Education Abroad Policies
General Babson policies and handbooks that apply while abroad:
Eligibility
Students wishing to study abroad for a full summer, semester, or academic year must have a cumulative GPA of 2.50 at the time of application. Students studying abroad for a semester or academic year must have completed at least 3 semesters of coursework at Babson prior to departing (2 semesters for transfer students).
Course Fees Abroad
Some programs offer courses with additional fees. In general, academic courses with required additional fees offered during the host institution’s academic calendar are covered by the Babson tuition payment and will not be an additional cost to the student. Exceptions to this policy include, but are not limited to, all courses offered outside the host institution’s academic calendar (pre-term language courses, excursions, etc.), any nonacademic fees, lab/art supply fees and/or optional course add-ons. If you have questions on course fees, please contact your education abroad advisor.
Credit Approval and Grade Transfer
Please refer to the 2023-2024 Undergraduate Student Handbook (pdf) for information on credit approval and grade transfer for academic year, semester, or summer abroad. If you do not have your academic year, semester, and summer abroad courses pre-approved you may not receive Babson credit. Additionally, you must earn a grade of C or higher in order for the credits to transfer to Babson (a C- won’t be accepted), and only credit is transferred, not grades. Visit the Preparing to Go section for more information about academic planning and the credit approval process.
Under our home school tuition model, all students studying abroad for an academic year, semester, or summer abroad are billed Babson tuition for the term they are abroad. All other non-tuition costs (housing, meals, etc.) are paid by the student directly to the host program. Total cost of attendance varies by program.
Students may apply all financial aid, scholarships, and/or grants to their education abroad experience and should meet with their Financial Aid counselor to learn more. Note: Federal Work-Study cannot be applied during an education abroad program.
Estimated budgets to guide your personal spending and overall cost of the program can be found on the program specific page. Use this estimated budget as a guide, but also utilize your knowledge of your spending habits to make appropriate adjustments to this number. The financial aid office will make awards (or adjustments) based on this budget.
Student accommodations abroad vary from program to program. We have chosen the housing option for each program with intentionality to promote the best student experience possible. You may not vary from the housing option available to you on your program of choice.
During the application process, you are required to sign a Program Housing Agreement indicating that you understand your housing responsibilities. These responsibilities, as highlighted below, vary depending on your program:
Student Residence / Apartments / Dormitories
I understand that the academic year, semester, and summer abroad program/institution to which I am applying guarantees housing overseas for the duration of the program. I understand that it is my responsibility to apply for this housing by the published deadline. As a student on this program, I agree to live in the housing that is provided to me. I understand that independent housing is not an option for me on this program.
Host Family
I understand that the academic year, semester, and summer abroad program/institution to which I am applying requires that I live with a local host family for the duration of the program. I understand that this is an intentional part of the program design to facilitate a deeper cultural and language immersion experience. I understand that alternative housing options are not an option for me on this program.
Independent Housing
I understand that the academic year, semester, and summer abroad program/institution to which I am applying does not guarantee housing overseas. It is my responsibility to secure accommodations independently if and when my host program/institution does not have arranged-housing available.
Please note: While housing is not guaranteed, our partner programs and universities may provide resources and suggestions for your housing search. However, you are still responsible for finding, applying for, and securing your housing while abroad.
Once accepted, you will commit (confirm your participation) to your program through the academic year, semester, and summer abroad application portal on a specified date. Once you commit, the College will make arrangements to third parties and partner institutions and expend funds on your behalf. If you withdraw after the commitment deadline, you will be responsible for all nonrecoverable contractual financial obligations incurred by the College on your behalf.
In the case of a bona fide medical emergency that precludes participation in the program (as evidenced by a physician’s note), Babson will make reasonable efforts to recoup the program costs expended on your behalf. However, there is no guarantee that all or any of the program costs can be recouped or will be refunded. Babson shall not be liable if it is unable to recoup or refund program costs, in whole or in part, and Babson may deduct any expenses or fees it incurs in doing so.
In the event that Babson cancels the program before it commences or after it has started, refund of program costs (including airfare) is limited by nonrecoverable contractual obligations. There is no guarantee that all or any of the program costs can be recouped or will be refunded. Babson shall not be liable if it is unable to recoup or refund program costs, in whole or in part, and that Babson may deduct any expenses or fees it incurs in doing so.
If you need to withdraw from your academic year, semester, and summer abroad or semester away program you must provide written notification to the Glavin Office. Your cancellation is effective as of the date the written notification is received. The notification must include the reason for your withdrawal and confirmation that written notification was sent to the host partner/provider.