KSU Student Financial Aid: Study Abroad

Can I get financial aid to study abroad?
Enrollment in a program of study abroad approved for credit by the institution may be considered enrollment in the institution for purposes of applying for Title IV aid. If you are an eligible student and enroll in a Kent State University sponsored study abroad program full time, you will be able to retain all Title IV federal financial aid and most state and institutional financial aid.

I have not applied for financial aid. What do I need to do?
To be considered for financial aid, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This is your application for federal and state grants and federal loans, and it must be completed every year. The federal government processes the FAFSA and the results are sent to Kent State University. The FAFSA can be filed on-line at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Once Kent State University receives your information a financial aid award letter will be mailed to you, explaining what types of financial aid you are eligible to receive.

I have a Kent State University Scholarship. Can I use it if I study abroad?
Students can use Kent State University scholarships that are awarded by the Student Financial Aid Office or the Admissions Office for Kent State University or Ohio International Consortium (http://www.uc.edu/global/OIC.htm) sponsored study abroad programs, provided you are enrolled full time. This does not include room, board, or book scholarships, which are specific to the Kent campus. A student studying abroad through another Ohio or U.S. school or by direct enrollment at a foreign institution cannot use a Kent State University scholarship at the visited school.

If your scholarship was awarded by an academic department or by the Honor’s College, please contact that office to find out if you can use your scholarship.

I am participating in a study abroad program offered by another school. Can I still receive financial aid?
If you are participating in a program offered through another university, you will be considered a Transient Student and you must complete the student section of the Ad Hoc Consortium Agreement and submit it to the Student Financial Office along with all required paperwork. Students can download a copy of the Ad Hoc Consortium Agreement form from the Student Financial Aid web site (www.sfa.kent.edu/forms.asp).

I am not a Kent State University student, but I am going to participate in a study abroad program sponsored by Kent State University. Can I receive financial aid?
If you not a Kent State University student but will be participating in one of our study abroad programs, you will be considered a Transient Student. You should contact the financial aid office at your “home” institution and initiate an Ad Hoc Consortium Agreement there.

When should I contact the Student Financial Aid Office to let them know I am planning to study abroad?
Contact the Student Financial Aid Office at least one full semester before beginning the study abroad program. Please make an appointment with your personal Financial Aid Representative.

Studying abroad is going to cost more. Can I qualify for more financial aid since my expenses will be greater?
Study abroad students may be eligible for a budget adjustment, which would allow for additional expenses related to studying abroad to be included in their Cost of Attendance. Please note: budget adjustments do not change the student’s eligibility for federal or state grant programs, and it does not increase the amount a student can borrow in a federal loan program. Typically, a budget adjustment will only increase the amount of money a student can borrow in a private loan from a bank or a PLUS Loan (Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students). To request a budget adjustment you must complete a Cost of Attendance Increase Form, available in the Student Financial Aid Office or on this Web site at www.sfa.kent.edu/forms.asp.

The study abroad program I am participating in needs documentation of what financial aid I will be receiving. Can the Student Financial Aid Office give this to me?
Most students should be able to submit a copy of their Financial Aid Award Letter as documentation of the financial aid they will be receiving. If you need additional documentation, please contact your personal Financial Aid Representative

I will be leaving the country before the semester begins. Can I get my excess financial aid/refund check early?
Financial aid and scholarship funds cannot be released to the Bursar’s Office any sooner than 10 days before the start of the semester at Kent State University or 10 days prior to the start of the study abroad program, provided the program starts after the semester begins at Kent State University. Therefore, funds may not be available to you until after your departure. You are strongly encouraged to register for electronic funds transfer (EFT) with the Bursar’s Office so that your refund check will be directly deposited into the bank account of your choice. Otherwise, you may need to make arrangements with your bank and/or family to handle your funds once they are released.