MTSU Education Abroad Programs: An Adventure of a Lifetime

Embarking on a study abroad program is an incredible adventure that offers enriching experiences beyond the traditional classroom setting. The MTSU Office of Education Abroad serves as the starting point for students eager to explore opportunities for studying outside the United States. By participating, students experience another culture firsthand, expand their worldviews, and enhance future employment opportunities.

Exploring Program Options

The MTSU Office of Education Abroad provides a wealth of options, including MTSU Affiliated Programs, Exchange Programs, and MTSU Signature Programs. Students can consult with the Education Abroad staff to discuss the various destinations, programs, and associated costs.

MTSU Affiliated Programs

Many students opt to study abroad through institutions with formalized agreements with MTSU. These MTSU Affiliated Programs include organizations like KIIS, CCSA, and ISEP.

Exchange Programs

Exchange Programs typically span a semester or an academic year, fostering greater independence as students primarily study with local (host country) students.

MTSU Signature Programs

MTSU Signature Programs are faculty-led, offer a high level of support, and usually last two to four weeks. These programs provide immersive experiences in specific locations and fields of study.

Program Providers

Program Providers run short-term (summer, winter) and long-term (semester, academic year) options.

Featured Programs

MTSU offers a variety of programs in diverse locations. Here are a few examples:

Italy: Immerse yourself in Italy’s rich history, art, and culture through immersive study programs that combine classroom learning with visits to iconic sites such as Rome, Florence, and Venice.
Virginia and Washington, DC: Discover the nation’s capital and surrounding areas through programs focused on government, history, and public policy.
Thailand: Immerse yourself in Thailand’s diverse culture, traditions, and natural beauty. Study topics such as international relations, sustainability, or language, while exploring bustling cities, ancient temples, and stunning landscapes.
Tanzania: In Summer 2025, Dr. Francis Koti will take students abroad to Tanzania. This trip will be in May - June 2025. The course credit is Culture, Environment and Globalization in Tanzania.

Other examples of upcoming programs include exchange programs to Glasgow Caledonian University, Johannes Gutenberg-Universitat Mainz-Germersheim, Northumbria University, Universite de Caen, and University of Salford.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Financial aid is available for eligible students participating in study abroad programs. The financial aid process for MTSU Affiliated Programs mirrors that of on-campus students. To be eligible, students must be enrolled in coursework required for their degree and maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Financial Aid Eligibility

Students attending an approved study abroad program for credit are considered enrolled at MTSU for financial aid purposes. The study abroad credit must count towards a degree requirement to be considered an eligible course for federal, state, and MTSU Guaranteed Scholarships. Students with a Financial Aid status of Suspension cannot receive financial aid funds whether abroad or at MTSU.

Important Financial Aid Considerations

All study abroad participants may not be eligible to receive financial aid for both semesters of a two-semester study abroad program. Also, all students may not qualify for aid the semester after returning from their study abroad program.

FAFSA Requirement

A FAFSA form is required annually for Federal Pell, TSAC, Lottery, and other similar funds. FAFSA information can be completed beginning in October for aid to be disbursed in the fall semester.

Scholarship Opportunities

A limited number of scholarships are available through the Office of Education Abroad. MTSU Study Abroad Scholarships include: Office of Education Abroad Scholarship, Commitment Scholarship, Media Scholarship, several Honors College scholarships, and several College of Liberal Arts scholarships. Some program partners provide scholarships. External scholarships are also huge for study abroad. Some are entire programs in and of themselves, and some are funding you can use toward a program sourced through MTSU’s office.

Disbursement of Funds

The Office of Education Abroad notifies the Financial Aid Office regarding the number of credit hours you will attempt during your study abroad program. The Financial Aid Office will disburse financial aid based upon this information. Federal Pell, TSAC, and Lottery funds are prorated based upon the hours enrolled. If you are receiving less than six hours of credit, you will probably not qualify for any financial aid. Students receiving 6 to 8 hours of credit may receive one-half of a full-time award and students receiving 9 to 11 credit hours may receive three-fourths of a full-time award. Provisional lottery students must be enrolled full-time during the fall and spring semesters.

Direct Deposit

Direct Deposit is recommended so that financial aid refunds may be directly deposited into your bank account. If you expect to receive a refund, please sign up for direct deposit via PipelineMT.

