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It is the student’s responsibility to obtain the required travel documentation (e.g. passport, visa, proof of immunizations, etc.). Requirements for student visas vary from program to program, country to country, consulate to consulate, and term to term. Students may seek advice from a CGIS advisor or program sponsor, but obtaining the appropriate visa is the student’s responsibility.

If a student does not complete required tasks (for example, attending pre-departure orientation, submitting housing forms, or uploading passport information) as listed in M-Compass or instructed by CGIS staff, it will be considered a withdrawal on behalf of the student and will result in financial implications as outlined in the “Student Considerations for Program Withdrawal or Dismissal” section.

To participate in a CGIS program, you must abide by the following stipulations by the program start date:

• be in good academic standing, not on academic probation nor suspended from U-M,
• maintain the minimum required GPA
• fulfill program language requirements (for programs with a language prerequisite),
• and meet all other conditions set by CGIS, including registration for study abroad.

Updated April 2024. The most up-to-date agreement will be within the M-Compass application.

By signing below, I agree to the following terms and conditions of the university-related travel experience:

 Travel Risks and Waiver

1. I understand that I am not required to participate in this travel experience. The decision to participate is completely voluntary.
2. I agree to waive and release the Regents of the University of Michigan, its employees and agents (hereinafter “U-M”) from any claim arising while participating in the travel experience, whether for injury, loss, damage or expense resulting from illness, quarantine, accident, crime, natural disaster, terrorism, act of war, or government restrictions and regulations, provided that such claim is not due to the negligence of the released parties. For U-M managed programs, I agree to waive and release the program administrators, host school/organization, and all of their employees and agents from the same claims.
3. I understand that participation in this travel experience involves risks. I recognize that I may be exposed to potential risks including, but not limited to, accident, war, natural disaster, sickness, quarantine, terrorism, serious bodily injury or death, crime, property damage and other risks that may not be foreseeable. I understand that the university cannot guarantee my health and safety. I have investigated the risks, including reviewing the U.S. Department of State travel advisories, CDC Travel Health Notices, and U-M Travel Designations as listed on Global Michigan, and I assume responsibility for any and all risks associated with my travel.
4. I recognize that the U-M does not represent or act as an agent for, and cannot control the acts or omissions of any non-U-M program administrator, host family, employer, transportation carrier, hotel, tour organizer or other provider of food, goods, or services involved with the travel experience. I understand that the U-M is not responsible for matters that are beyond its control, and that it cannot warrant the safety or convenience of the circumstances under which I will be living or working.
5. When traveling internationally, I understand that I am subject to host country laws. It is my responsibility to familiarize myself with all laws, rules, orders, regulations, and the like that may be applicable to my travel, including, but not limited to, the host country laws, rules and regulations, local public health guidelines, health testing/immunization requirements, and the import of over the counter and prescription medications. I also understand that I must continue to follow all applicable standards of U.S. law and U-M academic standards including, but not limited to, research guidelines and export control requirements.

Financial Terms

1. I accept responsibility for any tuition, fees, travel and other expenses that may be associated with the travel experience. For U-M managed programs, I understand that the program organizer reserves the right to adjust fees if exchange rates affect program logistics and/or local expenses.
2. I understand that the U-M and/or any external program organizer reserves the right to alter program arrangements or cancel any program as conditions warrant and that I will be responsible for any associated costs that may result. These costs may include, but are not limited to, unanticipated flight changes, temporary accommodation charges or fees, and non-recoverable costs for any portion of the experience.
3. I agree to indemnify U-M and all of its employees and agents from any financial obligations or liabilities that I may personally incur while participating in this travel experience, including attorney’s fees and court costs resulting from my acts, errors or omissions. I agree to accept responsibility for any damages that I may cause to facilities, housing, or other property during the travel experience. 

Personal Conduct and Behavior

1. I agree to conform, during the travel experience, to all reasonable standards of conduct, local health guidelines or orders, and public health or emergency response protocols, including those provided by any program administrators or host organizations.  If I fail to maintain any of those standards, I will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including the termination of my participation in the experience.  I accept personal responsibility for transportation costs to return home.  I will forfeit any fees or other expenses incurred for the experience. For students only: I will also follow the guidelines set forth in the U-M Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities.

