William & Mary
Close menu Resources for... William & Mary
Popular Topics
Suggested Results
News Events
Apply Visit Request Info
W&M menu close William & Mary
Reves Center

Apply/Register to Study Abroad

The Global Education Office (GEO) at the Reves Center for International Studies is the primary source of information to help you select, apply to, and enroll in a study abroad program. All students going abroad for academic credit, whether on a W&M program or third-party program, must apply or register before departing, so that GEO can communicate your study abroad status to all appropriate departments in order to retain your status as an active student.  Even if you have studied abroad before, a separate registration is required for each credit-bearing program you attend. 

button links to apply or register

Apply  REGISTER
 Apply or Register?
definitions of apply and register
Apply

Students who are planning to attend a W&M sponsored, exchange, summer, winter or embedded program must apply through the W&M study abroad portal. Students will automatically be registered for their selected program after acceptance. Application deadlines vary. 
Register

Students who are planning to attend a third-party program (direct enroll or provider) must register their study abroad with W&M through the study abroad portal. Students should apply directly to the third party program and then register the program by the third-party registration deadline.
Keys to Successful Third Party Program Registration
registration processes
Deadlines
  • Summer study: April 1
  • Fall/Academic Year study: April 1
  • Spring/Winter study: November 4

Students who wish to study abroad with third-party program must register (including submission of their financial aid paperwork, and any additional online forms or documents)  with the GEO by the deadlines listed above.

Students who wish to register after these deadlines must petition the Committee on Exceptions and pay a $100 late fee if approved. 
Process for Third Party Programs Listed in the Study Abroad Portal

Students will apply directly to the program provider by the provider's designated deadline and then register their study abroad program with GEO by the deadlines listed above.  Most providers will also require a signed form certifying your program is approved by W&M, and that you are eligible to participate in the program.  Clearance requires GEO to check student ID numbers with the Dean of Students Office to ensure eligibility for study abroad. This process can take up to 4 weeks. Students should complete the online W&M Study Abroad Advisor Approval Request Form to initiate the process of approval to study abroad.  

Registration for third-party winter and summer programs is required if students wish to receive transfer credit or use financial aid. If you plan to study abroad for a semester and do not register, students must request to take a leave of absence.  
Process for Third Party Programs Not Listed in the Study Abroad Portal

If the program for which you are applying is not listed by name in the W&M study abroad portal, you must complete the Petition to Attend a Non-Approved Study Abroad Program as soon as possible to ensure that the program is eligible for credit transfer according to W&M policy. 

Please note: it may take 2-3 weeks for the Registrar's Office and the GEO to determine eligibility of the program for transfer credit and registration. Approved programs will have a registration page opened for the student, who must then complete the required registration steps. Do not pay any fees associated with the program or seek faculty approval for the courses before receiving notice that the program has been approved.  
Travel Advisory Countries

Students wishing to study in a country with a travel advisory have petition deadlines that fall before those listed above; contact Sylvia Mitterndorfer, Director of Global Education, for more details. Additionally, students are encouraged to visit the section on our website titled Study Abroad in High Risk Countries.