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Financial Assistance in Study Abroad

Plymouth State University’s Study Abroad Financial Aid Policy

Plymouth State University (PSU) views study abroad as an important element of your education. In support of the overall educational mission of the institution, Plymouth State University permits institutional aid (i.e. Plymouth State University scholarships, grants and departmental scholarships) to be used towards the cost of fall and/or spring study abroad expenses. While most times, costs to study abroad exceed PSU semester costs, students are able to apply for additional Federal Parent PLUS or student alternative loans to help meet their additional study abroad costs. Federal and state regulation permits the use of federal and state funds for program related costs in which PSU awards college level credit.   A Consortium Agreement between PSU and the host institution is required. The Bagley Center coordinates the collection of these agreements.

In using financial aid for study abroad, the following criteria must be met:

1.   Students must enroll in a minimum of 12 credits each term.
2.   Students must research program costs and submit a Cost Summary sheet (obtained and reviewed with the Office of International Programs) with copies of program costs from the sponsoring institution, to the Director of Financial Aid. The student should schedule a meeting with the director to go over budget material.
3.   A bill or an invoice for the program needs to be submitted to the PSU Bursar’s Office.
4.   If possible, please have all loan checks submitted electronically to PSU.
5.   Students should designate someone as their "Power-of-Attorney" (not an employee of PSU) prior to leaving the country. This should be someone you trust to complete financial arrangements for you while you are out of the country.
6.   A final transcript from the overseas institution must be sent to PSU Registrar’s Office at the completion of your study abroad program.
7.   Tuition Remission recipients may have their benefits applied toward study abroad costs.

Additional Scholarship Opportunities for Study Abroad

PSU provides study abroad students an opportunity to apply for the Barbara Wiley Scholarship. Applications are available through the Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs Office as well as online.

The U.S. government believes it is important for citizens to be better educated about the world and is providing scholarship assistance to help college students engage in overseas study. Below are links to additional scholarship opportunities. Read the instructions carefully since some scholarships do have a service component associated with receipt of the scholarship.

All of these scholarships are competitive with other students around the U.S. To be the most competitive it is important to:

·   Read instructions carefully and check the application deadlines
·   Prepare a draft of your essay and have it reviewed by a faculty member, the Writing Center (Lamson Library) or a study abroad advisor in the Office of International Programs.

Possible scholarships are:

·   NSEP (Boren Scholarship): Deadlines vary
·   Asia Freeman: mid-October deadline for Spring
·   Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship: mid-October deadline for Spring
·   Fulbright Program for U.S. Students

Other Study Abroad funding information:

http://www.studyabroadfunding.org: A valuable funding resource for study abroad opportunities