Health and Safety

1. I agree to comply with any U-M requests for travel health planning, which may include reviewing the U-M Travel Health Preparation Guide and/or completing the Travel Health Questionnaire & Verification in M-Compass. I understand that I am responsible for managing my own health before, during, and after the travel experience, including any pre-existing conditions or health vulnerabilities.
2. I understand that if U-M learns I am experiencing serious health problems, have suffered an injury, or am otherwise in a situation that raises significant health and safety concerns during the travel experience, then U-M may contact any person who I have provided as my “emergency contact” or any family members known to U-M.  I understand that the U-M does not ordinarily initiate such contact without first having a discussion with me.
3. I agree to the following U-M recommended risk management precautions:  While operation of a motor vehicle is strongly discouraged, I will consider obtaining liability and collision insurance that will cover me in the applicable foreign countries if needed.  I will consider purchasing tuition insurance (if applicable) and travel insurance to protect my personal property from loss or theft.
4. I agree to comply with all University and governmental health requirements or orders for participating in the program and for returning to campus after the program concludes, including immunizations, testing, quarantine, and other local health regulations or directives.

 Potential Travel Disruptions

1. I understand that events outside of U-M’s control may disrupt the travel experience, and I agree to follow U-M directives when such events occur. Such events include, but are not limited to, political unrest; natural disasters; airport closures; changing immigration and entry/exit requirements; increases in U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory levels, CDC Travel Health Notices, and/or U-M Designations; and changing laws, regulations, and orders, including public health regulations at the travel destination(s). I understand that I am responsible for any costs associated with travel disruptions.

Additional Health and Safety Terms for International Travel

1. I agree to maintain required U-M travel abroad health insurance for the duration of my international experience (either by individually purchasing coverage or by confirming included coverage with my program organizer).  I accept responsibility for obtaining required immunizations and researching health issues in my host location. I agree to comply with the U-M International Travel Policy SPG 601.31, including following requirements for locations under U-M Travel Warnings, Travel Restrictions, Travel Health Medium Risk, or Travel Health High Risk and maintaining accurate travel registration throughout the duration of my experience.
2. I will consider obtaining U-M Travel Abroad Health Insurance for any personal/leisure travel before or after my international experience.
3. I understand that it is my responsibility to understand the coverage details of the U-M Travel Abroad Health Insurance and that any cost not covered by the U-M Travel Abroad Health Insurance is my responsibility.
4. I understand that there is a possibility that I will not be able to leave the travel destination as planned due to transportation disruptions or changes in entry/exit immigration regulations and that I should be ready to shelter in place as, and if, necessary. Sheltering in place includes securing food, water, and shelter; verifying access to funds; and developing a local support network.

Additional Terms for U-M Managed Student Programs

1. For U-M managed programs, I agree to inform official representative/s of the program or the host institution of my personal travel plans during free periods. I accept full responsibility for my activities during independent travel and during absence from supervised program activities.
2. In a medical emergency, if I am unable to give consent, I give permission to the program leaders to authorize on my behalf medical treatment by licensed medical personnel; this includes authorization to hospitalize, secure proper treatment, administer anesthesia, conduct x-rays, or perform surgery.  I understand that this authorization is given in advance of any specific diagnosis, treatment, or medical care being required and is to serve as specific consent to any and all such diagnoses, treatment, or hospital care that is recommended or deemed advisable.  When requested, I agree to make repayment of any expenses advanced.
3. I accept responsibility for requesting reasonable accommodations related to a disability in a reasonable time frame before departure.  I understand that I must provide the university’s Services for Students with Disabilities office with documentation of my disability to be considered for accommodations.  I further understand that I am responsible for coordinating requested accommodations and that my requested accommodations may not be available at the travel destination.
4. I understand that program organizers and host institutions have the authority and right to cancel programs for health, safety or security reasons. In the event that I am en route to or at the program site during such a cancellation, I agree to depart the program site or cancel my planned arrival at the site, and return to the location designated by the U-M immediately.
5. I understand that I am responsible for all expenses related to the program, including any unforeseen expenses that may not be listed in my U-M program budget or cost sheet.
6. I understand that there are circumstances under which program organizers and host institutions have the authority to withdraw students from the program. Students withdrawn or dismissed from the program will not receive credit and will not be entitled to any refund. These circumstances include but are not limited to the following:
   • Students whose conduct before or during the program is deemed undesirable and whose actions are in violation of the U-M Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities.
   • Students who purchase, possess, and/or use any illegal or unauthorized drugs during the duration of the program, including free time.  This includes drugs that are illegal in the United States and/or of the country of participation.
   • Students whose conduct is in violation of the rules and guidelines of the partner/host institution.
   • Students whose conduct is in violation of regulations set forth by the on-site Resident or Program Director.
   • Students whose conduct is in violation of the host country’s civil and/or criminal statutes.
   • Situations in which the student’s behavior, whether academic or social, jeopardizes the reputation of the program, the participation of others in the program, or the health and safety of the student or other participants.
   • Failure to participate in the required pre-departure, on-site, and post-travel orientations, programs and assignments.
   • Failure to maintain application requirements (academic or disciplinary), including course prerequisites, or failure to notify program organizer of any enrollment status changes. 
7. I understand that if I choose to withdraw from the program for any reason, I am responsible for any and all associated costs and am subject to the academic policies of the U-M and host institution.

