Traveling Scholar: Eligibility and Enrollment

Traveling Scholar: Eligibility and Enrollment

Traveling Scholar Program Ending in 2026-27

The Traveling Scholar Program will conclude during the 2026-27 academic year.

  • Applications for Winter and Spring terms will be accepted through October 19, 2026.
  • October 19, 2026, is the final application deadline.
  • After this date, the Traveling Scholar application will be permanently closed and no new applications will be accepted.

Students interested in participating in the program should submit their application before the October 19 deadline.

The Traveling Scholar Program is designed for doctoral students enrolled in participating Big Ten Academic Alliance institutions or the University of Chicago.

Before submitting an application, interested students must:

  1. Verify that the desired opportunity is not available at their home university.
  2. Obtain approval from their advisor, who must confirm that the Traveling Scholar opportunity will significantly enhance the student’s doctoral studies.
  3. Secure support from the host campus, including confirmation from the course instructor and/or a faculty sponsor.
    Conditions of Enrollment
    • Traveling Scholars remain registered at their home universities, paying the regular fees charged when they are in residence.
    • Traveling Scholars must be registered at both institutions.
    • The host institution does not bill traveling Scholars for registration or fees; however, students must provide evidence of tuition paid to the home institution. Host universities provide access to libraries, laboratories, recreational facilities, housing, etc., on the same basis as they are made available to resident graduate students.
    • Traveling Scholars may be assessed fees for certain services or benefits.
    • Traveling Scholars may be required to secure their own health and medical coverage. Check with the appropriate Traveling Scholar campus contact for specifics.
    • Credit earned by Traveling Scholars is accepted at home universities for the equivalent level credit (undergraduate or graduate) upon receipt of grade reports or transcripts from the host university. Credit toward a degree, however, will be at the discretion of the home university or department.
    • Traveling Scholars physically attend courses at another Big Ten Academic Alliance campus. This may require relocating to another community for the duration of the term of instruction.