School for Field Studies Turks & Caicos

The School for Field Studies creates transformative study abroad experiences through field-based learning and research. Their educational programs explore the human and ecological dimensions of the complex environmental problems faced by local partners, contributing to sustainable solutions in the places where students live and work.

If you have a disability and plan to study abroad, visit our Accessibility Abroad page to learn about considerations, answer questions, and request accommodations before you go abroad.

Visit your affiliate's website for program dates and application deadlines.

SFS grants admission to programs on a rolling basis as long as space is available, so there is no application deadline. You are welcome to apply for programs up to one year in advance of the program start date. Early submissions are strongly encouraged as some programs fill to capacity.

The Learning Abroad Center provides a pre-departure orientation(s) in addition to the orientation offered by your affiliate program team. It is your responsibility to know the information shared at these orientations.

Orientation consists of several sessions, all of which are created to support your preparation to go abroad:

• Online Health & Safety Orientation: This asynchronous module can be accessed in your LAC checklist and is mandatory.
• LAC Affiliate Orientation (live Zoom session): UofM-specific information will be covered (academic planning, finances, etc.). Details on the LAC affiliate orientation will be sent to you via email.
• Affiliate Provider Orientation: This orientation will cover program-specific information. Your affiliate provider will invite you to a pre-departure orientation leading up to your departure.

University of Minnesota participants pay the program fee instead of on-campus tuition and fees for the term they are abroad.

To calculate your total program fee

Find your Affiliate program fee

For more specific information about fees, visit the School for Field Studies website.

UofM students on SFS programs receive an automatic fee reduction of $3,000 for semester, $600 for summer sessions 6 or more weeks in length and/or sequential summer programs, and $300 for summer sessions 4 weeks in length. UofM students can also take advantage of SFS's financial aid, in the form of scholarships, grants, and zero- or low-interest loans.

Add APAAC

Refer to the Affiliate Program Fees. Follow instructions on that page to determine your APAAC.

Add International Health Insurance

You will be billed approximately $2/day for your international health insurance.

Subtract Affiliate Fee Reduction

Visit the Affiliate Program Fees to determine the fee reduction you receive for being a University of Minnesota student.

Students participating on affiliated programs are charged a program fee that is inclusive of the affiliate's program fee, University of Minnesota Advising, Placement, Academic, and Administrative Costs (APAAC), and international health insurance. The APAAC covers:

• Application processing
• Advising services, orientation
• Course registration
• Grade transfer and posting for resident credit
• Program billing and assistance with financial aid (when applicable)

Based on these additional services and benefits, the total program fee may be higher than the affiliate's published program fee.

Visit Billing for information about the billing process for application fees, deposits, and program fees.

Visit Financial Information for information on using financial aid and scholarships for study abroad.

Each of our affiliated programs awards its own array of scholarships. While many are need-based, others are based on merit, location, academic area, or diversity criteria. Explore your options within specific affiliates' scholarship pages.

The Flight & Deposit Advance (formerly Bridging Loan) is a no-interest/no-fees program that allows you to defer payment of your flight and LAC program deposit until your financial aid is disbursed.

Before you apply to or confirm your participation on this program, review the Learning Abroad Center's Cancellation Policy to inform yourself of the timeline and financial obligations for canceling

Complete pre-application advising.

You will be charged a $50 application fee for each application you submit.

Apply Now

If your program and term does not appear in the drop-down list of available programs, select ‘SFS—Other Programs Not Listed Here’ and complete the application item ‘Affiliate Program Information’ found in your application checklist.

In addition to completing the LAC application, submit to School for Field Studies (SFS):

• School for Field Studies (SFS) Online Application

Detailed descriptions and instructions for submitting each checklist item are included on the application checklist assigned to you.

1. Log in to the LAC application portal and select the program and term you plan to participate in. 
2. Submit items in your LAC application checklist. Once submitted, your application will be reviewed by our program team. If nominated for participation, the LAC will contact the affiliate's staff to notify them of your status.
3. Complete the affiliate program's application requirements as applicable.
4. You will be notified of admission by the affiliate. You'll then be admitted by the LAC and this will be reflected in your LAC application checklist. 
5. Once ready, confirm your spot on the program with both the LAC and affiliate. From here, you'll be provided guidance by the LAC and affiliate on preparing for your upcoming experience! 

P.S. Do not pay the affiliate’s confirmation deposit, only the LAC's deposit as outlined on our Billing page. The affiliate accepts the LAC’s deposit as indication of confirmation.

Below is a list of additional students who participated in past program sessions. They are ready and willing to answer your questions about this program. Feel free to contact them during your decision-making process or anytime during your pre-departure preparation to get a student perspective.