Graduating Students
Graduating students may have opportunities to study abroad, but there are important factors that must be considered:
- When you will be degree complete
- When you want to study abroad
- What specific department policies exist
- Your financial aid situation
You should work closely with your academic advisor(s) to ensure you are meeting requirements and following procedures for a successful graduation.
Commencement and Degree Certification
Participating in the commencement ceremony and being degree-complete are different. You must complete all degree requirements and apply for graduation with your college for degree certification, but you could walk at the commencement ceremony before this happens. Please contact the Student Success Help Desk when running into issues related to enrolling in final degree-required courses, credit transferring, or any other barrier between you and completing your degree.
Some graduating students want to participate in their commencement ceremony during the same term they plan to study abroad. It is important for them to check their program dates to ensure they do not coincide with the ceremony. Many May term program dates overlap with commencement. Colleges/schools oversee their own college commencement or celebration. Contact your college/school if you have questions about eligibility to participate.
Studying Abroad for Degree Completion
It is possible to study abroad and receive the final credits needed to complete a degree plan. However, it can take some time for our credit team to receive the study abroad transcript from the program. That means degrees cannot be certified the same semester a student earns credit abroad. If you decide to study abroad during your last semester at UT, your degree most likely will be certified the following long term (see chart on this page). Students may need to register in absentia to get their degree conferred. Consult with your academic advisor or your college/school student affairs office about this process.
In addition, many education abroad programs end later than UT terms. This is important to consider if you want to walk in the commencement ceremony. If the study abroad program ends after the UT term, you may be able to participate in the commencement ceremony in the following term (if permitted by your college/school).
If you're studying abroad for degree completion, you should ensure that the courses you need are in the My Credit Abroad database to avoid complications in degree completion. Review the steps on the Study Abroad Credit webpage.
Chart: Studying Abroad for Degree Completion Guide
| What term are you studying abroad? | Credit Posted to Transcript and Degree Certification | Financial Aid Eligible | Education Abroad Scholarship Eligible |
|---|---|---|---|
| May Term | Late Summer | Yes* | Yes |
| Summer Term | Late Fall | Yes* | Yes |
| Fall Term | Late Spring | Yes* | Yes |
| Spring Term | Late Fall | Yes* | Yes |
* Always consult with Texas One Stop to verify financial aid eligibility.
Studying Abroad after Degree Completion
Eligibility Requirements
- Students who will be 100% degree-complete before the term they with to study abroad, are NOT eligible to apply.
- Exception: If you graduate in Spring, you are eligible to study abroad during the May sub-term.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
Students who are degree-certified are NOT ELIGIBLE for most forms of financial aid (see the chart under “Credit”).
However, there are some things to keep in mind:
- You should always consult with Texas One Stop to verify financial aid eligibility.
- Financial aid for a long-term program can apply to the sub-term program following a long-term graduation (e.g. May term faculty-led program after Spring graduation).
- Degree-certified students remain eligible for Education Abroad scholarships.
Credit
If you are already degree-certified, you must register for courses according to your program guidelines. After the program, transcripts will be sent from the study abroad host institution back to the University to be processed by the Education Abroad credit team. Final course grades will be posted to your UT academic records the term after you study abroad.
Chart: Studying Abroad after Degree Completion Guide
| What term are you 100% degree-complete? | What term are you studying abroad? | Degree Certification | Financial Aid Eligible | Education Abroad Scholarship Eligible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Term | May Term | Late Summer | Yes* | Yes |
| Spring Term | Summer Term | Late Fall | No* | Yes |
| Summer Term | Fall Term | Late Spring | No* | Yes |
| Fall Term | Spring Term | Late Fall | No* | Yes |
* Always consult with Texas One Stop to verify financial aid eligibility.
International Experiences after Graduation
Graduating students should visit our Postgraduate Opportunities page to explore exciting international opportunities for recent graduates.