Financial Aid for Study Abroad

Many students who study abroad do so with the assistance of various forms of financial aid. Students who qualify for federal, state or institutional aid in the form of grants, loans, or scholarships through the University of Kansas may apply these awards from the Financial Aid and Scholarships (FAS) office toward study abroad provided that they are enrolled in a study abroad program through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA) at the University of Kansas. Students are urged to educate themselves about their own particular situation and their eligibility for minimum/maximum awards while choosing a study abroad program.

Any student who wishes to receive financial aid to study abroad is encouraged to make an appointment with a Financial Aid Counselor at the Financial Aid and Scholarships office (KU Visitor Center, 785-864-4700) to discuss options and processes.  Bring copies of program costs to the appointment with you.  Program costs can be found online on the top of each program brochure page under the Program Cost section.

Types of Aid Available

The following types of aid are awarded by Financial Aid and Scholarships (check with the FAS for eligibility):

    * Federal Pell Grants
    * Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG)
    * Federal Perkins Loans
    * Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans
    * Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students(PLUS)
    * KU Endowment

Other types of aid available:

• OSA Scholarship
• Departmental Scholarships
• Private scholarships, grants, loans from outside sources - check into resources available in the OSA Scholarship Handbook, Watson Library, the University Scholarship Center, and the OSA Resource Library
• IIE Passport has also created a clearinghouse of funding opportunities for studying abroad. You can search their listings at www.StudyAbroadFunding.org.

Using Federal Financial Aid for Study Abroad

1. As soon as possible, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form for the academic year that you will study abroad. Applications are available at the KU Financial Aid and Scholarships office, KU Visitor Center. Or apply online at http://www.fafsa.gov.

The FAFSA requires personal financial information and takes 2 - 6 weeks to process (a paper form takes longer to process than filing electronically). Financial aid cannot be awarded until the KU Office of Student Financial Aid has received FAFSA results.

If you wish to be considered for an Office of Study Abroad (OSA) Scholarship you must complete an OSA Scholarship Application form, available online through the program search page.

      If your FAFSA has already been processed, skip to step 3.

2.  Shortly after the KU Financial Aid and Scholarships office receives your FAFSA results, you will be able to view your initial Financial Aid Awards on your online KU Enroll&Pay account.

3. Once accepted into a study abroad program, you will see a 'Financial Aid & Scholarships' questionnaire on your online checklist. If you intend to use scholarships, loans, and/or other financial aid to pay for your study abroad program, you must choose 'Yes' and answer the questions asked thereafter. Once you have done this, the Office of Study Abroad will submit your study abroad program cost to the Financial Aid and Scholarships office (FAS).  The program cost will be used to calculate your financial aid for study abroad.

4. After the KU Financial Aid and Scholarships office receives the program cost, you must contact their office and complete any materials to request additional financial aid (NOTE: It can take up to 2 weeks before you are awarded any additional financial aid if you qualify so it is important to act quickly). 

We encourage you to schedule an appointment with a Financial Aid Counselor in the KU Financial Aid and Scholarships office, KU Visitor Center; 785-864-4700. During your appointment, the Financial Aid Counselor will discuss your individual financial aid package, including loans for which you may qualify. Your financial aid award may be increased or decreased, based on the cost of your study abroad program. While meeting with the financial aid counselor it is important to discuss all financial options. You are not guaranteed to be eligible for enough financial aid to pay all costs associated with your study abroad program so it is important to discuss alternate funding sources.  Do not commit to a study abroad program until you have secured enough financial aid and you know you can cover all costs associated with the program.

5. Once your awards are posted online on your KU Enroll&Pay Account, accept them and complete any promissory notes for loans.  When you have secured enough financial aid, you can then commit to your study abroad program. After committing to the program and signing a Financial Contract with OSA, your KU Study Abroad Program fees will be posted on your KU Enroll&Pay Account.  You will then need to make sure all your financial aid is in order to pay for your study abroad program fees as well as any applicable KU study abroad tuition. 

Federal aid is typically available on the first day of on-campus classes, and cannot be disbursed earlier, regardless of the study abroad program dates. If you depart before aid is disbursed, you will need to plan accordingly. We highly recommend Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). The request form is available at the OSA and the Bursar's Office (Room 20, Carruth-O'Leary Hall). It is also available online at www.bursar.ku.edu. 

6.  Don't forget to check that you have completed all necessary paperwork with the Office of Study Abroad and the Financial Aid and Scholarships office before you depart!!

Financial Aid for Summer Study Abroad

The financial aid procedures are the same for summer study abroad as for the year or semester programs. In addition, there is a one-page summer financial aid application which must also be completed and is available in the Financial Aid & Scholarships office in mid-February. Follow the steps for disbursement as outlined above in steps 3-6.

Financial Aid for the Year Following Study Abroad

Students who want to receive financial aid for the academic year following study abroad may be required to apply while they are abroad. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be completed every year, even if you received Financial Aid during the previous year. The applications are available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. More information as well as down-loadable forms can be found at FAS website, http://financialaid.ku.edu/ 

The information on this page is directed towards students at the University of Kansas. Non-KU students should contact the study abroad personnel on their campus for their school's policies concerning financial planning for study abroad. Students may also contact the KU Office of Study Abroad with any questions.