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Frequently Asked Questions

Application

When should I apply?

Study Australia has a rolling admissions process which means applications can be submitted anytime. We encourage early application to secure your place in our program and to increase your chances of obtaining your first-choice host institution. If the application deadline has passed for the program you are interested in, please call 800.585.9658 for further information.

Is there an application fee?

A $30 fee is required for all applications (unless there are other arrangements with your home university). Payment may be made via check, money order or credit card. Checks and money orders should be made payable to The Education Abroad Network and mailed to our U.S. office. Credit-card payments may be submitted on our web site, through the Virtual Application Manager or via phone.

What if I do not meet the minimum GPA requirements for my preferred host institution selection?

We encourage you to apply even if your current GPA is slightly lower than the stated requirements. Exceptions are possible for some universities and other considerations (academic references, grade trends, GPA within major, extenuating circumstances, etc.) are taken into account when reviewing your application.

If your GPA is lower than the stated requirement, please submit the Supplemental GPA Statement (under the Supplemental Information section of the VAM) and indicate any significant reasons for your current GPA.

If I apply via the Virtual Application Manager (VAM), when do I send my transcripts, written statement and academic recommendations?

Your official transcripts should be mailed to our U.S. office immediately after submitting your application on-line in order to keep your application moving through the process.

Your written statement can be completed on your Virtual Application Manager, so there is no need to mail it.

Academic reference forms may be emailed to your references using your Virtual Application Manager, so there is no need to mail them.

Whom should I ask to complete my academic recommendations?

We require all academic recommendations to be completed by an academic advisor, professor or teaching assistant at your current institution. Ideally the recommendation should be from a faculty member in an area you plan to study overseas.

If you do not know a faculty member on a personal level, please take the time to meet with one and explain your situation. Most educators will be more than willing to help.

When will I find out if I am accepted into the program?

You should be notified of acceptance within one to two business days for on-line applications and one to two weeks for mailed applications. Acceptance is not final until all components of the application are received by our U.S. office and reconciled with your application (e.g., GPA on transcripts matches GPA on application).

In some instances applications will need to be forwarded to the host institution for review and the official acceptance can take a bit longer. This may apply if you do not meet the host institution’s GPA requirements, if you are a freshman or recent high school graduate or if you attend a community college.

How do I apply for an internship?

To apply for our "internship only" program, you must download the internship application from our web site. If you plan to participate in an internship in conjunction with a semester or year abroad, you will need to complete both the program and internship applications. 

Does Study Australia accept financial aid?

We accept any financial aid your home university is willing to transfer. Generally, students can transfer federal financial aid, such as Pell Grants and Stafford Loans. Please check with your home university’s financial aid office to determine if your aid will transfer.

Academics

Click here for an explanation of course structure and assessment in Australia and New Zealand.

How many classes will I take while studying abroad?

In order to qualify for a student visa you must enroll as a full-time student. Generally, full-time status in Australia and New Zealand requires students to take 3-4 classes per semester. Please keep in mind that you must also maintain your full-time student status at your US university. If you drop below full-time student status, this will affect your financial aid eligibility.

Can I take any of the courses offered at my host university in Australia and New Zealand?

As a Study Australia participant you will have the opportunity to study most undergraduate courses open to local Australian or New Zealand students. Some highly specialized courses, such as dentistry, law, veterinary science, and medical based subjects, may be off limits to study abroad students. Study abroad students are not allowed to take graduate-level courses (400/4000 and above).

Study abroad students take a combination of 100/1000, 200/2000, and 300/3000 level courses. Australians and New Zealanders take US freshman level courses during their senior year of high school and begin college at the US sophomore level. This means that Australians and New Zealanders earn their Bachelors degree in 3 years, course levels do not correspond to the same course level in the US. For example a US sophomore level course is equivalent to a 100/1000 level course in Australia and New Zealand. Senior level courses in the US are 300/3000 level in Australia and New Zealand. Graduate courses in Australia and New Zealand begin at the 400/4000 level and are not available to study abroad students.

When will I receive my transcripts for my study abroad term?

You will be issued a transcript from your host university. It typically takes 6 – 8 weeks for your overseas university to post grades and issue transcripts. Transcripts are sent to the Study Australia US office and are then forwarded to the address of your US university as provided in your Virtual Application. An unofficial copy of your transcript will be sent to your home address.

Passport and Student Visa

Do I need a passport to study abroad?

You need to have a valid passport for the duration of your study abroad term. You can apply for or renew your passport at your local U.S. Post Office or visit http://www.usps.com/passport. The total cost for your passport will be approximately $95.00 and it will take approximately 5-6 weeks to receive your passport. Study Australia requires that you supply a copy of the first page of your passport so that we can register you with the US Embassy in your host country.

Do I need a visa to study abroad?

You will need a student visa to study abroad in Australia and New Zealand. Study Australia will provide application instructions and the required documents from your host university to complete your student visa application.

Australia has an online application that you will complete no more than 120 days before the first day of courses. You cannot apply for your Australian student visa until you receive a Confirmation of Enrolment number (COE) from your host university. It typically takes 3 – 5 business days to receive your electronic student visa.

