A Brief Guide to Student-Initiated Programs (SIPs)
What
is a Student-Initiated Program?
Student-Initiated Programs (SIPs) allow KU students to earn resident KU credit for study abroad programs sponsored by other accredited U.S. universities and colleges. The SIP category also applies to degree-seeking KU students who opt to enroll directly in foreign institutions accredited by the Ministry of Education of the host country for a summer, semester, or academic year.
Student-Initiated Program Benefits
Students participating in a SIP remain enrolled at KU during the study abroad program and receive KU resident credit and grades for the coursework that they complete abroad. Continuous KU enrollment allows for access to state and federal financial aid as well as deferment of loan repayments. In addition, students on a SIP receive academic, cultural and safety information at the mandatory Office of Study Abroad (OSA) orientation and have contact (including 24-hour emergency assistance) with the OSA while abroad. Students also receive emergency medical evacuation and repatriation coverage for the study period.
Eligibility
Undergraduate or graduate students may participate in a SIP as long as they meet the minimum 2.50 GPA requirement and are in good academic standing at KU. As with other programs, students must complete at least one academic term at KU prior to participating in study abroad. In all cases, the student must meet the sponsoring institution’s eligibility requirements and must be accepted to the program by the sponsoring institution.
Student Responsibilities
Program selection
Students must schedule an appointment to meet with an OSA program coordinator before beginning the application process. The program coordinator will help the student determine if the non-KU program meets University of Kansas* and SIP guidelines. The program coordinator will also explain the application process in greater detail and provide the student with the OSA SIP application.
*Note: Due to concerns for student and faculty safety, the University of Kansas does not sponsor study abroad at locations where a U.S. State Department Travel Warning has been issued. See www.travel.state.gov/travel/warnings.html for a list of countries currently under a Travel Warning.Application
It is entirely the student’s responsibility to monitor deadlines and application procedures for the non-KU program. In addition, students must complete the KU Office of Study Abroad SIP application and scholarship application (if applicable) by the deadlines listed below, regardless of the non-KU program deadlines.
Deadline for Winter Break, Spring Break, and Spring Semester programs: October 1
Deadline for Fall, Academic Year, or Summer programs: March 1
As with many other study abroad options, students must meet with departmental faculty advisors and their academic advisor in their major during the application process in order to complete an Academic Plan. Through this process they will be able to determine what equivalent KU credit they will receive for their study abroad courses.
Orientation
All students who participate in SIPs are required to take part in the KU OSA pre-departure orientation even if there is an on-site orientation arranged by the non-KU program. The OSA orientation provides important academic, cultural, and safety information to all study abroad participants.
Credit-Posting
Students are obligated to maintain full-time student status while abroad and to post all credit earned during the study abroad program to their KU transcript. The foreign coursework, including all grades earned (utilizing the standard A-F range), will be posted on the student’s KU transcript as the nearest equivalent course offered at the University of Kansas. All credit is subject to the approval of the appropriate academic departments. Grades will be calculated into the student’s GPA at KU.
The student must provide an original, official transcript (or equivalent document), signed and sealed by the host institution’s officials, to the OSA upon completion of the study period. The transcript may be forwarded directly to the OSA Coordinator or the student can hand-deliver a sealed copy. Failing to provide the transcript by the end of the following academic year may result in an administrative withdrawal dated at the beginning of the term abroad and immediate forfeiture of all financial aid, including return of scholarships and repayment of loans.
Fees
The Office of Study Abroad SIP fee includes the OSA administrative fee, KU enrollment, certification of enrollment to the Office of Student Financial Aid, OSA pre-departure orientation, 24-hour emergency contact services, and emergency medical evacuation and repatriation services.
Currently, the KU program fee for participation in a Student-Initiated Program is as follows:
Summer/Short-Term: $440
Semester: $820
Academic Year: $1,170
The SIP fee is in addition to any tuition, fees or other expenses related to the non-KU program.
Finding a Student-Initiated Program
Students searching for a study abroad program are encouraged to meet with a Peer Advisor in the OSA Resource Library, located in 105 Lippincott. No appointment is necessary. Students who decide to do a SIP are responsible for researching their options, finding an appropriate program, and meeting with a program coordinator to discuss the program.
The following websites are useful tools for researching non-KU programs:
www.iiepassport.org
www.studyabroad.com
www.goabroad.com
www.petersons.com
Brochures for a number of non-KU programs are available in the OSA Resource Library.
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