Unless specifically indicated on the CGIS program brochure page, students must reside in official program housing for the duration of their program, and may not secure independent housing (e.g. Airbnb, hotel). If specific housing accommodations are needed due to a chronic illness, disability, or other qualifying conditions, please visit the housing accommodations webpage to submit the required documentation within 10 days of confirming your spot on the program. CGIS will make inquiries with our partners and other relevant parties to determine if the program can accommodate your needs (including UHS, which is responsible for authorizing accommodations required for medical reasons).

It is a mandatory requirement that students attend the program for the entire program length. Students should not plan to arrive late to a program or leave the program early. Additionally, participating in program excursions is mandatory. Students should not make additional travel plans until they have received the final program schedule so that they do not miss program requirements. If a student misses a part of the program, it would be grounds for withdrawal.

Regular class attendance is expected of all students. Students must follow the attendance policy as is given by the on-site provider or institution. The on-stie provider or institution also determines what constitues an excused or unexcused absence.  

Students who receive accommodations at U-M may receive the same or similar accommodations abroad, with some preparation. To learn more about this process see the Disabilities and Accommodations webpage on the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) office website for additional information on Selecting a Program, Resources by Disability Type, and more.

Students who receive accommodations at U-M may receive the same or similar accommodations abroad, with some preparation.

Once students know which program they plan to travel on, they should contact the SSD office to work through accommodations needs for their time studying abroad. Please note that accommodations may not transfer abroad, as different countries have different laws regarding access and accommodations. Making arrangements for accommodations is the personal responsibility of the student, and should be done with the assistance of SSD.

If students are curious if their accommodations will transfer abroad, they should consult with CGIS advisors, who can contact the host institution abroad to assess accommodation possibilities. It is best for students to identify several programs that meet their academic interests since CGIS partners will have different accessibility standards.

Important Note: The need for accommodations is never a criterion for selection or admission to a program.

Students on CGIS programs are expected to conform to all reasonable standards of conduct, local health guidelines or orders, and public health or emergency response protocols, including those provided by any program administrators or host organizations. 

• Any behavior that endangers the health, safety, and/or well-being of the student or others will be subject to disciplinary action.

• Behavior that threatens the reputation of CGIS, U-M, or our local partners will be subject to disciplinary action.

Disciplinary action may take the form of official warnings, written reprimands, referral to OSCR, mandatory participation in appropriate intervention programs, and/or termination of participation in the program with no credit or refund. Students must follow the guidelines set forth in the U-M Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities.

The Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects the privacy of student records. According to the University of Michigan’s Office of the Registrar, “once a student reaches the age of 18 or attends an institution of postsecondary education, the parents have no rights under FERPA. Only the student can give permission for the parents to have access to their records.”

CGIS will disclose protected information without the student’s express written permission only in the event of an emergency, such as when the student is hospitalized or poses a threat to themselves or others. This pertains to all information in the student’s file, whether academic, medical, or personal in nature.

The only information CGIS may disclose without student permission is “directory information,” defined as “name, permanent and local address and telephone number, school or college, class level, major field, dates of attendance, degree received and date awarded, honors and awards received, participation in recognized activities, previous schools attended, and height and weight of members of intercollegiate athletic teams.” 

