Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to study abroad with St. John’s University?
Currently enrolled and matriculated, undergraduate St. John’s University students as well as undergraduate students from accredited colleges and universities throughout the United States.

What are the requirements to study abroad with St. John’s University?
Applicants are required to have completed one full-year of undergraduate study, and must also have a minimum G.P.A. of 2.75 or higher. Applicants must also submit a statement of goals and objectives they seek to achieve through studying abroad.

When should I apply?
Though we review applications on a rolling basis, we encourage students to apply as early as possible to increase their chances of receiving financial aid and being admitted to their first choice programs. For the fall semester, we encourage students to apply by April 15; for spring, November 2; for winter, October 15, and for the summer, March 30. We will continue to accept applications past these suggested dates on a space- available basis.

Do I have to speak a foreign language?
Prior foreign language skills are not required for any St. John’s programs; however, some of our exchange partners only teach classes in the local language. Please contact us if you plan to participate in an exchange program. 

Do I need a passport?
Yes! Each student must have a passport to study abroad. Visas are required for all semester long programs, but may not be required for our summer programs. We’ll provide you with information on visas, but for more information on passports, please visit: http://travel.state.gov/passport/index.html

Do I need insurance to study abroad?
St. John’s University requires each participant to have comprehensive Accident/Health insurance that is valid internationally. You should check with your insurance representative to determine if coverage will extend to you while abroad and make sure that you will receive the same amount of protection abroad as you would here in the US. If your current insurer will not cover you while abroad, there are companies that sell study abroad health insurance plans. While we do not recommend any particular insurers, please let us know if you have any questions.

In the event that a situation would become unsafe abroad, does St. John’s University have a contingency plan in place?
Yes, we are committed to operating safe study abroad programs and therefore security is our priority. The Office of Global Studies and our on-site staff and liaisons make every reasonable effort to monitor the safety of the programs and their students. One of the resources used can be found on the U.S. State Department's website (http://travel.state.gov), which we would encourage you to look at. If a situation would arise, our Emergency Response Team would decide what action should be taken.

Will I still be eligible for Financial Aid while I am studying abroad?
Applicants should contact the appropriate person in the Financial Aid office for further information. The liaison on the Queens campus is Mrs. Josephine Pietramala and on the Staten Island campus, Mrs. Theresa Cantarella. Students from other US Universities should also contact their financial aid office on their campus for specific information on the type of aid available to each individual.

Is a deposit necessary?
In order to secure your place in a program, all students accepted for admission are required to submit a $250 non refundable deposit.

How can I handle my finances while abroad?
In most countries you will be able to access your bank account directly through the use of your local banks ATM card if it has Cirrus, Plus, Mac, or Visa connected to it. Most Visa check cards work at ATM’s around the world. You should contact your bank to find exact locations of machines connected to your cards network. Also inquire about any charges that may apply. Make sure your money is in a checking account and not a savings account or else you will not be able to take out your money. Most networks only accept a four-digit PIN number; make sure to shorten your PIN number if necessary. Traveler’s checks are safe and widely accepted as are Visa and MasterCard.

For St. John’s Students
The total cost for Discover the World, Rome semester and summer and winter programs includes tuition and a program fee. Tuition will remain the same as a semester spent on one of St. John’s New York campuses. The program fee for each program varies according to the program‘s length. The program fee for our Discover the World and Rome semesters are roughly the same as living on campus for a semester. You can apply most components of your financial aid toward your study abroad costs — including federal and state grants, federal student loans and university scholarships and grants. Applicants should contact the appropriate person in the Financial Aid office for further information. The liaison on the Queens campus is Mrs. Josephine Pietramala and on the Staten Island campus, Mrs. Theresa Cantarella. Most importantly, eligible students are strongly encouraged to apply for additional aid for a study abroad semester. External Scholarship information is available in the Office of Global Studies.

New Work Study Opportunities available in Rome and Paris!

St. John's students can take advantage of an incredible opportunity to receive Federal Work Study experience while attending a Global Studies program! For more information, please click here.

For Visiting Students
If you’re a visiting student, you too may find the costs similar to those of a term at your home institution, but we also offer financial aid: whether through a consortium agreement with your home institution or through St. John’s aid. We’ll work with you to make the semester of your dreams affordable. You should also contact the financial aid office on your home campus for specific information on the type of aid available to you.

All Students
Whether you’re a visiting or a St. John’s student, consider applying for some of the many external scholarship opportunities available to finance your semester abroad. The Office of Global Studies has compiled a list of available scholarships, but please note that some require you to apply as much as a year before your study abroad semester; so start early!

Will I be able to stay on track towards graduation?
Students will earn credits towards their undergraduate degree requirements. Most times students can cover their general core requirements and, depending on the program chosen, can even take classes to count towards their major or minor. St. John’s offers a wide variety of options to make a study abroad experience academically feasible for all students. Our courses are selected from the most popular classes we offer in New York and we offer language and culture classes to ensure that your time abroad is focused on the places where you’ll be studying.

A full semester abroad may not fit into everyone’s schedule, so we also offer shorter summer and winter intersession programs to provide maximum flexibility. We’re constantly expanding the number — and academic breadth — of our programs, making it increasingly likely that study abroad will fit somewhere  into your schedule but- you must plan ahead! Sit down with your academic advisor to chart out the remainder of your academic career. Find out whether a study abroad semester, summer or intersession can work for you.