Study Abroad & Internships Guidelines

• All students must meet the following criteria to be eligible to study abroad: 

• Minimum 18 years of age 

• Active, degree-seeking Liberty University student 

• Open to both Residential and Online students 

• Complete one full Fall or Spring semester at Liberty (residential or online) 

• Acquired 24 college credits (Sophomore by credit) 

• Minimum 2.5 GPA and in Good Academic Standing (transfer credit does not count toward GPA) 

• Good conduct/disciplinary standing at the University 

• Successfully pass a background check 

• Student must hold a valid passport that meets the entry requirements of the host country 

• Additional Eligibility Considerations: 
  • Students on academic warning will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 
  • Students on academic suspension or probation at the time of application are not eligible to study abroad. 
  • Students with a disciplinary record at the University will be considered for acceptance on a case-by-case basis.  
  • Note: Students are required to adhere to The Liberty Way while abroad. Any breaches to the code of conduct while abroad may result in dismissal from the program and further ramifications upon return to Liberty. 

Send Application Deadlines

Students must submit their LU Send application through the Via student portal by the following deadlines: 

• Fall: April 15  
• Spring & J-Term: October 15  
• Summer: March 15  

Financial Check-In (FCI) and Payments 

When Students apply for a program, they may be required to pay the partner organization directly for the following: 

• Application fee 
• Confirmation and/or housing deposit 
• Additional/optional excursions 
• Students are typically responsible for booking and paying for their own round-trip international airfare. 

Important: Application fees, deposits, and other program payments are subject to each partner organization’s refund policies. Students should review their program’s policies before making payments, as some fees may be non-refundable. 

The remainder of the program cost and any other tuition and fees will be paid through Financial Check-In (FCI). All students must complete FCI with Liberty by the FCI deadline set for each term in order to pay for their program. For more information, visit the [Liberty University Financial Check-In page]  

If a payment plan option is not available when completing FCI, please call Student Accounts directly to discuss your options, (434) 592-3600.

Semester Programs 

• Residential Students: Undergraduate residential students must maintain full-time enrollment by taking the equivalent of at least 12 U.S. credit hours during a semester abroad. 

• Online Students: Students must maintain full-time enrollment according to their degree program and financial aid requirements. Enrolling in the equivalent of 12 U.S. credit hours is strongly encouraged. 

Summer Programs 

• Residential Students: There is no minimum or maximum credit requirement during the summer. Students using financial aid may need to meet minimum enrollment requirements. 

• Online Students: Students must maintain enrollment requirements based on their degree program and financial aid status. 

Signature Programs 

• Signature Programs offer pre-approved Liberty-equivalent courses. 

• Students will meet with a Study Abroad Coordinator to determine whether their Degree Completion Plan (DCP) supports participation while maintaining full-time status. 

• Students enrolled in 9 credits may be permitted to take one LU Online course to reach full-time enrollment. 

• After acceptance, students must complete a Course Registration Form. LU Send will register approved Liberty-equivalent courses before the Financial Check-In (FCI) deadline. 

Custom Programs 

• Students will meet with a Study Abroad Coordinator to review available courses. 

• After applying, students must submit a Course Approval Form listing proposed courses and recommended alternates. 

• LU Send works with academic departments and the Registrar’s Office to approve transfer credit. 

• Successfully completed, approved courses transfer as Pass and apply to the student’s Degree Completion Plan, provided the DCP does not change before graduation. 

International Internships 

• Academic Internships (Credit-Bearing): Degree programs that require an internship also require students completing an internship abroad to enroll in the required Liberty internship course(s). Required internship courses cannot be transferred to Liberty. After confirming placement, students must submit an Internship Agreement Form signed by their internship supervisor and department or faculty approver. Because requirements vary by department, students should consult their faculty internship supervisor or field placement team regarding deadlines, forms, registration, and approval. 

• Professional Experience Internships: Students may complete an international internship for professional experience even if their DCP does not require one. These internships do not require enrollment in a Liberty internship course. Some programs may offer optional transfer credit for students with available free electives (additional fees may apply). Any approved credit will transfer according to Liberty’s Custom Program transfer credit policy. 

Signature Programs 

Students receive Liberty letter grades for courses completed through a Signature Program. Grades follow Liberty’s undergraduate grading scale and are calculated into the student’s cumulative GPA. 

Undergraduate Grading Scale  
(100-point scale)  

Grade	Points
A	900 to 1,000
B	800 to 899
C	700 to 799
D	600 to 699
F	599 and Below

Custom Programs 

Students must have an official transcript sent to Liberty University for transfer credit evaluation. Approved courses transfer as Pass/Fail, and students must earn the equivalent of a C- or higher to receive a Pass. In accordance with the Registrar’s Transfer Credit Policy, transfer credit does not affect a student’s cumulative GPA. 

International Internships 

Students completing a credit-bearing internship receive a Liberty letter grade for their internship course(s), which is calculated into their cumulative GPA. 