Source: Registrar's Office, University of Michigan

If you transferred to U-M from a college or university outside the U-M system, you can apply to many CGIS programs using your transfer GPA, but must provide CGIS with a U-M transcript from your first semester at U-M and must meet all other program requirements.

Students must have completed at least 9 credits at UM-Ann Arbor before departing for the program and must be in good academic standing. Failure to meet these requirements may result in withdrawal from the program and financial penalties.

Please note: Students applying to Exchange or Visiting programs are additionally subject to the transcript requirements of those abroad institutions. If a U-M transcript or a semester at UM-Ann Arbor is required at the time of application, students who do not meet these requirements will not be able to apply to those specific Exchange or Visiting programs.

These are the suggested departure timelines for transfer students:

Once your study abroad program ends, it typically takes 3-15 weeks for your foreign transcript to be processed and added to your U-M transcript. As foreign institutions may be on different processing schedules, CGIS cannot rush your transcripts. If you desire to apply to graduate shortly after completion of your study abroad program, please consult your CGIS advisor to understand the specific timelines for your program BEFORE you decide to commit to the program. Sometimes graduate schools or employers require a diploma prior to starting so be sure to build in enough time for your study abroad transcript to be processed.

Due to the time lag in receiving grades from host institutions or program providers, a student’s diploma may be delayed when issued. If there is a delay, the diploma will then be backdated to the appropriate graduation date once the credits are posted. Even if a diploma is delayed, students may also choose to walk in their graduation ceremony if they have applied to graduate and they are back in the United States.

Non-LSA students should consult their home school or college concerning submitting their concentration and minor releases for a graduation audit.

Participation in any CGIS program always requires payment of administrative, academic, housing, food, travel, and other fees or costs. However, different programs involve different payment arrangements.

The variety of financial arrangements reflects the diversity of CGIS’s programming, which allows U-M students a broader range of study choices. Understandably, questions may arise regarding payment procedures. Students or others who are responsible for making program-related payments should refer to their program's Budget Sheet available on their program's M-Compass brochure page. Students with further questions should contact a CGIS advisor for clarification of payment details.

Regardless of the method of payment or origin of invoice, it is each student's responsibility to make all payments and to make them on time. Payment methods depend on the program. For some programs, students will pay fees directly to U-M. For other programs, students will be invoiced directly by the host university or program provider. CGIS does not send bills. Costs will be posted to the student’s account. Late charges will be assessed by U-M Student Accounts, so be sure to pay all bills on time.

Some CGIS programs require payment of U-M tuition, at the individual’s lower or upperclass designation and in- and out-of-state rates. The Tuition Category on the budget sheet will have a “YES” designation to indicate that tuition will be charged. For certain CGIS programs, students will be required to pay a program fee in addition to their regular U-M tuition. Students are encouraged to refer to their program's budget sheet for detailed information. Students will be billed by the U-M Student Financial Services for U-M tuition in these cases.

For most programs for which students do not pay U-M tuition or CGIS program fees, students will instead pay academic and other fees directly to the host university or program provider. Students are encouraged to refer to their program's budget sheet for detailed information. If a student's chosen program is one for which they are not required to pay U-M tuition, they should keep the following in mind:

The university’s registration/billing software does not automatically waive U-M tuition for these programs. When a student first registers for the program, a tuition charge will appear on their student account. CGIS will manually enter a tuition waiver, so if the charge appears on their account initially, they should not be alarmed. The charges will be reversed as soon as the waiver takes effect, usually within two weeks of the start of the U-M term. If it is not reversed after that time, please contact CGIS for assistance.
 

Approximate billing dates for CGIS programs are:

• Winter term: December 1
  
•  Spring half-term: April 1
  
•  Summer half-term: June 1
  
•  Fall term: August 1
  

Payments are due within 30 days after fees have been posted to your account.

If a tuition waiver applies to your program, please note that the waiver is applied shortly after charges have been posted, usually within 2 weeks. We cannot issue a waiver until the tuition has posted.

This policy is only for session based programs in the Spring, Summer or Spring/Summer.

CGIS will bill and enroll students based on the sessions you have been accepted into. If you make the decision to change your session, you must inform your CGIS advisor.

