Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU)

Students should have:

• A recommended cumulative and major GPA of 3.2; additional GPA requirements may apply to individual programs
• Completed at least one year at Vassar
• Declared a major prior to submitting an application
• Submitted a petition for domestic study away

Additional requirements may apply to individual programs. It is the student's responsibility to be sure they are aware of the requirements and have met them prior to submitting an application.

To apply to the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Exchange program, students must first complete a Domestic Study Away petition and then apply individually to the college in which they are interested. Students are responsible for applying directly to the host institution, Vassar does not forward study away petitions.

Petition for HBCU Exchange

Consult with your major advisor when making course selections, making sure to confirm with him/her which courses are to apply to your major. Your advisor will be contacted by the Assistant Dean of Studies for his or her approval of your course of study.

Vassar College approval will be granted for only those courses listed in your petition and approved by your adviser. You must include official course numbers, names, and credit or quarter hours for each course you list. It is often difficult to adhere to a list of courses compiled far in advance of actually enrolling in your study away program, but students are expected to conform to the spirit of the plans set forth in their petition if they are unable to do so to the letter. Changes to proposed coursework after approval must be communicated in writing and approved by the major advisor and the Assistant Dean of Studies. Pre-professional courses, vocational courses, business courses, physical education courses, internships and ungraded work CANNOT be transferred for Vassar credit. If you are unsure whether a course you select falls into any of the above categories, consult with the Assistant Dean of Studies BEFORE registering for the course.

Once you complete your academic leave, you must make a request to the registrar at the institution you attended to send an electronic transcript of your completed course work to dos@vassar.edu. All courses and grades from your study away program will appear on your Vassar transcript, but only those with grades of "C" or better will be awarded credit. Credit earned during domestic study away counts towards the maximum 9 units of transfer credit. Grades earned during domestic study away are not calculated into your Vassar GPA.

• Students attending one of the above HBCU institutions will be billed by Vassar. Vassar financial aid will travel with you.
• Students will be responsible for completing a budget sheet to determine the Cost of Attendance for the program they are attending.
• Students billed by Vassar for tuition should provide their program invoice for review and disbursement of available funds.

Vassar cannot guarantee that housing will be available on campus. In the event that on-campus housing is not available, students are responsible for making their own housing arrangements. Spelman College does not offer on campus housing to visiting students. If you are having a difficult time making arrangements for either on campus or off campus housing, please contact the Assistant Dean of Studies, Casey Trocino, immediately.