Study abroad
From UConn Student Financial Aid Services
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding using your financial aid to study abroad. Questions not addressed below should be directed to a Financial Aid Officer.
All study abroad participants should complete a FAFSA by March 1 to ensure that you are considered for any financial aid for which you might be eligible. Sources of aid and procedures vary depending on the type of study abroad program you choose. Financial Aid eligibility criteria are the same when studying abroad or studying at UConn.
How much does it cost to study abroad?
The cost to study abroad varies depending on the program. Information is available on the Office of Study Abroad website.
Can I use my financial aid to study abroad?
First, you will need to determine if your program is charging UConn tuition or program fees (not tuition) by referencing the appropriate budget sheet available on the Office of Study Abroad website.
The following grants and scholarships can only be used towards programs that charge UConn tuition: Nutmeg, Day of Pride, Leadership, Presidential, Academic Excellence and Achievement scholarships, University Grant, and Tuition Remission Grant. Additionally, no tuition waivers will apply towards programs that charge program fees and not UConn tuition.
If you are a Nutmeg or Day of Pride scholar, your scholarship will be adjusted to the amount of UConn tuition, room and board billed.
How do I know if my program charges UConn tuition?
Check the budget sheet for your program on the Office of Study Abroad website. If the budget sheet contains a budget item for UConn Tuition, it means the program charges UConn tuition. The budget item for Program Fees is not the same as tuition.
NOTE: Financial aid is not awarded for Winter Intersession.
*If you are participating in an external (non-UConn) program:
An Informal Consortium Agreement For Study Abroad is available at http://financialaid.uconn.edu/forms and must be submitted before any financial aid request can be processed or disbursed.
| If You Are Participating In | You May Use | You May Not Use |
|---|---|---|
| UConn program for which UConn charges TUITION (including National Student Exchange). | CT Aid for Public College Students Grant, Federal Title IV funds including Pell Grant, Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Stafford Loans, Perkins Loans, Parent Loans and private scholarships. Tuition Remission Grant, University Grant, Tuition Waiver and academic scholarships may be used only for the amount of tuition charged by UConn. | Federal Work-Study (FWS). |
| UConn program for which UConn charges program fees and not tuition. | CT Aid for Public College Students Grant, Federal Title IV Funds including Pell Grant, SEOG, Stafford Loans, Perkins Loans, Parent Loans, and private scholarships may be used for the cost of the program. | FWS, Tuition Remission Grant, University Grant, Tuition Waiver, and academic scholarships (such as Day of Pride, Nutmeg, Presidential, Leadership and Academic Excellence Scholarship). |
| External program (ex: CIEE, Australearn) that has been approved by the Study Abroad Office | CT Aid for Public College Students Grant, Federal Title IV Funds including Pell Grant, SEOG, Stafford Loans, Perkins Loans, Parent Loans, and private scholarships may be used for the cost of the program. | FWS, Tuition Remission Grant, University Grant, tuition waiver, and academic scholarships (such as Day of Pride, Nutmeg, Presidential, Leadership and Academic Excellence Scholarship).* |
| External program not approved by the Study Abroad Office | n/a | No financial aid eligibility |
Can I receive additional funding to study abroad?
The only additional funds available for study abroad expenses are Federal Parent (PLUS) Loans, Graduate Federal Plus Loans, and alternative financing options. The Office of Study Abroad also has information on a number of scholarships to help you pay for studying abroad.
I have not applied for Financial Aid – What are my options?
Federal Parent Loans (PLUS) and alternative loan financing options. Information is available at http://financialaid.uconn.edu/loans. You may be eligible to borrow up to the total cost of your study abroad program.
Is financial aid available for Summer Study Abroad Programs?
The only funds available for summer programs are Federal Stafford Loans (if student meets eligibility requirements) and alternative financing options. Further information regarding these programs is available at http://financialaid.uconn.edu/loans. A separate Summer Financial Aid Application must be submitted for consideration. This form is available at http://financialaid.uconn.edu/forms, and will be accessible online by mid-February. In mid March, the Office of Student Financial Aid Services will begin reviewing and updating cost of attendance budgets and financial aid awards for students participating in eligible study abroad programs during the summer.
What happens to my Work-Study if I Study Abroad?
If you will study abroad in the fall, you should request that the Student Employment Office hold your spring Work-Study amount. If you do not contact the Student Employment Office by the established deadline, your Work-Study for the academic year will be cancelled. If you will study abroad in the spring, you may use only your fall portion of Work-Study during the fall semester. Your spring Work-Study will be cancelled.
How do I defer my University fee bill for a UConn program?
If you have completed the entire financial aid process, your financial aid awards will appear in the Anticipated Deferrals section of your University fee bill. If your awards do not appear as deferrals, review your financial aid status to confirm all required information has been received by the Office of Student Financial Aid Services.
How do I defer my bill for a non-UConn program?
Students who are participating in an external (non-UConn program) will need to submit an Informal Consortium Agreement for Study Abroad, available at http://financialaid.uconn.edu/forms, to the Office of Student Financial Aid Services immediately after signing your Study Abroad Student Contract. This consortium agreement must be completed by a financial aid officer and returned to the sponsoring institution or program prior to the payment deadline. This form is used to notify the sponsoring institution or program that UConn will be providing your financial aid, and serves to confirm your enrollment in the program. Financial aid will not show as anticipated aid or be disbursed to your student account without a completed UConn Informal Consortium Agreement for Study Abroad. In addition, certain institutions will have their own form that must be submitted to them in order for you to defer payment.
How will I receive my financial aid?
All financial aid is disbursed to the UConn Bursar’s Office, and will be used to pay any outstanding allowable charges. Remember that charges such as parking, health services or balances from previous semesters cannot be paid by financial aid unless you have authorized it by completing a Financial Aid Waiver via the Student Administration System.
A refund check will then be written for any remaining amount. The earliest date a refund will be available is the first day of classes AT UCONN each semester. You must complete the entire financial aid process to receive a refund. Refund checks can be requested online at http://www.bursar.uconn.edu.
You should appoint a trusted friend or family member as your Power of Attorney. Forms are available at http://www.bursar.uconn.edu. This person will be responsible for contacting the Bursar’s Office and requesting your refund check. The refund check is made out in your name. Check with your bank to be sure that your power of attorney will be able to deposit the check.
If you are participating in an external (non-UConn) program:
You, or your power of attorney, will be responsible for using the refund to provide payment to the sponsoring institution or program. UConn does not send payment directly to the non-UConn institution. Students who are participating in the Semester at Sea program must request that the Bursar’s Office send the refund check to them c/o Semester at Sea. You should also be aware that some programs might require you to pay up front, rather than wait for your financial aid. Please check with the individual program for further details.
