Policies

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Policy on International Travel Risk Review (ITRR)

It is a goal of the University of New Hampshire (UNH) strategic plan to ensure that students will have maximum exposure to international experiences. To minimize health hazards and safety risks, UNH established the International Travel Risk Review Committee (ITRRC) to evaluate UNH-sponsored education abroad activities when a significant health or safety concern is raised and to decide whether to suspend that activity.

UNH policy prohibits student travel and activities, undergraduate and graduate, in countries and areas that the U.S. Department of State rates as Level 3: Reconsider Travel or Level 4: Do Not Travel. There may be instances when an individual UNH student or a UNH-sponsored group considers that there is a compelling educational interest to conducting an activity in a Level 3 or Level 4 country or area and that it is possible to mitigate the risks. In these cases, an individual student or unit may petition to the International Travel Risk Review Committee (ITRRC) for prior approval. 

To study abroad/away, you must be matriculated and meet the basic Study Away Eligibility requirements.  Eligibility will be determined by your Dean's Office. This process will happen automatically once you have submitted your application in UNH-Via the semester prior to studying abroad or away (some UNH Faculty-led programs may require you to do this earlier). The eligibility check certifies that you meet the basic UNH Study Away Eligibility policy criteria. It does not determine eligibility to any specific program. Programs have varying application requirements. Individual programs may have higher GPA or additional eligibility requirements. Check the requirements of the program you are interested in before applying.
 

The UNH/PSU Study Away Eligibility criteria are:

• Be in good standing with UNH/PSU Community Standards at the time of application and throughout the study abroad or study away program.
  • A student who is on probation, regardless of the underlying violation, must successfully petition to participate. UNH students petition through the Academic Standards and Advising Committee (ASAC). PSU students petition through the Frost House Care Team.
  • A student who has had a violation in the past may still need to petition. Petition forms will be sent to the student after they have submitted their application in UNH-Via.
• Have the required minimum GPA and credits:
  • Faculty-led programs:
    • Have a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average at the time of application and at the time of departure. Students with a  cumulative GPA between 2.0 -2.5 may be considered on a case-by-case basis, after faculty review.
    • Earned at least 12 credit hours at UNH at the baccalaureate level at the time of application.
    • Will have earned at least 32 credit hours at the time of departure.
  • Partner and Exchange programs:
    • Have a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average at the time of application and at the time of departure.
    • Earned at least 12 credit hours at UNH/PSU at the baccalaureate level at the time of application.
    • Will have earned at least 32 credit hours at the time of departure.

Students who want to study abroad in their first year will need to successfully petition with the Academic Standards and Advising Committee. ASAC approval does not guarantee acceptance into an individual program, as the program may have higher eligibility requirements. 
 

Eligibility for Thompson School of Applied Science:

Students enrolled in the degree programs of the Thompson School of Applied Science (a division of COLSA) may participate in approved study abroad programs appropriate for two-year degree candidates. TSAS students must meet the following eligibility criteria at the time of application and throughout their time abroad:

• 32 credits earned at the time of departure. At least 12 of these credits must have been earned at UNH at the associate degree level.
• A minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average at the time of application and at the time of departure. Study abroad programs provided by UNH or other approved institutions may have higher minimum GPA requirements.
• Be in good standing with the UNH Student Conduct System (information online at http://www.unh.edu/ocm/).

TSAS transfer students into UNH must meet the transfer students’ eligibility criteria:

• Transfer students are not eligible to study abroad during the first semester of their baccalaureate program at UNH.
• Have a minimum of 2.5 cumulative grade point average at the time of application to and at the time of departure for the study abroad program. Study abroad programs provided by UNH or other approved institutions may have higher minimum GPA requirements.
• Be in good standing with the UNH Student Conduct System.
• Have earned at least 32 credit hours at the time of departure, at least 12 of which must have been earned at the University of New Hampshire fulfilling baccalaureate degree requirements at the time of application.

For example, TSAS students transferring to UNH starting in the fall, who want to study abroad the following spring semester, would need to have earned 12 credits at the 400 number or greater by the fall semester to meet this eligibility requirement. Students can take 400-level classes over the summer to fulfill this requirement.
 

UNH Student Rights, Rules, and Responsibilities

The UNH Student Rights, Rules and Responsibilities applies to students while studying abroad. By electing to participate in a UNH-Partner UNH Exchange or UNH Faculty-led program, students are obliged to uphold the expectations outlined in the UNH Student Rights, Rules and Responsibilities and to abide by the host institution rules and the laws governing the host country. More information is available in the Student Conduct & Study Abroad Programs: FAQs.
 

Study Abroad Eligibility Following or During a Leave of Absence

Students who take a leave of absence are prohibited from participating in a study away program during that time. In addition, they cannot study away during their first semester following said leave. Exceptions to this policy will be granted only for unusual circumstances by the Academic Standards and Advising Committee (UNH) or the Frost House (PSU), upon consultation with UNH Global, Health Services, and the Associate Dean of your UNH's college/equivalent at PSU. For more information contact the Associate Dean of your college or your Global Education Advisor.

