Parent Guide to Off-Campus Study
A Seamless Academic Experience
Our Philosophy
At F&M, off-campus study:
- Is an experience seamlessly connected with a student's entire education before, during, and after the time spent off campus (as opposed to a “term away from campus”)
- Should be connected to students’ future academic and career plans and goals
- Is a process that requires significant intentional planning and reflective thinking
- Is a platform for students to practice and develop important skills to help them transition from F&M into independent and successful lives and careers
Expected Learning
By studying off campus while at F&M, we hope that students:
Eligibility Requirements
F&M Eligibility (Semester Programs)
In order to study off campus during the fall or spring semester of the academic year, Franklin & Marshall requires that all students:
- have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA at time of application (though many programs require a higher GPA for application; therefore, a GPA of 2.75* or higher is strongly recommended)
- have a plan to declare a major area of study
- be making satisfactory academic progress for an on-time graduation
- demonstrate evidence of social maturity and responsibility to community
- not be on any academic or disciplinary probation
- be classified as juniors or seniors during their off-campus study term**
*Students who intend to apply for a semester or academic year program (NOT summer)
whose GPA falls below 2.75 will be required to submit an additional Faculty Recommendation.
**Students who intend to study off campus during the final semester of the senior
year must petition the Committee on Academic Status for approval to do so.
Prepare for a competitive process: It is also important to note that off-campus study at F&M during the academic year is increasingly competitive due to high demand for the number of spaces available for off-campus study each semester. Students should be prepared for a process that will require time, thought, preparation, strict deadlines, and regular contact with the student’s academic adviser and OCS advisor.
F&M Eligibility (Summer Programs)
To study during the summer term, F&M requires that all students:
- complete one year of study at F&M. Students may study off campus during any summer after their first year and before graduation.
- demonstrate evidence of social maturity and responsibility to community
- not be on any academic or disciplinary probation
F&M Approval Criteria (Semester Programs)
When determining a student’s approval to apply to a program and term, the International & Off-Campus Study (IOCS) faculty committee will consider the following criteria (in no particular order) as part of a holistic evaluation.
- Class year
- Academic flexibility
- Off-Campus Study requirement within the major/minor
- Cumulative GPA
- Knowledge and suitability of selected program & term
- General organization, preparation, and timeliness
- Recommendation(s)
- Essay responses
- Student conduct and disciplinary record
- Extenuating factors/circumstances not listed above
Please note that F&M students are eligible for one OCS semester. Previous summer study abroad experience will not negatively impact consideration of application for semester off-campus study.
Program Eligibility
Note that each program has its own eligibility rules and criteria including GPA, language prerequisites, and course prerequisites.
Most programs require a GPA of 2.75 or higher, but there are many that have a 3.0 GPA requirement, and others like Oxford may even require a 3.7 GPA or above.
As your student explores programs, take note of eligibility requirements like GPA and language or course prerequisites. Your student's off-campus study adviser will also help them think through these requirements as they narrow down program choices.Academic Guidelines
Off-campus study should be a demonstrated part of your student's academic study at Franklin & Marshall College. Students will work with their off-campus study adviser and academic adviser to ensure that courses taken off campus can receive credit at F&M. Read below for guidance about credit transfer, course selection, grading policies, and transcripts.
Students must enroll in what is considered to be a full course load at the host institution
or off-campus study program. In many cases, this will be 4 or 5 courses for a semester
but could be as few as 2 courses or as many as 6 courses, depending on the program.
Course Load & Credit Transfer
When calculating credit, the general rule is: 4 U.S. semester credit hours = 1 F&M credit.
Because many off-campus study programs offer courses worth 3 U.S. semester credit
hours, F&M will award 4 F&M credits for a total of 15 or 16 U.S. semester credit hours.
For a semester term, students MUST be enrolled in a total of 15-16 U.S. semester credit
hours to receive 4 F&M credits.
While off campus, students can take courses toward exploration requirements (Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, World Perspectives, Language Studies),
as well as toward major or minor requirements. Additionally, students can take courses as "general elective" credit, or credit towards the 32 credits needed to graduate.
