Parents - Prepare your Child for International Exchange

International experience, second-language and cross-cultural skills are increasingly needed to be successful in many careers. An IEP could reflect this increasing need and include steps to prepare for successful participation in study, intern or volunteer abroad programs.

Possible suggestions to be considered in the course of study to prepare for international experience:

• Become proficient in a second language including sign language
• Successfully complete 2-4 multicultural classes
• Successfully complete European, African, Asian, Latin American or World History classes
• Volunteer (30-60 hours) with a local international organization such as Rotary International or Sister Cities
• Join and actively participate in a cultural group or language club
• Participate in online international pen pal or school connection programs like www.epals.com or www.iearn.org
• Meet with the career center counselor and research international exchange program options for high school or college

Depending on the student’s educational needs, special education supports, accommodations and/or modifications may be appropriate for the student to participate and succeed in these activities.

Financial Options to Study Abroad During Post-Secondary Education

Vocational Rehabilitation Funding
Some college and university students with disabilities receiving funding for their education from state Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) departments should study abroad as part of their education to be competitive in their future careers.

Students should be aware of how to work with VR counselors to add study abroad to VR plans. If the study abroad program is necessary for successful academic completion, VR funds could be used to support participation in the study abroad program. If VR has approved funding for tuition, books, fees, personal care attendant, adaptive technology or a note-taker, those funds should be available to cover the same costs while the student is studying abroad.

Examples of Study Abroad expenses that VR Departments have funded:

• Personal Care Attendant (PCA) wages when a PCA was needed for a university student to spend a summer session studying in Scotland
• Tuition, books and supplies for a university student with a visual impairment to study for a semester in the Czech Republic and Greece
• The program fee for a student who is blind participating in a summer educational program in Costa Rica
• Rental of a golf cart for transportation for a student using a wheelchair on a large university campus in Australia
• Tuition, housing, fees and books for a university student who is blind to study for a year in England

The SSI Study Abroad Provision

The Social Security Handbook states:
"A student of any age may be eligible for SSI benefits while temporarily outside the U.S. for the purpose of conducting studies that are not available in the U.S., are sponsored by an educational institution in the U.S., and are designed to enhance the student's ability to engage in gainful employment. Such a student must have been eligible to receive an SSI benefit for the month preceding the first full month outside the U.S."

Details about this SSI Provision:

• It is an exception to the "SSI presence rule." The "presence rule" does not allow for the payment or continuation of SSI benefits to an individual who is outside the United States for a full calendar month or 30 consecutive days or more. 
• This rule was amended to allow for study abroad through legislation introduced by California Congressman Pete Stark in 1994 as part of the Social Security Independence and Program Improvements Act effective January 1, 1995.

To receive SSI while studying abroad:

• The required course of study must not be available in the US
• It must be sponsored by an educational institution in the US
• It must be designed to substantially enhance the individual’s ability to work
• The individual must be eligible for SSI for the one month immediately prior to leaving the country
• The individual must earn academic credits towards a degree while abroad

PASS Plan Options
Students and others receiving SSI benefits based on a disability may proactively plan for international exchange through the SSI work incentives program. An individual with a disability receiving SSI benefits or eligible for SSI benefits can work with their VR counselor to apply for a PASS (Plan for Achieving Self-Support). Through a PASS, an individual can set aside income and/or resources, other than the SSI payment, that will be used to achieve a career goal. The income set aside in a PASS will not be included in determining the individual’s continued eligible for SSI benefits.

The international experience must be approved by the VR counselor as necessary to meet an individual’s career goal, and the travel abroad must meet the SSI requirements for continued eligibility.   An approved PASS would allow the individual to set aside income and/or resources to cover unreimbursed expenses related to the career goal. One example shared by a PASS Specialist whose client participated in an international pharmacy internship in the Netherlands as part of her university program: “Tina was also using a PASS to exclude income from a part-time job for education expenses.  The PASS was amended to include some of the out-of-pocket costs she incurred during her international program.”