The prospect of studying at another institution in a foreign country is very exciting, and Student Financial Services is committed to helping you in this adventure!
We will proactively assist you with your Global Learning experience and help you understand the financial aspects of studying abroad.
In most cases, you can use your existing financial aid award to pay for study abroad. You may also be able to get an adjustment to your award to account for additional expenses.
What financial aid can I use for Studying Abroad?
| Award | Eligible for Study Abroad? | Terms |
|---|---|---|
| Academic Achievement/Diversity Scholarship | Yes | |
| College Bound | Yes | |
| College Bound - WASFA | Yes | |
| Cougar Award, WUE/Cougar Award for Transfer Students, WUE/Distinguished Cougar Award | Dependent | Student must be charged WSU tuition to receive award. |
| Crimson Opportunity Award | Yes | |
| Cougar Commitment | Dependent | Student must be charged WSU tuition to receive award. |
| Crimson Transfer Award | Yes | |
| Distinguished University Achievement Award | Yes | |
| Dependents Waiver | No | |
| Everett Scholars Award | No | |
| Experience WSU Scholarship | Yes | |
| Future Cougars Embracing Diversity | Yes | |
| Future Cougars of Distinction | Yes | |
| Glenn Terrell Presidential Scholarship | Yes | |
| Institutional Grant | Yes | |
| INTERMEC Foundation Scholarship | No | |
| International Emergency Award | Dependent | Refer to the WSU International Programs office for questions. |
| International Freshman Academic Award | Dependent | Refer to the WSU International Programs office for questions. |
| International Merit Award | Dependent | Refer to the WSU International Programs office for questions. |
| International Transfer Academic Award | Dependent | Refer to the WSU International Programs office for questions. |
| LEOFF Waiver | No | |
| National Merit Scholarship Program | Yes | |
| Non-Resident Veterans Waiver | Dependent | Refer to Tri-Cities for questions |
| Nursing Loan | Yes | |
| Parent Plus Loan | Yes | |
| Pell Grant | Yes | |
| Perkins Loan | Yes | |
| Post 9/11 GI Bill | Dependent | Refer to WSU Veteran's Affairs Office for questions |
| Regents Scholars Program | Yes | |
| SEOG | Yes | |
| Washington College Grant | Yes | |
| Washington College Grant - WASFA | Yes | |
| Subsidized Loan | Yes | |
| Tri-Cities New Student Academic Achievement Award | Dependent | Refer to Tri-Cities for questions |
| Tri-Cities WUE | Dependent | Refer to Tri-Cities for questions |
| University Achievement Award | Yes | |
| Unsubsidized Loan | Yes | |
| Vancouver Academic Achievement Award | Dependent | Student must be charged WSU tutition to receive award. |
| Vancouver Cougar Opportunity Award | Dependent | Student must be charged WSU tutition to receive award. |
| Vancouver Non-Resident Academic Achievement Award | Dependent | Student must be charged WSU tutition to receive award. |
| Vancouver Transfer Academic Achievment Award | Dependent | Student must be charged WSU tutition to receive award. |
| Veteran's Waiver | No | |
| Washington Opportunity Award | Yes | |
| Work Study | No | |
| WSU Faculty/Staff Dependent Scholarship | Yes |
If you have an outside or private scholarship, please check with your scholarship provider to determine eligibility.
If your award is not listed, please contact Student Financial Services to determine eligibility.
This worksheet includes general information students should know when planning to use financial aid to help fund their study abroad program. In addition to reviewing financial aid, this helpful sheet explores budgeting for your program, scholarship opportunities and important resources for your study abroad program.
Study Abroad Planning Worksheet
Get Started
Step 1: Global Learning “Cougs 101” session
Start with Global Cougs 101, a 45-minute info session held in Bryan Hall 105 that covers the basics of studying abroad. Sign up here!
Step 2: Application and expense information
Complete the Global Learning study abroad application and indicate that financial aid funds will be used to cover the expenses of studying abroad. (Please do not mark the financial aid box if financial aid will NOT be used to assist with expenses!) Note that applications must be submitted the semester before your program begins.
Once the application is submitted, the Global Learning Office will send Student Financial Services the Program Expense Information detailing the expenses for the particular program.
Costs and expenses abroad may be much higher or lower than a term at Washington State University, depending on the selected program. Please research your program and plan accordingly.
Step 3: Revision of attendance costs
Student Financial Services will revise your cost of attendance for the term spent abroad to reflect the Global Learning costs outlined in your program expense information. Once the cost of attendance adjustment is made, your financial aid award may change to reflect your program expenses. When this change occurs to your award, a notification which reads Education Abroad Adjustment will show on your myWSU account in a “Received” status.
Step 4: Enrollment requirements
It is your responsibility to know BOTH academic and financial aid enrollment requirements specific to your program.
Undergraduate students must be enrolled at least half-time (6 credits) during the Fall, Spring, or Summer term to be eligible for financial aid. However, Global Learning requires undergraduates to be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credits during the Fall and Spring terms. Summer session can vary in terms of the credit requirement.
Graduate and professional students have a different set of enrollment requirements. Check with Global Learning for more information.
Step 5: Release of program funds
According to federal regulations, financial aid for Global Learning students is released on the first day of the regular WSU term or 10 days prior to the student’s official program start date — whichever is LATER. There are no exceptions.
For example:
Adam’s program begins April 30th. WSU Summer Session begins May 9th. Adam’s financial aid will disburse May 9th (Summer Session start is later).
OR …
Lorri’s program begins February 8th. WSU Spring semester begins January 11th. Lorri’s financial aid will disburse January 30th (10 days before the program starts).
Once all requirements for aid delivery are completed, the funds will deliver to your student account. Financial aid first pays WSU tuition and mandatory fees, then other WSU charges (as permitted by you). All study abroad students should set up Direct Deposit through myWSU.
