Study Abroad Checklist

The first step to studying abroad is making sure you have a valid passport. It must be valid for at least six (6) months after your program ends. 

WWU's Testing Center is an approved Department of State Passport Acceptance Facility. It's a great resource if you would like help filling out your passport application or need a passport photo. Check out their website to get started and schedule an appointment.

1. Log in to the WWU Education Abroad Portal using your WWU credentials. Click the green Go to Portal Button. Sign in with your WWU email and password to activate your account.
2. Take the automatic Program Match Quiz in the Portal. This may help spark your curiosity to learn more about potential study abroad programs or destinations you had not considered.
3. Optional: update your profile information. Click My Profile and edit the information you wish. Note: our information is integrated with the university database and takes time to populate. If you would like to update your pronouns or your preferred name in the EdAbroad Portal, click Personal Information.

We have designed a non-credit step-by-step Canvas course with short video tutorials that will help you at every step along the way!! 

Use the resources on our Start Your Study Abroad Journey page to learn how to search for programs, compare options, and identify opportunities that fit your academic, personal, and financial goals. The page also includes important information about our non-credit Canvas course and drop-in advising.

1. Log in to the WWU Education Abroad Portal using your WWU credentials. Click the green Go to Portal Button. Sign in with your WWU email and password to activate your account.
2. Click Explore Programs in the main navigation.
3. Use the search bar or the filters to narrow down your search based on your desired criteria.
4. Click on a specific program to view the program brochure.
5. If you love a program or want to come back to it easily, click the heart icon at the top of the program brochure or on the program tile to save favorite programs for easy filtering later.

Study abroad can be more affordable than you think. We've identified some of the most cost-effective programs available to WWU students, and in some locations, studying abroad may cost the same as or less than staying on campus.

• Planning to go abroad during the academic year? Explore our Pay In-State or Less guide to find programs that cost no more than studying at WWU. This applies to all students, including out-of-state and international students.
• Looking for a summer option? Our Cost-Effective Summer Programs guide highlights some of the most affordable summer study abroad opportunities.

There is a lot to consider when deciding the best study abroad program for you. Everyone has unique academic goals, budgets, and dreams. Our Major Advising Pages (MAPS) are an excellent resource if you're curious about programs that have coursework for your major or minor.

Looking for inspiration? Share your interests, goals, and budget, and receive personalized study abroad recommendations selected just for you from one of our advisors.

Have questions? We're here to help you compare program options, stay on track academically, and navigate the study abroad process. Attend drop-in advising as often as you'd like.

Understanding your budget and how it can be applied can help you save money + work towards degree completion while studying abroad!

You can use our printable Budgeting for Study Abroad Worksheet to review your individual Cost of Attendance at WWU and your Financial Aid Award overview to help you see your budget, financial aid award, and start comparing costs of programs.

1. You can access your Cost of Attendance at WWU and review your Financial Aid Award by logging into your Web4U - Financial Aid - Aid by Year - Award Overview
2. Determine how much you receive in Scholarships & Financial Aid Support
3. Multiply your Financial Support by how many quarters you plan to be abroad
4. Compare budgets for your proposed program options and determine the best financial fit for you!

Most students can apply federal and state grants, loans, and many scholarships toward approved study abroad programs. Funding rules vary by aid type and program, so it's important to review the details before you apply.

Learn more on our Financial Aid for Study Abroad page.

Last year, 1 in 3 students studying abroad received a scholarship to help fund their experience. Explore our Study Abroad Scholarships page to find opportunities that match your program and eligibility.

Using a Pell Grant? Be sure to apply for additional funding opportunities, including the Gilman Scholarship. Pell Grant recipients are eligible to apply, and awards of up to $5,000 can help make study abroad even more affordable.

Review your Degree Works audit in Web4U to identify remaining degree requirements and areas of flexibility. Understanding your academic progress will help you identify study abroad programs and courses that fit your academic goals and keep you on track toward graduation.

• Note courses, requirements, or GURs you still need to complete.
• Use the "What If" feature to explore different majors or academic pathways.
• Meet with your academic advisor if you have questions about degree planning.

Need help? Watch this Degree Works video tutorial to learn how to use the tool.

Once you've reviewed your Degree Works, use the Academic Planning for Study Abroad Worksheet to identify courses, requirements, and academic goals you hope to fulfill while abroad. This will make it easier to find programs and course options that fit your degree plan.

Need help? Join one of our weekly Drop-In Advising sessions to review your worksheet and discuss program options with an advisor.

Once you've identified a program and reviewed potential courses, meet with your academic advisor in person or by email to discuss how those courses fit into your degree plan. Only your academic advisor or academic department can determine whether courses taken abroad may fulfill major or minor requirements.

• Share the courses you're considering and discuss how they align with your remaining degree requirements.
• Ask about major, minor, elective, or GUR credit possibilities.
• Document the guidance you receive before departure. You can do this by saving email correspondence or completing the Departmental Academic Advising Form to ensure you understand how credits may transfer back to WWU.

Not sure who your academic advisor is? If you've declared your major, your assigned advisor is listed in Degree Works within Web4U.

Not yet declared? Contact the department for your intended major or minor through the WWU Majors & Programs Directory. A department advisor can help you explore course options or connect you with the appropriate faculty member.

For non-major/minor requirements and elective credit, you generally have more flexibility and may not need departmental approval. If you're hoping to fulfill General University Requirements (GURs) through study abroad, contact the WWU Degree Evaluators at degreeeval@wwu.edu.

When you email, include up to five courses along with:

• The course title
• The course description
• The GUR category you believe the course may fulfill (ACOM/BCOM, HUM, SS, SCI, LabSci, ACGM, BCGM, or QSR)

Review your top program options and consider how each aligns with your academic goals, budget, location preferences, and personal interests. Remember, there is rarely one "perfect" program. Focus on choosing the option that best fits your priorities.

Need help comparing your options?

• Attend our weekly Drop-In Advising sessions.
• Meet one-on-one with a Study Abroad Advisor or Peer Advisor.

Once you have selected your program, you're ready to apply! Please submit only one application for your top choice. If you plan to do more than one program, please let us know, and we can guide you on the next steps.

The EdAbroad application has four phases. It's important to pay attention to your WWU email for instructions to update you on your application and next steps. You will receive an email with detailed instructions for each phase of the application process.

• Phase 1: Am I Eligible to study abroad?  
  • Complete and submit your application. This determines your eligibility to study abroad but does not guarantee your acceptance.
• Phase 2: I am Conditionally Approved and ready to plan my experience!
  • If you meet WWU EdAbroad eligibility requirements to study abroad, your application status will be updated to Conditionally Approved.
• Phase 3: I am Accepted
  • To be Accepted, you must log back into the WWU EdAbroad portal and complete all additional requirements. You can find all the required forms that are a part of your application in your Via Traveler Dashboard in the 'My Programs' tab.
• Phase 4: I am Committed
  • Time to submit my budget, flight information, registration, and attend Pre-Departure Orientations.

To start your WWU application for your chosen program:

1. Click Apply in the upper right corner of the program brochure in the WWU EdAbroad Portal to start an application. 
2. Read the instructions and eligibility information. Please note that every program has different eligibility requirements; make sure you check your host institution's eligibility requirements, in addition to WWU.
3. Fill out your application and when it's complete, click Submit. 
4. The EdAbroad office will review your application and move it to Conditionally Approved status for you to complete additional requirements, depending on your chosen program. 

If you need help, please stop by the Education Abroad office in Miller Hall 208, reach out to us with questions, or make an appointment with one of our Peer Advisors.