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Study Abroad FAQ

Q: Is financial aid available to all students who participate in study abroad programs?

A. To be considered for financial aid, you must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. You must also be enrolled for a minimum of 6 credits and be matriculated in a degree program in which all credits earned will be applied to your degree requirements. If you are currently receiving financial aid, you are probably eligible for financial assistance for your term abroad.

If you participate in a UB or four-year SUNY school sponsored program, you can apply your financial aid package (excluding work-study) to the costs of the study abroad program. If you participate in a program sponsored by an out-of-state school, there may be portions of your financial aid that are not able to be applied to the out-of-state programs.

Q. What if the program abroad in which I am interested is more expensive than attending UB?

A. In some cases, it is possible to have your award increased. The circumstances under which this may apply will be different for each individual student and dependent upon the study abroad program. In order to be considered for an increase, you need to make an appointment with a financial aid advisor. It is necessary to provide Student Academic Records & Financial Services with an itemized cost list which will show the increase in your financial needs. This list is usually provided by the program's sponsoring campus.

Q. Is financial aid available for summer study abroad?

A. Students eligible for financial aid during the academic year usually qualify for certain types of financial aid during the summer. The aid available to students includes the Stafford Loan, Pell Grant, and the Parent Plus Loan. To be considered for financial aid you must file a FAFSA form.

In order to receive financial aid for the summer session, you must be enrolled for a minimum of six (6) credit hours and be matriculated in a degree program. Financial need must be demonstrated as defined by federal regulations. Any financial aid received during the summer may affect your eligibility for financial aid during the subsequent academic year.

If you will be applying for a loan during the summer, you will need to fill out a "Summer Direct Loan Request".

Q. What if I am not going on a UB-sponsored study abroad program; will my financial aid still apply?

A. By participating in a four-year SUNY school sponsored program, you will still be registered at UB as a full-time student. Therefore you will still be receiving aid through Student Academic Records & Financial Services at UB.

There are two exceptions for studying abroad if you are a student at UB who is:

1. Participating in a two-year SUNY community college sponsored program
2. Participating in a non-SUNY sponsored program

In these two cases, you will need to to take a Leave of Absence from UB to enroll in that particular study abroad program. Leave of Absence forms can be obtained at the Student Response Center or from your academic advisor. Your advisor must certify that the courses you are taking will apply toward your degree.

In both cases, you must complete a Consortium Agreement as you will be registered at a "host institution" and not at UB while you are abroad. A Consortium Agreement is an agreement made between your home campus and your host institution to forward your financial aid.

Q. Are there financial resources other than Federal and State Aid that can be used to finance study abroad?

A. There are many scholarships available for studying abroad offered by a variety of organizations: government (both US and foreign), civic organizations (Rotary Club) and sometimes private companies. The Study Abroad Office has information and books about the different kinds of scholarships and their eligibility requirements. Other types of scholarships include: the Fulbright Scholarship, which is offered to students wishing to pursue a specific field of study in a certain country; the Monbusho Scholarship, which is provided by the Japanese government to undergraduate and graduate students who will be studying in Japan for a year; and other travel grants. Information is also available at UB's libraries and through various Internet sites.