Financial Aid to Study Abroad
You may apply for financial aid for a Study Abroad program provided the program is through Binghamton University or another SUNY four-year college or university. In order for non-SUNY programs to be considered for financial aid, a separate approval process is required through Catherine Krebs in the International Programs Office. Initial inquiries about available programs should be made to the office of International Programs, located in G-1 of Nelson A. Rockefeller Center.
Once you decide on a program, you may want to meet with your financial aid counselor to discuss financial aid for the trip. Bring an estimate of the program's cost with you.
The following steps need to be taken after you have decided to pursue a Study Abroad Program:
- File your FAFSA as early as possible
- Obtain a letter of acceptance and a detailed program budget from the school you are going through. Submit these along with the Study Abroad Request for Review Form*, to the Financial Aid Services Office.
- Make sure you have done the necessary paperwork in the Office of International Programs so they can pre-register you for Study Abroad.
- Contact Student Accounts, located in Student Wing, Room 117, how your aid will be disbursed while you are abroad - early December for spring programs and early May for fall programs.
- Before you leave on the program, double check with all offices involved to assure your financial aid will be processed smoothly.
* The Study Abroad Request for Review Form lists all of the information and documents we will need in order to determine your eligibility for ANY aid toward study-abroad expenses. Once you complete this form and return it to our office with the required documentation, it will be reviewed by your Financial Aid Counselor. You will be notified if there are any changes to your previous financial aid offer.
There may also be further documentation your counselor needs after reviewing your request and all paperwork must be received before any of your aid can be disbursed, whether or not you decide to study abroad. It can take several months for your aid to be in place, so you should take this into consideration when thinking about leaving the country.
Other offices, such as Student Accounts, will also require information and documents from you. You should contact everyone involved BEFORE you go. Delays in getting all of the required paperwork completed and turned in will only mean delays in you receiving aid money that you may be counting on to cover your study abroad expenses. Give yourself plenty of time to do everything necessary beforehand.
