Government Financial Aid Websites for Study Abroad

Financial Aid Sources and Websites for Study Abroad

Before you search for study abroad financial aid from government sources, do know whether it can work for you (and whether the financial aid you already have will work for study abroad):

• Will my existing financial aid work for study abroad?

Apply for the FAFSA

The nitty gritty on study abroad financial aid from the government aid is that you can use just about any government academic financial aid for academic study abroad (and for more than the tuition -- you can cover just about all of your study abroad costs with government financial aid). First, you'll have to complete the Federal Application for Student Aid (FAFSA). The US Department of Education then awards funds, and Uncle Sam says you can use those funds to get (and get to the country where you want to get) any study abroad credits, provided your school pre-approves the study abroad program.

• Learn more about the FAFSA
• Apply for the FAFSA
• Learn whether your existing financial aid qualifies to be used for study abroad

To be eligible for federal financial aid for study abroad, you will have to:

• Be enrolled in an eligible (Title IV) institution and seeking a degree
• Be a US citizen of the United States (have a Social Security number and card)
• Have been awarded a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) certificate
• Be registered for selective service if you're male

  Forms of Government Financial Aid for Study Abroad

  You may get grants or loans from the federal government for study abroad financial aid. The options:
  • Stafford Loan (Federal Family Education Loan or a Direct Loan; FFEL loan): these are need-based loans, and may or may not accrue interest; you don't have to repay until you're done with school.

  • Parent Loan (PLUS loan): These are need-based loans and are awarded based on your parents' credit; you must begin repaying immediately.

  • Perkins Loan: These are need-based loans which supplement what a Stafford loan doesn't cover; your college disburses the funds.

  • PELL Grant: These are need-based grants based on yearly income; you don't repay these.

  Learn more about federal, or government, financial academic aid:

  • Federal Financial Aid Primer for Students

  Learn more about financing study abroad with financial aid:

  • Will my existing financial aid work for study abroad?
  • All study abroad financial aid
  • Study abroad financial aid from private sources

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