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
- Information for Parents
- 2025 International Education Week
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. We hope we have the answers you are looking for. Review the topics below and find out all you could ever want to know about our faculty-led, short-duration, intensive, immersive blocks away and abroad.
KEY DATES FOR BLOCKS AWAY
PRIMARY APPLICATION WINDOW FOR 2026-2027 BLOCKS AWAY
January 29 - March 15, 2026
WITHDRAWAL DEADLINES
May 1: Block 1 or 2 Programs
August 1: Block 3 or 4 Programs
October 1: Block 5 or 6 Programs
December 1: Block 7 or 8 Programs
Details on the Program Commitment & Withdrawal Deadlines for all Academic Year Blocks Away, including late withdrawal fees can be found on the Blocks Away: Billing & Aid webpage.
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?
Academic Year blocks for the next school year are announced in December.
The Fair, and the opening of the primary application period is during Block 5. This primary application period runs from the Fair date (usually late January) until March 15.
Students can apply after that date, but the best chance for approval and for financial aid is an application during that primary window.
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.
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 March 15 deadline?
In many cases it is, however many classes will close even during the application period and aid funds can run out before later applicants are approved for 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.
Can I join more than 1 block in a year?
Yes, but...
- If you need aid awards, 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 iblocks 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 Affect Housing?
Are the 2- or 4-block CC language programs just like Blocks Away?
No. They are more like other semester away options. 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.