• As of Fall 2025, only a course with a grade of C- (or its equivalent) or better will be accepted for transfer credit from another institution. No credit will be awarded for pass/fail courses.
• Credit will not be awarded for courses that review or repeat those taken at UNH/PSU or another institution per the University’s Repeated Course Rule.
• You may transfer credit from another institution that has a UNH-approved study abroad program. The grade received in transferred course work will appear on your official transcript, but will not affect the UNH or PSU grade point average.
• Credit will not be awarded for language study which is part of a study abroad orientation.
• A course taken for 3 semester hours at another institution will be worth 3 credits in transfer to UNH or PSU. Courses measured in quarter hours, term hours, or course units will be converted to semester hours to determine the UNH/PSU credit award. The conversion process may affect whether a course will meet UNH/PSU standards for General Education or major requirements. A course must be valued at least 3 semester hours to be used to satisfy general education, major, or minor credit and 2.5 semester credit hours to satisfy Discovery requirements.
• Any UNH or PSU student who is ineligible for participation in a UNH Faculty-led/UNH Exchange/UNH Partner study away program and who enrolls in a non-UNH study away program may not transfer credits earned in that program to his or her UNH or PSU degree.
• For UNH students, if a student is studying abroad for eight weeks or more, then the World Cultures Discovery is waived.

There is an administrative fee charged to all students who are registered for a UNH/PSU study abroad course. This fee maintains a student’s status as full time at UNH/PSU while taking courses abroad, ensures transfer of credits that can be applied towards UNH/PSU degree requirements, and if eligible allows for application of some financial aid. It also contributes to a broad range of services available to students before, during and after their program abroad. 

UNH/PSU TECHNOLOGY FEE (2024-2025): 

UNH: $114.00 per semester (approx. $54 in summer)

PSU: $301.50 per semester (approx. $200 in summer)

UNH/PSU STUDY ABROAD ADMINISTRATION FEE* (2024-2025):

Summer/J-term/Spring break/Maymester:  $100
Semester UNH Faculty-Led and Exchange Programs:  $200
Semester Partner Programs: $300

*Students who are continuing on the same study abroad program in the same location for a consecutive term will not be charged the Study Abroad Administrative Fee the second time.

**Students studying abroad during J-term/summer are charged a UNH $ 20 administrative fee.

UNH/PSU ELIGIBLE TRAVELERS' MEDICAL & SECURITY INSURANCE FEE (Applies only to students participating in UNH Faculty-led or UNH Exchange Programs):

Less than 2 weeks:  $35
Between 2 - 10 weeks: $70
Semester programs:  $150

FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS

• Research-related activities (not for credit): No fees
• Credit-bearing UNH/PSU coursework: International Travel Assistance and Insurance Fee applies.
• UNH Faculty-led or UNH Exchange Programs: UNH Eligible Travelers' Medical and Security Insurance and Study Abroad Administration fees apply.

If a student withdraws from a study abroad program, the UNH Study Abroad Administration fee will be reduced according to the UNH withdrawal schedule of tuition and mandatory fees found online at the UNH Business Services site. The UNH Eligible Travelers' Medical and Security Insurance Fee will not be refunded once the student has departed from the United States.

While abroad, students are only permitted to choose among the housing options offered through their program. Note: independent housing is not allowed, even if listed as an option by a partner. If the program only offers one housing option, then students may only select that one housing option.

Students living in on-campus housing prior to their semester abroad must petition to be released from their housing contract. In addition, if students plan to return to on-campus UNH Housing after their semester abroad they must fill out the appropriate paperwork. 

A student withdrawing from a UNH/PSU global education program for any reason (prior to or during their time abroad) must inform the UNH Education Abroad/Away Office in writing immediately. UNH/USNH policies will govern cancellation and refund of tuition and fees.

• Students on a UNH Partner program must work with their program provider/host institution on any program-related refunds. Their policies may be more restrictive than UNH. UNH/USNH policies will govern refunding mandatory fees.
• Students on a UNH Exchange program must work with their host institution and local vendors on refunding any program fees. Their policies may be more restrictive than UNH. UNH/USNH policies will govern refunding tuition and mandatory fees.
• Students on a UNH Faculty-led program are responsible for all program expenses incurred on their behalf. There will be no refund of program expenses already incurred, or amounts paid to UNH/USNH. Furthermore, students are bound by the cancellation and refund policies of the host institution/ organization (if applicable), which may be more restrictive than UNH.
• If a student/traveler withdraws from an Education Abroad program, including an Other International Experience (OIE), the UNH International Travel Assistance & Insurance fee will not be refunded once they have departed from their home country/country of residence for their international trip.