I am studying abroad January 2, 2017 - March 31, 2017, which is 89 days. My family is planning on meeting me to travel right when my program ends. I called the Spanish Consulate and they said I am not eligible for a student visa since my program length is less than 90 days. Is it possible for me to get a regular visa? If not, how can I LEGALLY stay in Europe longer than 90 days? I have heard of a few cases where this was possible. Any help would be much appreciated!!

You can apply for a long term visa so you can stay longer than 90 days. It's a lot of red tape, but you can do it (a "nonlucrative" long-term visa, meaning you don't intend to work). You have to provide proof that you own at least $100,000, a medical certificate, and some other stuff, some has to be translated. But you can do it. Go to the cnsulate pages closest to where you live for details.

This is presuming you are American, you don't say.

Yes I am American, sorry! And what about if I still legally dependent of my parents?

>> But you can do it.<<

You honestly think there isn't a chance in you know what for a college student to get a long term visa . . .

>>I called the Spanish Consulate and they said I am not eligible for a student visa since my program length is less than 90 days. Is it possible for me to get a regular visa?<<

Maybe you should have asked when you were on the phone w/ the consulate.

If I were you -- I'd travel w/ my family in the UK and/or other non-Schengen countries. Then you don't have a problem.

I think the only solution is to travel to a non-schengen country with your family like janisj suggests. UK for example.

Meant the only reasonable solution

It depends on your nationality.
If we postulate you are a us citizen, first read the text of the rule VERY CAREFULLY.

IT IS NOT STATED AS 90 CONSECUTIVE DAYS.

It is stated as 90 days in any 180 day period. If there is ANY 180 consecutive days where you are in Schengen countries, more than 90 days you are in violation. However, if you have a documentation that shows you were OUT of the Schengen area during you 89 days days, you have more days left in stay in a Schengen zrea as long as total number of days within any 180 day window does not exceed 90 days.

How do you do this?
1. Travel to European countries not part of Schengen zone after your stay.
2. Do documented travel outside Schegen zone during your 89 days. Each full day outside Schegen zone you spent is available to be added to the trip in Schegen zone after your study. Going out on Saturday and coming back on Sunday DOES NOT count. You were in Schengen country on Saturday and Sunday = as if you never left.

Here is a calculator on how to verify.
The date is VERY PICKY.
For example, FEBRUARY 4, 2017 is entered as 04/02/17.

http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs...ulator_en.html

http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs..._manual_en.pdf

greg's info works only IF you travel outside of Schengen during your course. Other than the odd weekend, how likely is that? Only you know . . .

Does your study abroad program actually begin 2 Jan and end 31 March? If so, you could easily exceed your 90 days for visa free travel within the Schengen zone. The 90-day limit begins the day you arrive, not the day the program begins.

If the program starts after the 2nd, then I would either extend the program by two days in order to qualify for the student visa (the student visa is only issued for those staying over 90 days), or find another program.