MASFAA 2013 October 6 th – 9 th, 2013 Indianapolis, Indiana Study Abroad: Best Practices in...
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Transcript of MASFAA 2013 October 6 th – 9 th, 2013 Indianapolis, Indiana Study Abroad: Best Practices in...
MASFAA 2013
October 6th – 9th, 2013
Indianapolis, Indiana
Study Abroad: Best Practices in Advising
Tyler Arens
Financial Aid Advisor
Michigan State University
Heidi Johnson
Financial Aid Senior Advisor
University of Wisconsin – Madison
Overview
Value of study abroad Advising students on selection and
budgeting◦ Strategies for selecting a study abroad
program◦ Sample budgets◦ Tips on saving money abroad
Financial Aid applicability Study abroad scholarships
◦ Benjamin A. Gilman2
By studying abroad, students can develop….
an understanding of themselves culturally and the ability to use this knowledge to live and work effectively in diverse settings and with diverse individuals
the knowledge and skills associated with international, global, and intercultural content areas such as language, geography, history;
a desire and ability to seek out and use diverse sources of information to inform their decision making; and
a desire and ability to engage in communities of practice as citizens and scholars.
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Study Abroad: Best Practices in Advising
Advising students on selection and budgeting
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Selecting a Program
Consider different types of programs.◦ Semester v. Full Year v. Short-Term◦ Home-school program v. Affiliated/Third-Party v. Exchange◦ Internship
Look outside of Western Europe for less expensive options.
Consider what is included in the program costs.◦ Excursions?◦ Local transportation?◦ Insurance?◦ Visa processing?◦ Can you work in this country?
Comparison shop.
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Budgets
Before you start…- Know your current comprehensive costs
(tuition + room + board).- Understand your school’s study abroad costs.
◦ Home-school tuition v program tuition?◦ Additional study abroad/application fee?◦ Can you use your financial aid? All, some, none?
- Have a sense of what your current personal expenses are.- Have a sense of what your bottom line is.
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Budgets
MSU Sample Undergraduate Budgets
Michigan students/semesterUndergraduate
Out-of-state students/semesterUndergraduate
Tuition & Fees $6,813 (15 cr.) $17,165 (15 cr.)
Room & Board $4,428 $4,428
Books & Supplies $522 $522
Personal & Misc $994 $1,321
Total Budget $12,757 $23,436
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Budgets
UW- Madison Sample Undergraduate Budgets
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UW –Madison Sample Undergraduate Budgets
Wisconsin students/semesterUndergraduate
Out-of-state students/semesterUndergraduate
Tuition $5,201 (12 Cr.) $13,326 (12 Cr.)
Room and Board $4,590 $4,590
Books and Supplies $600 $600
Miscellaneous & Travel
$1,719 $1,719
Total Budget $12,110 $20,235
MSU Sample Exchange Budget
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MSU Sample Direct Enrollment Budget
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UW-Madison Sample Exchange Budget
Sydney Australia, University of Sydney Exchange
In State Resident
Program Fee $6650.00 (fixed cost)
Estimated Additional Expenses:
Airfare $2200.00
Health Insurance $200.00
Books and Supplies $500.00
Housing $5000.00
Local Transportation $500.00
Meals $1650.00
Personal/Miscellaneous $1900.00
Visa $580.00
Total Cost of Attendance $19,180.00
Program Fee includes academic expenses, administrative costs, mandatory health insurance, orientation and internship placement.
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UW-Madison Sample Direct Enrollment Budget
Sydney, Australia, Macquarie University
In State Resident
Program Fee $11,700.00 (fixed cost)
Estimated Additional Expenses:
Airfare $2200.00
Health Insurance $300.00
Books and Supplies $400.00
Housing $4000.00
Local Transportation $800.00
Meals $1450.00
Personal/Miscellaneous $1500.00
Visa $580.00
Total Cost of Attendance $22,930.00
Program Fee includes academic expenses, administrative costs, mandatory health insurance, orientation.
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Money Saving Tip
Before you go… Create a personal budget Do your research
◊ Travel guides, websites Look for group or student fares
◊ STA, Student Universe Apply for discount cards, memberships
◊ ISIC, IYH, YHA Check your bank
◊ Make sure you understand what fees you’ll be charged for using your ATM or credit card abroad; research fees with other banks.
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Money Saving Tip
While you are there… Travel
◊ Plan trips ahead of time.◊ Travel in chunks of time versus traveling every weekend.◊ Use hostels rather than hotels ◊ Explore your host city.
