What are placeholder credits?
Placeholder credits are a block of credits under a single course on your UofM student account that represents your total credit load abroad. They allow you to apply financial aid to your study abroad program and maintain your active student status while studying abroad. The Learning Abroad Center will register you for a base number of placeholder credits.
Placeholder credits are separate from your enrollment into specific courses directly through your program. When your study abroad transcript arrives at the University of Minnesota after the conclusion of your program, your individual study abroad classes will replace the block of placeholder credits.
NOTE: Registration for the one-credit online Global Identity course is separate and should not be factored into your placeholder credit amount.
How will I be registered for placeholder credits?
The Learning Abroad Center will register all confirmed students after the registration queue opens for the term. Additional students are then registered on a rolling basis as they confirm their participation on their program. If a student has a hold on their record or another issue that prevents the Learning Abroad Center from being able to register them for their placeholder credits, they will be notified via email and directed to resolve the issue.
How many credits will I be registered for?
The base number of placeholder credits is 12 credits for semester programs and 3 credits for winter and summer break programs. Since the base number of credits is likely less than your minimum enrollment, you may need to update your number of placeholder credits when you know the number of credits you will actually be taking. It is your responsibility to ensure your placeholder credit amount accurately reflects the number of credits you are taking on the program. You can make edits to your placeholder registration via MyU. This does not apply to the actual study abroad courses taken on site through your program. Notify your program contact if you need to change your on-site registration.
How do I update the number of placeholder credits I plan on taking abroad?
- Log into the registration system through MyU and navigate to your shopping cart for the term you will be abroad.
- Select "Edit" on the top menu to edit your enrollment options. Select the “FOST” course in the drop-down menu, then proceed to the next step.
- In the field labeled units, use the drop-down menu to select the number of credits you anticipate taking. Click “Next.”
- Review your selection. If correct, select "Finish Editing."
If you need to make edits to your number of placeholder credits after the end of the UofM on-campus add/drop period, contact your Learning Abroad Center program advisor.
What happens if I can't be registered for placeholder credits?
If you cannot be registered for your placeholder credits due to a hold on your record or another issue, you risk being dropped from the program prior to departure. You must be registered for your placeholder credits prior to departure, AND prior to the start of the UofM term/semester. If you are unable to be registered close to your program start date (and/or, close to the start of the UofM on-campus term), the Learning Abroad Center will be in touch with you regarding potential consequences such as program dismissal and financial consequences such as being responsible for the entire program cost despite not participating.