Answers to common questions about funding, travel arrangements, and enrollment.
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Academic Initiatives Project Manager:
Caitlin Cuppernull, caitec@umich.edu
Application & Registration
- How many credits is a Spring travel Course?
- Spring travel courses are 3 credits. If you are accepted to a Spring course, you will be granted permission to register, and tuition will be charged.
- How do I apply to a Spring travel course?
- A spring travel application including a ranked choice ballot will be sent to you, which asks you to rank your 1st, 2nd and 3rd choices. Only rank courses that you will actually participate in. Your 1st choice is not guaranteed.
- How do I register for a Spring travel course?
- You will receive permission to enroll once a list has been provided to Student Affairs in mid-March. You will then use that permission to enroll in the course during your individual registration appointment in late March/early April (at the same time you register for your Fall courses).
- I’m going to graduate this Spring. Can I still attend a Spring travel course?
- Yes — you can take a spring travel course. You will be able to participate in commencement activities in April/May with your friends and colleagues. However, your diploma will be withheld until the next graduation ceremony in August. You should speak to Taubman College Advising to ensure that your paperwork is in order once you commit to a course so that you can still walk during graduation.
- Can prospective cross campus transfer students and preferred admits to Taubman College take spring travel courses prior to being admitted? Are they eligible for Taubman funding?
- Yes and yes. If a student is not admitted to Taubman College, they can still enroll in the spring travel course. Taubman College provides a $1,500 travel grant for international travel courses and $1,000 for domestic travel courses.
Travel Cost & Financial Aid
- How much does a Spring Travel course cost?
- Spring Travel = Tuition Costs (Set, 3 Credits) + Travel Costs (Variable, dependent upon individual courses).
- Travel costs: Faculty do their best to keep total costs below $3,500.
- Tuition costs: Three credits of tuition will be paid during the Spring semester. Tuition costs will be unique to each student based on their level of study, term of enrollment, and residency status. You can use this Tuition & Fees Search Tool to explore the costs for a Spring Travel course.
- A $500.00 non-refundable course deposit is due in January and applied toward the travel costs.
- What funding is available to Taubman College students, and how is that funding applied?
- Taubman College students participating in eligible travel courses will receive up to $1,500 in support for international travel and $1,000 for domestic travel. How this funding is dispersed varies by course. In many instances, funds are transferred to an account that the instructor utilizes to purchase shared travel costs – such as lodging – for the cohort. In other instances, funding may be applied as a stipend to student accounts, for you to purchase travel arrangements independently.
- International Students: Please be aware that travel funding is considered a scholarship or grant award by the IRS, and therefore taxable to international students at 14%. This rate could be further reduced under an income tax treaty agreement between the United States and your home country. For questions regarding potential tax implications, contact the U-M Payroll Office.
- Financial Aid and need-based funding is also available (see below).
- How do I apply for need-based funding?
- Need-based funding is extremely limited. If you would like to be considered for need-based funding, please contact Caitlin Cuppernull at caitec@umich.edu.
- Are Spring Courses eligible for financial aid?
- Yes. See this document for an overview of Taubman College’s Spring travel funding financial aid and eligibility process.
Travel Logistics
- How will our travel be structured? What will our accommodations be like?
- Travel design and arrangements vary by course. For some courses, all or a portion of the logistical arrangements may be the responsibility of the students (for example, you may be responsible for arranging your own housing or flights). For others, the instructor may make the majority of the arrangements on your behalf. In many instances, accommodations are shared among pairs or groups of students. Connect with the instructor for specific logistical details.
- How do I begin the Visa process for international Spring travel?
- Travel visa requirements are highly variable, based on individual citizenship status and destination. We encourage you to research visa requirements prior to balloting and to apply for your visa as far in advance as possible.
- The consulate of the country to which you’re traveling will always be your best resource for visa information. Any questions regarding visa requirements for other countries should be directed to the consulate of the country where you are applying for the visa. Please be aware that U-M’s International Center can only assist with questions related to inbound U.S. travel.
- U-M students are eligible for discounted rates with CIBT Visas: an optional, student-paid provider that can assist with visa applications. Outside of their paid services, their website can provide a free snapshot of visa requirements to help with your planning.
International Students
- What funding opportunities are available to International students? What funding opportunities are not available?
- Please be aware that travel funding is considered a scholarship or grant award by the IRS, and therefore taxable to international students at 14%. This rate could be further reduced under an income tax treaty agreement between the United States and your home country.
- Limited need-based funding is available for students who can demonstrate a significant gap between the cost of attendance and the expected family contribution. To discuss eligibility for need-based funding, please contact Caitlin Cuppernull at caitec@umich.edu. Qualifying requests will be reviewed by the Program Chairs and Associate Dean of Academic Initiatives.
- Can international students apply for financial aid?
- Unfortunately, international students are not eligible for federal financial aid since it is awarded by the Office of Financial Aid to only those with current FAFSAs on file.