High Point University has diligently worked to develop academic partnerships that meet the needs of its students and align with University standards and educational objectives. Therefore, students will be expected to enroll at affiliated (noted as “Exchange” and “Affiliated” on the University Partnerships page) institutions unless they have a compelling academic reason to attend an unaffiliated program and successfully complete a petition process.
HPU students planning to study abroad on any study abroad program, including unaffiliated programs, must meet with the Office of Global Education, submit a complete study abroad application and other relevant materials, abide by HPU’s study abroad and academic policies, and attend all required pre-departure orientation meeting(s).
Policies and Limitations for Unaffiliated Study
The following include some of the policies and limitations for HPU students applying to an unaffiliated program, as well as recommendations from the Office of Global Education:
- Due to the terms agreed upon in our affiliation & exchange agreements:
- HPU students cannot apply directly to a program, or through a third-party provider to an institution, with which HPU and the host institution or provider hold a current affiliation or exchange agreement. Students who apply to an HPU partner in this manner, in spite of this policy, will not be approved for hiatus. Students who pursue application without an approved hiatus will be withdrawn from High Point University and reapply for admission to High Point University upon completion of their studies abroad prior to credit transfer (readmission in this situation is not automatic or guaranteed).
- HPU students cannot opt to pay fees directly to a program, or third-party provider to an institution, with which HPU and the host institution or provider hold a current affiliation or exchange agreement, even if the costs differ from what’s found on the HPU website.
- HPU students must abide by the minimum application requirements (GPA, class standing, major, etc.) set forth by High Point University and/or the institution abroad, even if the requirements differ from what’s found on the HPU website.
- Due to residency requirements, HPU students cannot study abroad on an unaffiliated program during their senior year or the last 32 credits of their degree, whichever is longer. HPU students must earn the last 32 credits of their degree from coursework completed at HPU or while studying abroad at an exchange/affiliated partnering institution.
- HPU students applying to study on an unaffiliated semester program must attend the required pre-departure orientation in order for their hiatus to be approved. Students not attending the orientation will be withdrawn from High Point University and must reapply for admission upon completion of their studies abroad.
- HPU institutional financial aid, including the Presidential Scholarship, is not available for an unaffiliated study abroad program and must be forfeited for the semester the student is abroad.
- While federal financial aid may be available for use on an unaffiliated study abroad program, the process to request this aid differs. For more information, review the information on the Financial Aid for Study Abroad page, including the Financial Aid Policy on Study Abroad, then contact the Office of Financial Planning.
- HPU strongly discourages enrollment in programs in areas under U.S. Department of State Travel Warnings.
Before Applying to an Unaffiliated Program
While HPU does not promote or endorse unaffiliated study abroad programs, third-party providers, or non-HPU study abroad program databases, our study abroad advisors must meet with all students before they apply to the program of their choice. There are several important things you’ll need to know including, but not limited to, the following:
- Whether or not HPU accept credits from the unaffiliated program.
- Whether or not you are qualified to study on an unaffiliated program.
- Whether you’ll be able to apply for a study away hiatus or withdrawal from HPU.
- How to apply credits earned at the institution towards your degree.
- How and to whom payments will be made.
- What documentation is required from HPU.
For HPU to recognize the credits completed abroad, the university must be accredited to the standards required by HPU and the credits must meet the policies for credit transfer listed in the University Bulletin under “Study Abroad Transfer Credit” and in relevant paperwork for study abroad. It is the responsibility of the student to determine and provide to the Office of Global Education before the time of application:
- The name of the institution issuing the transcript, and
- The accrediting body of this institution.
If it is determined that credit transfer is possible, students then must complete an application for unaffiliated study abroad, including a request for study away hiatus where they must demonstrate that they have reviewed HPU’s affiliated programs and then clearly explain why these programs do not meet their academic and/or career goals, including evidence, where appropriate, that highlights:
- Why the specific unaffiliated program in question is a strong fit for them academically;
- How a competitive scholarship they are applying for is connected to the proposed program; and/or
- Why immersion in the particular host culture is in-line with their academic and/or career goals.
These required materials should be completed before an application to the unaffiliated host university/provider is started.
It’s important to remember that some programs are better than others in terms of academic content, safety, organization, and price. Before applying to a program, you should get answers to the following important questions:
- What credits are available? Is tuition included in the program cost? Which institution issues the transcript? How is the institution accredited? What does the program cost include? What is not included? What is the refund policy?
- What are my housing options? Who coordinates these arrangements?
- If an immigration visa is required, what resources are available to assist me?
- If something goes wrong while I am abroad (natural disaster, terrorism, major health problems, family emergency at home, etc.), what assistance will be available to me?
Credit for Unaffiliated Study Abroad
For High Point University to recognize the credits you complete abroad, the university must be accredited to the standards required by HPU and your program must be pre-approved by the Office of Global Education meeting the requirements for unaffiliated study and the study away hiatus. Additionally, you must earn at least a grade equivalent to a C in the U.S. HPU will not accept credit for courses with grades of C– or below. Grades for all courses earned abroad are recorded on the international transcript. Credits are received by HPU as transfer credits, which means only the credit is displayed on your transcript, not the letter grade. Your HPU grade point average will not be impacted by your study abroad courses.
Note: credits will not be transferred to HPU unless the program and request for hiatus were approved for unaffiliated study by the Office of Global Education prior to the student’s participation in the program.
Satisfying the HPU Global Studies Requirement
While no additional credit is awarded simply for studying abroad, your Global Studies requirement will be waived automatically provided you have completed an academic course of study (whether affiliated, unaffiliated, or Global Experience) outside of the U.S. lasting at least four (4) weeks, conducted through an accredited institution, and bearing at least three (3) credits recognized by High Point University.
