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 (including air fare and personal expenses), 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 00297.

Example: Complete a 2010-2011 FAFSA by the end of February of 2010 if you plan to attend a Program in August 2010 or January of 2011.

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 NCSU with meeting the expenses of an NCSU 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) 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

1. If you are billed through the Cashier's Office (for example, for NC State tuition) and are receiving financial aid, you may itemize the financial aid on the back of the bill and pay the difference. If your financial aid is greater than the billed amount, you should return the post card included with your bill deferring payment.
2. Financial Aid funds are not disbursed until the first day of classes at NC State during the semester or session you are studying abroad. There are NO EXCEPTIONS to this policy. Please budget accordingly for plane tickets, Visa purchases, enrollment deposits, etc.
3. Payment Deferral for Financial Aid Recipients
• Students on NCSU 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 a copy of the Financial Aid award letter showing enough funding to cover the program balance, to the Study Abroad Office by April 2, 2010, for programs in Summer 2010.
• Students on NCSU Study Abroad Programs (Semester in Wales, Ghana, Prague Institute): Students receiving Financial Aid must submit a copy of the Financial Aid award letter showing enough funding to cover the program balance, to the Study Abroad Office by the Friday before orientation.
• Students on Non-NCSU 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.