Failure to do so will jeopardize your insurance enrollment, related fees, and registration status. Session changes will not be allowed after March 15th.

Beginning the first day of the term, a Late Registration Fee will be assessed for students who have not previously registered for that term. The fee is increased at the beginning of each subsequent month.

Exceptions to the Late Registration Fee are made only if registration is late because of a documentable university policy, action, or error.

It is extremely important that students do not owe U-M any money at registration time. If they do, the university will have placed a financial hold on their account, and they will not be able to register. Students should be sure to take care of any bills they might owe (housing, late library fees, etc.) before leaving the country. It is much easier to resolve such matters while still in the United States. Students unsure of their balance should contact Student Financial Operations (2226 SAB, 734-764-7447) or look up their status through Wolverine Access. If students are unable to register due to a financial hold, they will be responsible for the late registration fee that may result. Students should also be aware that while they may know how much financial aid they will receive, their financial aid cannot be disbursed until they are registered for the correct CGIS program.

Whether a student withdraws themself or is withdrawn or dismissed from the program after having signed the Participation Agreement in M-Compass, they are still responsible for all associated fees (even if the student withdraws or is dismissed prior to the beginning of the program).

Refund policies differ depending on if the student is participating in a U-M billed program that charges U-M tuition or if the student is participating in a Provider-Led program.

To confirm which refund policy applies to you, please read the withdrawal policy located in your M-Compass application.  

Before participating in a CGIS program, you must register for your program through Wolverine Access using the program’s STDABRD/INTABRD title and number. (Students registering for a spring language course will not use a STDARBD course number but instead enroll for the course as it appears in the LSA Course Guide.) Each program has its own course number (for example, STDABRD 280, INTABRD 302). Students should refer to their CGIS program specific orientation.

This course acts as a placeholder, allowing students to be registered even though they may not know exactly how many credits they will take while abroad. The number of credits for spring/summer programs can vary per student/program and is 15 credits for fall or winter programs. These STDABRD/INTABRD placeholder credit hours are for registration purposes only and do not necessarily reflect the credit load students actually take. Actual credits earned will reflect after transcripts are processed.

Note: Students are not permitted to register for a combination of STDABRD or INTABRD and non-STDABRD/INTABRD U-M classes during the same semester. Only a few CGIS programs are exceptions to this rule and students should request approval from their CGIS advisor if not already approved as part of their program. Students should also consult their program-specific orientation materials for program registration details.

Students on an academic year program will need to register again for the second term at their normal U-M registration period (Winter Term). It is the responsibility of the student to make sure they register at the appropriate time.

LSA students receive Michigan in-residence—not transfer—credit for participating in CGIS programs. Credits appear on your academic record and are applicable toward your U-M degree. Non-LSA students should contact their home school or college concerning the applicability of LSA courses and Michigan in-residence credits.

At the end of your global program, the overseas office or on-site staff send a record of your courses, credits, and grades to CGIS. We work with the registrar’s office to add these to your U-M transcript. Courses are listed on your U-M transcript with the CGIS program's STDABRD/INTABRD title and number followed by the individual course titles, credits, and grades as they correspond to the courses you completed abroad. Credit hours and grades are converted whenever the grading/credit system from the abroad institution differs from U-M's. Grades are calculated into your overall GPA.

Because LSA students earn in-residence credit, you may be eligible to fulfill distribution or concentration requirements abroad. Courses do not automatically fulfill distribution or concentration requirements. You should communicate with advisors to see which courses may fit into your program of study and to seek pre-approval for distribution or concentration requirement credit.

Depending on the program, it may take several weeks or months for student grades to appear on your U-M transcript. This may delay the issuing of your diploma.

CGIS is required to record and report all grades and courses taken abroad as posted on official transcripts and cannot delete or remove courses posted on your official transcript. You should respect local academic practices and understand that most university systems outside the US do not allow students to contest grades. Consult the on-site staff if you have questions about local grading procedures or want to contest a grade.

Students participating in full-semester programs must carry a full-time course load, typically between 12-18 credits per semester.  A full-time load during the Spring and Summer half terms is 6-9 credits; some CGIS spring/summer programs meet this load, while others do not.*

Certain programs have specific required course loads, while others do not. Students should consult their program-specific orientation materials to determine the appropriate number of credits and course load for their program. Additionally, some student visas have enrollment requirements to be eligible for the visa, it is the responsibility of the student to ensure that they are not in violation of their student visa requirements.

