Financial Aid
In general, students may apply financial aid (including loans, grants, and scholarships) towards the cost of ANY study abroad program, whether or not it is sponsored by NC State. Financial aid eligibility is determined using the TOTAL cost of studying abroad, based on official program budgets provided by the Study Abroad Office or by the sponsoring institution (if the program is not an NC State program). Please be aware that the FAFSA should be submitted by the end of February of the year prior to when the program starts (see www.fafsa.ed.gov). The NC State FAFSA school code is 002972.
Example: Complete a 2011-2012 FAFSA by the end of February of 2011 if you plan to attend a program in August 2011, January of 2011 or Summer 2012.
If you're seeking federal funding, an Enrollment Agreement Form is required to be submitted to the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid (OSFA). This form must be signed by your academic advisor who can confirm that the study abroad program satisfies your degree requirements. Click here to access all Financial Aid Forms related to Studying Abroad. These forms are located under "Special enrollment forms". Please read form instructions carefully as you may need to complete more than one of these forms.
Please contact Ivy Wilcox (ivy_wilcox@ncsu.edu) in the Office of Scholarship and Financial Aid for more information.
If you are planning to study abroad in the near future and the deadlines listed below have passed, contact the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid immediately. Financial aid funds are available through the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid to assist students who are enrolled in a degree program at NC State with meeting the expenses of an NC State Study Abroad experience. Note: special arrangements can be made for late applications for financial aid, although aid may be disbursed late. Enrollment Requirements Semester and Year Programs:
Aid recipients are expected to enroll as full-time students. Full-time status is defined as an student registered for twelve (12) or more credit hours per semester abroad (undergraduate) or for nine (9) or more credit hours per semester abroad (graduate student) . If you do not maintain full time status, awards may be canceled or adjusted. Summer Programs:
Students must earn a total of six (6) credit hours during the Summer for financial aid eligibility. PLEASE NOTE: Summer financial aid is generally ONLY available in the form of student and/or parent loans. Disbursement of Financial Aid Funds
If you are billed through the Cashier's Office (for example, for NC State tuition) are receiving financial aid, and have completed the required documentation for the OSFA your aid will be reflected on your student account and will be applied to your balance when your aid disburses.
Financial Aid funds will be disbursed approximately 10 days prior to the start of your study abroad program unless your program start date is before the start of classes at NC State. If your program starts before the start of classes at NC State your aid will disburse within 10 days of the first day of classes at NC State. Disbursements are typically released three times a week - Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
In some cases, Financial Aid may not be disbursed until after you have left the county. We recommend you give a loved one you trust Power of Attorney so they can sign documents or make banking transactions on your behalf while you are abroad. Assistance is available through Student Legal Services in Suite 4128, Talley Student Center.
Payment Deferral for Financial Aid Recipients
NC State Summer Programs: Students receiving Financial Aid must submit a $300.00 payment (cash, check or money order made payable to NC State in U.S. funds drawn on a U.S. bank; no credit cards accepted), along with the completed Study Abroad Office Program Balance Deferment Agreement to the Study Abroad Office by the program payment deadline date for programs in Summer 2012. At this time you must also pay any known balance due over your aid award amount. The Study Abroad Office will verify your award amount and contact you if there is any additional balance due.
NC State Study Abroad Programs (Semester in Wales, Prague Institute): Students receiving Financial Aid must submit a copy of the completed Study Abroad Office Program Balance Deferment Agreement to the Study Abroad Office by the Friday before orientation.
Non-NC State programs: If you are a Financial Aid recipient and your Program requires payment before you will receive your Financial Aid, you should contact the Program Coordinator and request a deferment.
Study Abroad Office Program Balance Deferment Agreement: If you have a confirmed aid award, please contact study_abroad@ncsu.edu or lowell_west@ncsu.edu to request this form.
