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Apply for Your Passport!
All students considering study abroad for Winter 2008 must apply for a U.S. Passport, or U.S. Passport renewal, at the earliest possible moment.
 
If you do not have a passport you cannot study abroad.

The U.S. Passport Agency is reporting a massive backlog of passport applications with a current minimum processing time of 12-16 weeks.
 
Students should not expect to receive a passport in fewer than 3 months following the submission of a completed passport application.
 
In addition, many countries require that you have a visa in order to study there. You cannot apply for a visa until you have a passport in hand.
 
In order to ensure a more timely delivery of your passport, you should request Expedited Service when you apply.  


 
There is no genuine education without earnest life-to-life interaction and inspiration. People grow through their interaction with people: Daisaku Ikeda
 
 
FAQs Concerning Financial Aid for
Study Abroad
 
  • Is Financial Aid available for studying abroad?
  • If I currently receive financial aid, does that mean I would receive financial aid for study abroad?
  • I've never applied for financial aid but would like to apply for study abroad. What do I do first?
  • Am I qualified to apply for financial aid?
  • When should I file the FAFSA?
  • Where do I obtain a FAFSA form?
  • How many credits do I need to take to receive financial aid (including loans) for study abroad?

Is Financial Aid available for studying abroad?

Most of the financial aid that students receive can be applied to semester and year-long approved study abroad programs. Please check with the Study Abroad Office for specifics.

Students interested in studying abroad may wish to consider the possibility of obtaining Financial Aid (generally including loans) to assist in funding a study abroad program. Students who do not qualify for need-based grants and the need-based Subsidized Federal Stafford Loan may wish to utilize the non-need based Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan.

It's helpful to remember that loans need to be paid back. The subsidized loan is need-based and interest is paid by the government during the in-school period; the unsubsidized loan is non-need based and interest is paid by the student.

Before applying to a study abroad program, check the program's information sheet and the Study Abroad Office for program expenses. In addition to the program fee, consider the cost of tuition and fees, airfare, passport, visa, immunizations, and spending money. Always seek additional or alternative sources of funding.

If I currently receive financial aid, does that mean I would receive financial aid for study abroad?

Yes, students can usually apply their financial aid (including loans) to assist in covering the cost of studying abroad. Current financial aid recipients normally file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the renewal FAFSA yearly, eliminating the necessity to do another one. Make sure your FAFSA is up-to-date for the period when you wish to study abroad.

There are some scholarships, such as the Alumni Distinguished Scholarship (ADS), Distinguished Freshman Scholarship, MSU National Merit Scholarship, and National Merit Achievement Scholarship, which restrict awards for certain types of study abroad programs. Check with the Office of Admissions and Scholarships for details.

I've never applied for financial aid but would like to apply for study abroad. What do I do first?

You must fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form for the same academic period in which you plan to study abroad. The FAFSA is required to determine your eligibility for Pell Grant and other federal and state grants, federal loans (need-based and non-need-based), work-study, and many University of Hartford grants and scholarships. Apply early as aid is awarded only until funding is exhausted.

The FAFSA is required for:

  • Federal Pell Grant
  • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
  • Federal College Work Study
  • Federal Stafford Loans
  • Federal Perkins Loan

Am I qualified to apply for financial aid?

Everyone who meets the following requirements may apply with the FAFSA form:

  • be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen
  • be registered with Selective Service (if required)
  • be enrolled in an eligible program
  • be making satisfactory academic progress
  • not owe a refund on a Federal grant or be in default on Federal educational loan

When should I file the FAFSA?

The FAFSA is available after January 1 for the academic year beginning the following fall. As soon as possible after January 1 complete the FAFSA and return it to the federal processor. The FAFSA changes every year, so be sure you are filing the correct application for your period of attendance. Be sure to renew your application every year.

Where do I obtain a FAFSA form?

Apply electronically at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov or visit the Financial Aid Office.

How many credits do I need to take to receive financial aid (including loans) for study abroad?

For scholarships and grants you must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 U.S credits abroad.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  
 
 
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