Overview of Study Abroad Enrollment Process
When students open an application for a study abroad program, their default application status is "Pending". During this time, students will need to complete the requirements listed in their USD Abroad application portal. After these preliminary requirements have been completed, they will be prompted by their study abroad advisor to initiate the study abroad enrollment process. There are three steps in the study abroad enrollment process (Step 1, Step 2, Step 3). Within each of these steps, students will be prompted to complete certain requirements. These steps including a description of the requirements within each step are detailed below:
Step 1: Activation Required
After students' pending applications have been reviewed by the study abroad advisors, they will be prompted to complete Step 1 of the enrollment process. In this first step, their application status will read, "Step 1: Activation Required". At this time, students will need to activate their application by clicking the “Yes, Agree” button in the “My Application” section of their online application. Doing so will signify that the student wishes to continue with the application process and will work on completing remaining application requirements. In order to move to Step 2 of the application process, students are required to complete this important step.
Step 2: Application Active/Review by USD & Partner Institution
After clicking "Yes, Agree" in the "My Application" section of their application, an application is activated but not yet complete. At this time, students must complete all requirements (material submissions, questionnaires) by the established deadline. Deadlines for completing all application requirements are listed on the Important Dates and Deadlines page. Failure to complete the application requirements by the deadline will result in the withdrawal of an application and may result in additional charges.
As part of Step 2 of the enrollment process, students will be required to provide information related to their wellness to verify that there are no contraindications to travel abroad. The Office of International Studies Abroad and/or Wellness Units at USD may request additional documentation related to students' readiness to travel from the student or from the student's health/mental health professional. This additional documentation must be submitted by the established due dates as listed on the Important Dates page.
Students should NOT purchase their flight while in Step 2 of the enrollment process. Once application statuses have been changed to "Step 3: Enrolled" students will receive flight information from their study abroad advisor. Should students decide to withdraw from the program after their application has been activated, they will be held to the Refund Policy.
***Semester Programs Only: The partner institution abroad runs a parallel process to review applications and your study abroad advisor will update your application status accordingly. When you are admitted by USD but have not yet been admitted by the partner institution, your status will read: “Step 2: Admitted by USD; Partner Admission Pending”.
Step 3: Program Enrollment
When students' application status reads: “Step 3: Enrolled” this confirms that they have met all eligibility requirements, completed all application materials, and have been admitted by the partner institutions (semester programs only). They are now confirmed to study abroad. Therefore, they can proceed to purchase flights. It is highly recommended that students purchase flight insurance to protect them in the event that they are not able to participate in the study abroad program (due to an emergency, if they become ineligible, etc.).
Description of Application Statuses
All official application statuses are listed at the top the students' application under “My Application.” Please note that there are different application statuses and students are responsible for understanding the implications of their status. Below is a description of the application statuses used by the Office of International Studies Abroad. Students should refer to this list to clarify their application status as indicated on their application and decision email (sent by their International Studies Abroad Advisor):
- Pending- Students have not yet been reviewed and/or application is incomplete.
- Application Complete- Under Review- Student has completed the preliminary application requirements and the application is being reviewed by the International Center
- Step 1: Activation Required- Students must activate their application by clicking on the "Yes, Agree" button under the "My Application" section of their application.
- Step 2: Application Active- Application is active and students are prompted to complete additional application requirements.
- Step 2: Admitted by USD; Partner Admittance Pending- Student has been admitted by USD, but has not yet been admitted by the partner institution. Because the student has not been admitted by both parties (USD and partner institution), the student is NOT ENROLLED and thus, participation in the program is not confirmed. Once notification of admittance is received from the partner institution, the status will be changed to “Enrolled” and participation in the program will be confirmed
- Step 3: Enrolled- Student is confirmed to participate in the program (by all study abroad parties).
Cancellation Policy
Students are able to cancel at any time during the enrollment process, however, there may be fees incurred based on the date of cancellation. For more information about the cancellation policy, see the
Policies tab.