CAUTION! It is important to note that Franklin & Marshall cannot issue transfer credit for
a course in a department that is not represented at F&M. If a course does not clearly fall within an existing F&M department, the off-campus
study advising staff can help you determine whether or not it can be accepted for
credit. Courses in vocational/pre-professional/career, physical education, engineering,
drafting, military science, criminal justice, communications/journalism, tourism/hospitality,
most education courses, music lessons, and wine/gastronomy/nutrition are examples
of the categories of courses that may not be transferred back to Franklin & Marshall for credit.
Transfer credit will not be granted for a course already taken at Franklin & Marshall. This includes foreign language courses that are required for many off-campus study
programs.
Course Selection & Registration
Questions for your student's OCS adviser:
Questions for your student's academic adviser:
Once your student has been approved by F&M to apply to an off-campus study program,
they will be directed to the course evaluation process. This process is very important
in ensuring that the courses your student takes off campus are appropriate for credit
at F&M and ensure they stay on track for graduation.
Grading Policy
All courses taken abroad that are transferable back to F&M will be posted on the F&M
transcript. Students cannot request that courses be left off the F&M transcript.
For all programs except the Advanced Studies in England program and the Summer Travel
Courses, letter grades from off-campus study program courses will appear on the Franklin &
Marshall transcript, but they will not be calculated into the cumulative GPA.
Students must earn a D- or better to gain credit for a course.
Program Transcripts
Sarah Esh
Associate Registrar
Registrar's Office
Franklin & Marshall College
P.O. Box 3003
Lancaster, PA 17604-3003
Program transcripts are typically sent within two to three months of completion of
a program. When the transcript arrives, students will see a note in Degree Works.
Housing
Off-Campus Study Housing
Some programs may allow students to choose their housing option; other programs require all students to live in a certain type of housing. Typical housing arrangements may include apartments, homestays, or on-campus housing at a local university. Some housing options (especially homestays) include meals, and other housing options (like university apartments) do not, so it's important to pay attention to this detail when exploring programs.
In order to maximize cultural immersion and integration, F&M students may not live with other F&M students in the same program. The only exceptions to this rule include a homestay or a Summer Travel Course. Two F&M students may live together with a host family or as part of a Summer Travel Course.
Please note that some programs may offer students the option to pursue independent housing (outside of the regular housing options provided by the program). F&M does not allow students to choose independent housing unless there is a significant academic or cultural reason (such as wanting to live in a homestay when only apartment housing is provided). Independent housing carries many risks, and F&M and the program provider cannot provide any support to students who pursue independent housing.
Students who are interested in pursuing independent housing will need to contact their off-campus study advisor to petition for approval to pursue this option.
F&M Housing
If your student has any questions about their F&M housing before or after their off-campus study term, encourage them to contact F&M Housing at housing@fandm.edu.
Finances
Reference the guidelines below to learn more about the billing and financial aid policies for students studying off campus for a summer or semester. We work in collaboration with the F&M Student Accounts and the Office of Financial Aid. If you have any questions related to those specific areas, you can find information below to contact them directly.
Semester Tuition Fees (Invoiced by F&M)
Families who wish to use the monthly payment plan through Transact Campus Services
may do so for tuition fees billed by F&M.
Semester Non-tuition Fees (Invoiced by Program)
Non-tuition fees that are paid to the host program cannot be included in the Transact
Campus Services monthly plan. Contact the program directly to determine if they offer
a monthly plan for payment of non-tuition fees.
Semester Additional Estimated Fees
During the academic year, the cost for field trips, study tours, and labs that are
a required part of a course taken for credit in an off-campus study program will be
paid for by Franklin & Marshall as part of tuition. (There are some restrictions regarding
study tours with DIS.) Your student can discuss these options with their OCS adviser to fully understand
what costs will be covered by their tuition.
