How to Apply for a Study Abroad Program

You looked up how to apply for a study abroad program, saw a wall of requirements, and closed the tab. Transcripts. Essays. Recommendation letters. Deadlines you already missed. It sounds like a second job on top of the one you already have.

Here is the truth. Applying is not the hard part, and for a lot of programs it is genuinely quick. A GLO application takes 12 to 15 minutes. No essay, transcript or professor to chase down for a letter.

What trips students up is not the paperwork. It is not knowing the order of the steps or what actually counts. So this post lays it out plainly. You get the real study abroad application process, the exact information you need, a few study abroad application tips, and a deadline breakdown that tells you when to hit submit. Let’s get you applied with confidence.

Before you apply: get clear on what you want

Before you touch an application, spend ten minutes getting clear on four things. It makes every step after this easier.

Program length. Do you want a short-term program of about two weeks, or a full semester away? These are very different commitments. A semester means new housing, a new class schedule, and months away from your job and campus life. A short-term, faculty-led program fits inside a break, so you keep your job, your lease, and your momentum. GLO (Global Learning Opportunities) runs short-term programs, which is why so many first-time study abroad students start here. If you are new to the format, here is faculty-led study abroad program.

Timing. GLO programs run during winter break, December through January, and over the summer, June through August. That means you travel when you are already off, not during a semester you have to unravel and rebuild. Look at your own calendar first. Which break actually works for you?

Destination. Pick a place that connects to what you are studying or where you want to work. GLO programs are built around structured company visits and real business exposure, so the destination is not just scenery. Tokyo, Milan, Reykjavik, and Cape Town each come with a different professional angle.

Credit. Decide early whether you need this to count toward your degree. Most students do, and most GLO programs are built to earn college credit abroad through a faculty leader from a partner university. We will come back to credit in the steps below, but know now that it is usually very doable.

Check your university’s process first

Here is the step most students skip, and it is the one that causes the most last-minute stress. Many universities require you to complete your own school’s study abroad application, usually through a university study abroad portal, in addition to the GLO application. Two applications, not one.

This is normal. It exists so your school can approve your credit, track you while you are abroad, and clear you through their own financial aid and risk offices. GLO works with hundreds of university partners, and many of them run this kind of dual process. Schools like UNCW, Murray State, NIU, and Ole Miss are examples where you may need to complete a separate application through your university’s study abroad office. One thing to watch: your university’s deadline can fall earlier than GLO’s, so start this early rather than assuming GLO’s date is the one that matters.

The fastest way to know your school’s specific process is to check the GLO university portal page. If your school is not listed, you likely only need the GLO application. And you do not have to attend a partner university to apply. Independent students are welcome, but if that is you, talk to your home institution about how credit will transfer before you commit.

What you’ll need to apply

The requirements depend entirely on the type of program. This is where the “study abroad is complicated” reputation comes from, because traditional semester applications really are involved. A GLO application is not. Here is the honest side-by-side, and it doubles as your study abroad documents checklist.

For a GLO application, you’ll provide:

• Basic personal and contact information
• Academic information (your school, major, and year)
• Passport information
• Your program selection

No essays, recommendation letters or transcripts. The application is short, and most students finish in about 12 to 15 minutes. A $500 enrollment deposit comes later, after you are accepted, not upfront, and it applies toward your total program cost.

For a traditional semester study abroad application elsewhere, expect to provide:

• A statement of purpose or personal essay
• Official transcripts
• A minimum GPA, often 2.5 to 3.0
• One or more faculty recommendation letters
• Proof of enrollment

That second list is why students assume applying is a months-long ordeal. For a full semester program, it can be. For a short-term, faculty-led GLO program, you are looking at about a quarter of an hour and a short list of information you can pull together in one sitting.

Step-by-step: how to apply for a study abroad program

Step 1: Choose your program and talk to an advisor. Pick your program and dates, then talk with GLO or your academic or study abroad advisor, especially if you want the program to count for university credit. Look at destination, academic focus, and which break it falls in. Lock this in first, because credit, cost, and scholarships all depend on the specific program you choose.

Step 2: Complete GLO’s online application. Go to application page and complete the GLO application, sometimes called Form #1. It is short. You will provide personal, academic, and passport information and select your program. There are no essays, transcripts, or recommendation letters. Most students finish in 12 to 15 minutes.

Step 3: Complete your university’s application if required. Many partner universities require a separate application through their own study abroad office. Check the GLO university portal page or ask your study abroad office directly. Start this early, because your university’s deadline may fall earlier than GLO’s and internal approvals take time.

Step 4: Wait for your admission decision. GLO reviews your application and sends an admission decision along with your next steps. Current turnaround is about 1 to 2 business days, so you usually will not wait long. Watch your email so you do not miss the deposit window that follows.

