We continue to monitor how the pandemic is evolving on a global scale. If you are planning for study abroad, we also recommend you have a back-up plan in case your plans get derailed. To find the most up to date information regarding the University of Maine System’s policy on study abroad, click here
Upcoming application deadlines
| Deadline | Term |
| Mar. 6, 2026 | Applications due for Summer and Fall 2026 |
| Oct. 2, 2026 | Applications due for Winter and Spring 2027 |
| Sept. 18, 2026 | Deadline for Italy & Greece: Winter & Greece 2027 |
*Faculty-led short-term travel programs follow their own individual deadlines listed on its program page
Application components
- STEP 1: Complete the Online Study Abroad Application
- Note: We recommend looking over the application before completing it so you have all parts ready, as unfortunately you cannot save as you go.
- Note: We recommend looking over the application before completing it so you have all parts ready, as unfortunately you cannot save as you go.
- STEP 2: Submit Two Letters of Recommendation
- Letters should be from faculty, a least one should be from a USM faculty member in your major
- Here is the link you can share with faculty to complete a recommendation on your behalf Online Recommendation for Study Abroad
- STEP 3: Complete the Budget and Itemization Form
- Submit your completed form to ksinc@maine.edu
- For USM reciprocal exchange and partner programs, we already created budget sheets for you to use, so you can reach out to Kimberly for these as well.
- STEP 4: Request an Academic Transcript from USM.
- Please send an updated transcript to our office. (Requesting an electronic version to be emailed to ksinc@maine.edu is probably the easiest way to do this.)
- Please send an updated transcript to our office. (Requesting an electronic version to be emailed to ksinc@maine.edu is probably the easiest way to do this.)
- STEP 5: Complete the Prior Approval Course Form
- Make an appointment with your academic advisor to review the requirements you have left to complete your degree. This will help determine which courses to take while abroad.
- Work with your advisor(s) to see how overseas courses will transfer to USM.
- Major credit: Equivalencies must be approved by your faculty advisor in your major.
- General Elective credit: Can be approved by your professional advisor.
- CORE credit: Must be approved by the CORE office.
- Here is a sample prior approval form with a brief explanation on how to fill it out.
- Hoping to complete some of your USM Core Requirements through courses abroad?
- Visit our Google drive of pre-approved CORE courses at our reciprocal and partner schools first to see if you can find a match.
- If the school you hope to study at is not listed, or you would like to receive CORE for a different course please take a look at the Prior approval for Study Abroad and the Core guide
- One the form is completed return it to Kaoru Phillips in the International Office and she will obtain the Dean’s signature. Her email is kphill50@maine.edu
- Make an appointment with your academic advisor to review the requirements you have left to complete your degree. This will help determine which courses to take while abroad.
Note: If you are applying for a study abroad provider program, you will also need to complete their application.
Study Abroad Application Checklist: We recommend you save a copy of this handy checklist and use it to ensure that you complete all of the steps by the deadline.