Welcome Back from the Field!
You will work closely with the SFS Admissions Department to prepare for your specific program. We have outlined the process below – use this information to guide your preparation for the field!
Repaying your SFS Loans & Outstanding Balances
Loan Repayment Policies
Each year, approximately 30% of the SFS student body is assisted with loans from the Merck Family Student Revolving Loan Fund. The availability of loan monies is contingent upon the timely repayment of loans by previous borrowers to provide funding for new loan recipients. The repayment period for each loan is stipulated in the Loan Agreement at the time the loan is made. Students are responsible for making monthly payments on their loans starting the month after their SFS programs are completed.
Any loan for which payment is late by one month or more will be considered in default. Grades will be withheld from any student considered to be in default and the student’s co-signer will be expected to assume payment. SFS charges interest on overdue loan balances at the rate of 15% per year, compounded monthly.
Policy Regarding Outstanding Tuition Balances
No grades will be awarded, nor transcripts issued, until all outstanding tuition monies are paid in full. All outstanding balances must be settled prior to receiving credit for your semester. If your balance is not cleared, your grades will be submitted to U of M as incomplete. Your official transcript will indicate an incomplete (I) grade status. Transcripts will be issued six to eight weeks following the end of the session. Corrected grades will be sent to U of M, or your SFS transcript will be released when your account is settled. All incomplete grades are converted to failing grades within 12 months of program end if full payment has not been submitted.
Policy Regarding Other OutsTanding FEes
No grades will be awarded, nor transcripts issued, until all outstanding tuition monies are paid in full. All outstanding balances must be settled prior to receiving credit for your semester. If your balance is not cleared, your grades will be submitted to U of M as incomplete. Your official transcript will indicate an incomplete (I) grade status. Transcripts will be issued six to eight weeks following the end of the session. Corrected grades will be sent to U of M, or your SFS transcript will be released when your account is settled. All incomplete grades are converted to failing grades within 12 months of program end if full payment has not been submitted.
Please contact Student Billing at (978) 219-5109 or billing@fieldstudies.org for all questions regarding your SFS loans, tuition balances and/or other outstanding fees.
Consider SFS Employment
Each year, approximately 30% of the SFS student body is assisted with loans from the Merck Family Student Revolving Loan Fund. The availability of loan monies is contingent upon the timely repayment of loans by previous borrowers to provide funding for new loan recipients. The repayment period for each loan is stipulated in the Loan Agreement at the time the loan is made. Students are responsible for making monthly payments on their loans starting the month after their SFS programs are completed.
Any loan for which payment is late by one month or more will be considered in default. Grades will be withheld from any student considered to be in default and the student’s co-signer will be expected to assume payment. SFS charges interest on overdue loan balances at the rate of 15% per year, compounded monthly.
Share your SFS Experience!
Can you take a minute to share your SFS experience with the world? SFS is featured on several study abroad review websites, and we need your voice to inform prospective students on what they can expect from an SFS program. You can leave a review on our Go Overseas profile, our Abroad101 profile, or submit one directly to SFS.
How to List SFS on your Resume
You gained important skills and knowledge during your time abroad with SFS, but you might not be sure how to best display them on your resume. Here are a few examples written for a theoretical student of our Australia semester program:
Add it to the education section of your resume
The School for Field Studies, Center for Rainforest Studies, Queensland, Australia
Study Abroad/Field Work
- Directed Research Project: Plant functional trait correlations as indicators of drought resistance strategies in trees of the Australian rainforests
- Completed course work in Rainforest Ecology, Principles of Forest Management, and Environmental Policy.
- Gained skills in experiment design, hypothesis testing, data gathering and analysis, and presenting results to diverse audiences.
Add it to the Experience Section of your REsume
The School for Field Studies, Center for Rainforest Studies, Queensland, Australia
Student/Researcher
Learned techniques for rainforest restoration through field exercises, such as:
- Determining causal factors of cyclone damage such as landscape variable or plan attributes
- Collecting geographic information system (GIS) data on weed, vegetation, and soil cover
- Identifying bird groups integral to the functioning of rainforest ecosystems and determining means to attract them to replanting areas
You can also follow SFS on LinkedIn, add SFS to your profile, and network with your fellow alumni.