Pre-Departure Special Funds

Study Abroad & Global Engagement (SAGE) recognizes that paying for some upfront study abroad costs—such as a passport application or an airline ticket—before financial aid has been disbursed can create a barrier to studying abroad. SAGE has several ways of helping students overcome these challenges to make their study abroad dream a reality.

Pederson Study Abroad Student Support Fund for Passport

Grants of up to $165 will assist students in applying for their first adult U.S. passport. Funds will be disbursed to approved students and must be used for their intended purposes as demonstrated by submission of documentation of passport application to Study Abroad & Global Engagement.

Eligibility Requirements

All students must meet the following requirements to apply:

  • be a degree-seeking undergraduate or graduate student at the University of Kansas;
  • have an application to a study abroad program through SAGE (student-initiated programs are eligible);
  • have documented financial need for the funds (FAFSA on file and need statement); and
  • be applying for an adult U.S. passport for the first time.

Don't meet these requirements? SAGE might be able to award you funding through our First-Time Passport Program. Visit the web page for this program to see if you qualify!

Award Requirements

  • Submit documentation of passport
  • Write a thank-you note to the donor

Application Instructions

Timeline

Processing times for U.S. passports can vary, so please view the current processing time from the U.S. Department of State.

Donor

The generous support of Christine Pederson, KU alumna and participant in the International Summer School at the University of Oslo, makes this fund possible.

Airfare Assistance Program 

SAGE will work with students to purchase airfare for their study abroad program if they would not otherwise be able to pay for their airfare until their financial aid is disbursed. (See this page for more information on when financial aid is disbursed.) SAGE will then bill the airfare charge to the student’s Enroll & Pay account. This program offers interest-free loans and has been established so that students can take advantage of lower airline prices prior to financial aid disbursement.

Eligibility Requirements

All students must meet the following requirements to apply:

  • be a degree-seeking student at the University of Kansas;
  • be accepted into and committed to a study abroad program through SAGE (student-initiated programs are eligible); and
  • have a confirmed amount of financial aid and scholarships that will cover the cost of airfare plus the study abroad costs that will be billed on Enroll & Pay (such as tuition, required fees, and program fees). Students can consult the signed financial contract that they submitted to SAGE to commit to their study abroad program to confirm the study abroad costs that will be billed on Enroll & Pay.

Award Requirement

  • Flights must be booked through a university-approved travel agency

Application Instructions

Billing and Payment Procedures

The Airfare Assistance Program is not a scholarship program but rather an interest-free loan. The full cost of the airline ticket will be billed to the student’s Enroll & Pay account along with other study abroad costs as outlined on the student’s signed study abroad financial contract. It is each student’s responsibility to make sure their financial aid is in order so they can pay all study abroad costs billed through Enroll & Pay by the payment deadline as listed on the KU bill. KU will assess late fees if not paid in full by the deadline. SAGE cannot remove any late fees or enrollment holds.

Timeline

Students can apply for this program after signing their study abroad financial contract. Depending on the departure date, flights can be purchased several weeks or up to several months after students sign their financial contract.

SAGE recommends starting this process sooner rather than later if you anticipate needing to use the Airfare Assistance Program to participate in study abroad. Not all students who inquire about the program are eligible to use it, so it's important to talk to SAGE early to confirm that you will be able to take advantage of this opportunity. Getting your flights booked early will also help you benefit from lower rates --- the closer to travel you book, the more expensive airfare becomes.

Costs and Finances