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Financial Aid

Facts You Need To Know:
Financial Aid and Education Abroad

Recent changes in federal law have made it possible for students to use some or all of their federal financial aid for study abroad. Here are some facts you should know:

• Finanical aid may be used for education abroad. Both direct costs (tuition, room and board) and indirect costs (books, fees, airfare, departure taxes, estimated ground transportation costs, and personal spending) of a study abroad program are included to calculate a student's financial aid package. Once the amount of need and the student's own contribution is determined, some students may receive federal grants or loans equal to or even greater than they receive while studying at their home institutions.

• There are many forms of aid. Check with your financial aid office about federal forms of aid, including grants and loans, as well as forms of state or institutional aid that may also be available for study abroad.

• Seek approval for your participation in a study abroad program from your advisor or other appropriate faculty member or administrator on campus. Once your home institution has granted approval for participation in a study abroad program, and if you are otherwise eligible to receive financial aid, then federal forms of financial aid must be applied toward the cost of a study abroad program.

• You must apply through your home institution to receive financial aid for any study abroad program you choose; once your aid package is awarded, you are responsible for making certain that all funds are forwarded to the appropriate U.S. institution which sponsors the study abroad program.

• Financial aid can be used to support summer study, as long as you are enrolled for academic credit and you meet all other requirements.

• It is a good idea to apply early. Early application allows your financial aid office to complete the review of your eligibility for financial aid and to get all of the paperwork done. Be sure to apply no later than fifteen weeks prior to departure.