Eating◊ Eat in by cooking instead of eating meals out.◊ Share meals.◊ Eat like a local: shop local markets, get staff suggestions
for cafés.◊ Identify inexpensive places where domestic students eat.
Avoid tourist traps
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Money Saving Tip
Communication◊ Use Skype and pre-paid calling cards.◊ Send old-fashioned letters and postcards.
Transportation◊ Use buses and metro rather than cabs; walk!◊ For trips, remember to compare train and air prices.◊ Think about overnight travel—save the cost of a room.
Shopping◊ Wait to buy! Especially for souvenirs, compare prices.◊ If bartering is part of the local custom, then barter.◊ Local Markets often less expensive than stores◊ Take a local friend with you to get a better deal.
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Money Saving Tip
Money◊ Follow your budget! Keep track of what you spend.◊ Pay cash: it’s easy to overspend with credit cards.◊ Don’t carry lots of cash with you—less temptation to
spend.◊ Use your discount cards (ISIC, IYH, university ID).
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Study Abroad: Best Practices in Advising
Commonly Asked Questions Can I use my financial aid to pay for my study abroad program?
◊ Yes, generally students can apply their financial aid (including loans) to assist in covering the cost of studying abroad.
Can I use work study while studying abroad?◊ No.
What about my scholarships?◊ You will need to check with the donor of the scholarship to determine if it may be used
for study abroad.
How can I apply for scholarships for study abroad?◊ Check with the college/department sponsoring your study abroad program as well as
your home college/department. Your Study Abroad/International Engagement Office may also administer scholarships for study abroad.
I have been awarded my maximum amounts in FAFSA aid. What are my other options beyond scholarships?
◊ Once you have exhausted your FAFSA eligibility for the year in addition to applying for scholarships, you may also be eligible to apply for a Parent PLUS or private student loan up to your cost of attendance (i.e. study abroad financial aid budget).
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Study Abroad: Best Practices in Advising
Commonly Asked Questions How will my charges be paid?
◊ If you are being billed through your home school’s Bursar’s Office, your financial aid will first be applied to your study abroad program fees. If a credit balance is created a refund check will be distributed to you. If your financial aid does not cover your charges in full you will be responsible for paying the difference by the due date. If you are not being billed by your home school’s Bursar’s Office your financial aid will be sent to you as a refund and you will be responsible for using the refund to pay your bill by the due date.
Where will my refund check be mailed?◊ Your refund check will be mailed to your current mailing address as listed with
your home school. We encourage you to update your address to someone who can deposit the check for you as you will be traveling when the checks are mailed after disbursement takes place.
Can I pick up my refund check in person?◊ No, refund checks must be mailed or direct deposited into your checking or
savings account.
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Study Abroad: Best Practices in Advising
Financial Aid Applicability
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Financial Aid Applicability
Financial aid resources may be used for education abroad.◊ Higher Education Act: Allows students to
use federal aid for education abroad if credit is approved by home institution
◊ Consortium agreement with another institution
◊ Federal aid follows the student, not institution
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Financial Aid Applicability
File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA.gov)
Financial aid for education abroad usually comes in the form of federal grants and federal or private loans.◊ Scholarship money is critical.
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Financial Aid Applicability
Types of Aid Availability Federal Grants
◊ Federal Pell Grant◊ Federal Supplemental Educational
Opportunities Grant (SEOG) Federal Loans
◊ Federal Direct Loans◊ Federal Perkins Loans◊ Federal Parent PLUS Loans for
Undergraduate Students22
Financial Aid Applicability
Types of Aid Availability Private Alternative Loans
◊ Nonfederal educational loan issued by a private lender
State Aid◊ MCS, MET, MESP, WI State Grant
Institutional Aid◊ Some institutions may allow you to apply aid you
would normally receive while on-campus Study Abroad Scholarships
◊ National, local and institutional23
Delivering Aid
Develop special budgets for financial aid◊ E.g. Program fee, tuition and additional costs◊ Advise that costs are per program, not student
Federal funds cannot disburse until the 10th day before the first day of classes.
Direct Deposit refunds of excess financial aid Options for advance costs such as airfare
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Interfacing with the Study Abroad Office
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Interfacing with the Study Abroad Office
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Interfacing with the Study Abroad Office
The Study Abroad Process 1. Students are registered for the study abroad placeholder credits and are
assigned the Off Campus Program checklist. 2. I am sent the lists of participants with their program information and costs
of attendance. UW-Madison offers study abroad programs through the following offices/departments:
◊ International Academic Programs (IAP)◊ School of Business◊ College of Engineering◊ College of Agriculture and Life Sciences◊ School of Law◊ College of Human Ecology◊ Political Science Department
3. I update the students’ costs of attendance to reflect the information provided and Award Reconciliation revises students’ financial aid awards as applicable.
