Study Away at PSU

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 Global Engagement Office) 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 Student Account Services office. If possible, please have all loan checks submitted electronically to PSU.
4. 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.
5. A final transcript from the overseas institution must be sent to PSU Registrar’s Office at the completion of your study abroad program.
6. Faculty/Staff Tuition Benefit recipients may have their benefits applied toward study abroad costs.

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

ADDITIONAL SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:

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 at Lamson Learning Commons or a study abroad advisor in the Global Education Office.

Possible scholarships are:

• NSEP (Boren Scholarship): Deadlines vary
• Asia Freeman, Instiute of InternationalEducation
• Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
• Fulbright Program for U.S. Students
• Fund for Education Abroad
• GoAbroad
• ItaliaRail Scholarship Program (for students intending to study abroad in Italy only.)

The FAFSA must be submitted every year if you are in need of any federal aid for the following school year.  PSU’s priority deadline is March 1. Do not miss PSU’s priority March 1 FAFSA deadline if you are participating in a spring Study Abroad semester program and plan to return to PSU the following fall semester. Please make arrangements to complete the application while you are away. This is your source for any PSU grants or scholarships, Federal work-study (which can be used once you return to PSU), and Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grants (SEOG).  Late FAFSA filers may only be eligible for Federal Direct Loans, Federal PELL & SEOG Grants, PLUS and Alternative loans.

If you are receiving financial aid at PSU, you can use your financial aid funding as long as specific criteria are met:

• You are currently enrolled as a full- time student in a degree program at PSU and are considered to be in good academic and judicial standing.
• You will be attending an NSE program during the academic year (fall or spring semester)
• The courses for which you register at your host program or university have been approved for credit transfer back to Plymouth (each course requires a completed and approved Transfer Credit Approval form unless on the PSU course approved data base).
• You enroll as and maintain full-time student status at the NSE host institution.  As you are aware, only courses in which you earn a “C” or better will transfer back to PSU.
• You complete the Cost Summary Form with the Global Engagement Office, listing all anticipated expenses including tuition, fees, books, accommodations, meals, flights, and other estimated living expenses.  You will want to bring this form to your first appointment with the Financial Aid Office.

The FAFSA must be submitted every year if you are in need of any federal aid for the following school year.  PSU’s priority deadline is March 1. Do not miss PSU’s priority March 1 FAFSA deadline if you are participating in a spring NSE semester program and plan to return to PSU the following fall semester. Please make arrangements to complete the application while you are away. This is your source for any PSU grants or scholarships, Federal work-study (which can be used once you return to PSU), and Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grants (SEOG).  Late FAFSA filers may only be eligible for Federal Direct Loans, Federal PELL & SEOG Grants, PLUS and Alternative loans.