How to Complete your Application for Study Abroad

All students studying abroad through the University of Maryland (College Park) are now required to complete an automated application form.

Please read on for instructions outlining how to complete the form. You can also print a PDF version of these instructions for your reference.

Write down the following information before you begin the form:
• UM Directory ID and Password
• Emergency Contact Name, Address, Phone number
• Program Name, Country, City (You can enter Multiple for City or Country if appropriate)
• Program Sponsor and Host Institution (required for all students on non-UM programs)
• Term and Year you will study abroad

1. To access the ELF "Application for Study Abroad," go to http://ares.umd.edu/Elf/Elf.html.
2. Select Access My Forms on the left hand column of the screen.
3. The Common Login screen should now appear. Log in with your Maryland directory ID and password.
4. You have now accessed your personal Elf Box. To create a new application, select New Form (button at the top left of your screen).
5. On the "Create a New Form" screen, select Application for Study Abroad.
6. A new Study Abroad-Elf form will now appear on your screen.
7. The addressees should be pre-selected. You do not need to change the names at the top of the form.
8. Next, carefully review the instructions on the "General Information" screen. Click Next to begin completing the pages of the form. You must complete all fields in each tab before advancing to the next one.
1. Student Info: You may change your contact email and phone if you prefer.  Fill out the information about your emergency contact and how you found out about the program.
2. Program Info: All programs sponsored or administered by the University of Maryland are listed in the Program drop down menu.  You may also have to choose a subprogram.
   If you plan to study on a program recognized by Maryland but without direct sponsorship or agreement, you should choose "non-UM program" and fill in the Program Sponsor and Host Institution below.
3. Signature: review the listed guidelines and check the check boxes to accept and follow them. Type in your complete name at the bottom as your signature.  Different types of programs have different Signature pages. 
   Note: If your mailing address appears incorrectly, do not panic. After you print the form, just cross out the incorrect address and write in the correct one before you turn in your application to the Study Abroad Office. 
9. You have now completed the ELF Application for Study Abroad! Once you have reviewed and printed your form and wish to submit it, select Send.
• If you wish to review and/or make changes to the form before you submit it, select the "Folders" tab and the different sections of the form will appear on the screen. Select the section you wish to review and make any changes you see necessary. The system will automatically run a check on the form for any errors. After the system checks the form, any errors or warnings found with the form will appear in the error box. To access the section(s) of the form to correct the error(s), select the section name listed in blue in the Error Box. After you correct the errors, if any, try to send the form again.
• If you still have errors, correct them and try to send your form again. If you still have errors appearing in the error box, please contact the Study Abroad Office for help during office hours.
• You can save a draft of your form by clicking on Save at the top of the Elf screen.
10. When asked if you want to send the form to the people listed, respond Yes.
11. Print the Study Abroad Procedures Checklist for your reference.
12. Please select the "Print" button in the ELF screen to print out a PDF version of your completed application. Please keep this in a safe place, because you will need to turn it in along with your completed Permission to Study Abroad form.
13. You will receive an email when your form has been accepted, rejected or returned. Check the status of your form periodically.

IMPORTANT: You will need to turn in the printed copy of your Application for Study Abroad, along with your Permission to Study Abroad form and any other supplementary materials, before the Study Abroad Office can process your registration.