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Federal financial aid can be used for study abroad if (a) credit is earned and (b) the home institution approves the academic credit earned toward the student's degree. The law states that students cannot be denied federal aid simply because they are studying abroad. The only type of federal aid that is difficult to use is work-study awards, as well as graduate assistantships, because of employer limitations and reporting restrictions. However, it is sometimes possible to convert a work-study award into a Perkins loan. Ask your financial aid officer for more information and details. FAFSA is required for nearly every type of financial aid: Grants (Pell, TEACH, FSEOG, SMART, etc.), Perkins Loans, Plus and Stafford Loans, Public State Funding, and many study abroad scholarships. The FAFSA is usually the first step to any type of public aid or assistance and is based on your financial need according to your Estimated Family Contribution (EFC). Get started by visiting Federal Student Aid after January 1 for the following academic year and completing the FAFSA by June 30, or your State's deadline, whichever is earlier, before your study abroad program. Depending on your state's legislation, state-funded assistance may follow you on study abroad or may be restricted to in-state use. The same is true of private scholarships. It is best to check with your home institution and the provider of your financial assistance. If you are planning to use your financial aid to study abroad, you must maintain full-time enrollment in a degree-granting program, and have your study abroad courses pre-approved for credit before you leave. Also, the total cost of your study abroad program must be documented and verifiable by the Office of Financial Aid. In addition to the financial aid you may already have, and the transferable scholarships you've secured through your college or university, you can apply for other grants and scholarships earmarked for study abroad. Don't underestimate their value; I've met several students who have received more financial assistance than necessary for their study abroad experience. However, you should know that most nationally known scholarships favor nontraditional and non-English-speaking locations to study abroad. Note: If you're planning to be gone for more than a semester, it is wise to give a homebound and trustworthy parent, friend, or relative Power of Attorney to watch over your financial aid and other assets, while you are studying abroad. Power of Attorney is a legal instrument used for the primary purpose of delegating lawful and signature authority to another. There are several different types of authorized delegations. Paperwork/Forms can be obtained on the Internet or through your attorney, and are usually filed in the County Clerk's Office. Regardless of where you would like to study abroad or the courses
you would like to take, it is wise to allow yourself plenty of time
to research and apply for scholarships (if you have need). There
are many search engines and databases available to help you find
good matches, many of which are earmarked for study abroad. > Find
Free College Money! > www.10kscholarship.com
>
ScholarshipExperts.com - offer the time-saving service and customized
information that students, parents and educators appreciate. > IIEPassport Study Abroad Funding - a scholarships directory just for study abroad, although it is hard to find funding for short-term programs. > International Education Financial Aid - financial aid and scholarships directory for US and international students studying abroad. > International Scholarships - another scholarships directory for study abroad > University of Minnesota Searchable Database - a database of study abroad scholarships Other Places to Check > A comprehensive list of nationally-known study abroad scholarships is available in the full version of this book in bookstores. > Your institution's scholarship list, your financial aid office, and various national opportunities for study abroad. > Your Academic Department (may have scholarships for its students to study abroad). In higher education, you have to ask. Sometimes this type of aid is not so apparent on the surface or may not even be available unless you ask for it and the Department Chair finds something through colleagues or friends. > The employers of your parents or grandparents (often have scholarships available for college students to study abroad). > Any associations, organizations, churches, clubs, or social groups, in which you and your parents belong that would be willing to support international education and study abroad. > Your fraternity or sorority may support study abroad. Some Tips for your Applications > Start EARLY! Start NOW! It is not uncommon for application deadlines to be a year or more prior to your study abroad program. > Know what each committee is looking for and think about how your achievements fit with their selection criteria. Write a different essay/statement for each scholarship. > Make your application stand out from the rest of the study abroad candidates, in a positive way, and this does not mean orange paper. > Write well and answer all the questions presented in the application and/or the personal statement. Focus on your study abroad goals. > Include your most significant experiences and how they've influenced your life and career goals. > Focus on your education and how study abroad will enhance your career goals in addition to your life. Emphasize the "study" in Study Abroad. For more information about this topic, read Isn't study abroad just for rich kids? and/or What if my study abroad costs too much?
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