Additional Non-Tuition Fees
Students should also expect to budget for items not included in the fees invoiced
by the program. These can include passport fees, visa fees, immunizations, travel
to/from program site, books, meals, phone, and personal travel and expenses. Students
are encouraged to view estimates of these additional costs, which are available on
the program webpages or can be provided by the program. Students are also encouraged
to disclose budgetary concerns with the OCS Advisor in order to be directed to programs
with more affordable non-tuition costs and lower costs of living.
Program Deposits
Applying F&M Financial Aid to Semester Programs
Students who receive Grant-in-Aid benefits will continue to access these benefits
for the semester off campus. This benefit is only available to students of eligible
full-time F&M faculty and staff. Students who receive Tuition Exchange benefits will
continue to access these benefits for the semester off campus.
Students whose financial aid award exceeds the amount of F&M tuition will be sent a refund, which should be used to pay the non-tuition
fees billed by the student's program. Refunds are typically released approximately two weeks after the start of F&M's semester,
and refunds will be direct deposited into the student's bank account or mailed to
the student's home address if direct deposit is not set up. If you wish to have the
refund mailed to another address, contact the F&M Student Accounts office (see contact
information below).
Additional Scholarships
Please note that any outside scholarship must be reported to the Office of Financial
Aid at Franklin & Marshall and may change the amount of aid your student receives
from the College.
Summer Program Costs & Billing
Students who receive a federal Pell Grant should ask the F&M Office of Financial Aid
if they will receive Pell Grant funding for their summer off-campus study program.
All other F&M financial aid is typically not eligible to be used for summer programs.
Students may apply for F&M Summer Travel Awards, F&M summer departmental awards, and
other external scholarships for funding assistance for summer programs (see OCS Scholarships
& Grants below).
Program Consortium Agreements
Your student will receive information from the F&M Office of Financial Aid when it is time for them to complete this process. Your student will also receive
guidance from F&M Off-Campus Study to help them navigate the steps. It is very important
that your student pays attention to any emails that mention this requirement so that
their federal aid can be applied to their off-campus study term.
F&M Financial Aid Questions
F&M Student Account & Billing Questions
Off-Campus Study Semester Costs Calculator
Download this cost worksheet to get an idea of off-campus study semester costs. Input
any financial aid your student receives as well as any non-tuition costs for the program
they are interested in. You may complete a worksheet for each program your student
is considering in order to compare costs across programs.
Calculate costs
Scholarships
In addition to the financial aid your student typically receives from F&M, they may be eligible for additional scholarships. Below is a list of potential scholarships for summer, semester, and academic year off-campus study programs. The sources listed here are not exhaustive but do offer a wide range of scholarship possibilities. Many scholarships have early deadlines, so encourage your student to start early and plan accordingly. Your student can consult their off-campus study adviser for guidance and more information. Please note that any outside scholarship must be reported to the Office of Financial Aid at Franklin & Marshall and may change the amount of aid your student receives from the College.
Program Scholarships (Semester & Summer)
F&M Summer Travel Awards (Summer)
There are also F&M Departmental Summer Travel Awards, administered by the awarding F&M academic department.
Gilman Scholarships (Semester & Summer)
Boren Awards (Semester)
Boren Scholars represent a vital pool of highly motivated individuals who wish to work in the federal national security arena. In exchange for funding, Boren Scholars commit to working in the federal government for at least one year after graduation.
Students must apply well in advance of their intended off-campus study term. Students will work with Dean Sue Mennicke regarding the application process and must submit materials to Dean Mennicke no later than January 10 of the previous year. Application materials will then be reviewed by an F&M faculty committee.
Critical Language Scholarships (Summer)
Fund for Education Abroad (Semester & Summer)
Summer Travel Awards
Franklin & Marshall offers a number of summer travel awards for students participating in study abroad programs or volunteer programs, or conducting independent research. The International & Off-Campus Study (IOCS) faculty committee administers the awards. Read the award descriptions for more information about eligibility. The maximum amount for an award is $3000.
