Students who wish to be considered for this scholarship are encouraged to submit their completed application before March 1st. The purpose of this scholarship is to support student participation in bona fide study-abroad programs. This scholarship is available to all USA students majoring in Foreign Languages with a concentration in French, German, Russian, or Spanish. Scholarships that help cover study-abroad program fees and expenses will be provided by the Department up to a maximum of $2,000, subject to the availability of funding and the number of eligible applicants. Other departmental scholarships may supplement this amount.

• To qualify for this scholarship, Foreign Language majors must:
• have successfully completed the sophomore year at USA at the time of their study abroad or have successfully completed a 300-level language course in the Department of Foreign Languages.
• have successfully completed the equivalent of the second semester of the intermediate sequence with a 3.0 or pass a department-approved achievement test in the target language.
• have successfully completed a two-semester residency requirement at the University of South Alabama.
• provide evidence of completion of or be currently enrolled in IST 300 and at least two of the following core requirements: LG 110, IS 100, EH 235, LG 205.
• be in good academic and financial standing at the University of South Alabama.
• select an approved study-abroad program in which they can earn at least 9 hours of upper-­level academic credit.
• complete IST 300( the Global Orientation course), and commit to return to USA after the study abroad program and enroll in LG 480 (Senior Seminar), to be taken in the senior year and required to receive a baccalaureate in Foreign Languages.
• secure the permission of the advisor and the department chair, who will certify that the student is sufficiently prepared academically to undertake the study-abroad experience, which requires at least 9 hours of upper-level credit. Since sufficient linguistic competency is critical for success in study-abroad programs, students should work closely with their advisor throughout their course of study at USA to decide upon the best time to participate in such a program.
• *Disbursement of Funds and Financial Aid* All USA students who go abroad must register with the Office of International Programs as part of the process and enroll in the 0-credit IS 391 course while they are abroad. The Office of International Education will make direct payments to the specific study abroad program and to travel providers. Items that may be paid out of these grants include tuition for the study-abroad program, USA International Program fee, Council of International Education student identity card, transportation, and living expenses. Money reimbursed for any reason will be returned directly to the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures. Some of the funds may be used to reimburse students directly, but students should be aware that the process takes time, and funds may not be available at the beginning of the program. Because of federal financial aid guidelines, the University is not able to disburse money until confirmation is received that the student has arrived at the foreign institution and enrolled there. Awards for the summer and fall cannot be disbursed until after the spring semester, since the money would otherwise be counted as aid for the current year and might have an adverse impact on loan obligations. Before going abroad, students should clarify disbursement information with the departmental secretary, their advisor, or International Education. Students should budget for the study abroad experience and be prepared to pay for expenses not covered by grants and scholarships. In submitting the FAFSA to apply for financial aid students should indicate that they will be paying tuition and expenses for the summer, if that is the case. Their need will then be calculated for three semesters, rather than two, and their eligibility will thus be increased. Students who withdraw from a foreign-study program for any cause other than valid medical reasons will be responsible for reimbursing the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures for expenses incurred. Students who choose not to complete the foreign language major will be responsible for reimbursing the Department the amount of the scholarship. Otherwise the University will place a hold on the student's registration.