Study Abroad and Finances

Study Abroad has an undeserved reputation of being unaffordable. Even the most expensive program can become affordable if you use all of the resources available to you. If you are eligible for financial aid and/or are receiving scholarships, those awards may be applied towards a study abroad opportunity. Please check with Student Financial Assistance for more information regarding your particular financial aid situation.  

Study Abroad and Financial Aid

Most forms of financial aid may be used to pay for your study abroad program costs.  To find out if you can use your Financial Aid towards the program of your choice, please contact Jennifer Wells and inform her which term you would like to go and the amount of credit hours you are planning on taking.

If you wish to use your WKU financial aid to help pay for a study abroad program, here are a few things you should keep in mind:

Please note: The following items are general reminders and may not apply to everyone participating in a Study Abroad Program.

• Make sure you have a current FAFSA on file.
• Select your study abroad program carefully. Choosing to study abroad on a non-WKU program may prevent you from applying your financial aid. For more information on WKU-programs, please go to www.wku.edu/studyabroad or call (270)745-5334.
• Submit your Course Approval form (part of your pre-departure process) to the Study Abroad office early. In order to apply your financial aid to your program, the Financial Aid office must receive two forms from the Study Abroad office: a Study Abroad Approval form and a Course Approval form. Students will work with their academic advisors to complete the latter.
• Enroll in courses for credit. No federal aid may be applied to audited courses.
• Keep in mind that financial aid may be applied NO earlier than 10 days prior to the start date of the program.

Students may not be eligible for Pell Grants or Stafford loans if they are 1) already receiving the academic year maximum amounts and 2) going on Summer or Winter term programs while 3) remaining at the same grade level.

 

Additionally, students going on Summer or Winter programs must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours (undergraduate) or 4.5 credit hours (graduate) for loans to apply as the normally would.

Study Abroad and Scholarships

Students wishing to study abroad during the academic year (Fall or Spring semesters) may apply academic scholarships to cover program costs.  This will count as a semester of eligibility--therefore, if allowable, they may apply the load to their SA program but will have to forego a semester down the road. Student wishing to do so should notify Andy Wagoner via e-mail at andy.wagoner@wku.edu.

In addition, WKU has created a significant scholarship fund, the World Topper Scholarship, which is dedicated to supporting study abroad opportunities. The application for Study Abroad has specific information on how to apply for the WorldTopper Scholarship.

Besides the World Topper Scholarship, other scholarships might be available to you. Here is a list of scholarship that we recommend looking through as many of these might apply to your specific study abroad program.  The Office of Scholar Development is one of WKU’s excellent resources that can provide you with information about scholarships and help you in applying and compete for scholarships.

Office of Scholar Development

(270) 745-5043

E-mail