Unaffiliated Study Abroad Programs information for Cornell

You can study abroad on unaffiliated programs with no formal connection to Cornell College. You may be able to receive transfer credit for courses taken through unaffiliated programs.

Steps to take for unaffiliated programs

• Contact us to discuss program options and to set up your account in Via-TRM.
• Meet with Financial Assistance to apply for a consortium/contractual agreement and better understand how your financial aid is impacted.
• Meet with your academic advisor to complete your transfer of credit petition(s).
• Submit the Off-Campus Studies Program Petition to the Office of International & Off-Campus Studies at least 90 days prior to the start of your program.
• Through your Via-TRM account, complete or upload:
  • Course and Program Waiver Form
  • Off-Campus Course Policies Agreement of Understanding Form
  • Off-Campus Studies Health Form
  • Upload your passport information
  • Upload summer/semester program flight information

Make sure to submit your Off-Campus Studies Program petition and complete all forms well in advance of the sponsoring agency’s or host institution’s deadlines.

Impact on financial assistance

A consortium agreement allows you to be considered as an enrolled Cornell student while participating in the program. Through this, you may be entitled to your federal financial aid (Pell grant, federal loans, etc.) while participating in the program. However, your Cornell-funded scholarships and aid are not available to you while you are in an unaffiliated program.

Obtaining course credits

In order to receive credit for the courses taken on your program, you must:

• Submit a transfer credit petition for each course
• Earn a C- or above in each course
• Ensure that an official transcript is sent to the Registrar's Office directly from your program provider or institution.

Please note that if approved, your credit will transfer, but not the grade(s) you earned while off campus. Therefore, any coursework transferred from your program will not impact your Cornell cumulative GPA.