International Students

International Students Studying Away in Fall 2023-Spring 2024

All international students are eligible to study away at Macalester. Macalester financial aid can be applied to study away costs for international students (i.e., nonimmigrant visa [F­1 and J­1] and asylee status students) only in the following circumstances:

• Study away is required for a formally declared major or minor* (Studying at Macalester fulfills the study away requirement for international students majoring in International Studies. Consequently, international students may not apply financial aid to study away for that major.); or
• The student has been approved to study in any Group A program (note: not all qualified students may be approved for exchange programs because of exchange balance requirements).

* Majors at Macalester that require study away for international students are: Anthropology, Asian Studies, Chinese, Classical Mediterranean and Middle East, French and Francophone Studies, German Studies, Spanish, Japanese, Latin American Studies, and Russian Studies.

International Students Studying Away in Fall 2024-Spring 2025

With approval of the Senior Leadership Team, the College has decided to update its policy regarding how international students can use their financial aid to participate in study away programs. Starting with those who study away in the Fall of 2024 and the Spring of 2025 (i.e. students participating in the study away advising and application process during the Fall of 2023), international students will be able to use their financial aid towards any Macalester-approved study away program.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

I am an international student already approved to study away in Fall 2023 or Spring 2024. Can I change to a program outside of Group A and use my financial aid?

No. This change in policy starts with students who are studying away in Fall 2024, Spring 2025, or beyond. You can choose to defer your study away approval to Fall 2024 or Spring 2025 in order to use financial aid for any Macalester-approved study away program. If you are considering this option, please speak first with your study away advisor and then complete the relevant forms on the CSA Change of Plans website.

Does this change in policy mean that as an international student, I can automatically study away and use my financial aid for any program on the Study Away Approved Programs list? 

No, this is not an automatic approval to study away. You still have to complete the study away advising and application process in Fall 2023, and be approved by Macalester to study away in Fall 2024, Spring 2025, or beyond. All study away application policies still apply, such as additional essays and rationale for Limited Enrollment programs or non-approved programs. You can learn more about these policies at the “First Steps to Study Away” Info Sessions each Fall semester.

As an international student, can I use my financial aid for a program that is not on the Macalester Study Away Approved Programs list starting in Fall 2024 or Spring 2025?

Yes, if you get Macalester approval to participate in a non-approved study away program. You can do this by attending the “First Steps to Study Away” Info Sessions offered each Fall semester to study away in the next academic year, completing the study away advising and application process, and submitting your application in December. NOTE that not all requests for non-approved programs are granted and you will be required to choose an alternate program from the approved list.

As an international student, can I use my financial aid for a limited enrollment program on the Macalester Study Away Approved Programs list starting in Fall 2024 or Spring 2025?

Yes, if you get Macalester approval to participate in a Limited Enrollment program. You can do this by attending the “First Steps to Study Away” Info Sessions offered each Fall semester to study away in the next academic year, completing the study away advising and application process, and submitting your application. NOTE that not all requests for Limited Enrollment programs are granted and you will be required to choose an alternate program when applying.

How do I get more information about how my specific financial aid package will apply to my study away program if I plan to study away in Fall 2024, Spring 2025, or beyond?

You should wait until Fall 2023 to attend the “First Steps to Study Away” Info Sessions that will be available, and then meet with an advisor in the Center for Study Away. After narrowing down your program options, the Financial Aid Office can answer questions about how your specific financial aid package will be applied to the study away programs you are interested in. You can find the answers to frequently asked questions about financial aid and study away on the Financial Aid Office website.

Who do I talk to if I have more questions about study away?

You can contact the Center for Study Away by going to Markim Hall second floor, emailing [email protected], or calling 651-696-6300.

Scholarships

Many scholarships are available specifically for study away experiences, and all Macalester students are encouraged to apply for scholarship funds. International students may be eligible for merit scholarships from the program provider or other external sources. Planning ahead is key, as the deadlines for some scholarships are before students need to apply for their programs.

Permanent Residents and Dual Citizens

Students who have permanent residence status or dual U.S. and other citizenship are eligible for Macalester financial aid when studying away.