Study Abroad at LPC

How do I pay for study abroad?

• Students combine financial aid with scholarships, savings, and donations from family and friends. The faculty trip leaders will support students in identifying funding options and payment plans. You can use Pell and Promise grants, but ask a financial aid advisor for details of what they will fund. See the "How to Afford Study Abroad" slide show.

Do I have to speak a foreign language to go?

• Most often not, but some language-learning progras will require a certain level of education in the language being taught.

Should I study abroad now or after I transfer?

• You can do either or both! Some students do a short-term program first, like a summer program, and then get inspired to do a semester or a year program. It might be helpful to speak with a counselor to look at your SEP.

If I am a second-year student, can I do study abroad?

• It depends-we recommend talking with a counselor to see if you can use the courses to cover GE, count for your major, count as electives, or transfer to your transfer institution

Can I study abroad if I am undocumented or a permanent resident?

• Students can consult with a lawyer for free through Immigrant Legal Defense with questions like these. Also see Sonoma State’s webpage on this topic.

Will the trip work for me if I have a disability?

• The best thing to do is to discuss the nature of your disability with the faculty trip leaders. They will address your concerns and then encourage you to disclose your disability to the provider when enrolling. The provider will work closely with you to determine whether and how you can be accommodated.

What will the room and board be like?

• Depending on the program, students will stay with a local host family and at least one other LPC student or in hotels or bed-and-breakfasts, also in shared accommodations. For homestays, the family usually provides some meals. Families will speak enough English to be generous and communicative hosts.

How much free time will I have?

• It depends on the program--there is usually an itinerary that you will be sticking to, and students taking courses will also need to set aside time for homework. Students usually have some free time for lunch, free time most evenings, and some weekend free time.

• Check your unofficial transcript to confirm your GPA is 2.0 and that you are in good standing.
• Make an appointment with a counselor so that you can work study abroad, and the particular courses offered by a trip, into your Student Educational Plan.
• Contact LPC Financial Aid (and fill out the FAFSA if you have not already) so that you can learn more about using financial aid and federal Pell Grant funds to study abroad.

Pell Grants

Students can access their federal Pell Grants once they consult with a financial aid counselor. To be considered full-time, they would also want to take an additional 6 units during the second 5-week summer session.

Federal Direct Loan Program

This would be useful to help students cover their program fee while they are waiting for scholarship money to be awarded or summer financial aid to arrive. Closes April 30. To qualify for a Direct Loan, students must:
✔ Complete the FAFSA and submit required financial aid documents.
✔ Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements.
✔ Be enrolled in at least 6 units at Las Positas College in an eligible degree or certificate program.
✔ Have a Student Educational Plan (SEP) on file.
✔ Not be in default on any prior student loans or owe a repayment of Title IV financial aid.