2. Preference #2: Program location: preference for non-traditional locations (those outside the West, Australia, and New Zealand)

   3. Preference #3: Duration of program: preference for longer-term programs (semester or yearlong)

6. Service Requirement

   1. All Education Abroad Grant recipients must complete five (5) hours of community service for the education abroad session for which they request a grant. The service may be completed locally or abroad before applying for the grant. Students will report their service when they apply for the grant. Students can meet the service requirement in one of two ways:

      1. If a student enrolls in an education abroad program with an approved built-in international community service project during the overseas trip, the student will not be required to do any additional service prior to receiving the grant. All service will be verified by a grade of “C” or better (for credit-bearing programs) and by successful completion of the service program (for non-credit programs).

      2. If a student is not enrolled in an education abroad program with built-in service, the student must complete a five-hour local service project for the requested term. The student may choose any service project she/he likes. For assistance with finding volunteer placement, students should visit Grizzlies Serve Volunteer Opportunities for a list of service opportunities. All service must be verified by the GGC Grizzlies Serve Program, and the applicant must submit to the Office of Internationalization a duly signed Volunteer GGC Grizzlies Serve Community Service Form (also available on the Education Abroad Portal).

7. Other Study Abroad Scholarships & Funding Sources: Students should contact the GGC Education Abroad Portal for external scholarships and funding sources.

8. SAP Requirements

   1. Federal regulations, HEA Sec. 484(c), §668.16, 668.34 requires all schools participating in Title IV federal financial aid programs to have a Satisfactory Academic Progress (“SAP”) policy requiring students to meet the SAP requirements for the term in which they receive the financial support, or the financial support will not be disbursed (see SAP Standards).

   2. Note: Failure to complete and properly submit the required documents will result in cancellation of any education abroad award!