Frequently Asked Questions

  1. FAQ & Resources
  2. Frequently Asked Questions

The timing of Financial Aid for global experiences will be based on the Pitt academic calendar and the semesters that you are enrolled in and receiving credits for. It is possible that the aid you are receiving may disburse to PittPay prior to your Study Abroad program starting. The aid can still be used for the program costs.

 

Yes. The financial aid will pay the charges listed on PittPay and any global experience fees first (if it has not been paid out of pocket prior to the aid being disbursed). Pitt Recognized programs only post the global experiences fee. After the financial aid is disbursed, if you receive a refund, you may use it to pay any additional expenses associated with your global experience. Remember that the timing of when you receive your refund will be no sooner than 10 days prior to the start of the semester. It is likely you will be booking your travel and housing arrangements prior to receiving your refund, so be prepared to pay for these expenses in another way, and then receive your refund later.

 

Office of Veterans Services

University of Pittsburgh

Wesley W. Posvar Hall (Rm 1444)

230 South Bouquet St.

Pittsburgh, PA 15260

veterans@pitt.edu

 

  • Financial Aid will be disbursed through PittPay just like a standard, on-campus semester. In order for financial aid to disburse, you must be enrolled in credits and meeting the requirements for each individual award you wish to use.
  • For Panther Programs, you will be billed for all charges on PittPay. Your financial aid will disburse and pay towards those charges. If your financial aid exceeds what you owe the University, the overpayment will be refunded to you via PittPay eRefunds.
  • For Pitt Recognized Programs, you will be billed for all charges by your third party program provider. Once you are enrolled for credits, you will be billed on PittPay for a Global Experience fee. Your financial aid will disburse and pay off this fee first. Any additional aid that exceeds what you owe Pitt will be refunded to you via PittPay eRefunds. You should use this refund to pay your program provider.
  • We encourage all students to enroll a bank account number through PittPay eRefunds so that your refund can be deposited directly into your bank account. If you do not register a bank account on PittPay, a check will be mailed to your address of record. Especially while traveling around the world, a mailed check will significantly delay your ability to access your refund.

 

  • To use your university awarded merit scholarship, you must be enrolled full time (12 or more credits for an undergraduate), meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress, and have term of usage remaining. You may receive a scholarship for a maximum of 8 terms and the Study Abroad usage will count towards the 8 terms.
  • Other scholarships may be usable on study abroad but could vary by the department that awarded you the scholarship. We recommend contacting the area that notified you of the award to verify your eligibility for specific scholarships.
  • Scholarships awarded by the Global Experience Office for the purpose of study abroad can be used during your program.

 

International students may be eligible to apply for private loans or scholarships on PittFund$Me that are open to all students. However, international students that are not eligible to complete the FAFSA cannot be considered for federal financial aid.

 

Yes.  See our Scholarships page for a list of available scholarships and applications. Keep in mind that scholarships for global experiences are competitive and will not cover the entire cost of the program.  You should make alternate plans for paying for your program in case you are not awarded a scholarship. 

 

We’ve all been a "first time traveler," so we’ve put together a guide to help you get ready for your first trip abroad.  From airports and baggage to money and cell phones, find everything you need to know in the link below.  If you would like to attend a live presentation, sign up below. Still have questions?  Get in touch with your program manager or advisor.

Packing for a global experience program can be daunting.  Check out our First Time Traveler’s page for more information. 

Your program manager, host university, or program provider will give you specific information on booking flights after you have been accepted to the program.  You should not book flights before then.

It is your responsibility to determine what vaccines you may or may not need based on where you will be studying and traveling.  Keep in mind that some countries may even require proof of vaccination before allowing entry or issuing visas.  Most of our providers require full vaccination of the Covid-19 vaccine, medical exemptions may not carry over to other countries.
The Global Experience Office cannot give you advice on vaccines, so you must check with the Centers for Disease Control, Allegheny County Health Department (or your home county’s health department), or your family doctor.

You should speak with your doctor or health care provider and insurance company as soon as possible.  Given that many medications available in the U.S. are not available overseas or only available in different dosages, you should plan on taking a sufficient medication supply to last you the entire duration of your program.

The US Department of State maintains a comprehensive list of travel alerts and warnings for American citizens overseas.  The Global Experiences Office has different policies for undergraduates, graduate students, staff, and faculty traveling to countries with active travel warnings. Email us at globalexperiences@pitt.edu for more information.

As a Pitt student participating in a global experience, you are required to maintain international health insurance, which must include: Health, accident, and hospitalization coverage Medical evacuation coverage Repatriation of remains coverage Students who are participating on approved programs and who follow Pitt Global Experience procedures are covered under the University's International SOS Policy.  For more information, contact globalexperiences@pitt.edu.

It is your responsibility to determine what vaccines you may or may not need based on where you will be studying and traveling.  Keep in mind that some countries may even require proof of vaccination before allowing entry or issuing visas.  Most of our providers require full vaccination of the Covid-19 vaccine, medical exemptions may not carry over to other countries.
The Global Experience Office cannot give you advice on vaccines, so you must check with the Centers for Disease Control, Allegheny County Health Department (or your home county’s health department), or your family doctor.

Yes.  Remember that personal travel must not conflict with classes, internships, and mandatory excursions.  Travel or travel-related delays are never an acceptable reason for missing part of your program.

The US Department of State maintains a comprehensive list of travel alerts and warnings for American citizens overseas.  The Global Experiences Office has different policies for undergraduates, graduate students, staff, and faculty traveling to countries with active travel warnings. Email us at globalexperiences@pitt.edu for more information.

Your program manager, host university, or program provider will give you specific information on booking flights after you have been accepted to the program.  You should not book flights before then.

If you are planning on living in on-campus housing, you should speak with Panther Central at 412-648-1100 or check the website for more information at https://www.pc.pitt.edu/housing-services. If you are planning on living off-campus, you can either sign a lease before you leave or find a sublet.  The Office of Off-Campus Living (www.ocl.pitt.edu) maintains a list of available sublets in and around Oakland.