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The Office of International Programs

 IFMM ACADEMIC YEAR in FLORENCE
 Study in Florence for the entire third year (fifth and sixth semesters)
of the program.

IFMM SEMESTER in FLORENCE
 Study in Florence for either the fall (fifth) or spring (sixth) semester
of the program.

APPLICATION AND INSTRUCTIONS

ADMISSION TO THE PROGRAM IS COMPETITIVE. APPLY EARLY.

 

ACADEMIC YEAR 2009-10 or FALL 2009 or SPRING 2010

 

FINAL APPLICATION DEADLINE: DECEMBER 1, 2008

STUDENTS must begin the academic year program in the fall semester. Students who expect to study in the Spring 2010 semester are required to apply in the Fall 2008.

Admission is one of the requirements for a visa to study in Italy, but does not guarantee that a visa will be issued. The Italian government sets the requirements and determines a student's eligibility for a visa.

ELIGIBILITY:

  • Full-time matriculation in the major

  • 3.0 GPA or above

  • One semester of Italian

  • The age of 18 by the time you will begin the program

  • Fashion Merchandising Management students who have completed all AAS requirements, and who are accepted into the FMM Bachelor of Science degree program may be eligible to study in Florence for a semester or the entire academic year. Students participating in the academic year program must begin the fifth semester in the fall.

 

A STUDENT VISA (SCHENGEN VISA) FOR ITALY IS REQUIRED

All non-EU students are required to obtain a visa for study in Italy. Admission to the program is one of the requirements for a visa to study in Italy, but does not guarantee that a visa will be issued. The Italian government sets the requirements and determines a student's eligibility for a visa. See: Applying for an Italian (SCHENGEN) Visa

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Your application is not complete until it contains:
 

  1. Online Application The Office of International Programs will begin your application file after you complete the online application, motivational statement, and the names of two faculty references.

     The Statement should be no longer than 200 words and explain why you want to study abroad, your academic and personal expectations, and your ability to adapt and appreciate new cultural experiences.
     

  2. References You are required to have two (2) faculty references; one from a professor in your major area; another, from an FIT Liberal Arts professor that you have taken a class with. These forms must be completed by your professors. You are responsible for the submission of your references.
     

  3. Interview Soon after the program application deadline date, and only when your application has been completed, you will be contacted to arrange an appointment with your department’s international coordinator for an interview.
     

  4. DARS Audit When you meet with your department’s international coordinator for your interview, you will need to bring a most recent and 'printer-friendly' version of your DARS Audit.  This audit along with your Advisement sheet will be returned to B119, for inclusion in your file.

INTERVIEW
During the interview, you will be informed of the courses which are planned to be offered in Italy and suggestions will be made as to the courses you should plan to register for in the academic year. You will complete an Academic Advisement Sheet which plans the courses you will take in Italy. This will be kept in your study abroad file.

 

FULL-TIME STATUS REQUIREMENTS
It is important that you recognize that you must register and complete a minimum of 12 credits while you are abroad. If necessary, you may be able to register for some courses online but that option cannot be guaranteed. Remember you risk jeopardizing your Financial Aid if you do not maintain 12 credits for each semester in Italy.

 

FINANCIAL AID
 Semester Abroad Programs are subject to identical financial aid regulations as the FIT campus. Information is available at the Financial Aid Office.

 

ACCEPTING THE OFFER TO STUDY ABROAD
 The Office of International Programs will notify you via email with a formal letter of acceptance or rejection. You will have to download this letter and return it to B119 with your signature that you do accept (or decline) the offer.

 

Once you have signed the acceptance letter, your curriculum and campus codes will be changed. In addition, the Bursar will charge a non-refundable $120 Administrative Fee to your account. Please note that arrangements and payments will begin to be made on your behalf regarding your participation in the program. Applicable tuition and other fees related to your study abroad program will also be posted by the Bursar's Office. Payments may be made online or in person at the Bursar's Office, B127. Deadlines are firm and you are required to make payments for the programs you have committed to.

 

You will also be required to complete and sign all the Release Forms listed on the website: Release Forms

 

WITHDRAWAL AND REFUND POLICIES


1.  WITHDRAWAL POLICIES

  • BEFORE YOU HAVE BEEN INTERVIEWED

    • If you decide to withdraw your application before your interview, you MUST notify the Office of International Programs by e-mail. Your withdrawal will be effective on the day it is received by the Office of International Programs.

  • ONCE YOU ARE ACCEPTED BUT BEFORE YOU RETURN THE ACCEPTANCE LETTER COMMITTING YOURSELF TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM

    • If you decide to withdraw your application after you receive the offer of admission, you MUST notify the Office of International Programs by e-mail. Your withdrawal will be effective on the day it is received by the Office of International Programs.

  • AFTER YOU RETURN THE ACCEPTANCE LETTER COMMITTING YOURSELF TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM

    • If you decide to withdraw your acceptance after you have agreed to participate and before the program begins in Italy, you MUST notify the Office of International Programs and your department’s International Program coordinator of this decision by e-mail. Your withdrawal will be effective on the day it is received by the Office of International Programs.

    • If you are receiving Financial Aid, you MUST notify the FIT Director of Financial Aid that you have withdrawn from the program as your award has been calculated anticipating your study abroad.

    • Once you agree to participate in the program, your curriculum and campus codes are changed. FIT cannot guarantee that there will be space for you to register for classes in New York after you withdraw.

    • AFTER YOU ARRIVE IN ITALY

    • If you decide to withdraw from the program after you arrive in Italy, you MUST make an appointment with the Resident Director to discuss your reasons for withdrawal. It is important that your situation be reviewed carefully with the Resident Director as you may be experiencing normal adjustment problems that can be addressed without having to withdraw.

    • You MUST e-mail an official letter to the FIT Vice-President for Academic Affairs regarding your withdrawal decision, with a copy to the Resident Director in Italy, the FIT Director of International Programs and your department’s International Program coordinator in New York. Your withdrawal will be effective the day that you advise the Academic Vice President in writing of your decision.

    • You MUST specify whether you are withdrawing from the program of withdrawing from FIT. This is a very important distinction.

    • If you are receiving Financial Aid, you MUST notify the FIT Director of Financial Aid that you have withdrawn from the program, as your award has been calculated anticipating your study abroad.

    • Once you agree to participate in the program, your curriculum and campus codes are changed. After you withdraw, your course registrations are dropped for that semester. FIT cannot guarantee that there will be space for you after you withdraw to register for classes in New York in the following semester.

2.  REFUND POLICIES

  • Once you commit yourself to participate in the program, your account will be charged $120 as an administrative fee. It will also be charged for any other expenses, such as Italian Health insurance, tax stamps, field trip charges, etc., which have been incurred in anticipation of your participation in the program. If you withdraw after these charges have been incurred on your behalf, there can be no credit or refund.

  • The Resident Director will advise you of the other obligations that you may be responsible for in Italy. These can include your being required to show that you have met your financial obligations to any landlord, agent or fellow students, for example regarding an apartment you have rented or have committed to share with other students.

  • Established FIT tuition refund policies will be applied to your account as of the date your withdrawal becomes effective.