Read also: Graduate Student Guide

Financial Aid Status

Typically, students who begin study abroad with a financial aid status of Good Standing can receive aid for one semester after their program ends, provided their program is for one semester. If their program is for two-semesters, they may only receive aid for the two semesters abroad. The semester after their program ends, they may receive a deferment for MTSU charges (if eligible).

Important Financial Aid Notes

Students must pay or confirm their classes by the MTSU fee payment deadline or their classes will be dropped. Students may log into PipelineMT to pay or confirm their classes.
Because financial aid funds are not sent directly to Host Institutions, some students are responsible for paying fees to Host Institutions.
If receiving Federal Direct Loans, you must be enrolled and attending at least half-time (6 undergraduate credit hours/5 graduate credit hours).

Common Financial Aid Questions

My study abroad program begins before the MTSU semester starts. No. Regulations do not allow for the early release of federal funds.
I owe deposit/registration fees to a Study Abroad Program. No. Each student is responsible for paying his/her fees to the appropriate school. Financial Aid will be disbursed to your bank account, provided you have signed up for direct deposit.
I am required to pay “program costs” to participate in a Study Abroad Program. Typically, Study Abroad programs require you to pay “program costs”. However, some programs also require you to register and pay tuition and fees at MTSU. Please make sure you understand all of the charges for your program.
What happens if I am unable to complete sixty percent of the term? Federal regulations require students to return a portion of their federal aid if they are unable to complete sixty percent of the term. Tennessee Lottery regulations require the suspension of lottery funds for future semesters. However, a student may appeal TELS eligibility based upon extenuating circumstances beyond the student’s control (e.g., documented medical emergencies or the death of a family member).

Honors College Opportunities

Honors students are strongly encouraged to explore study-abroad opportunities. They can apply up to nine semester hours from these experiences toward their Honors College graduation requirements. In some cases, students can count three of those hours as upper-division interdisciplinary seminar credit if the course qualifies and they secure approval before their trip.

Honors Credit

Students wishing to receive Honors credit for studying abroad must first be pre-approved for a program by a representative from the MT Abroad Office, Peck Hall 207 (615-898-5091). You must complete the Honors form before your trip dates to receive credit for your honors requirements. Students may apply for funding to help finance their Study Abroad program by completing and submitting the form above.

Resources for Political & Global Affairs Students

Political & Global Affairs students are highly encouraged to study abroad, and some of them are even required to do so! Fortunately, MTSU has excellent resources to help students study abroad. You can go for short or long term sessions and find single classes abroad for your major/minor areas of interest or do an entire semester or year of academic study. Importantly, MTSU has ample study abroad scholarships and help to apply for external funding. Our PGA students have a great track record of winning national scholarships to help fund travels abroad.

Opportunities in the Middle East

Study abroad certainly could be a central component of students’ Middle East Studies. At, MTSU there are many opportunities to study abroad in a Middle Eastern country. We currently have contacts with universities in Dubai, Israel, and Turkey. We are also a part of the AMIDEAST consortium.

Teaching Abroad

Have you ever thought about teaching abroad? Did you know you can do that in your Residency Year here at MTSU? COST (Consortium for Overseas Student Teaching) is a collaboration of 15 colleges and universities that MTSU’s College of Education participates in here in the United States that provides opportunities for students to have quality student teaching experiences in overseas settings. COST students typically live with host families, when possible, gaining a priceless opportunity to become immersed in the local culture of the country in which they are placed. Participants return to the United States with firsthand knowledge and experience working with professional peers, students, and families in another cultural setting.

External Scholarship Opportunities

Critical Language Scholarship (CLS): Undergraduate or graduate students. Fully-funded overseas summer language & cultural immersion programs. Not for course credits, but still a great experience.
Diversity Abroad Overseas Ambassador Program: Designed for current students or those who recently graduated, for internships, volunteer work, or teaching abroad after graduation. Students from these backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply: economically disadvantaged, ethnic & racially diverse, first generation, LGBTQ+, students with disabilities, and students of faith.
Japanese Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program: Each year, the Japanese government selects over 1,000 recent college graduates for paid positions teaching at schools throughout Japan. Previous Japanese study, while preferred, is not a requirement. Need to be a US citizen, have a bachelor’s degree, all majors welcome. Above all, an interest in both teaching and Japan!

How to Get Started

To begin your study abroad journey, visit MTSU’s Office of Education Abroad in Jones Hall. The staff can help you with your questions. It’s very important to start as early as possible to find the right program for you and to make sure that you can fit it into your degree plan, your personal life, and to get all the resources/financial aid available to you.

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