Education Abroad Financial Aid
Steps to Use Financial Aid for Education Abroad
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you choose a summer study abroad program, you also need to complete the Summer Financial Aid Application. The Summer Financial Aid Application can be found at http://www.k-state.edu/sfa/forms/summerapp.pdf.
Once your online Education Abroad application is in the Committed phase, your Education Abroad Advisor will provide you with a cost sheet for your program, which you must sign. Once the cost summary is signed, you can provide it to the Office of Student Financial Assistance.
If you have any questions about your financial aid, meet with your Financial Aid Advisor in the Office of Student Financial Assistance (104 Fairchild Hall).
You will receive a notification on your K-State student KSIS account if there is a change in the amount of financial aid that you are awarded.
Make all necessary arrangements to receive your financial aid. To simplify this process, we highly recommend that you register for your eRefund on KSIS and/or that a parent or guardian applies for the Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) with the Cashier’s Office.
Questions to Consider
I plan to use financial aid to pay for my study abroad experience. What should I do?
First you need to apply for FAFSA. If you are planning on using financial aid to pay for a summer program, then you will need to submit a Summer Financial Aid Application. Next you should meet with your Education Abroad Advisor to discuss your program’s total cost and to receive a Cost Estimate Sheet. Then, meet with a financial aid representative in the Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA) to review your financial aid package. Finally, set up an account for disbursement by enrolling in Electronic Funds Transfer on KSIS to get your aid direct deposited into your bank account.
How is financial aid disbursed for study abroad programs?
Financial aid will be disbursed by OSFA and will be applied to your K-State student KSIS account.
To make receiving your financial aid easier while you are studying abroad, we highly recommend that you register for your refund on KSIS and you apply for the Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). This is the most convenient way of receiving your financial aid credit balance refund. This will allow your financial aid to be directly deposited into your bank account.
How does Kansas State University determine the amount of financial aid I will receive for study abroad?
Education Abroad determines how much a study abroad program will cost. Your Education Abroad advisor will create a cost sheet for you, which outlines program expenses. The Office of Student Financial Assistance will reviews the cost sheet once you have signed and submitted it and adjusts your financial aid package accordingly. Your financial aid advisor will contact you with the details of your aid eligibility for your study abroad program.
When is financial aid released to my account?
Financial aid is released 10 days before the start of K-State’s semester. This may be before or after the start of your study abroad semester.
Does the financial aid process work differently, depending on the type of the study abroad program in which I participate?
The process is the same for most study abroad programs. If you are concerned about your ability to use financial aid, please contact your Financial Aid Advisor to discuss your eligiblity.
Is it possible for the Office of Student Financial Assistance to guarantee that I will receive financial aid for my study abroad program?
No, there is not a guarantee. It is up to each student's eligibility to receive financial aid. In some cases, students need to have their parents apply for a Parent PLUS Loan or the students need to apply for a private alternative loan or a combination of both.
How can I receive financial aid for a summer study abroad program?
Students wishing to receive financial aid for a summer study abroad program must complete the summer application for federal student aid. Students must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credits to be eligible for financial aid in the summer.
How does the number of credits I take affect my financial aid?
In order to receive financial aid for studying abroad, you need to be enrolled in enough credit hours per semester to be eligible for aid.
Fall or Spring Semesters
Undergraduate is 12 credit hours minimum per semester
Graduate is 9 credit hours minimum per semester
Summer Semester
Undergraduate is 6 credit hours minimum for summer
Graduate is 5 credit hours minimum for summer
Can my outside scholarships apply to my study abroad program?
Some form of financial assistance that applies to your regular academic studies at K-State may be applied to your study abroad program. You will need to contact the scholarship donor to inquire about using the scholarship for studying abroad. These two scholarships available to KSU students that are not available to use for study abroad: the Missouri Reciprocal scholarship and the Midwest Student Exchange scholarship.
What happens to my Federal Work-Study award if I study abroad?
Federal Work-Study does not apply to study abroad programs, so you will not be able to earn any Federal Work-Study funding until you return from your study abroad program.
To receive financial aid when I return to Kansas State University, what must I do before I leave my host university?
You should complete the Kansas State University scholarships application and the Free Application for Federal Student Assistance (FAFSA).
- February 1 is the priority date (for current students) to apply for university scholarships for the following academic year.
- December 1 is the priority date to apply for federal aid for the following academic year.
- In addition to submitting the FAFSA, be sure to closely follow the Kansas State University Financial Aid process calendar.
How can I contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance?
Office of Student Financial Assistance
104 Fairchild Hall | 1601 Vattier Street
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS 66506-1104
Phone: 785-532-6420
Fax: 785-532-7628
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
E-mail: finaid@k-state.edu
www.ksu.edu/sfa
Education Abroad and the Post-9/11 GI Bill®
To use VA funds to study abroad
- Students must be enrolled in courses that will apply to their program.
- The programs at the host school in the foreign country must be approved.
- VA cannot pay any fees specific to studying abroad; i.e. the VA will not pay the K-State Education Abroad administrative fee.
- Note: Any amounts payable are reduced if the student is not eligible at the 100% payment tier. Example: If the student’s benefit payment tier is 40%, VA would pay 40% of the housing allowance, 40% of charged tuition and 40% of the books stipend.
In cases of faculty led programs
- VA could pay the home school’s tuition, up to the in-state maximum allowed (Room and board charges cannot be included in tuition costs). Funds are sent directly to the home school.
- VA could provide a monthly housing allowance to the student, if the student is enrolled more than ½-time. These funds are sent directly to the student to help with room and board costs.
- VA could provide a books and supplies stipend directly to the student.
- VA would pay no charges directly to the host school.
- VA could not pay for any fees specifically due to participation in the study abroad program.
- VA cannot pay airfare
- VA cannot pay amenities fees or host school fees
In cases of some direct enroll programs and some faculty led programs
- VA could pay the tuition and fees, up to the national average in-state maximum tuition and fee charges (Room and board charges cannot be included in tuition costs), if host school is approved to certify enrollments to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.
- The VA could pay the fees that all students that regularly attend the institution must pay—not fees specific to study abroad students.
- VA could provide a monthly housing allowance to the student, if the student is enrolled more than ½-time. These funds are sent directly to the student to help with room and board costs.
- VA could provide books and supplies stipend directly to the student.
- VA would pay tuition directly to host school.
- VA could not pay for any fees the home school charges for study abroad fees
- VA cannot pay airfare
In cases of program providers
- VA benefits cannot be used towards program providers
Other important information:
- Contact K-State’s Veterans Affairs Office for more information
- 221 Anderson, 785-532-7061.
- www.k-state.edu/veteran
- Must complete K-State’s Veterans Information Form (VIF) in order to be certified to the VA.
- Form can be found at http://www.k-state.edu/veteran/benefits/
- Students must take and transfer back the same amount of credits they signed up for.