Blocks Away: Getting Started
- Overview
- Eligibility & College Policies
- Blocks Off-Campus
- Semesters Off-Campus
- Summer Off-Campus
- Petitioning for Other Programs Away
- Scholarships
- Predeparture Planning
- Health, Safety, and Insurance
- Returning to CC
- Global Outreach Team Peer Advisors
- Faculty Resources
- 2025 International Education Week
- Information for Parents
The Block Plan can make study away a reality for any student.
You have questions. Sure. That's natural. Blocks Away are a concept built out of Colorado College's unique Block Plan. Our one-course-at-a-time Block Plan means we can offer individual courses as study away (domestic) or study abroad (international) at any point during the year. We have summer courses, as many schools do, but we also have academic year blocks ranging from Block 1 (Aug-Sept.), through all 8 blocks until Block 8 (April-May). Every year we see some blocks repeat, others returning after a year's hiatus, and others that are brand new.
This page will introduce you to Blocks Away, both summer and academic year. Review the topics below to find out about our faculty-led, short-duration, intensive, immersive blocks away and abroad.
KEY DATES FOR BLOCKS AWAY
2026-2027 ACADEMIC YEAR: January 29, 2026 - March 15, 2026
2027 SUMMER: December 2, 2026 - January 15, 2027
2027-2028 ACADEMIC YEAR: January 28, 2027 - March 15, 2027
While it is possible to apply to a Block Away after the closure of the application window, potential for approval and for financial aid is greatly diminished with a later application. We strongly recommend all students apply as early in the application window as possible as most programs use a rolling admissions process.
Block 1-2 Programs: May 1
Block 3-4 Programs: August 1
Block 5-6 Programs: October 1
Block 7-8 Programs: December 1
Summer Programs: March 1
Students may withdraw from their Block Away up until the deadline listed above with no financial commitment to the program. After the deadline significant program charges are billed to the student for late withdrawal.
What are blocks away?
A Block Away, or Off-Campus Block is ...
- a Colorado College course offering CC credit,
- taught by Colorado College faculty and populated by CC students,
- offered somewhere other than on our Colorado Springs campus,
- a unique experiential learning experience.
Many on-campus courses may include local or regional field experiences, but a CC Block Away is a course with a significant portion of the course taught at another location across the USA or around the world.
When are Blocks Away Announced?
Summer Off-Campus Blocks are announced in Block 4 (November) while Academic Year blocks for the next school year are formally announced during Half-Block (January).
The application window for each type of Block Away is aligned with the date for the corresponding Study Away Fair. Those window dates are listed above. The Fairs will be on the following dates:
2027 SUMMER FAIR: Wednesday, December 2, 2026
2027-2028 STUDY AWAY FAIR: Thursday, January 28, 2027
We highly recommend that students apply as soon as possible within each application window as most programs use a rolling admissions process.
How do I apply?
1. Research: Learn about the blocks at the Fair, from the faculty leaders, or on our website.
4. Class Enrollment: Once you confirm, you will get an email with the course's COI Code (Consent of Instructor), also called the Pin Code for the course. With this, you can add the course when you complete pre-registration on Banner or through Add/Drop.
When should I apply?
Apply as early as possible within the Summer or Academic Year Application Window.
Why?
Because many faculty use a first-come, first-approved rolling admissions process. This means that some programs may close prior to the March 15 end date for the application window.
Is it possible to apply after the Application Windows close?
In many cases it is, however every year there are classes which close even during the application period as they have filled their roster quota and small waitlist. Additionally, financial aid is calculated for the approved applicants during the Application Window and funds can run out before later applicants are approved to join a program.
Can I apply to more than 1 Block Away?
Yes, but...
Just like selecting a college, having a ranking is a good idea. Once you receive acceptance notifications, you should return to Summit to complete the forms for your chosen block(s) and withdraw from any other blocks. Failure to withdraw by the deadline could lead to unwanted fees for late withdrawal.
And can I join more than 1 block in a year?
Yes, but...
- If you receiving aid is key to your ability to participate, remember that it is easier to get your first award than to get a second one, so you may need to self-fund a 2nd block if you do not receive 2 awards.
- Joining multiple programs too close together can lead to visa issues. Each block is less than the common 90-day allowance of tourist visas, but combining several blocks in the same country or region (the EU, for example) can be a problem because CC blocks away do not qualify for student visas that would allow you to stay longer.
Do Blocks Away Cost More than Courses On Campus?
Yes, because all Off-Campus Blocks charge a program fee above the standard semester's tuition and room & board fees. However, for eligible students, there are possible aid awards to cover up to 90% of that fee as well as up to 90% of estimated airfare costs for the block.
You can find out all the details about block away program fees and aid available for our blocks away on the Blocks Away: Billing & Aid webpage.
Does a Block Away in the School Year Affect Housing?
No. Students in a block away course retain their housing assignment on Colorado College's campus and are able to leave their belongings in their rooming assignment, with the exception being the final block of the year. Students who join a Block 8 off-campus course must move out at the end of Block 7.
There is no housing refund for a 1-block study abroad program. However, students with a meal plan will, receive a reimbursement through direct deposit for 1 block of meal points. Money you can and should use for meals while traveling on the block away.
Are the 2- or 4-block CC language programs just like Blocks Away?
No. Both are considered semester away options rather than Blocks Away. They have different application and financial models. You can explore these programs on our Semesters Away webpage.
Do I need a passport or visa?
It depends.
- If the program is within the U.S., then no passport or visa is needed.
- For international programs, a passport is essential.
- Whether or not you need a visa depends on the country the course visits as well as your country of origin (where your passport is from). Most U.S. passport holders do not need a visa for most blocks away, but there can always be exceptions.
- International Students using non-U.S. passports often do need to acquire a visa for many programs outside the United States.
For details on passport requirements, visa processes, and potential concerns for students who seek to engage in multiple study away programs in the same year, please visit our Eligibility & Policies Website and review the information provided.