Bagdasarian Award
The Bagdasarian award will be used to provide financial assistance for students studying or engaging in volunteer activities outside the United States with preference given to students traveling to developing and third-world countries.
Eligible to apply: current freshmen, sophomores, and juniors
Brittain Award
This award supports educational travel for the purpose of conducting research or completing a course of study in a country where the student has not previously resided for any appreciable length of time. Preference will be given to Modern Language majors who will be enrolled at the College in a semester following the award.
Eligible to apply: current freshmen, sophomores, and juniors
Davis Projects for Peace Grant
Evans Award
This award is intended for educational summer travel outside the United States. The selected candidate must show quality of character, personal and intellectual promise, and an enthusiasm for learning from international experience.
There are no limitations of major or destination; however, preference will be given to students whose projects reflect ethical or social concerns of our time, such as human or animal rights, social justice, peace-building, social entrepreneurship, climate change, immigrant or refugee populations, health, education, or international diplomacy.
Eligible to apply: current sophomores, and juniors
Mayaud Award
This award supports study and/or educational travel for Franklin & Marshall students outside the United States during the summer between semesters, or the summer following graduation.
Recipients must show quality of character, personal and intellectual promise, and an enthusiasm for learning from an international experience. There are no limitations of major, area of interest, or destination. Although formal academic programs may be acceptable, especially in areas where student may not be expected to travel on their own, projects usually involve individual study and research, creative arts projects or public service with a research component.
Eligible to apply: current sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Mueller Award
This award enables rising juniors to pursue worthy projects that provide important opportunities for personal growth; to develop independence, creativity and leadership skills; and to broaden or deepen some area of special interest. The award is intended to allow students the freedom to pursue areas of personal interest that they might otherwise be unable or unlikely to explore further.
Note: While this award will support project travel costs when applicable, travel outside the U.S. is not a requirement of the award.
Eligible to apply: current sophomores
Voyages Award
This fund supports summer international travel opportunities for the purpose of work, internship, research or study. Such opportunities should take place in a country where the student has not previously resided for any appreciable length of time and preference will be given to students pursuing opportunities focused on public health, humanitarian efforts, or education.
Eligible to apply: current freshmen, sophomores, and juniors
Department Summer Travel Awards
Many F&M fields of study offer departmental summer travel awards, which are administered by the awarding F&M academic department. Read the award descriptions for more information about eligibility.
Art & Art History: Junior Summer Study Award
Biology: Huffnagle Scholarship
Classics: Sophomore Summer Travel Award
Dance: Greco Summer Study Award
The Greco Summer Study Award provides up to $1000 toward a selected student’s participation in a summer dance study program that has the potential to expand the student’s understanding and experience of dance in such areas as technique, composition, context, and performance. It may be applied toward the student’s tuition, room and board, or travel. Students are selected for the Greco Summer Study Award based on dance faculty members’ evaluation of the student’s application, due on March 1. Faculty members may choose to award smaller sums to several students, the total of all awards in any year not to exceed $1000. It is anticipated that students receiving this award will be returning to campus the following year; seniors, thus, are not normally eligible.
English: Alice & Ray Drum British Isles Summer Travel Award
French: Butler Award
French: Griffin Award
German: Seadle Award
Japanese: Honaman Award
Judaic Studies: Bank Summer Study Award
Judaic Studies: Dickmont Research Fund
Music: Nolt Music Award
Russian: Russell Summer Study Award
Theatre: Pywell Award
Theatre: Schaffner Award
Fellowships & Post-Graduate Funding Opportunities
F&M also offers fellowships, which are typically competitive, merit-based scholarships or grants that fund research or study at the undergraduate or graduate level. Some fellowships promote service learning, foreign language study, internships/work abroad, or graduate school. Fellowships can range from short-term summer courses to multi-year graduate programs throughout the world. These are not part of F&M Off-Campus Study, but students are encouraged to contact the F&M Office of Fellowships for more information.
We have also compiled a list of post-grad funding and opportunities for F&M Diplomats who are interested in continuing their lifelong global journeys after graduation.