4. I complete the Off Campus Program checklist.
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Interfacing with the Study Abroad Office
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Interfacing with the Study Abroad Office
How can we best work together? Funding is a crucial piece of the study
abroad puzzle Is there a financial aid advisor dedicated
to education abroad students? Communication and coordination are
key to working with the Financial Aid Office
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Study Abroad: Best Practices in Advising
Scholarships forEducation Abroad
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Scholarships for Education Abroad
Study Abroad Office scholarships Departmental scholarships for study
abroad Department scholarships or research
grants which would be applicable to study abroad
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Scholarships for Education Abroad
Affiliate Programs◊ SIT matches Pell grant awards on many programs◊ Many have partnered w/ DiversityAbroad.com
• AIFS: $500 or $1000• GlobaLinks: $1000• Semester at Sea: 50% off the cost of the least expensive cabin • Turkish Coalition of America: $2000, $1000, or $500 (UG or GR)
Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad◊ Summer & fall study abroad scholarships ($1000)◊ 3.5 GPA
Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarships◊ $27,000/academic year (or equivalent in host country
currency)
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Scholarships for Education Abroad
Boren Scholarships – (undergraduate students)◊ Awards up to $8,000/summer
• Special initiative for STEM students only; 8 weeks minimum
◊ Awards up to $10,000 /semester◊ Awards up to $20,000/year◊ Goal: Promote long term linguistic and cultural immersion◊ Outside of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand◊ Requires 1 year of government service
Boren Fellowships – (graduate students)• Awards up to $24,000/year• Goal: To add important international & language component to grad.
studies• Outside of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand• Minimum of 3 months and maximum of 1 year overseas
− Priority given to programs 6 months or longer & STEM majors− Requires 1 year of government service
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Scholarships for Education Abroad
The Language Flagship Fellowships◊ Graduate students (2 year commitment)◊ Goal: Overseas immersion program & attainment of master’s
degree◊ Languages: Arabic, Chinese, Korean, or Persian◊ Scholarship includes the following expenses over 2 years:
• Tuition• A modest stipend for living expenses• Support for travel costs• Health insurance coverage
Bridging Scholarship for Study in Japan◊ $2500/semester, $4000/academic year
Freeman Asia Scholarship◊ Asia or Southeast Asia◊ Awards up to $5000/semester or $3000/summer
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Scholarships for Education Abroad
Online databases◊ DiversityAbroad.com◊ IEFA.org◊ InternationalScholarships.com◊ Scholarships.com◊ StudyAbroadFunding.org
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Scholarships for Education Abroad
Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship The program aims to diversify the kinds of
students who study abroad and the countries and regions where they go by supporting undergraduates who might otherwise not participate due to financial constraints.
Funded through the US Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
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Scholarships for Education Abroad
Benjamin A. Gilman ScholarshipEligibility Criteria
U.S. Citizen Undergraduate student Federal Pell Grant recipient Receiving academic credit Anywhere in the world not currently under a
U.S. Department of State Travel Warning or Cuba
Minimum four weeks long in one location39
Scholarships for Education Abroad
Benjamin A. Gilman ScholarshipPriority given to:
Diverse students◊ Ethnic background◊ Non-traditional students◊ First generation college students◊ Students with disabilities◊ Students in STEM majors◊ Community College and Minority Serving Institution
Diverse program types and locations◊ Non-traditional locations ◊ Language based programs◊ Year-long or semester programs given priority
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Scholarships for Education Abroad
Benjamin A. Gilman ScholarshipTips for Writing a Competitive Essay:
Why you, why this program and why this location? Be specific about diversity in your essay
◊ The reader will not know your background unless you write about it◊ Talk about the challenges you have overcome
Make sure you “poofread” your essay“I am excited to study aboard and submerge myself in the Chinese
culture.” Talk to your Gilman advisor and writing center Follow-on project should:
◊ Give back and inspire others to go abroad◊ Be realistic and attainable◊ Partner with established organizations
You, too, can be a Gilman Panelist!
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Study Abroad: Best Practices in Advising
Questions
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Study Abroad: Best Practices in Advising
Thank you for attending!
T
Tyler Arens [email protected]
Heidi Johnson – [email protected]
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