New Zealand has a paper application process. Study Australia will provide you with application documents and instructions. You must mail your application and passport by courier to the New Zealand Embassy or consulate closest to you. It typically takes 10 business days to process the New Zealand student visa application.

Money Matters

Click here for questions about financial aid and scholarships.

Click here for questions regarding program fees and inclusions.

When are my program fees due?

A $500 program deposit is due one month after the receipt of your application documents. This deposit will be used towards your total program fees. Your final program fees are due one month before you depart for Australia/New Zealand. Due to the complexity of the financial aid process we do offer flexibility.

How much money should I bring?

Students should budget approximately the same as they would for a semester at their current U.S. institution. General day-to-day living expenses in Australia/New Zealand are comparable to the US, but students tend to spend more on weekend travel and entertainment when abroad.

Should I open my own bank account while in Australia/New Zealand?

We recommend that you open your own bank account in Australia/New Zealand. To do this you will need to bring your passport and some other form of photo identification. If you plan on working while abroad most employers will direct deposit wages, therefore an Australian/New Zealand bank account is a must. There is no need to open a checking account abroad, but having an Australian/New Zealand ATM card will insure that you can access money from anywhere in Australia/New Zealand without worrying if your US issued ATM card will work. Our recommendation is to devote 15 minutes and open an Australian/New Zealand bank account (get a free ATM card) with at least AUD$100 of emergency cash or use it as your primary source of cash. Don’t forget to withdraw the funds at the end of the semester.

Will my credit card/ATM card work in Australia/New Zealand?

Major credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard are most commonly accepted in Australia/New Zealand. You should inform your bank and credit card companies that you will be abroad so that they do not freeze your account because of overseas spending. Please keep in mind that there must be someone readily available to pay your credit card bill or your finance charges will quickly add up. Your credit card must be in your name as shown on your passport. Please check with your bank to insure their PIN number and ATM card will work abroad. Check to see if your home bank will assess fees for foreign withdrawals and currency conversions.

Can I work while studying abroad in Australia/New Zealand?

Students can work up to 20 hours per week in Australia (40 hours per week during semester breaks) on a student visa, but employment should not be relied upon to finance a semester abroad due to the uncertainty of finding paid work. However, part-time employment can be quite rewarding for some students. Because our staff has lived, studied, and worked in Australia, we can give students special insights and connections into possible work opportunities. However, it is virtually impossible to arrange employment before your arrival in Australia due to employer hiring requirements (interviews, etc). Students can expect to earn about USD$10-$14 per hour in Australia.

Study abroad students are not allowed to work in New Zealand. There are programs that allow students to swap work for accommodation at hostels or on farms.

Is the tuition paid for this program eligible for tax deduction and will you issue an IRS Form 1098-T?

According to the IRS, only tuition paid to a US institution is tax deductible on a US tax return. Because of this, Study Australia and The Education Abroad Network can not issue IRS form 1098T. But, if you are direct billed by your home university for this program then your tuition may be tax deductible. Please consult your tax professional for any tax advice. Also, please note that generally only the first $4,000 of tuition paid is eligible for tax deduction. Therefore, most parents can claim the maximum deduction when the student is enrolled in the US, assuming they only study abroad for one semester and their home university tuition is at least $4,000per semester.

Miscellaneous

For questions regarding trips and excursions and orientation programs, please see Group Flights, Trips and Excursions.

Should I bring my laptop with me?

You may bring your laptop, but you will need to make sure that the transformer will work with 240 volts because electricity in Australia is 220-240 volts. Most laptops adjust automatically, but you’ll need to make sure that yours does. Be sure to make a record of the serial number of your laptop and keep it in a safe place. Every university provides computer labs for student use so it is not absolutely necessary to bring a laptop.

What documentation should I bring overseas?

Make copies of important documents. Bring one set with you, store the others in various places in case your luggage or wallet is lost or stolen, and leave one copy at home. This includes your student visa, passport, driver’s license, credit/bank cards, airline tickets, travel insurance info, etc. Bring an updated official copy of your academic transcript.

Does Study Australia offer a meal plan?

Most Study Australia housing is off campus apartments that are fully furnished and offer kitchen facilities. Included in the housing are cooking supplies such as pots and pans, dinnerware, and utensils, which all students to prepare their own meals. This option is decidedly less expensive than a university-provided meal plan.

Students living in university-managed accommodation may be able to participate in a meal plan if offered by their host university. If you select accommodation with a mandatory meal plan, the cost of the meal plan is not included in Study Australia’s program fee and will be billed separately.

How much luggage can I bring with me?

Once you have booked your flights to your host country, you must check the luggage requirements and restrictions for all airlines that you will be flying. Your luggage is subject to the size and weight restrictions for each flight. You are responsible for any excess or overweight baggage fees. You can usually have luggage weighed at the post office ahead of time so that you can make adjustments.

Study Australia suggests that you pack one smaller bag for orientation and one larger bag for the semester that you can put in storage for the duration of the orientation program. You should pack all prescription medications and a change of clothes in a carry-on bag so that you will have it in case your luggage is lost or delayed.

When will I receive my housing assignment?

Housing assignments are typically sent to students by email 2-4 weeks before departure from the US. 

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