Step 6: Paying charges
You must pay your program provider directly. WSU DOES NOT pay the program on your behalf. If financial aid is used for the term abroad and if you have setup Direct Deposit through myWSU, the funds will deliver to your student account in the same way as “normal” WSU attendance. You will then pay all associated costs.
If you have any questions during the process or about the information above, please contact Global Learning or Student Financial Services for guidance.
Study Abroad Scholarships
Most Pullman campus scholarships—including University Achievement, Regents Scholarship, and the Glenn Terrell Scholarship—can be used while studying abroad during the academic term(s) for which they are offered. Check out the scholarship eligibility table above to see if your award is eligible!
WSU International Programs Scholarship Resources
WSU International Programs offers many scholarship resources for students who are planning to study abroad. Find out more by selecting the Study Abroad Scholarships link below.
Study Abroad Scholarships
Outside WSU Scholarship Opportunities
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship:
The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship is a grant program that enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad.
The Gilman Scholarship Program is open to U.S. citizen undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding to participate in study and intern abroad programs worldwide.
Boren Scholarships:
Boren Scholarships, an initiative of the National Security Education Program, provide unique funding opportunities for U.S. undergraduate students to study less commonly taught languages in world regions critical to U.S. interests, and underrepresented in study abroad, including Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East. The countries of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are excluded.
Boren Scholars represent a vital pool of highly motivated individuals who wish to work in the federal national security arena. In exchange for funding, Boren Scholars commit to working in the federal government for at least one year after graduation.
GoAbroad.com:
GoAbroad has numerous scholarship resources for students that want to study abroad. Visit their website for some basic questions to consider before going abroad and for a directory of scholarship opportunities.
Diversity Abroad
The Diversity Abroad website can connect you to study abroad and global programs, scholarships, graduate and career opportunities. Use the “Match Me” tool to find scholarship opportunities that match with your interests.
Contact International Programs
Bryan Hall, Rm. 105
PO Box 645110
Pullman, WA 99164-5110
Phone: (509) 335-6204
Fax: (509) 335-2677
ip.globallearning@wsu.edu
Office of Global Learning
FAQ
What if my financial aid doesn’t cover all of my program’s costs?
If your institutional, state, and/or federal aid does not cover your program’s costs, you might consider using a private education loan to cover the remaining balance.
IMPORTANT: Private education loans are subject to the same rules of disbursement as other financial aid options. We recommend that you and your family inquire about a private lender’s disbursement method before choosing a lender and doing so well before the departure date! Be certain that the lender disburses funds electronically. A paper check requires an endorsement which could present a substantial inconvenience if the student is already overseas.
Does WSU pay fees for my global learning program?
You are responsible for paying the Global Learning program directly. The university DOES NOT pay the program directly under any circumstances.
If financial aid is used for the term abroad and if the student has set up Direct Deposit through myWSU, the funds will deliver to the student’s account in the same way as “normal” WSU attendance. You will then pay all associated costs.
Where do I turn in a form from my program provider?
While you can turn in forms to either the Global Learning Office or Student Financial Services Office, you must make sure you have filled out the student section of the form. If you turn the form into Global Learning they will then forward it to the Student Financial Services Office along with the Program Expense Form. Our office will then complete the form and return it to the student to return to your program.
What can I do if my program requires payment before my aid is available?
Although government regulations do not allow WSU to disburse funds early to cover your program deposits, airline tickets, or other necessary fees, there are at least 2 ways you might be able to resolve this issue.
- If a family member or friend can offer you an informal short-term loan, you could reimburse that person when your financial aid is delivered.
- Some, but not all, Global Learning programs will defer a portion of the payment due until aid disburses. In order to do this, programs must know in advance how much financial aid will be received and when. The programs have forms (i.e. Financial Aid Verification Form, Payment Deferment Form, etc.) for this use.
Important: While you can turn this form in to either the Global Learning Office or Student Financial Services Office, you must make sure you have filled out the student section of the form. If you turn the form into Global Learning they will then forward it to the Student Financial Services Office along with the Program Expense Form. Our office will then complete the form and return it to the student to return to your program.
How do I ensure my financial aid is ready when I return to WSU after studying abroad?
The key to a smooth financial aid transition from your host university to WSU is to … plan ahead.
If you return to WSU the following term, be sure to complete the FAFSA application before the WSU priority deadline. Many students proactively do this before their departure date in order to receive as much aid as possible instead of dealing with this upon their return and/or missing out on the funds altogether.
While away, be sure to regularly check myWSU and respond to any requests for information and/or checklist items. Additionally, it is recommended to check your WSU email for information, reminder, or requests from our office and other WSU departments.
Both federal and state governments require financial aid departments to monitor the SAP progress of each student receiving financial aid. Therefore, it is imperative for WSU to receive the transcript from your host institution as soon as possible to determine your SAP status for the following term.
You are responsible for ensuring that the host institution has the correct mailing address for WSU’s Global Learning Office and the required documents are sent there. If you study abroad for more than one term, be aware that federal SAP requirements can be waived for one term.
What should I do prior to leaving the country to be sure my aid delivers?
- Set up Direct Deposit on myWSU so that a refund can be credited to your bank account. This way, these funds will be accessible from anywhere in the world.
- Set up Third Party Access for all parents/guardians/individuals that you would like to grant permission to view your student account or records. You should grant someone (preferably a close family member or friend) access to your WSU records in case you need assistance with your financial aid while out of the country.
- Update your mailing address (and other contact information, if appropriate) on myWSU for the term you are abroad. The person receiving your mail at the designated address can forward your mail, or otherwise assist you as agreed. (Don’t forget to change it back upon your return to the United States!)