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The Focus on Fall Abroad Community is open to GW students who plan to study abroad during the fall semester (typically in their junior year) on any GW-approved program and return to campus for the following spring semester.  Students must have at least a 3.0 GPA, 45 credits, and must be in good academic and judicial standing by the time of departure.

Can I study abroad in the fall if I am not a member of FOFAC?

Yes. Students can certainly follow the standard study abroad procedures to study abroad in the fall without participating in FOFAC, but the program offers many benefits only available to FOFAC members.

Students apply to FOFAC on the Office for Study Abroad website. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 pm on February 6th, 2013 for the 2013-2014 academic year.  

Helpful application tips:

To apply, please click on "Apply Now" at the top of this page to open your application. 

The deadline for your study abroad program may be before or after the FOFAC deadline.

Once your application has all boxes checked and your 250 word essay has been submitted, your application is complete.

You can apply to FOFAC even if you are undecided regarding your study abroad program and/or location.

All applicants must also follow the standard study abroad procedures and deadlines to apply for the specific study abroad program including completion of provider applications as well as submission of transcripts, recommendation letters, and any other required documents as specified in the individual applications. 

To apply, you should submit:

1. A completed online application
2. A non-refundable $300 deposit (upon acceptance to the program).  This amount is returned to students who remain a part of FOFAC.

If you have any questions, contact Anna Levinger, Study Abroad Advisor, (202) 994-1649, levinger@gwu.edu.

The Office for Study Abroad completes the application review and notifies students of their admission to the program. As space is limited, we encourage students to apply promptly. Applicants are reviewed on a rolling basis according to the following criteria:

1. All applicants must have a minimum cumulative GW GPA of 3.0 and 45 credit hours by departure.
2. All applicants must submit the online application by 11:59 pm on February 6th, 2013.
3. Students must study abroad during the fall semester and return to GW in the spring semester.
4. Students must be in good academic and judicial standing.
5. Students must participate in a GW approved study abroad program. Students who elect to petition to participate in a non-approved program are eligible if their petition is approved.

Students who are admitted will be notified on a rolling basis beginning in early January.  Applications received near the February deadline will receive notification within one week of the application deadline.  Students who intend to enroll in FOFAC will be required to make a $300 deposit confirming their participation after they have been accepted and decided to commit to FOFAC by mid February.  This deposit is returned to students who remain a part of FOFAC.  


What if I decide not to study abroad or participate in FOFAC after I have confirmed participation in the program?

If you decide to not participate in FOFAC after confirming participation and submitting your deposit, you will forfeit the $300 deposit and any other benefits you may have received through the program including tuition awards.

Is there a FOFAC living and learning community?

Students admitted to FOFAC can decide to apply to live in on-campus, spring-only FOFAC housing for the Spring 2014 semester in Philip Amsterdam Hall.  Housing applications will occur in mid-February.  Students can include potential roommates in their housing application as long as all students are members of FOFAC.  Housing placement is randomized and not guaranteed.  If students do not receive a spot in FOFAC housing in Philip Amsterdam Hall, students can re-apply for on-campus, spring-only housing in November 2013 while abroad.

Will I receive a tuition award as a member of FOFAC?  Is there a separate application for the award?
Only students studying on a GW program (GW England, GW Paris, GW Madrid, GW Argentina, or GW Chile) or a GW exchange will receive an automatic $1500 tuition award on their GW bill.  There is no separate application for the award beyond the FOFAC application.  

Students on all other programs are still eligible for FOFAC and all other FOFAC benefits, but will not receive a tuition award.

What are current FOFAC students doing abroad?