Financing Study Abroad FAQs
For more detailed information, review the Financing Study Abroad section on the Education Abroad website.
How much will my program cost?
Our Cost Considerations Table will assist you in understanding how each program is billed.
For information about how Financial Aid can apply, please see the “Student Financial Aid” page.
Can I use my financial aid for study abroad?
Your individual financial aid package is applicable to an education abroad opportunity as long as the program is credit-bearing and the credit counts toward your degree program. Your financial aid package may be amended to allow for costs associated with the program. Meet with a financial aid advisor to determine eligibility.
For more information, check out our Financial Aid resource page.
Does the number of credit hours affect my eligibility for federal financial aid for study abroad?
While the requirement for federal student loan eligibility is half-time enrollment, study abroad requires students to be enrolled full-time during a semester. Rules vary for students participating in Interim and Summer programs. Meet with a financial aid advisor to discuss options.
For more information, check out our Financial Aid resource page.
How do I request for my federal financial aid to be applied (for non-faculty-led programs)?
- Complete the interactive budget sheet using actual cost information from your program provider or host institution.
- Request an official study budget by submitting the completed interactive budget sheet to your Education Abroad Advisor via e-mail after UA endorsement for your program.You MUST include in your e-mail the cost information from your program provider or host institution.
- Your Education Abroad Advisor will notify you via e-mail when your study budget is ready for pick-up in 144 B.B. Comer Hall.
- Take the official study budget, signed by your Education Abroad Advisor, to Student Financial Aid in 106 Student Services where your request will be processed.
For more information, check out our Financial Aid resource page.
Note: Submission does not guarantee that you will receive federal financial aid.The request for scholarship funds to be applied is a separate process.
How do I request for my federal financial aid to be applied (for faculty-led programs)?
- Download the Summarized Cost and Payment sheet (PDF) found in your UA study abroad application for your program.
- Complete the Education Abroad Financial Estimate Worksheet. (NOTE: You’ll need the Summarized Cost & Payment Sheet PDF downloaded in Step 1 to complete the worksheet). If you need help completing the worksheet, watch this how-to video and/or refer to this how-to guide: Submitting an Education Abroad Financial Estimate Worksheet for a Faculty-led Program.pdf
- Once the worksheet has been filled in by the aid departments (Financial Aid, Scholarships etc.), send a completed copy to the UA faculty director of your study abroad program.
- Be aware of your anticipated aid when making payments for your faculty-led program. The amount of aid is subtracted from the final payment. Again, refer to the Submitting an Education Abroad Financial Estimate Worksheet for a Faculty-led Program.pdf for help in completing the estimate worksheet.
Note: Submission does not guarantee that you will receive federal financial aid.The request for scholarship funds to be applied is a separate process.
When do I need to meet with a Financial Aid Advisor?
The best time to meet with a financial aid advisor is during the exploration phase. The more specifics you have about the program you plan to do and its associated costs, the more specific the information you will receive from Student Financial Aid. Go to 106 Student Services with federal financial aid questions.
For more information, check out our Financial Aid resource page.
Can I use my scholarships for study abroad?
The applicability of scholarships is determined by the Office of Undergraduate Scholarships. Programs must be credit-bearing. Applicability is based on:
- Type of scholarship (i.e. tuition only, tuition + stipend, etc.)
- Type of program (i.e. faculty-led, exchange, affiliate, etc.)
For more information, check out our Undergraduate Scholarships resource page.
How do I request for my scholarships to be applied?
View the process for requesting scholarships for study abroad here.
When will I receive my federal financial aid or scholarship?
It depends on the start date of your program. Financial aid and scholarships are disbursed right before the start of the UA term.
If you would like to defer payment until you receive your anticipated funds, contact Education Abroad.
How do I withdraw from a faculty-led program?
A student will indicate interest in withdrawing from a faculty led program to either the UA program director or facultyled@ua.edu, or by withdrawing their UA faculty-led application. The student will then be asked to complete the Faculty Led Withdrawal Request Form. Please note: This request may take several weeks for processing if we have to negotiate with outside vendors about any potential refunds.
- If it is determined that a participant owes the University, then their UA account will be billed.
- If it is determined that the participant is owed a refund, then any funds will post to the participant’s UA account. Any refund will go towards paying any outstanding balances on their UA account.
To check the status of a student’s withdrawal request, please email facultyled@ua.edu.
How do I withdraw from a provider (affiliate, non-affiliate, direct enroll) or exchange program?
UA students wishing to withdraw from their committed study abroad program must submit the Provider and Exchange Withdrawal Request Form, which will be sent to their Education Abroad advisor. This request only applies to the UA study abroad application(s), and applicable fees. Please allow 2-3 business days for processing. Please note: Students will need to complete a separate withdrawal process with the study abroad provider or third-party organization, if applicable.
NOTE: UA will not provide refunds of any monies paid by students to outside institutions, organizations, or entities (e.g., tuition for direct enroll programs, host institution housing, third-party program providers, such as API, ISA, AIFS, etc.). Students should contact the outside institution, organization, or entity with questions regarding refund policies for their programs.
Cost Considerations
Study Abroad Cost Considerations by Program Type
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| Financial Factor | UA Faculty Led | UA Exchange | Affiliate/ Direct Enroll/ Non-UA Affiliate |
|---|---|---|---|
| UA Tuition | Varies by credit hours (based on in-state rate) | UA tuition (based on student’s residency) | Not paid to UA during term abroad |
| Program Fee | All other costs for program as listed on the program’s Summarized Cost and Payment sheet and paid to Student Receivables | N/A | All costs will be paid to the provider or host university |
| Living Expenses (i.e., housing, meals, etc.) | Incorporated into the program fee as listed on the Summarized Cost and Payment sheet | Living expenses are not bundled but are payable to outside entities* | May or may not be bundled in the program fee as determined by the provider or host university |
| Study Abroad Course Fee | Included in program fee | Billed via enrollment in a placeholder course (i.e. CIP 401). Payable through UA bill. Approximate amount is $200 (subject to change). | Billed via enrollment in a placeholder course (i.e. CIP 413). Payable through UA bill. Approximate amount is $200 (subject to change). |
| Study Abroad Insurance | Included in cost of program | $275 for semester paid through UA bill | $220 for semester/$55 for summer paid through UA bill |
| UA Undergraduate (tuition) Scholarships | UA scholarships may apply to the “overseas tuition” portion of the billable cost of the trip; it is charged at the in-state rate | UA scholarships may apply to the tuition at the rate determined by student’s residency | UA scholarships may apply to the full program fee as determined by the Office of Undergraduate Scholarships |
| Other Undergraduate Scholarships | Yes, these may be applicable! See the Undergraduate Scholarship Request form (in MyBama) for applicability | Yes, these may be applicable! See the *Undergraduate Scholarship Request (in MyBama) form for applicability. | Yes, these may be applicable! See the *Undergraduate Scholarship Request form (in MyBama) for applicability. |
| Study Abroad Scholarships | UA and additional sources offer a plethora of scholarships solely for study abroad programs. Most awards are posted directly to the student’s UA account. |
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| Student Financial Aid | Students eligible for federal financial aid at UA may get their aid package reassessed for their study abroad program. | ||
| Other Costs to Consider | Flights, passport, visa, luggage, communication methods (cell phones, calling cards, etc.), travel money for free time, gifts, souvenirs and general spending money (toiletries, snacks, laundry, etc.). The interactive budget sheet will help you estimate these expenses. | ||