Pitt passport fairs have helped nearly 200 students over 2 years

Students often face barriers in applying for their passport on their own, including navigating through a complicated list of required documents and having to visit a post office in-person. At the Sept. 17 Pitt Passport Fair, students applied for their passports from the Global Hub in Posvar Hall.

It’s the second fair hosted by the Pitt Global Experiences team. In partnership with the United States Post Office (USPS), this initiative has helped nearly 200 students obtain a passport. At the event, USPS staff sat down with students individually to review and process their passport applications. Along with boosting participation in study abroad programs, the team ultimately aims to empower students by obtaining this important document."

Alicia Olalde, director of global experiences and engagement in the Swanson School of Engineering, and Lucinda Morgan, director of international affairs in the School of Nursing, applied for the U.S. Department of State’s Institute for International Education American Passport Project grant as part of their efforts to promote campus globalization. Pitt was selected as a recipient, enabling 25 Pell-grant eligible students to receive free passports. The mission of the IIE American Passport Project is to increase diversity and to provide access and equity in study abroad. By the end of this decade, IIE hopes that 10,000 students will have been helped through the grant.

Learn more about applying for a U.S. passport.