<p>Does the American financial aide system allow students to apply funds to study abraod programs if the students enrolls directly in an overseas school? For example, can a Pell Grant or State Aide follow a student overseas? or Does the student need to be enrolled in an American University who arranges foreign travel?</p>
<p>You would definitely get the answer from your school as not all study abroad plans are the same. If your school sponsors the study abroad program and payments are paid to the U.S. college that you attend, then your FA credits (pell grants, state grants, need based FA) are paid to the U.S. college. However, you are responsible for the travel expenses, spending money, etc.</p>
<p>My D did a study abroad program through her school amd they took care of the educational part. Paid tuition to the school like she was attending and they paid the study abroad college tution, room and board.</p>
<p>I was responsible for plane fare and arranging travel for her to get to and from her study abroad , medical coverage, and misc. expenses including spending $$. Because the U.S. dollar is so low in europe, it was still a very expensive endeavor. </p>
<p>If you apply for a study abroad program not approved by or coordinated with your school then you are responsible for paying for it. Your Pell grant and state aid does not travel with you.</p>
<p>I see from your post that your D attends Rutgers. Here is what they say:</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Your D should definitely go through them to get her study abroad done. If sounds like you pay Rugters and the school pays the program. Her state and federal aid will go to the school. happy traveling</p>
<p>Thanks for the very informative post Sybbie - I was thinking of my second daughter who is a hs senior now. She is interested in traveling abroad as a college freshman. This is new to me. Specifically, She would like to find a studio art art history program. From what I have read, more colleges are allowing freshman to travel as they are overcrowded and housing is an issue at some colleges. I have a lot to learn.</p>
<p>My daughter’s school has 2 main study abroad options. </p>
<p>Reciprocal Agreement where you enroll in your college and pay your tuition to your home university then are responsible for other expenses. As far as we can tell the cost would be very similar to a semester in her home university but with, of course, additional travel expenses and possibly some additional cost, depending on where she goes, because of Cost of Living Expense. Her institutional scholarships (tuition waiver in her case) *and *her federal aid can be used.</p>
<p>Affiliated/Approved programs where you have to sign up directly with the overseas school/program. The home college has to sign some sort of contractual agreement with the overseas college to allow federal aid to be used. If it is a school they have not worked with before they say it may take some time to arrange this. Institutional scholarships from her home university cannot be used.</p>
<p>As far as we can tell the affiliated programs seem more costly but we are in learning mode right now so are not experts.</p>