Office of Global Education

The U.S. Department of State is experiencing unprecedented demand for passports, so we wanted to provide some helpful information to make sure your program goes as smoothly as possible.

If you are applying for your first passport, you will have to do so in-person at an acceptance facility. You can find a list of the 7,400 facilities, and some other important information below. And remember to give yourself plenty of time – the State Department recommends applying for a passport six months before traveling to avoid any last-minute stress.

If you already have a passport, it’s important to check when it expires before you make any travel plans. U.S. passports are valid for 10 years for adults and five years for children under 16. So, if your passport expires in a year or less, it’s time to submit your renewal application. And remember, many countries require that your passport be valid for at least six months after your planned departure.

If you have any questions about passports or renewal, please reach out to us at studyabroad@mercer.edu.

FEA invests in deserving U.S. undergraduates who are least likely to study abroad. More than 100 volunteer reviewers read applications each cycle. In partnership with them, we consider financial need, demographic factors, and academic plan and preparedness to decide our scholarship recipients.

Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for an FEA scholarship, you must:

Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or DACA recipient
Be currently enrolled as an undergraduate at U.S. institution of higher education (graduate students are not eligible)
Receive credit at your home institution for the study abroad program
Have demonstrated financial need

Financial Need is determined by the FEA Financial Aid Form provided. Applicants are required to have completed a FAFSA for the current academic year.
Demographic Factors that are considered include first-generation college student status, racial identity, and community college experience.
Academic Plan and Preparedness are determined by your essays and unofficial transcript.

The Jagiellonian University is a public research university in Kraków, Poland. Founded in 1364 by King Casimir III the Great, it is the oldest university in Poland and one of the oldest universities in continuous operation in the world. It is regarded as Poland's most prestigious academic institution and one of the most prestigious academic institutions in Europe. The university has been viewed as a vanguard of Polish culture as well as a significant contributor to the intellectual heritage of Europe.

The campus of the Jagiellonian University is centrally located within the city of Kraków. The university consists of thirteen main faculties, in addition to three faculties composing the Collegium Medicum. It employs roughly 4,000 academics and provides education to more than 35,000 students who study in 166 fields. The main language of instruction is Polish, although around 30 degrees are offered in English and some in German. The university library houses a number of medieval and Renaissance manuscripts, including the landmark De revolutionibus orbium coelestium by the university alumnus Nicolaus Copernicus.

Newcastle University is a public research university based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Northeast England. The university is a red brick university and a member of the Russell Group, an association of research-intensive UK universities.

The university finds its roots in the School of Medicine and Surgery (later the College of Medicine), established in 1834, and the College of Physical Science (later renamed Armstrong College), founded in 1871. These two colleges came to form the larger division of the federal University of Durham, with the Durham Colleges forming the other. The Newcastle colleges merged to form King's College in 1937. In 1963, following an Act of Parliament, King's College became the University of Newcastle upon Tyne.

The university subdivides into three faculties: the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences; the Faculty of Medical Sciences; and the Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering. The university offers around 175 full-time undergraduate degree programs in a wide range of subject areas spanning arts, sciences, engineering and medicine, together with approximately 340 postgraduate taught and research programs across a range of disciplines.

The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship (Gilman) Program enables American undergraduate students with high financial need to study or intern abroad through scholarships of up to $5,000. The Gilman-McCain Scholarship for Military Families also supports child and spousal dependents of active or activated duty military members by providing awards of $5,000. Students studying critical need languages are eligible for a supplemental award up to $3,000, and students conducting STEM research abroad are eligible for a supplemental award up to $1,000. Since its inception in 2001, the Gilman Program has provided access and opportunity to study abroad for more than 41,000 exceptional U.S. undergraduate students, who have gained skills critical to their personal and professional development, as well as for our national security and economic prosperity.

Study Abroad Week will take place January 23rd until January 25th, with lots of events, information on all aspects of study abroad at Mercer, and giveaways, including a $500 study abroad scholarship!

Study Abroad Week Events:

Study Abroad General Information Session - CSC Conf. 1 @ 5pm on Monday, September 16th
Come to an information session hosted by the Office of Global Education to give general information about all things study abroad at Mercer including programs, scholarships, financial aid, health and safety, application process, etc.!

Student-Led Study Abroad Diversity Panel - CSC Conf. 3 @ 5pm on Tuesday, September17th
The reality of study abroad beyond the glamour. A student-led discussion on gender, identity, mental health, race and much more!

Study Abroad Fair - Penfield Hall @ 10:30am - 1:30pm on Wednesday, September 18th
Come learn about all of the study abroad opportunities that Mercer offers, from locations to scholarships to post-graduation! Collect passport stamps at events and get entered in a $500 study abroad scholarship raffle!

Peace Corps Prep Program Session - CSC Conf. 3 @ 4pm on Wednesday, September 18th
Come learn more about the Peace Corps Prep Program, what the requirements are, and how this will benefit your future career!

Money and Study Abroad Information Session - Wiggs 116 @ 5pm on Wednesday, September 18th
Scholarship and financial aid information and tips to help you study abroad! We will be talking about all major scholarships, including Gilman, Global Leader, and Fund for Education Abroad.

Exchange & Affiliate Information Session - CSC Conf. 3 @ 5 pm on Thursday, September 19th
We will be talking about available programs, the application process, available scholarships and funding, financial aid, and answer any questions you might have.

Want to eat amazing food, learn about other cultures, and compete in world trivia, all while at Mercer? Join our series, TheWorld@Mercer. See the month of September, Kenya, and the corresponding events below:

Kenyan Snacks - Cruz Plaza @ 11 am - 1 pm on Wednesday, September 11th
Want to try some Kenyan treats? Stop by Cruz Plaza to grab a bite to eat, explore food from Kenya, and find your new favorite snack!

Coffee and Culture - CSC Conf. 3 @ 4 pm on Thursday, September 12th
Come enjoy a cup of coffee or tea and try some snacks while we learn about Kenyan culture from a Mercer international student.

Trivia Night - CSC Conf. 3 @ 6 pm on Tuesday, September 24th
How much do you know about Kenya? Test your knowledge with some friends as we quiz you about Kenyan culture, language, food, facts, and more.