FAQs about Off-Campus Interim Programs
How do I register?
Please also review the step-by-step registration instructions in the Registration section.
Off-campus interim program registration occurs on the Banner Self-Service system (like registration for any other course). It is a first-come, first-served system and opens at 7:30 am for all students. Students should resolve any account holds prior to registration day. Please see the Important Dates section for this year’s interim registration date.
Students can only register for one program per interim time period (i.e. one winter interim program and one May/summer interim program). Students may not register for one program and join the waitlist for another program occurring during the same time period. This means once a student has enrolled in a specific off-campus interim program, they will not have the opportunity to switch to another program.
Students who successfully register online for an off-campus interim program must submit a non-refundable deposit of $500 and a color copy of the identity page of their passport to the Office of International & Off-Campus Education (instructions provided to students via the study abroad portal and email). The deadline for submitting these items is listed above in the Important Dates section.
Successful online registration holds a space for a student in a program, but it is not a confirmation of enrollment. To finalize enrollment, students must have a clear disciplinary record (see eligibility page for further information) and submit their $500 non-refundable deposit and a color copy of the identity page of their passport by the deadline stated in the Important Dates section. No exceptions can be made to this policy and a spot will not be guaranteed unless these requirements are met by the stated deadline.
If a student successfully registers for an off-campus interim program and is no longer able to or interested in participating, they must notify the office in writing by emailing studyabroad@lafayette.edu. Withdrawing after confirming participation in the program by submitting the program deposit will cause the student to incur any non-recoverable costs that the program places in the student’s name.
What if the program is closed or full?
If all of the off-campus interim programs that interest a student are closed or full, students should complete a waitlist application.
All students who register for the waitlist must complete a questionnaire ranking their top two program choices in order of preference, and other information. It is important that students fill out all of the information requested to the best of their ability, or else they may not be eligible for waitlist selection.
If or when a space becomes available on a program, the Office of International & Off-Campus Education will contact an eligible student to see if they are still interested in participating in the program. If interested, the selected student will then enroll via the study abroad portal and will submit the required $500 non-refundable deposit and a color copy of the identity page of their passport. Failure to complete these steps will cause the student to forfeit the space in the program.
Students, parents, etc. should not contact the Office of International & Off-Campus Education to ask where the student is on the waitlist. IOCE will contact the student if or when a space is available to them.
Is it too late to withdraw?
Students who would like to withdraw from an off-campus interim program must withdraw in writing by emailing studyabroad@lafayette.edu. Any student who withdraws from a program after submitting the deposit will forfeit the $500 non-refundable deposit and will be responsible for any other non-recoverable costs for the program (i.e. airfare, hotel, individual shares of group expenses, etc.).
Optional trip cancellation insurance is available. Students may sign up for trip cancellation insurance up until the day before the program departs. Please see below for further information.
Note that students whose participation in an off-campus interim program is terminated by Lafayette College for reasons of misconduct will receive neither credit nor refund, will be required to return to the United States immediately, and will bear all expenses related to the changes in the itinerary.
What will it cost?
Lafayette College is committed to trying to maintain the cost of off-campus interim programs to make them as affordable as possible. Costs for off-campus interim programs typically range from $4,800 – 11,000 depending on the program. That amount typically covers tuition, airfare, accommodations, on-site program-related transportation, admission fees to program-sponsored activities, and Lafayette’s overseas health and safety insurance plan. Please see the individual program brochure pages (linked above in the Programs section) for individual program costs.
Is financial aid available?
For Lafayette-led winter and summer off-campus programs, every student who has successfully registered for a winter or summer program may be eligible for interim grant consideration. There is no separate application. A limited amount of financial support is available. Interim grants may range from a minimum of $1,000 up to a maximum of the specific program costs. Interim grant amounts offered will be determined based on the specific program’s costs, level of need, remaining loan eligibility, and the number of eligible registrants. Due to limited funds, students will only be considered if they meet all of the following criteria:
- Currently receive institutional need-based aid in the form of Lafayette College grant assistance,
- Have not previously studied abroad (during an interim or a semester program),
- Register during the online registration window in Banner for a winter/summer abroad program.
The Office of Financial Aid will only send email notifications to students who are awarded an interim grant, indicating their specific grant amount, prior to the interim non-refundable deposit deadline.
Funding notifications are made by the Office of Financial Aid (please see the Important Dates section above for further details on timing). There is one limited pool of aid for winter and summer interim. Students interested in summer programs should register on the registration date in September in order to ensure consideration for the funding pool. Only students who are awarded funding will be notified.
Insurance
Students enrolled in a Lafayette College off-campus interim program occurring outside the United States are automatically enrolled in the College’s overseas health and safety insurance plan. Students enrolled in a Lafayette College off-campus interim program occurring within the United States should continue to use the health insurance program in which they are already enrolled.