For most students funding does not come from one source, but rather from various sources such as loans, partial scholarships, grants, personal savings, etc. Most of the financial aid (loans, grants, and scholarships) that students receive at SAU can be used for study abroad. Financial aid awards are recalculated based on each student’s individual need and study abroad costs. The amount and type of funds is based on each student’s individual eligibility amount as determined by the Financial Aid Office.
All students should complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for financial aid. It is possible for students who don’t qualify for financial aid to study in SAU, to receive aid for a study abroad program. Some types of aid are available regardless of need (such as unsubsidized Stafford and PLUS loans), but the student must file a FAFSA in order to receive them.
How to Apply for Financial Aid
- Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), even if you have not received financial aid in the past.
- Talk to Financial Aid about your study abroad plans, and be sure to ask these questions:
- What kind of aid/loans do I currently receive, and are there any restrictions on this aid if I study abroad? (examples include tuition waivers, work study, grants, Stafford Loans or parent loans)
- Have I reached the maximum of (insert name of) loan allowed per academic year?
- How do loans work for study abroad? Will I need a co-signer?
- When will funds release for my semester of participation?
- How will additional scholarships impact my SAU financial aid?
Scholarships
- Institute of International Education Study Abroad Scholarships: This directory is for U.S. undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate students. It has detailed descriptions of study abroad scholarships, fellowships, grants, and paid internships.
- Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship Program: for Pell grant recipients.
- Fund for Education Abroad Scholarship: FEA awards funds up to $5,000 per semester for students planning to study abroad on academically rigorous programs with a preference for underrepresented students.