Let’s get you some answers:
This is your opportunity to start college differently, so we’re sure you have some questions. We offer a globally-focused first year abroad experience allowing you to earn transferable college credit through our Academic Provider and to stay on track to graduate.
The Q & A
Let’s Dig In
Admission & Cost
Is Verto Education legit?
Yes! Verto Education was founded in 2017 and has provided transformative study abroad experiences to thousands of students since then.
All courses, credits, and transcripts at Verto locations are delivered by our accredited Academic Provider, the University of New Haven. Additionally, we officially partner with 60+ well-known U.S. colleges and universities nationwide. To see our list of partners, please visit our Partner Colleges page.
Looking for a way to meet some of the faces behind Verto? Register for an upcoming virtual Prospective Student Information Session!
If you’re curious to hear from students who have attended or are currently attending our abroad experiences, we recommend checking out our Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube page.
Do I need to have a passport to participate?
Participants must have a valid passport in order to participate with Verto. All passports should be valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of the experience (12 months for the Spain location). If this is not the case, prospective participants should renew their passport as soon as possible. Follow our step-by-step Passport Guide.
How old do I need to be to study with Verto?
Verto welcomes participants ages 17 to 22-years-old who meet eligibility requirements. Most participants are between 18 and 20 years old.
Minimum age requirements vary by abroad location, with some locations only available to participants who are 18+ due to in-country laws. Please check the “Details about” section on each location page for that location’s specific age and birthday requirements.
If you have any questions please speak with your Admissions Counselor after applying with us.
I'm worried about financials, what does Verto cost?
Current Verto study abroad costs are listed on each location page. Keep in mind that these prices are before applying any scholarships or grants.
Depending on your Expected Family Contribution (determined by the FAFSA), the cost for an experience with Verto may be reduced significantly through Verto’s Opportunity Grant. Additional funding options are available on our Financial Grants and Scholarships page. External grants/scholarships may be applied to further reduce the cost.
What does Verto cost cover?
Find location-specific information on each location page. Generally though, Verto costs include:
- Housing and accommodation
- Airport reception upon arrival – for participants only
- Verto Discovery Week, including city tour
- University registration through our Academic Provider, the University of New Haven
- Pre-departure assistance and helpful guides/handbooks
- Outside the classroom experiential learning activities/excursions
- Onsite/international staff support
- Books (digital)
Does Not Include:
- Airfare
- Airport reception for those arriving outside the abroad experience arrival dates
- Return airport transportation
- Travel insurance/property insurance
- Out-of-pocket Medical expenses at time of service (insurance included from Verto requires submitting receipts for reimbursement)
- COVID testing
- Meals (some locations/ housing assignments may include meal plans)
- Passport fees
- Student visa or other immigration requirements, or costs incurred while obtaining a visa
- Course supplies such as laptop, notebooks paper pencils, etc.
- Personal transportation
- Personal expenses
- Cell phone and local sim card (sites will assist with getting a local sim)
Do you have different payment plan options?
Yes! We offer payment plans and deadlines for each payment plan vary by location. Email [email protected] for more details.
When is the deadline to apply?
Verto has rolling decisions and our experiences fill up quickly. We encourage you to apply as early as possible so that you can secure a spot!
How do I get accepted to a partner college?
As a committed Verto participant, you will have direct access to a college counselor that will help you research and apply to any of our partner universities.
Can I use Federal Aid to help pay for my study abroad experience with Verto?
Verto is not eligible for any federal financial aid programs.
Can international students attend a Verto experience?
Yes! Verto Education welcomes participants who are non-U.S. passport holders to apply to our study abroad experiences.
- TOEFL, PTE Academic or IELTS Academic results are preferred
- Minimum score required for acceptance with credit via our Academic Provider: TOEFL IBT – 80, PTE Academic – 53, & IELTS Academic – 6.5
- Alternatives to TOEFL, PTE or IELTS are considered on a case by case basis
How does spending a full year with Verto Education work?
You can choose to spend your year abroad immersing in one Verto location or choose 2 locations to explore!
