Office of Student Financial Aid Services

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding using financial aid for an Education Abroad program. Questions not addressed below should be directed to a Financial Aid Officer.  Enrollment in an Education Abroad program that has been approved by UConn Education Abroad may be considered enrollment at UConn for the purpose of applying for federal student aid. All participants should complete a FAFSA by March 1 to ensure that they are considered for any financial aid for which they may be eligible. Sources of aid and procedures vary depending on the type of program. Financial Aid eligibility criteria are the same when going abroad or studying at UConn.

The cost to go abroad varies depending on the program. Budget sheets for each program are available on each program’s online brochure, located on the UConn Education Abroad website.

Check the budget sheet for your program on the individual program brochure on the UConn Education 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, and certain types of financial aid cannot be used.

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 UConn Education Abroad website. The following grants and scholarships can only be used towards exchange programs, which charge UConn tuition: Nutmeg, Day of Pride, Leadership, Presidential, Academic Excellence, UConn Award, STEM Scholarships, University Grant. Additionally, no tuition waivers will apply towards programs that charge only program fees. If you are a Nutmeg or Day of Pride scholar, your scholarship will cover tuition and fees billed by UConn. You will be billed for room and board by your Host Institution and your Nutmeg or Day of Pride Scholarship will not apply.

*If you are participating in an Affliated Program (ex: API, CIEE, etc) A Consortium Agreement For Study Abroad can be found here and must be submitted before any financial aid request can be processed or disbursed.

You are not eligible to use financial aid if you are participating in a program not offered through or approved by UConn Education Abroad.

All students must meet the parameters of UConn’s SAP Policy in order to remain eligible for most types of financial aid. The official policy is available here.

Submit the transcript from your host institution or program to Education Abroad as soon as possible. If the letter you receive states that you are not in compliance with the SAP policy due to low pace, and indicates that you may submit an appeal, you also should complete the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal form found here. Indicate on your appeal that you are still waiting for your Education Abroad grades to be posted. You are required to submit supporting documentation along with your appeal. Remember that you are responsible for ensuring the timely posting of your Education Abroad coursework to your transcript. If the letter you receive is a warning concerning your future financial aid eligibility, no appeal is required.

The only funds available for summer programs are Federal Direct Stafford Loans (if the student meets eligibility requirements), Federal PLUS loans (if you are a dependent student and your parents meet credit requirements), and alternative financing options. Further information regarding these programs is available here. 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 Education Abroad programs during the summer. NOTE: Students must be enrolled for at least six credits during the summer to be eligible for most forms of summer financial aid.

If You Are Participating In	You May Use	You May Not Use
Exchange Program for which UConn charges tuition.	University Grant Federal Pell Grant Roberta B. Willis Scholarship or Grant SEOG Tuition Waiver Federal Direct Stafford Loans (Subsidized and Unsubsidized) Federal Direct Plus Loans Private scholarships Merit Scholarships	Federal Work-Study (FWS).
UConn Program for which UConn charges program fees, NOT tuition)	Federal Pell Grant SEOG Federal Direct Stafford Loans (Subsidized and Unsubsidized) Federal Direct Plus Loans Private scholarships	Federal Work-Study University Grant Roberta B. Willis Scholarship or Grant Tuition Waiver Merit Scholarships (such as Day of Pride, Nutmeg, Presidential, Leadership and Academic Excellence Scholarship)
Affiliated Program (ex: API, CIEE, ) that has been approved by Education Abroad	PELL SEOG Stafford Loans Federal Direct Plus Loans Private scholarships	Federal Work-Study University Grant Tuition Waiver Academic scholarships (such as Day of Pride, Nutmeg, Presidential, Leadership and Academic Excellence Scholarship) Roberta B. Willis Scholarship or Grant
External Program not approved by Education Abroad	N/A	No financial aid eligibility

The only additional funds available for Education Abroad expenses are Federal Direct Parent (PLUS) Loans, Graduate Federal PLUS Loans, and alternative financing options. The Education Abroad also has information on a number of scholarships to help you pay for your program abroad.

Alternative loan financing options. Information is available here. You may be eligible to borrow up to the total cost of your Education Abroad program.

If you go abroad in the fall, you should request via email (studentjobs@uconn.edu) 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 go 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.

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.

Students who are participating in an external (Non-UConn or Exchange program) will need to submit a Consortium Agreement for Study Abroad, available here, to the Office of Student Financial Aid Services immediately after signing your Education 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 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.

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 created 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.

 

Sign up for direct deposit! Direct Deposit (or “e-refund”) allows you to have your excess funds from financial aid or other sources deposited directly into your checking account instead of receiving a paper check! (Note: excludes Parent PLUS loans unless the parent has designated funds to go to the student; U.S. bank accounts only.) You may sign up for Direct Deposit by logging into your Student Administration account and navigating to the ‘Finances’ section. You must then select “Enroll or Edit Direct Deposit Information” and follow the steps provided.

You will be responsible for using the refund to provide payment to the sponsoring institution or program. UConn does not send payment directly to the Host institution/program. 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.