Study Abroad Information

The Financial aid programs available for Study Abroad include Federal Pell Grant, Federal Stafford Loans, Federal Parent Loans (PLUS) and Alternative Loans.  Study abroad programs will not receive student financial aid funds directly from the University of Mary Washington.  The University of Mary Washington will disburse aid to students, when paperwork is complete, and it is the student’s responsibility to ensure the study abroad institution receives the funds. Please delegate someone to negotiate the deposit of the check. The Student Accounts Office encourages students to enroll in direct deposit to receive the funds.  If the student chooses not to enroll, the funds will be sent in the student’s name to the address listed with Student Accounts.  Student must submit the following items for file to be complete:

1. Complete UMW “Request for Study Abroad Financial Aid” Form
2. Provide the Financial Aid Office with documentation of the program costs (with break down) as well as start and end dates. (These must be from the program Web site or brochure.)
3. Provide the Financial Aid Office with Official Acceptance Letter.
4. Provide the Financial Aid Office with a copy of the course approval form.
5. Consortium Agreement from the study abroad institution must be signed and returned (The Office of Financial Aid will handle this).

Study Abroad Students applying for federal student aid (Federal Pell Grant, Stafford or PLUS) must complete their study abroad program through an institution that has been approved by the UMW Center for International Education. Students NOT applying for federal student aid may participate in programs if the UMW Center for International Education has approved the programs. (Simpson, Palmieri, Julian, and Alden International Scholarships: Students may inquire about these programs through the Office of Alumni Relations or the UMW Center for International Education.)

Summer Study Abroad Programs: Program must be through UMW for a minimum 10-week period with a minimum of six (6) credit hours. OR, a student may enroll for a minimum of six (6) credit hours and attend both UMW summer sessions (one may be an UMW study abroad program). Summer financial aid is limited to Federal Stafford, Federal PLUS and Alternative Loans. The Federal Pell Grant is available to eligible students who have not used all of their current year eligibility.

Fall programs are disbursed mid- September and spring funds are disbursed in the first part of March. Different financial aid programs disburse on different days. Financial aid funds will not be available for required program deposit fees or upfront costs. The payment of Financial aid funds is approximately four weeks after the program starts, assuming that the financial aid file is completed in time and loans processed.

 Click here for the Study Abroad Financial Aid Request Form.  Complete the form and return it to the Office of Financial Aid.