1. Town Hall: Study Abroad The Basics
AVECO June 2018

2. The “Ins and Outs” What’s required of the student
What’s required of the SCO/School
Types of study abroad scenarios
“What do I certify?”
What does VA pay

3. What’s Required From the Student
Provide all necessary information to their SCO
Stick to their academic plan
Take courses that will count towards degree completion
Actually attend classes
Earn passing punitive grades

4. What’s Required From the SCO/School
Gather required documentation from student before certification
Ensure the student is sticking to their academic plan
Verify the requirements of the student’s degree – Is a study abroad experience required? Highly Encouraged? – Dissect the verbiage around the requirement
Make sure abroad coursework will transfer into program at home school
Determine what type of abroad experience the student is participating in
Find out how the student’s record will be reflected at the home school while abroad
What’s on the transcript
What’s on the billing ledger (student account)
Determine which institution should do the certifying
Even programs at the host school in the foreign country need to be approved

5. Types of Study Abroad Scenarios
Home school charges tuition and fees and pays host school per an agreement
Home school charges study abroad fee for participating in the program; student required to pay host school for tuition and fees
Student enrolls directly in host school
Home school contracts with third party to pay them; third party pays host school per an agreement
Student enrolls in different US home school to participate in their study abroad program

6. “What do I certify?” – SCO Probably
Make sure that your institution is the correct place for certification
Gather documentation to build a certification
Billing ledger (student account)
Enrollment summary
Transcript
Advisor correspondence (if necessary)
Degree audit (if necessary)
ELR correspondence (if necessary)
Determine tuition and required fees – BE CAREFUL
Schools should never submit costs of airfare, lodging, or amenities as part of certification
“Can I certify the student after they get back from their study abroad?”

7. Study Abroad Cost Estimate (SACE)

8. What Will VA Pay For

9. What Will VA Pay For VA Will Pay For - VA Will NOT Pay For -
BAH if at eligible credit threshold (home school zip code)
Books and Supplies stipend
Modality Required for graduation
Tuition
Required Fees
Modality Not required for graduation
Tuition and fees equivalent at the home school as it relates to the credit total at the school abroad
Insurance at home school
Airfare/Travel Costs
Lodging
Amenities
Insurance - additional coverage if SA requires it (if program does not require SA for graduation)

10. …But What Does That Look Like…
Home school charges tuition and fees and pays host school per an agreement
Home school charges study abroad fee for participating in the program; student required to pay host school for tuition and fees
VA could pay home school tuition and required fees up to resident maximum
VA could pay housing allowance to the student – normal rate of pursuit rules apply
VA could pay books and supplies stipend
VA could not pay any fees specifically related to the study abroad experience unless the experience was required for the specific degree
VA would pay no charges to the host school
If charged a comprehensive Study Abroad Fee, charges should be itemized
VA cannot pay airfare, lodging, or host school
VA could pay tuition and required fees up to national resident maximum
Fees VA could pay are fees that students who regularly attend the institution must pay – not fees specific to study abroad students
VA could pay housing allowance
VA could pay books and supplies stipend
VA would pay tuition and required fees directly to host school.
VA cannot pay airfare, lodging, or any study abroad fees charged by the home school

11. …But What Does That Look Like…
Student enrolls directly in host school
Home school contracts with third party to pay them; third party pays host school per an agreement
VA could pay tuition and required fees up to the resident maximum
Fees VA can pay are fees students that regularly attend the institution must pay – not fees specific to study abroad students
VA could pay housing allowance
VA could pay books and supplies stipend
VA would pay tuition and fees directly to the host school
VA cannot pay airfare, lodging, or any study abroad fees charged by the home school
VA cannot pay a third party

12. …But What Does That Look Like…
Student enrolls in different US home school to participate in their study abroad program
Study Abroad Cat Tax
The school the student enrolls in for the study abroad experience would be treated as the home school and VA would pay as described previously, depending on whom the student was paying the tuition and required fees for the courses offered at the host school.

13. LET’S TALK ABOUT IT!!

14. LET’S TALK ABOUT IT!! Successes Challenges Pitfalls Common Practices
Solutions!