Life During the Program
Where will I live?
Accommodations vary depending by location, see specific location pages for details.
All accommodations will be fully furnished with beds, wardrobe, linens, etc. We carefully check each location to make sure that it meets our safety standards.
Will I have a roommate?
On a Verto experience, participants are typically paired with one or more roommates and rooms may have bunkbeds.
While we do our best to accommodate cohort and roommate requests for each location, we cannot guarantee or share roommate assignments ahead of the experience. Vertoans report that they enjoy befriending other participants and meeting new people in their accommodations – it makes the study abroad experience even more transformative!
Can I travel on my own during a Verto experience?
Specific policies for independent travel vary by location. We require that all participants who plan to leave the city of study fill out the Independent Travel Form to get approval.
Who books my travel to/from my study abroad location?
Participants are responsible for booking travel to/from each study abroad location. Verto will provide an arrival timeframe, and our team will be waiting for you at the airport!
What dietary options are provided (gluten-free, vegan, etc)?
We can cater to most dietary requirements, including vegetarian and vegan diets. It is very important that you advise us of any allergies or special dietary needs at the time of your application as well as on your medical forms. Please know that we may not be able to accommodate all dietary/allergy restrictions, depending on the need and your semester location.
Some of our study abroad locations are self-catering (i.e. kitchens available to cook for yourself), and this could be a good option for Vertoans who want more control over their diet.
Do I need a Visa?
Some Verto abroad locations will require participants to get a student visa. Visas depend on both your nationality and the study abroad location you’ve selected. It is ultimately your responsibility to make sure you meet the entry and exit requirements for each country. Once you’ve deposited with Verto, we’ll provide you with more information specific to the visa application process for your location of study. We’re here to help make this process as smooth as possible.
Can parents, guardians, and families visit?
Families are welcome to visit students, though we highly recommend visiting at the end of the Verto abroad experience, rather than during. Participants will be quite busy with their coursework and experiential learning activities, so any visitors may not be able to spend as much time with their Vertoan as they may have hoped. Additionally, participants whose families visited in the past have experienced more intense homesickness as a result of the visit.
Academic and attendance policies remain in place regardless of visitors.* Participants are strongly discouraged from missing classes to host family, friends, and other visitors. Should a participant plan to miss class, they should speak with their professors and Academic Success Coordinator in advance to understand the consequences for doing so.
*All courses, credits, and transcripts at Verto locations are delivered by our accredited Academic Provider, the University of New Haven.
Do I need to be able to speak the local language?
No – except in the case of our foreign language courses, all courses will be facilitated in English. It helps if you’re able to speak a bit of the local language, so it’s in your best interest to learn a few key phrases in advance of your study abroad experience!
Safety & Risk Management
What safety and risk management measures are in place?
Participant health and safety is our top priority at Verto and we have robust systems in place to address student support, risk management, and emergency response. We invite you to read more here.
Do I need travel insurance?
Verto enrolls all participants in international health insurance coverage provided by Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI). Verto’s coverage for participants provides comprehensive medical insurance benefits, alongside travel assistance services in the event of emergencies.
How will family communicate with me while on the abroad experience?
Phone and internet service are readily available to our participants, and on-site staff will assist you with purchasing a SIM card in your abroad location. In urgent situations, participants and families have access to our 24-hour emergency line, which they can call for immediate assistance.
How are prescription medications handled?
It will be the responsibility of the participant to make sure you bring enough medication for the duration of your entire abroad experience and to let us know what you are bringing. Please remember some countries might not have the meds you prefer or need. If you normally get a smaller dosage than you will need for your entire abroad experience, you will need to apply for a “vacation waiver” from your doctor, as sending prescription medications overseas is usually met with difficulties when it arrives into country and often does not make it to the recipient.
Can I bring a service or emotional support animal with me on a Verto experience?
Emotional Support Animals (ESA) do not qualify as service animals under the ADA and are not allowed on a Verto study abroad experience. Any questions about service animals should be sent to [email protected].