In some cases, you may petition to take more than 18 credits per semester. You must have permission from both your host institution and CGIS to do this. Be aware that U-M will charge additional tuition for each credit hour over 18 (over 9 for spring and summer half terms) even if you have permission to take more classes. For details on tuition fees, refer to the Office of the Registrar tuition information.

*If a student chooses to take less than 6 credits during the spring or summer term, they will not be eligible for any financial aid or LSA Scholarships. Contact the Office of Financial Aid for more information.

Non-LSA Students

Non-LSA students should consult advisors within their home school or college about the type of credit they will receive and whether it fulfills college requirements.

Some CGIS programs may be eligible to fulfill the LSA language requirement – students must meet with their academic advisor or the department in charge of the corresponding language placement exam (e.g., the Middle Eastern Studies department reviews Arabic-language program offerings) to confirm eligibility. CGIS advisors cannot give students course approvals or equivalencies for the programs.

To learn more about which programs may be eligible view the Language Requirements webpage.

Some partner universities will not send a transcript to CGIS unless authorized to do so by the student. In these cases, it is the responsibility of the student to have your transcript sent to CGIS. If CGIS does not receive a transcript from the host institution or partner, students will receive a grade of ‘ED’ for all of the STDABRD/INTABRD placeholder credits for which they have registered. This will factor as an E into a students overall GPA.

Students will be informed during their CGIS pre-departure orientation and via M-Compass if they are responsible for sending their transcripts to CGIS after their program has been completed.

Additionally, if there is a financial hold on your account at the end of your program, many study abroad providers will not release your transcript to CGIS. It is your responsibility to resolve this financial hold and ensure that your transcript is released to CGIS as soon as possible. For students who have financial holds on their accounts and CGIS does not receive their transcripts, a CGIS advisor will reach out to the student and give them a deadline by which to resolve the issue. If the issue is not resolved by the deadline, CGIS will assign a grade of ‘NR’ for all credits taken abroad. These will lapse into ‘E’ grades if not resolved by the following term.

Students must officially notify CGIS in writing or by email to their advisor if they withdraw from a program. It is not sufficient to withdraw an application online.

Next, University of Michigan students must withdraw from the study abroad registration or course in Wolverine Access, must notify their college, and must notify their onsite program provider or host institution (if applicable). If the U-M course-drop deadline is past, students must contact their CGIS program advisor in order to drop the program registration.

Students who withdraw from a CGIS program and do not return to the University of Michigan for that term must contact their college and follow the established procedures pertinent to their situation so that they will be allowed to register for the following term.

In addition to notifying CGIS, withdrawing from your program registration in M-Compass, notifying college and the onsite program provider or host institution, there are other considerations to take into account listed in the "Student Considerations for Program Withdrawal or Dismissal" section.

There are circumstances under which program coordinators and institutions have the authority to withdraw students from a CGIS program. These circumstances are listed in the Participation Agreement and include but are not limited to the following:

• Students who become ineligible due to academic probation. 
  
• Students who fail to pass the prerequisite courses
  
• Students whose conduct before or during the program is deemed undesirable and whose actions are in violation of the University of Michigan Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities, as applicable to the CGIS program, will be dismissed from the program and will be subject to campus disciplinary reviews.
  
• Students whose conduct is in violation of the rules and guidelines of the partner institution, regulations set forth by the on-site Resident or Program Director, and/or the host country's civil and/or criminal statutes.
  
• Situations in which the behavior, whether academic or social, of the student causes his/her presence in the program to jeopardize the reputation of the program, the participation of others in the program, or the safety of the student or other participants.
  
• Failure to participate in required pre-travel, on-site, and post-travel orientations, programs and assignments.
  

Students dismissed from the program for the previously stated reasons will receive no credit for work done, will be considered as not having completed the program, and will not be entitled to any refund.

Additional considerations and consequences as a result of program dismissal are listed in the "Student Considerations for Program Withdrawal or Dismissal" section.  

Students who withdraw from their program or who are dismissed should consider the consequences listed below: