Q: What is the housing like?

Prague, Czech Republic – Students make their own housing arrangements in Prague. The International Programs staff will assist in identifying possible housing options upon request.

Question 1

How do I apply? (IMPORTANT, PLEASE NOTE!)

BlueAtlas · Accepted Answer

Complete the application and pay the application fee online using the URL from the program brochure or website. Non-STCL Houston students should submit a Letter of Good Standing from their Registrar. We will verify good standing or request Letters of Good Standing for South Texas College of Law Houston students. If you plan to receive Financial Aid for the study abroad program, stop by the Financial Aid office first to schedule an appointment to speak to a counselor about your aid eligibility and requirements to receive aid.

Question 2

What exactly is good standing for purposes of studying abroad?

BlueAtlas · Accepted Answer

“A Letter of Good Standing will be issued only if a student has made satisfactory arrangements for settlement of his/her account and is not considered at Academic Risk. No student may become a visiting student at another ABA-approved law school at any time such student is on Probation or under Special Academic Supervision.” In addition to the academic status requirements, South Texas College of Law Houston students must also have completed at least 30 semester hours at the end of the semester immediately preceding enrollment in the study abroad program.

The minimum GPA requirement is 2.7 cumulative GPA and 30 STCL Houston semester credit hours.

Question 3

Will I need a passport or visa?

BlueAtlas · Accepted Answer

You will need a current, valid passport to travel abroad. A visa or residence permit may be required for full semester programs when the duration is longer than three months.

Question 4

What is the procedure for getting a passport?

BlueAtlas · Accepted Answer

Visit the website https://travel.state.gov/passport_services.html for complete details on obtaining a passport.

Question 5

Will I need to purchase international medical insurance?

BlueAtlas · Accepted Answer

Unless your existing medical insurance policy covers you while overseas, you will need to purchase a separate policy to cover medical emergencies, including coverage for medical evacuation or repatriation expenses should it become necessary. Several companies offer this type of insurance and it is relatively inexpensive.

Question 6

Will the grades transfer as pass/fail or letter grades?

BlueAtlas · Accepted Answer

In the South Texas College of Law Houston-sponsored summer programs, grades earned will transfer as letter grades and will be averaged in the student’s cumulative grade point average. Students not from South Texas College of Law Houston should check with their home schools for questions about grade transfer policies.

Question 7

What if I go to another law school’s study abroad program?

BlueAtlas · Accepted Answer

Students regularly enrolled at South Texas College of Law Houston may receive credit toward graduation by taking courses as a visiting student at another ABA-approved law school, or in a study abroad program, by obtaining advance written approval on a form available in the Registrar’s Office. The Registrar in conjunction with the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs must approve the student’s overall plan and each course to be taken prior to the student registering at the other law school. A Letter of Good Standing will be sent to the other law school only if a student has made satisfactory arrangements for settlement of his or her account and has a cumulative grade point average of 3.000. No student may become a visiting student at another ABA-approved law school at any time such student is on Probation or under Special Academic Supervision. See the Student Handbook for complete rules regarding visiting other schools for academic credit. If approved to visit another ABA-approved law school, all grades received as a visiting student or at a study abroad program not sponsored by South Texas College of Law Houston are recorded on a pass/fail basis and are not included in the student’s cumulative grade point average.

Question 8

Can I bring a family member or friend?

BlueAtlas · Accepted Answer

You should contact the program director to obtain advance permission to bring a family member or friend. Assuming there is sufficient housing available and that you cover the costs of that person’s meals and accommodation, it may be possible.

Question 9

What is the housing like?

BlueAtlas · Accepted Answer

Prague, Czech Republic – Students make their own housing arrangements in Prague. The International Programs staff will assist in identifying possible housing options upon request.

Question 10

What types of financial aid are available?

BlueAtlas · Accepted Answer

The Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1992 mandated that a student can receive financial aid for study abroad if the student is enrolled in a program approved by the home institution. Moreover, the student would be eligible to receive “grants, loans, or work assistance without regard to whether the study abroad program is required as a part of the student’s degree.”

Types of financial aid:

Federal Direct Student Loans
A student attending an approved study abroad program while enrolled at STCL Houston can borrow a Federal Direct Unsubsidized and/or Federal Direct Graduate PLUS loan. A student must complete the FAFSA and be enrolled at least half-time to be eligible.

STCL Houston Scholarships
Institutional Scholarships such as the Dean’s Merit are not available for study abroad.

National Scholarships
The National Security Education Program (NSEP) and the Fulbright Program funded by the Federal government have grants and fellowships for graduate students for study and research overseas. Students should be aware that government organizations in other countries such as the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offer funding opportunities.

Question 11

What is included in the financial aid budget? How do I apply?

BlueAtlas · Accepted Answer

Amounts are budgeted to cover tuition, fees, books, round-trip coach airfare, housing, personal and miscellaneous expenses. Apply directly through the financial aid office at your law school to determine aid eligibility and requirements.

Question 12

Will there be time for “extra” traveling? (i.e. weekend excursions) Will financial aid help cover that type of expense?

BlueAtlas · Accepted Answer

Most programs have one or more long weekends built into the program for travel. See each program’s calendar for specific dates available for weekend travel. Consult your financial aid counselor to see if aid for that type of expense is awarded.

Question 13

Should I purchase a BritRail or EuroRail pass? Is that included in financial aid?

BlueAtlas · Accepted Answer

If you plan to travel within the United Kingdom or Europe on long weekends or before or after the program, it could be a worthwhile investment. Consult your financial aid counselor to see if aid for that type of expense is awarded.

Question 14

How soon will I be notified of my acceptance?

BlueAtlas · Accepted Answer

Generally, you will be notified within two or three weeks of your application being submitted or after grades from the preceding semester are recorded (whichever is later). Some programs may wait until the application deadline has passed and process the applications in batch.

Question 15

Should I purchase my plane ticket now/soon?

BlueAtlas · Accepted Answer

Once the application deadline has passed and you have been notified of your acceptance into the program, you can begin making your travel arrangements. Early booking can often result in substantial savings. However, financial aid proceeds are not available sooner than 10 days prior to the start of the program, so you will need to pay for your tickets in advance and be reimbursed when financial aid proceeds arrive. We strongly recommend that you consider purchasing trip insurance for your airline tickets in the event that world wide events necessitate a change in your travel schedule.

Question 16

What if the program is canceled? Will I get a refund of tuition? Airfare? Housing?

BlueAtlas · Accepted Answer

If the State Department issues a Travel Advisory or Warning for an area where one of our programs is being held, students will have the opportunity to withdraw from the program and receive a full refund of tuition paid. We can not refund the cost of airfare, which is why trip insurance is recommended. Unused housing fees would also be refunded in this case. Likewise, if the program is canceled for any reason, students would receive a full tuition refund, but are responsible for any travel expenses incurred such as non-refundable airfare and housing deposits.

Question 17

Do we get our airfare as a group or individually?

BlueAtlas · Accepted Answer

You are responsible for purchasing your airline tickets for travel. If you arrange a group of 10 or more who want to travel together, you may find discounted tickets through a consolidator. Often these types of tickets are non-refundable, so again, look into trip insurance.

Question 18

How hard are the classes?

BlueAtlas · Accepted Answer

Only the professors and former students know for sure. However the courses are designed to be of academic rigor comparable to what you would experience in similar courses at your home school. Most programs require written examinations for each course.

Question 19

Is it possible to go to “part” of one program? (i.e., only take 2 credits when 4 is what the program requires/offers)

BlueAtlas · Accepted Answer

Most programs charge a flat tuition rate based on a set number of hours and you are required to take the courses as set forth in the program materials. Where the choice to enroll in less than the full amount of credits offered, there may be a significant impact on financial aid eligibility. You should contact the program director and your financial aid counselor if you want to take less than the required number of credits.

Question 20

What if I have to miss orientation or the first day of classes?

BlueAtlas · Accepted Answer

You need special permission from the program director to miss orientation. Attendance at all regularly scheduled classes is expected of each student. You may contact the program director to see if your request can be accommodated.

Question 21

If I attend a summer abroad program, will I be able to graduate early?

BlueAtlas · Accepted Answer

Due to ABA residency requirements, it is unlikely that participation in a foreign summer program may be used to accelerate graduation. Check with the Registrar’s office about your particular situation.

Law School Exams

Texas Bar Examination

Students & Alumni

Special Applicants

Business & Corporate Law

Faculty

Study Abroad

Bar Exam

South Texas Law Review

CURRENTS

You are now leaving STCL Houston