Students completing a professional experience internship may be eligible to transfer optional internship credit if they have available free electives. Any approved transfer credit follows the same transfer credit policy as a Custom Program and does not affect the student’s cumulative GPA.

Signature Programs 

Students are eligible to use Liberty institutional scholarships, federal financial aid, and outside scholarships toward their program. Signature program costs are as follows: 

• A set room & board fee based on location 

• Liberty University tuition 

• LU Send Study Abroad fee 

See the full list of Liberty institutional scholarships Scholarships page.   

Custom Programs 

Students are eligible to use federal and outside financial aid toward their program by using a consortium agreement. Students pay the following program costs: 

• A program fee set by the partner organization 

• LU Send Study Abroad fee 

Most major costs are included in the program fee, including but not limited to: tuition, housing, meals or meal plan (depending on accommodations), excursions, and insurance. Please refer to the partner organization’s website for exact costs and inclusions for each program location. 

International Internships 

Financial aid eligibility for international internships depends on the type of internship program selected. 

• Credit-Bearing Internship with a Partner Organization: 

• Students enroll in the required Liberty internship course(s) and may be eligible for financial aid toward tuition based on their student status. Students will also pay the partner organization’s program fee and may be eligible to use a consortium agreement. 

• Credit-Bearing Internship with a Non-Vetted Organization: 

• Students enroll in the required Liberty internship course(s) and may be eligible for financial aid toward tuition based on their student status. Students are responsible for paying the organization directly for all program-related and travel expenses. 

• Non-Credit Internship (Professional Experience): 

• Students pay the program fee established by the partner organization and may be eligible to use outside scholarships. 

Consortium Agreement 

Consortium agreements only apply to students participating in a Custom study abroad program or internship for credit. A consortium agreement allows federal and outside aid to be applied to the student’s account to pay for their program and fees. A consortium agreement can be used for the semester or summer, if the student has aid available in the applicable term.  

Students who choose not to use financial aid for their program do not need to complete this form. 

All students participating in an approved program will pay the following LU Send fee that covers international health and travel insurance, International SOS access, Pre-Departure Orientation, and administrative & processing fees. This fee is paid through Financial Check-In.  

• Signature & Custom Program Semester: $1200  

• Signature & Custom Program Summer: $600  

• Custom Program J-Term: $300  

• Internship Semester: $300  

• Internship Summer: $250  

Please note the required background check ($34) and Cultural Intelligence (CQ) Assessment ($29) fees are paid separately in the student’s LU Send application.  

• LU Send does not charge withdrawal fees. Additionally, the LU Send fee is fully refundable if a student withdraws before departing for the program. 

• All students are responsible for understanding the cancellation, withdrawal, and refund policy of their specific partner organization. Please refer to your specific organization’s policy for more information on withdrawal deadlines and potential financial penalties. 

• If students incur a withdrawal/cancellation fee from their study abroad program, the student will still be responsible for paying any fees by completing Financial Check-In with Liberty.  

Passports 

All students must hold a passport valid for at least six months past their expected return date to the United States. 

Visas 

Students may be required to obtain an international visa for their host country. Students are responsible for inquiring with their partner organization or host institution about applying for a visa. Please start this process early, as every country has different requirements regarding types of visas, length of stay, processing times, etc. Students are responsible for knowing the parameters of their visa, including the expiration date.  

Residential students who live on campus and will be abroad during any fall or spring semester will need to submit a request for off-campus housing approval with the Office of Residence Life. Instructions are provided in the LU Send application. Students are responsible for confirming their housing selection with Residence Life for the semester immediately following their semester abroad.  

Health, Safety & Risk Management 

At LU Send, the safety, security, and well-being of our students are our highest priorities. We work closely with university partners and trusted global organizations to prepare students before departure and support them throughout their international experience. 

International Health & Travel Insurance 

LU Send provides required International Health & Travel Insurance to all Liberty University travelers before departure. Students can access their insurance card, coverage details, and benefits summary through their Via student portal application. 

Students participating in Custom Programs may also receive insurance through their partner organization; however, Liberty’s coverage cannot be declined and is included in the LU Send fee. 

Supporting Students Abroad 

LU Send uses multiple resources and partnerships to help students travel safely and confidently: 

• International Partner Vetting: Before students participate, LU Send carefully reviews and approves international partners to ensure they meet Liberty University standards for safety, support, and student care. 

• Global Travel Advisory Committee (GTAC): GTAC brings together representatives from LU Send, Risk Management, University Compliance, Emergency Management Services, and LUPD to review international travel plans, monitor safety concerns, and provide guidance for student experiences abroad. If conditions change in a destination, Liberty has processes in place to evaluate and respond appropriately. 

• Pre-Departure Preparation: Before departure, students participate in required orientation designed to prepare them for life abroad, including travel safety, cultural awareness, security practices, and emergency procedures. 

• International SOS Support: Through Liberty’s partnership with International SOS, students have access to 24/7 global assistance while abroad, including medical support, security guidance, emergency resources, travel alerts, and crisis assistance when needed.