Step 5: Submit your $500 enrollment deposit. If you are accepted, submit a $500 enrollment deposit within 15 days to secure your place. This is not an extra fee. It applies toward your total program cost and is the step that officially holds your spot.

Step 6: Apply for scholarships and set up payments. Apply for GLO scholarships to lower your cost, and set up a payment plan if you want to spread out the balance. Interest-free payment plans may be available when you enroll early. Winter scholarship applications are due October 15 and summer applications are due February 15. See GLO scholarships page for current opportunities.

Step 7: Pay your remaining balance by the deadline. Pay the rest of your program balance by your program’s final payment deadline. For a full breakdown of what programs cost, see how much does study abroad cost. Applying early gives you the most time to use a payment plan, pursue financial aid, and stack scholarships.

Step 8: Complete your pre-departure requirements. After you enroll, you will finish the remaining steps: passport and travel documents, medical and dietary information, emergency contacts, and flights. GLO sends you everything you need and stays in contact through departure.

When should you apply? Application deadlines

GLO’s deadlines vary by program, so check the one you want. Here are the standard dates.

Program	Application deadline	Enrollment deposit	Final balance due
Winter open-programs (Dec–Jan)	November 1	$500, within 15 days of acceptance	November 15
Summer Europe	March 15	$500, within 15 days of acceptance	March 15
Summer Japan	March 15	$500, within 15 days of acceptance	March 15
Summer Iceland	May 1	$500, within 15 days of acceptance	May 15

A few things to keep in mind:

• Your home university may set an earlier application, commitment, or payment deadline than GLO. Always check theirs too.
• GLO accepts applications on a rolling basis, but early applicants get better program placement and scholarship priority. If you know which break you want, there is no advantage to waiting.
• Applications submitted after a deadline may still be considered if space and travel arrangements are available. If GLO grants an extended deadline, the full program fee, plus airfare when applicable, is typically due right away.
• Scholarship deadlines are October 15 for winter and February 15 for summer.

Good to know before you commit

A few logistics that are easy to miss, especially if a parent is helping you research:

• The standard withdrawal deadline is 60 days before your program’s departure date. After that point, program payments are nonrefundable.
• Start your passport early. GLO recommends having at least six months of passport validity for international travel, and processing can take several weeks.
• Applying early gives you more time to use a payment plan, pursue financial aid, and apply for GLO or university scholarships.

Common questions about applying for study abroad

How do I apply for a study abroad program step by step?

Choose your program and talk to your academic advisor about credit. Complete GLO’s online application, then finish any separate application your university requires. GLO reviews it and sends an admission decision, usually within 1 to 2 business days. If you are accepted, submit a $500 enrollment deposit within 15 days, apply for scholarships, and complete your pre-departure steps.

What do you need to apply for study abroad?

For a GLO program, you provide basic personal, academic, and passport information and select your program. There are no essays, transcripts, or recommendation letters. A $500 enrollment deposit is due after you are accepted, not upfront, and it applies toward your program cost. Traditional semester programs usually require essays, transcripts, a minimum GPA, and faculty recommendation letters.

How long does a study abroad application take?

A GLO application takes about 12 to 15 minutes, because it requires no essays, transcripts, or recommendation letters. You provide personal, academic, and passport information and select your program. GLO typically returns an admission decision within 1 to 2 business days. Traditional semester applications take much longer, often weeks, because they require essays, official documents, and faculty letters.

When should I apply for study abroad?

Deadlines depend on the program. Winter open-programs close November 1, Summer Europe and Summer Japan close March 15, and Summer Iceland closes May 1. GLO accepts rolling applications, but early applicants get better program placement and scholarship priority. Scholarship deadlines are October 15 for winter and February 15 for summer, so apply before those dates to stay eligible.

Can I apply with a low GPA?

Yes. GLO’s short-term, faculty-led programs do not require a minimum GPA or transcripts to apply, so a low GPA does not disqualify you. This is a key difference from many traditional semester programs, which often set a GPA cutoff of 2.5 to 3.0. If your GPA has held you back before, a short-term program is an accessible way to study abroad.

How do I get college credit for a study abroad program?

Talk to your academic advisor before you apply to confirm how the credit applies to your degree. Most GLO programs are faculty-led and carry academic credit through a partner university. You do not have to attend a partner school to join, but if you are an independent student, confirm with your home institution how the credit will transfer before you commit.

Ready to apply?

You now know the whole process. The information you need, the steps, the deadlines, and where students usually get stuck. None of it is as complicated as it looked when you first searched for it.

GLO’s application takes 12 minutes. The harder part is deciding you are ready, and if you have read this far, you probably are. Pick your program, check your dates, and get your spot before the good ones fill.