The Center for Global Education and Engagement (CGEE)

Study Abroad and Financial Aid

Did you know you can use your FINANCIAL AID money to finance your study abroad trip? The best way to do this is to plan ahead so if you don't have financial aid yet, apply as soon as possible. A complete financial aid application takes at least 30 days to process. If your application is incomplete, there will be a delay!

There are a few things you must know about how you can use financial aid to help pay for your study abroad program:

• You must sustain a 2.0 GPA (C average) to be eligible for financial aid throughout the school year.
• You must be taking at least 6 units of coursework the semester you are granted financial aid.
• If you are not on Financial Aid, and you would like to participate in a summer study abroad program, apply for financial aid during the spring semester before your study abroad program. Likewise, if you wish to participate during a winter study abroad program, apply for financial aid the fall semester before your program.
• You may use your fee waiver to pay for your tuition to the institution granting credit. (i.e. ELAC)
• If you participate in a summer study abroad, you will have to use the fee waiver from the following school year. For example, if you attend the 2022 summer study abroad program, you will use the fee waiver for the 2022/2023 school year.
• If you participate in a 2023 winter study abroad program, you may use the fee waiver granted to you for the 2022/2023 academic year.
• Since summer study abroad programs will require you to make your payments in the spring semester, you will need to use financial aid funds granted to you the school before you go abroad.
• Manage your funds! You can always save money from each semester granted to you and budget for your study abroad experience.
• Why you apply for financing of your study abroad, make sure you take a class that is part of your Student Educational Plan. The course, for example, might be a part of your major, or it might allow you to satisfy a UC/CSU requirement.

If you have any questions, please visit the Financial Aid office in E1-173, and ask to speak with Julio Alvarado (alvarajc@elac.edu) the designated counselor who can offer advice to students on financing study abroad programs.